The EU wants You!

What ambassadors do? Promote EU careers: -they are open for graduates -encourage more Brits Answer questions

What can the EU do for you? International workplace and cities (Brussels, Luxemburg and Strasburg) An employer which looks after you Training and development (learn a third language before 1 st promotion) Able to move jobs and spend time in private sector Great starting salaries (around £45,000 for administrators)

What’s needed? -Native language one of the 23 official EU languages + English, French or German as a second language. (don’t need to be fluent, just able to communicate at interview) A degree in any subject EU citizenship

Administrators: Key role in policy making, management and research. Salary grades (starts at around £45 000) Linguist: (comes under administrator) Translation or interpreting. English + strong in 2 other EU languages. Get to learn new languages as part of job! Assistant: Internal management: finance, personnel, IT, secretarial. Secondary education + relevant professional experience. Grades (starts at £24 000) Roles

Administrators Policy making Lawyers Audit Science Translators Interpreters Communications and press IT Development aid Statisticians Assistants Secretaries HR assistants Conference assistants ICT Support Web design Social workers Nurses Communications assistants

Applications Administrators: Spring; March Linguists: Summer. Languages rotate, English as a native language due to come up anytime now! Assistants: Winter

Application process outlined 1. Online application 2. Computer-based test, in English & either DE or FR practice speed-reading, good passive knowledge 3. Assessment centre in Brussels, + interview Tests: e.g. case sudies, group exercises, in EN + DE/FR Be able to hold a conversation, not fluent. 4. Reserve list = you’ve passed! - invited for job-specific interviews, & finally recruited. Practice materials online!

Raconteurs They explain: -Their day-to-day jobs (a good insight into how varied EU careers can be). -How they got there -You can find them on the EU Careers Facebook page!

UK EU Fast Track (A second route into EU Careers, this time through the UK Civil Service) 2 years in London within the UK Civil Service Fast Stream Given EU-related post (e.g. within trade, health, environment departments, liaising with Brussels) They prepare you to take the concours (provide language training), because Britain desperately needs to be represented within the EU! If you pass you go to work in Brussels, Luxemburg or Strasburg If not you stay within the UK Civil Service as a regular Fast Streamer, but remember, you are still able to take the concours as many times as you like.

The EU is desperate for Brits! Comments from David Bearfield (head of EU recruitment): - UK the most under-represented country in the EU. -‘War for talent’ over next decade. Many applicants, but shortage of the best graduates. -Over-haul of selection process; now faster so that it grabs graduates

-Many now reaching retirement Young grads = healthier for institutions, and likely to stay in ‘jobs for life’

Traineeships and Internships 6 months for graduates (paid) 600 trainees selected twice a year Need: -Bachelor's degree -Second lang (French of German) Desirable: -EU related studies or experience -3 rd European language -Studies abroad Work experience (for 4-6 weeks) still a possibility! But, if you haven’t yet graduated, unfortunately it won’t be paid and needs to be informal.

Photo-competition Send in a photo that celebrates something, or someone, that has had an impact on your life. In the same way, your graduate job could impact upon the lives of 500 million people. Prize: -A trip to Brussels -Work shadowing junior and senior ministers -A camera For a link, like EU Careers Durham on Facebook!

Drop-in session Have specific questions? Come to Careers Advisory next Wednesday (7 th December), 1-2pm. Facebook page: EU careers Durham