1. APPLYING FOR CAREERS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Jenny Keaveney Careers Advisory Service The slides from this talk will be available at: www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm Wednesday 18 March 2009

2. What this seminar will cover Opportunities with your degree What do employers offer? What do they look for? How to access these opportunities Making applications  Application forms  CVs/resumés Information resources

3. Who employs graduates in International Law/ International Relations?

4. Employers Employers include: –Inter-governmental organisations, especially the UN and European institutions –Non-governmental organisations: a very wide range including organisations involved with development, human rights, justice, conflict prevention, disaster relief, environmental protection etc –Law firms in private practice

5. What these employers offer Experience offered may be: Permanent Temporary (such as internships/stages) Paid or unpaid In a legal role or in a more general area of work

6. What is an internship? A period of short-term work experience – usually ranges from one to six months Usually full-time although some part-time opportunities may be available Work may involve research, casework, project work, drafting, translation, lobbying, administrative tasks Often unpaid! In the EU institutions, internships are known as stages

7. “Stages” EU organisations which offer stages include: –European Court of Justice –European Commission –Council of Europe Normally start March or Sept and last 5-6 months Paid or unpaid Open to EU nationals Must be able to offer 2 official EU languages Apply 6 months before the start date

8. Application Procedure International organisations and large law firms will usually require you to complete an application form NGOs and smaller firms may have an application form but more often accept a CV (curriculum vitae) or resumé You don’t have to wait for jobs or internships to be advertised – you can send your CV “on spec”

9. What do international organisations look for in graduates?

10. Motivation International mobility Interpersonal skills Cultural awareness Flexibility/adaptability All the above in addition to any specific criteria such as education, nationality, language skills and professional experience

11. What do these employers look for in graduates? Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in international human rights. Relevant coursework is highly desirable, and knowledge of foreign languages is a plus. Computer skills (ie, Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required. (Human Rights Watch internships page) “At least 2 years of progressively responsible professional legal experience is required.. either in an international organisation, or a government, or a law firm, with experience in international, administrative, commercial and/or criminal law matters” (UN advertisement for Associate Legal Officer)

12. Making your application stand out Show what you can offer that will help you do the job (knowledge, skills, experience …) Give evidence of all the required qualities Be clear and concise Relate your application to the job - highlight your most relevant skills and experience Your spelling, grammar and use of language must be perfect!

13. Help with making applications Careers Service web pages www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm Advice on your application from a careers adviser. Book an appointment or just drop in www.kent.ac.uk/careers/dutyca.htm Booklets, DVDs and reference books/files

14. Other internship opportunities Useful information sources: International Relations pages www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntRelations.htm I Want to Work in Human Rights www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/humanrights.htm I Want to Work for an International Organisation www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/internationalorg.htm InternWiki http://internwiki.james5.org/wiki/Main_Page

15. THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE … Open 9-5, Monday-Friday, in term-time and vacation Drop in at any time to see the duty careers adviser, or to use the Careers Information Room or networked PCs and IT resources or email us: –careerhelp@kent.ac.uk or phone 01227 823480/1 Or ask me now! Jenny Keaveney Careers Adviser