Advice: How to get a job at the World Bank?

[Anonymous]

I am a non profit professional very interested in working for the WB some day. Can you please tell me how people wind up there? What sort of education do you need to have? What prior work experience? Age cap?

any advice would be deeply appreciated!

[Anonymous]

DH works at the WB and you pretty much need a PhD, which he has. He used to work for the World Economic Forum in Geneva before WB. So yeah, you pretty much need top notch superstar credentials.

[Anonymous]

Are you a US citizen? It's much harder if so. Every US citizen I know at the Bank has worked on a contract basis for at least 5 years before being offered a regular job.

[Anonymous]

Not true that it's harder for US citizens. WB jobs are difficult to get and the contracting over there is out of control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a US citizen? It's much harder if so. Every US citizen I know at the Bank has worked on a contract basis for at least 5 years before being offered a regular job.

No. Just a green card holder. I have an international background (parents were diplomats) and have worked in the DC nonprofits for a few years.

[Anonymous]

You need a Masters degree at least. I work there and don't have a PhD.

You can look on the website for job openings. But most people get in through work as a short-term consultant, and making connections that way. If there is a specific field that you specialize in, then try to make contact with those folks at the Bank to meet with them and discuss opportunities. In a lot of fields it can be quite hard to get in. Morale is a little low there these days, though!

[Anonymous]

I am sure there are a lot of PHD's with superstar credentials at the World Bank, but that can't be true for all positions there. I know plenty of people that work there and do not have a PHD.

[Anonymous]

I'm genuinely curious after reading this. What is it about the World Bank that everyone wants a job there so badly and it is so hard to get a job there?

[Anonymous]

I am starting a term position at WB in a few weeks. I got the job by applying to an open position on the WB career website. I am a US Citizen and have a Masters degree with no WB connections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am starting a term position at WB in a few weeks. I got the job by applying to an open position on the WB career website. I am a US Citizen and have a Masters degree with no WB connections.

What is your job title? What are your qualifications?

[Anonymous]

WB is considered a high-prestige and desirable place to work, particularly for PhDs who don't want to go into academia.

[Anonymous]

It is a pretty elite club. Working at the WB as a secretary may not be so hard, but working there as a professional requires a pretty tight fit. You can tell by looking at others working there if your credentials are equal to theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm genuinely curious after reading this. What is it about the World Bank that everyone wants a job there so badly and it is so hard to get a job there?

I'd like to know this too. Sincere question from someone who's not that familiar with the World Bank and what it does. (But I'm googling right now.)

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP whose husband works there after having worked at the WEF. We are not Americans and I am honestly surprised folks who live in DC have no idea it is considered a very elite place to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a US citizen? It's much harder if so. Every US citizen I know at the Bank has worked on a contract basis for at least 5 years before being offered a regular job.

No. Just a green card holder. I have an international background (parents were diplomats) and have worked in the DC nonprofits for a few years.

If you are a citizen of a rich donor country (like Switzerland or Germany), have excellent credentials, AND have contacts there, then you have a minsicule chance. After you work as a contractor for a few years. Without those things, it's pretty much impossible to get a job there.