FAQs
Whether you're looking for a first career break or your next big assignment, this brief guide can help you apply for a job at IFC. Our recruiting processes vary depending on the role.
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Where do I fit in?
Our organization is large and complex to anyone looking from the outside. To get a better feel for where you can fit in and what kind of roles you should apply for, a good start is understanding if your area of expertise is in the operations function or the corporate function:Operations
Here is where our investment, advisory, operations, and portfolio management career tracks fit. We further divide these by our areas of expertise:
- Agribusiness and Forestry
- Financial Institutions
- Funds
- Health and Education
- Infrastructure
- Manufacturing
- Oil, Gas, and Mining
- Public-Private Partnership
- Telecoms, Media, and Technology
- Tourism, Retail, and Property
CorporateThis encompass all the functions that provide support to our operations. These may include, but not limited to:
- Audit
- Budget
- Communications
- Corporate Strategy
- Credit and Risk
- External Relations
- Human Resources
- Information & Technology
- Legal
- Treasury
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How can I find jobs that are currently open at IFC and how do I apply?
In the Careers site under ‘Current Openings’, you will find jobs that are currently open in Washington, D.C. and our country and regional offices around the world, with links to apply online. We do not accept applications or CVs sent by mail or email.
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What are the official languages of IFC?
IFC uses English as its primary official language. However, official languages also include Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
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Do I need a visa to work at IFC?
For you to work at IFC in the U.S., if you are a non-U.S. citizen, you must either be in U.S. permanent resident status or have a G4 visa, which is issued at the request of the World Bank Group by the U.S. Department of State.
For you to work at IFC in any country office, you must be in compliance with residence, work authorization, and visa requirements for employment with international organizations in that country. -
What is the difference between a local and an international hire?
IFC hires staff on international appointments (USD salary) and local appointments (local currency salary). International appointments may be authorized for some senior roles in circumstances where (i) required skills cannot be obtained by local recruitment, or (ii) global mobility and international experience are essential. Both types of appointments offer competitive benefits packages.
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What is IFC’s policy on hiring spouses and relatives of current staff?
The spouse or domestic partner of a World Bank Group staff who meets the normal selection standards may be employed by the World Bank Group. Spouses or domestic partners may be assigned to the same location or unit, subject to certain approvals, if neither supervises the other, directly, or indirectly, and their duties are not likely to bring them into routine professional contact. The WBG has certain restrictions on the employment of relatives (see Employment Policy).
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What is the Young Professionals Program?
The WBG YPP is a starting point for an exciting career at the World Bank Group. Young Professionals are recruited from around the world with various academic and professional backgrounds relevant to the World Bank, IFC and MIGA. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate a passion for international development, graduate education, relevant professional experience, and the potential to grow into impactful leadership roles across our institutions. For more information, click here.
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What is the Global Internship Program?
The IFC Global Internship Program offers highly motivated Masters level students an opportunity to be exposed to the mission and work of IFC and the broader World Bank Group. IFC hires Global Interns for a minimum period of four weeks between May and October to work on discrete projects in Washington, D.C. or in one of IFC's country or regional offices.
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How can I find out if my country is part of the Donor Funded Staffing Program?
Visit the Donor Funded Staffing Program homepage to see the list of eligible countries. Funding for this program is tied to donor nationality.
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What is the Global Secondment Program?
The Global Secondment Program provides opportunities for professionals from member countries, regional agencies, and other external organizations to join the World Bank Group on a temporary basis to contribute to the World Bank Group’s work program. Arrangements for assignments are coordinated between the Bank Group manager of the hosting unit and the partner organization.
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How long does it take to complete an application?
The application can be completed in approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Please be sure to complete the entire application in less than two hours, otherwise the system will time out and you will have to start the application from the beginning.
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Can I submit my resume/CV in a language other than English?
No, your resume should be in English as this is a required language at IFC.
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How long should my CV be?
Aim for a CV that is no longer than three pages and not less than one page. Please avoid including your photo or personal information, such as marital status, passport number, or national ID. If you have worked on finance deals/projects, it is a good idea to include those as an attachment, including client, sector, amount, and country next to each.
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How long can my Statement of Interest be?
Your Statement of Interest should be no more than 700 words and should include your motivation/ reason for applying for the position.
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Should I submit my letters of recommendation and references along with my application?
No, please do not attach any letters of recommendation or references to your application.
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I am not able to attach my CV to my application. Is there something I should do differently?
Ensure that the CV’s name does not exceed 20 characters and does not contain any special characters.
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Is there a limit to the number of times I can apply?
While there are no limits to the number of times that you may apply, we recommend that you submit applications thoughtfully. Tailor your CV to each role you apply to—make sure it fits the job description. Avoid multiple applications in a row.
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What should I do if I am experiencing a technical problem submitting my application?
Technical difficulties preventing you from submitting your online application can have various causes, including poor internet connection, firewalls, file size of attachments, and more. In most cases, attempting to submit your application again at a later date will resolve the problem. In the event that the problem persists, contact us through hrweb@worldbank.org, and we will support you in submitting your application. Specify the job number in the subject line and provide us with a detailed description or a screen shot of any error message you received.
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At what point on the closing date does the system stop accepting applications?
The closing time for all jobs is 11:59 p.m. UTC. This is 6:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) or 7:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
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Is it possible to edit my application?
