How to Build a Career in EU Institutions

Presentation offered byCristina – Catalina CHIRITA

Trainee at the European ParliamentMSc in Management, CITY College – International Faculty of the

University of Sheffield

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Overview

What can I do for the EU?

Why should I work for the EU?

Who could I work for?

What sort of people do they

need?

What employment

possibilities do I have?

How do I apply?

Where is the place of work?

How is life in the heart of the EU?

Where can I get more info?

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What can I do for the EU?

Policy development

Technology & innovation

…and many, many more…

Education & research

Political advising

Aid work

Audit & inspection

Greener economy

Economic & monetary stability

Security policies & justice

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Why should I work for the EU?

Opportunity to work and

travel abroad, and interact with people from

all over Europe

A lifetime of different jobs

Interesting and challenging work that

makes a real difference for

Europe

Encouraged to learn new

skills and languages

An attractive package of

benefits

…have all of these…

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Who could I work for?

Commission

Council

Parliament

Court of Justice

Court of Auditors

Economic &Social Committee

Committee of Regions

Ombudsman

Data ProtectionSupervisor

…and many other agencies of the EU…

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What sort of people do they need?

• Have a desire to make a difference for Europe and its citizens;

• Are highly skilled, resilient and motivated to succeed, learn and develop knowledge and skills;

• Have strong analytical, problem solving, organizational and communication skills;

• Enjoy working effectively in multicultural teams and deliver quality and results;

• Have abilities to adapt easily to a variety of environments and stakeholders and prove leadership;

• Come from wide range of backgrounds: economists, IT specialists, lawyers, scientists, linguists, and many more.

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What employment possibilities do I have?

Civil servants:• Permanent civil servants

(selected for lifetime by open competitions – EPSO tests);

• Temporary agents and contract agents (3 months-6 years);

• Seconded national experts (1-2 years, drawn from local government employees);

• Interim staff (6 months, drawn from local agencies);

• Trainees (5 to 12 months);

• Diplomats at a Permanent Representation or Embassy.

Political sector:• Assistants to Members of the

European Parliament (MEPs);

• Political groups at the European Parliament;

• NGOs, public interest associations;

• Political consultants.

Private sector:• Firms dealing with EU issues

(consultants, lobbyists, lawyers etc.);

• Industry associations.

Academic sector:• Think-tanks;

• Research institutes.

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How do I apply?

Traineeships at the European Parliament (EP):

• Take place twice a year, for 5 months;• No prior work experience , no age limit;• Minimum bachelor degree and 2 EU languages (2nd EN/FR/DE);• ~3,000 applications each period, ~150 selected trainees (5%);• Candidates can select preferences of which department they’d like to work in;• Paid around €1,200/month (+ travel reimbursement & sickness insurance);• Apply online, by filling in an application form, available at:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/aboutparliament/en/007cecd1cc/Traineeships.html

You can still

apply until

15th May!

Period of traineeship Application period

1 March – 31 July 15 August – 15 October

1 October – 28 February 15 March – 15 May

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How do I apply?

Traineeships at the European Commission (EC):

• Take place twice a year, for 5 months;• No prior work experience , no age limit;• Minimum bachelor degree and 2 EU languages (2nd EN/FR/DE);• ~6,000 applications each period, ~600 selected trainees (10%);• Eligible candidates are added to a data base (“Blue Book”), from where

departments make their choices and select trainees;• Paid around €1,000/month (+ travel reimbursement & sickness insurance);• Apply online, by filling in an application form, available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/stages/index_en.htm

Period of traineeship Application period

1 March – 31 July 1 July – 31 August

1 October – 28 February 1 January – 31 January

You can apply from

1st July!

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How do I apply?

Traineeships at the Council of the European Union (Consilium):

• Take place twice a year, for 5 months;• No prior work experience , no age limit;• Minimum bachelor degree and 2 EU languages (2nd EN/FR/DE);• ~2,000 applications each period, ~100 selected trainees (5%);• Successful applicants are notified about the period of their traineeship and the

department to which they are assigned;• Paid around €1,000/month (+ travel reimbursement & sickness insurance);• Apply online, by filling in an application form, available at:http://www.consilium.europa.eu/contacts/traineeships-office/paid-traineeships?lang=en

Period of traineeship Application period

1 February – 30 June 1 June – 31 August of the year preceding the traineeship1 September – 31 January

You can apply from

1st June!

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Where is the place of work?

Brussels

LuxembourgStrasbourg

Agencies & representations of different EU Member States

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How is life in the heart of the EU?

Multicultural & dynamic environment

Surrounded by different cultures & languages

Making international networks

Enlarging horizons

Travelling within the EU and around the world

Great social life & nightlife

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Where can I get more info?

EU Jobs:

• http://europa.eu/epso

• http://www.eu-careers-online.eu

• http://www.eutraining.eu

• http://www.eurobrussels.com

• http://jobs.euractiv.com

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European Union = United in diversity

“To understand Europe you have to be a genius or French.” (Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State, 1998)

GOOD LUCK!