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THOMAS COLE

THOMAS COLE. POLICY OFFICER, EUROPEAN COMMISSION. From the UoE to the EU. Thomas Cole MA History & Politics 2006. Presentation overview. My career to date post-graduation My role in the European Commission Jobs in the EU institutions Careers' hints and tips.

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THOMAS COLE

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  1. THOMAS COLE POLICY OFFICER, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

  2. From the UoE to the EU Thomas Cole MA History & Politics 2006

  3. Presentation overview • My career to date post-graduation • My role in the European Commission • Jobs in the EU institutions • Careers' hints and tips

  4. 1. Post-Edinburgh life: beginnings • Graduated in 2006 • Master's Degree at the LSE in Global Politics • EU Delegation to the United States

  5. 1. Since 2008: tough but possible • UK Magazine Industry • EU-wide public affairs in Brussels • European Commission since April 2012

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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)

  11. 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)

  12. 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

  13. 4. Hints and Tips - general • Have a career goal in mind (UN, FCO, EEAS) • Always try - never give up • dare to live your career dream • Ask others for feedback and advice • Be patient • There are many paths to your goal

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 4. Hints and Tips – practical 2 • Example of cv: (always have top line summary)

  18. 4. Hints and Tips – practical 3 • Example of online CV:

  19. 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!

  20. 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/ • Euractivhttp://jobs.euractiv.com/ • Eurobrusselshttp://www.eurobrussels.com/ • W4MP http://www.w4mpjobs.org/SearchJobs.aspx?search=alljobs • CVs/Cover letter advice http://www.eurobrussels.com/cv_guide.php

  21. Thank you! – Any questions?

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