How to Work for the World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization, known as the WTO, is an international organization that monitors trade between nations. Its goal is to promote and facilitate trade between businesses in different countries and to insure that fair trade practices are followed. The World Trade Organization is located in Europe, though it deals with trade policy throughout the world.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• College degree

Find a Job With the WTO

1. Craft an effective resume. Your resume should focus on your previous experience working in the field of international trade. Whether it was in the private sector or for a government agency, previous international trade work is the primary factor recruiters seek.
2. Include your educational qualifications on your work resume. The World Trade Organization usually recruits only those candidates with substantial educational qualifications. A college degree is typically required to work for the organization.
3. Gather letters of recommendation. Professors, previous employers and advisors are good people from whom to get letters of recommendation. Having a recommendation letter from the right person can be a huge asset when looking for a job with the World Trade Organization.
4. Start out with an internship in the World Trade Organization. The WTO internship program provides a few internships for highly qualified candidates every year. Candidates must be post-graduate students of accredited universities who are pursuing careers in international trade.
5. Check the eligibility requirements for a World Trade Organization internship before you apply. WTO internships are highly desirable, and competition for open slots is fierce. A full list of eligibility requirements can be found on the WTO website (see Resources below).
6. Visit the World Trade Organization website and click on the link for vacancies. A list of currently available positions within the organization will be displayed.
7. Fill out the online application for positions within the World Trade Organization, and read more about the recruitment process and practices.
8. Prepare to relocate. The World Trade Organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and many of its openings are for that location, though there are branches of the WTO in many major cities around the world.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not apply for work with the World Trade Organization if you are not comfortable with controversy. Like any large international entity dealing with trade between nations, the WTO garners its fair share of bad press and acrimonious feelings from people, especially those from non-member countries.