THOMAS COLE

POLICY OFFICER, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

From the UoE to the EU

Thomas ColeMA History & Politics 2006

Presentation overview

1. My career to date post-graduation

2. My role in the European Commission

3. Jobs in the EU institutions

4. Careers' hints and tips

1. Post-Edinburgh life: beginnings

Graduated in 2006

Master's Degree at the LSE in Global Politics

EU Delegation to the United States

1. Since 2008: tough but possible

UK Magazine Industry

EU-wide public affairs in Brussels

European Commissionsince April 2012

2. European Commission?

I work in the Directorate-General focusing on Enlargement – countries wishing to join the EU• Currently 27 EU member states, who is next?• Current candidates are Croatia, Iceland, Turkey,

Montenegro; Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, FYROM, Albania, (Northern Cyprus)

• I focus primarily on Iceland Applied in 2009, negotiations started in 2010 - ongoing

2. European Commission?

My role:– Political background briefings– Liaising with diplomats (ICE, MNG, etc)– Negotiations on agriculture, environment, budget

Useful Skills:– IR + EU interest– LANGUAGES– Flexibility, analysis, quick-thinking, own ideas,

team player, culturally aware

3. EU jobs - internships

"Bluebook Stage" – internship– 5 months, based in Brussels– Either Oct-Feb OR Mar-Aug– Very competitive, €1100 per month

"Delegation Stage" – internship– Up to 5 months in an EU Delegation (embassy)– Very global (US, Russia, Japan, China, India, etc)– Usually unpaid but less well-known

3. EU institutions - JPD

Junior Professional in Delegation Programme– 2x 9 month placements in Delegations– Strong competition (only ca 80 candidates every 2 years)– Masters' degree required– Fantastic opportunity at an early career stage

3. EU institutions – non permanent

Temporary agents (TA)– Open to all; high expertise required

Contract agents (CA) - me– Exams held ad-hoc, either 3 years contracts (in

Brussels) or unlimited (Delegations) – good starting point in EU institutions

Interim positions– To fill short term gaps (very short contracts)

3. EU institutions – Officials

Officials ("functionnaires")– Full time international civil servants– Have to be from an EU member state– Options to move across policy areas – Options to move across institutions (Commission,

EEAS, Parliament, EU Delegations)

3. EU institutions – how to start?

EPSO – European Personnel Selection Office– Exams 1x per year for functionnaires (like UK civil

service fast stream)– Revise, revise, revise!!! (online practice/exam

books)– For all other positions, exams/openings on an ad-

hoc basis– If at first you don't succeed, don't worry, exams

are held every year

4. Hints and Tips - general

Have a career goal in mind (UN, FCO, EEAS)Always try - never give updare to live your career dreamAsk others for feedback and adviceBe patientThere are many paths to your goal

4. Hints and Tips - personal

What has been useful for me in my career:– Languages– travel– Good education (Edinburgh)– Networking– Living abroad– Support from friends and family (Edinburgh)– Volunteering (see next slide)

4. Hints and tips – volunteer! Voluntary project in Peru

Edinburgh Global Partnership project in Swaziland

Lib Dem Campaign trail at 2009 EP elections

LSE alumni society - events + contacts

Edinburgh Brussels society – talks + events

YPFP – Ambassadors, diplomats, public speaking

4. Hints and Tips – practical 1

CVs/Resumés (always re-read!)– Always tailor the CV to the job– Max 2 pages (Precision and focus)– Easy "verbal" language + 1 line bullets– Online? Linkedin very useful

Cover letter/e-mail (always re-read!)– Focus on the job– 1 page max + bold key points if necessary

Follow-up with a phone call, if necessary

4. Hints and Tips – practical 2

• Example of cv: (always have top line summary)

4. Hints and Tips – practical 3

• Example of online CV:

4. Hints and Tips – practical 3

Networking is important– Go to careers' events– Introduce yourself to people– Chit-chat + small talk

Helps if you are on the ground– meet people in the area where you want to work– Informal coffee meetings (get to know people)– Ok, it's timely (& expensive)…but it works!

Useful EU careers' websites EPSO http://europa.eu/epso/index_en.htm EC traineeships http://ec.europa.eu/stages/ JPD programme

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/jed/ Euractiv http://jobs.euractiv.com/ Eurobrussels http://www.eurobrussels.com/ W4MP http://www.w4mpjobs.org/SearchJobs.aspx?

search=alljobs CVs/Cover letter advice

http://www.eurobrussels.com/cv_guide.php

Thank you! – Any questions?