Sometimes I’m about getting your first job in Brussels.
I’m not sure I’m the best person to ask. When I moved here back in 1996, I did not even know about the College of Europe or the Blue Book scheme.
I moved here after a few years of active involvement in the Labour Movement in Europe and some PhD research in Hull. I guessed that if you wanted to learn how the EU worked, it made sense to move here. I guessed right.
If I were 25 again, I would recommend to my younger self the follow.
- Hustle: You need to hustle to get the good jobs. You need to demonstrate to a future employer you are the right person for the job and you are hungry for the work.
2. Selling yourself with your CV
You need to demonstrate on paper that you’ll bring ‘added value’.
Visual CV is a good investment.
Use WordPress to provide a portfolio of projects and accomplishments.
Spell check before sending. I’m poor at this.
3. Provide examples of your clear writing.
Writing clearly and concisely is a superpower. It is rare in Brussels.
Put your examples in your WordPress blog.
The easiest way to show you expertise and ability to write clearly is to have a blog site. Few people do it. I don’t know why.
4. Issue expertise: Show publications you have contributed to on the issue.
Add the title of your thesis on the issue.
I once had a job interview when the panel were asking my views about a report. I asked them to turn to the acknowledgment section and read out the first line. I had worked as the research assistant for the Professor who wrote the report. We skipped over that part and I got the job.
I got my first job with Dr.Gordon Adam MEP because he needed some help on some fisheries legislation and through my work in the European Movement had worked on fisheries policy.
5. Interested in political campaigns: Show you worked for a politician on an election campaign, Party Membership.
I was an active member of the UK Labour Party and had canvassed in many elections. I think you learn a lot of useful skills when canvassing. Not, least, framing the message for the audience and dealing with rejection.
6. Pro-European: Show your membership of the European Movement. I was active in the Labour Movement in Europe through which I met some excellent British Commissioners and MEPs.
I suspect Brussels is a grim place if you are anti-European.
7. Prepared to work hard: List some actions that shows you are happy to get your hands dirty and work hard. I learned a lot working on building sites and working double shifts in a lasagna factory (I could not eat lasagna for many years afterwards).
I’m not sure internships in your Dad’s firm shows this.
8. Some of your experience may be location specific. Your University’s ‘great network’ may work in Paris but may little outside.
9. References provide a credibility mark.
10. All the best jobs are by word of mouth.
You are looking to show that you have political nous, an ability to work well with people, put in the hard graft, and deliver consistently good work.