Hiring managers will have access to applications immediately upon submission. Therefore, once your application has been submitted, you will only be able to alter contact information. If you decide to withdraw from a position for any reason, please be aware that you cannot apply for the same position again.
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I have applied for a job but have not heard back, and my status shows “In-Review.” Will I receive an update?
Our selection process is extremely competitive and generates a large volume of applications. Regretfully, we are unable to respond to each applicant beyond the initial acknowledgement of receipt of the resume. Applicants who have been shortlisted will receive an email notification and will be contacted directly by one of our recruiters or a member of the hiring team. Please note that the recruitment process can take several months, and you will be able to see the updated status once the process is complete.
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How long does this stage take?
Ideally, these stages take between two and three weeks.
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Will I receive any e-mail notification when I am progressed to this stage?
You will receive an e-mail notification only when you are progressed to the shortlist stage. No e-mail is received at the longlist stage.
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What happens once I am shortlisted for a role?
A member of the hiring team will reach out to you to schedule an interview.
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Why did I not get shortlisted?
Our hiring process is very competitive, and only the very top candidates are selected for interviews.
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Will I be contacted for other roles?
Yes, you may be contacted for other roles if you have a strong profile that fits other positions. Please set up job alerts from the IFC career page for open opportunities in your field of interest.
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What type of interview will I have?
Your interview could be by telephone, webex or face to face. First interview might be a recorded video interview.
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How many interviews will I have?
Ideally, candidates will have three interviews. Depending on the role, you may have more than that.
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How do I prepare for my interview?
- Be clear about time, venue, and names of interviewers. If it is a webex interview, make sure to test the link ahead of time and try to connect at least 15 minutes early. If it is a face-to-face interview, check directions and leave time for traffic.
- Dress in appropriate business attire.
- Reflect on what motivated you to pursue a career with IFC and be prepared to share your thought process. We genuinely want to understand what inspired you to explore an opportunity with us.
- Read up about our organization. An excellent knowledge of our mission and a demonstrable passion for what we do will show your commitment to our organization.
- Look up our values and be able to tell us what they mean to you.
- Demonstrate confidence, energy, and drive for excellence when talking about your interest in the role.
- Study your resume and take note of your roles and core responsibilities as they relate to the role you are interviewing for.
- Study the job description and prepare relevant examples demonstrating each required competence of the role. Relevant examples of key achievements from past and current experience will help set you apart from the competition.
- Stick to the point when answering questions. Be concise. If you don’t understand what the interviewer is asking, feel free to ask more questions to clarify.
- Prepare questions to ask at the end of your interview.
- Understand and practice the STAR method. This is a behavioral interview technique with a focus on experiences related to the position you are interviewing for;
Situation: What was the situation or challenge?
Task: What tasks or goals were put in place?
Action: What did you do to complete the set task or meet the goals?
Results: Tell us the measurable results based on your actions.
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Are assessments required for certain roles?
Yes, pre-screened candidates for Investment Analyst/Associate Investment Officer/Investment Officer positions are required to go through a standardized assessment process, comprised of an on-demand video interview and game-based assessments powered by HireVue, and an online financial test. These assessments will be administered by the Recruitment team and completed over a 3-day period. Other positions often require participation in recorded video interviews powered by HireVue, as well as writing and technical assessments administered by the hiring department.
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Will you be informed in advance of the time, type, and length of the assessment?
Yes, you will receive an email from the Recruitment team on the assessment process.
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Will my video interview be evaluated by humans?
The video interview will be assessed by the hiring team, not by a computer.
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What if I miss the deadline for the video interview or assessment, I require extra days to complete it, or I require an accommodation?
Please contact the Recruitment team member who emailed you regarding the video interview or assessment to provide a request for an extension (please provide a valid reason) or a request for accommodation.
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When will I hear back regarding the video interview or assessment results and what are the next steps if I am successful?
You should expect to receive an email notification within three weeks, but at times the process can take longer due to the large volume of applications we receive. If you are selected to proceed to the next step, you will be contacted by a member of the hiring team for interviews.
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How long does it take from the time I apply for a job to the time I receive my letter of appointment?
This typically takes from three to five months. Following receipt of applications for a job, IFC short-lists candidates. Once the interview process for these short-listed candidates is completed, IFC sends candidates an e-mail notification and required forms. This step is followed by security and reference checks and finally a letter of appointment.
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Is the offer letter a complete offer with full benefits, terms, and conditions?
Yes.
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Does IFC conduct background checks?
IFC initiates an employment screening at the offer stage, which includes verification of education and previous employment, among other information.
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What if I receive a fraudulent email from a person/company pretending to hire for IFC?
We are aware of fraudulent emails sent to candidates from people pretending to represent IFC or the World Bank Group. In some cases, fraudsters provide purported job contracts with false signatures of members of our senior leadership team. In return, the requester asks candidates to provide personal details, and in some cases, money. Please note that our official recruitment emails are sent from email addresses ending in worldbankgroup.org, worldbank.org, ifc.org, hirevue.com or mercer.com. We do not request money from job applicants at any point in the recruitment or appointment process.
If you receive or are aware of this type of communication and have concerns, please report it to us at ifcrecruiters@ifc.org. This will allow us to pursue potential legal options against fraudsters.
For any queries other than the FAQs listed above or for any technical assistance, write to hrweb@worldbank.org. Note: This e-mail account does not accept resumes/CVs/Statements of Interest. Please apply on the Careers website.
