How to fill out the UN P11 form (and the PHP)

Updated June 2026 · Competably

The P11 is the make-or-break first impression in a UN application. Here is what it is, how it differs from a CV, how to complete each section, and the mistakes that quietly get applicants screened out.

What is the P11 / PHP?

The P11 (Personal History form) is the UN's standardized application form covering your identity, education, employment history, language skills and references. The PHP (Personal History Profile) is the same information entered online inside a recruitment system rather than as a separate document. The UN Secretariat uses the PHP within Inspira, while some entities still use a downloadable P11. Either way, it is treated as your official record, so it must be complete and consistent.

P11 vs CV: what's different

A P11 is more comprehensive and more standardized than a CV. Unlike a typical CV, it expects a full chronological history with no unexplained gaps, exact start and end dates, your real duties for each role, reasons for leaving, and contactable references or supervisors. Treat it as a complete record rather than a highlight reel.

Section by section

Personal information and eligibility

Enter your details exactly as they appear on your identity documents, and make sure your nationality, date of birth and contact details are accurate. These fields are part of the eligibility check, so small inconsistencies cause avoidable problems.

Education

List your qualifications with institutions, dates and the exact degree titles, and make sure they clearly meet the minimum education stated in the vacancy. If the posting requires a specific level or field, show how your education satisfies it.

Employment history

This is the most important section. Give each role's exact dates, your job title, the organization, your real duties, and concrete results, then the reason for leaving. Describe what you actually did in specific terms rather than copying the language of a job description, and account for any gaps so the timeline reads cleanly.

Languages

State your languages honestly with realistic proficiency levels for reading, writing and speaking. Many UN roles value English and French as the working languages, and language requirements can be assessed, so do not overstate.

References

Provide real, reachable referees, ideally including recent supervisors, with correct titles and current contact details. Weak or outdated references can stall an otherwise strong application.

Common mistakes that get applicants screened out

Vague duties that could describe anyone, instead of specific, evidenced responsibilities.
Unexplained gaps or inconsistent dates between sections, your CV and your cover letter.
Copying the vacancy's wording back instead of showing what you genuinely did.
Leaving fields blank or incomplete, which reads as carelessness on an official record.
Not mapping your experience to the competencies and requirements the vacancy lists.

How the P11 is used in screening

Applications are first screened against the eligibility requirements and the competencies named in the job opening, and only a shortlisted group moves to assessment. A complete P11 that clearly evidences each requirement, in your own specific language, is what gets you through that first filter. Tailor it to each vacancy rather than reusing one generic version.

Questions about the P11

How far back should my P11 employment history go?

There is no official fixed number of years; the expectation is a complete, gap-free history that covers your relevant experience with dates, titles, duties and reasons for leaving. Account for any gaps rather than leaving them unexplained.

Can I just upload my CV instead of completing the P11 or PHP?

Usually no. Even when a CV is allowed, most UN applications still require the P11 or PHP fields to be completed in full, because they capture standardized details (references, reasons for leaving, exact dates) that a CV often omits.

What is the difference between the P11 and the PHP?

They hold the same information in different formats. The P11 is a standalone form some entities still use, while the PHP is that same personal-history profile completed online inside a recruitment system such as the UN Secretariat's Inspira.

This guide is general best-practice advice and is not official UN guidance. Always follow the instructions on your specific vacancy and portal. Competably is independent and not affiliated with the United Nations or any of its agencies.

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