cover letter for eu traineeship

Tips to write a motivation letter for traineeships at the EU institutions

Last updated on Monday, 15/11/2021

Applying for traineeships may become a tedious and stressing task, yet we will help you to get closer to that letter that will make you land your first experience in the EU institutions.

There are different programmes to obtain a traineeship in EU institutions: Blue Book Traineeship in the Commission , Schuman Traineeships in the European Parliament , funded traineeships in EU External Delegations, traineeships at the Council , the European Ombudsman, or experiences at any of the Agencies. To demonstrate your interest and display your qualifications you will have to carefully write the application form in each case. The format to submit your candidature may differ between a dedicated tool - such is the case of the Blue Book - or emails with the required documents.  A work-experience in the EU institutions is the best way to understand how the EU works from the inside and get you started in a fruitful career in EU-related affairs. That is why there are thousands of applicants across the continent for each call, nonetheless, we will give you some tips to make your application stand out and increase your chances to be selected.

1. Take into account the space and character limit

It may sound obvious, but this is one of the first things you should consider when you are going to draft your motivation letter. Usually, the range is between 1,000 and 2,000 characters, depending on the application, and this will affect what information you put in and how detailed it can be. 

2. Be selective

Having in mind the space you allocated, you should select very wisely what you are going to write. It’s likely that you have had various work-experiences (like summer jobs or part-time jobs in combination with your studies) or volunteering activities before, but you should only consider them if they relate to the position you are applying for.

3. Link your achievements to how they can contribute to the position

You certainly have achieved many things throughout your academic and personal life which could be an advantage to the position, but so have the rest of applicants. Hence, you shouldn’t aim to send a list with all your certificates since primary school to prove that your candidature excels among the rest. Instead, your experiences can serve the application if you elaborate on what you learnt in a way that explains how they can contribute to the position you are applying for. Put in a different way, the best way to highlight your background is to show how this will help you to carry out the duties related to the position.

4. Get familiar with EU jargon

Thanks to its diversity, during a traineeship in the institutions you will be able to come across many EU languages on a daily basis. However, you will be most likely using English and you should know that some words appear more often than others. This could help you to insert some of them in your motivation letter because it is a subtle way to demonstrate your interest and knowledge of the area where you will be involved. For example, some of these are worth having in mind: cooperation, fairness, development, integration, solidarity, diversity, sustainability, growth, or potential. Make sure you also understand the basic functioning/structures of the EU in order to use the correct vocabulary. Indeed, in the motivation letter, you will have to explain why you want to apply to a specific DG, unit or Agency.

5. Your personal touch

Last but not least, don’t forget that you should feel comfortable with the letter you send and that it should reflect what you want to highlight for the position. Make sure to follow a specific structure that serves to organise what you want to express about yourself, but don’t make it too difficult for a reader to get to know you. You may be sending that letter to your future colleagues! Read more about traineeships in EU institutions in the section Traineeships .

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How to Get a Blue Book Traineeship at the EU Commission (Tips, Motivation Letter, Salary, Everything…)

• Post published: October 31, 2021
• Post category: Resources / Articles
• Post last modified: February 11, 2023

In this article, I will explain how I got into the Blue Book traineeship at the EU Commission and will give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same.

I will also explain how you can find a job at the EU Commission directly after your Blue Book traineeship.

At the end of the article, you will find a list of websites and Facebook groups to find a room (or an apartment) in Brussels. We will also talk about safety.

There are three different traineeships you can do at the EU.

1. The Blue Book Traineeship

The first one is the Blue Book traineeship — the traineeship at the EU Commission. It’s the most popular one.

Acceptance rates vary between 1% and 5% (I will explain you in a minute how you can be a part of the 1%.) Blue Book trainees are older (+25 years old).

2. The EU Council Traineeship

The second one is the EU Council traineeship . Less than 1% of applicants get there.

3. The EU Parliament Traineeship

The third one is the EU Parliament traineeship . It’s the one that pays the most (they receive a salary of roughly €1350/month, while the Blue Book Traineeship’s salary was around €1250/month) and where trainees “work the less” since they have Friday afternoon off.

Parliament trainees are younger (21–24 years old), so if you’re under 25 years old, you’ll have more chances to get in there.

In this article, we will focus on the Blue Book traineeship (the one for the EU Commission) because this is the one I was accepted in.

Despite its excellent reputation, a Blue Book traineeship at the EU Commission isn’t as difficult to get as it seems.

Consider my profile.

I studied one of the easiest bachelor’s (communication, huge mistake but that’s another story) and my grades sucked.

Yet I managed to get into one of the most sought-after Directorates-General (DGs): The Joint Research Center (JRC).

Here’s exactly how I did it.

Side note 1 : The JRC also offers scientific internships outside of the Blue Book context.

I have written a short text about them in the Addendum .

Side note 2 : The application process constantly evolves. Your process may not resemble the process detailed hereafter. I strive to keep this article constantly updated though, so thank you for letting me know if anything in the article is outdated or wrong.

Table of Content

Click to expand

Part I: Understanding the Criteria

• The languages you speak
• The discipline you studied
• The university you studied at
• Your (work) experience
• Your academic level (bachelor, master, Ph.D.)
• Your country of origin

Conclusion of Part I

Part ii: the selection process.

• The First Step
• The Second Step
• The Third Step
• The Fourth Step
• Motivation Letter Template

Conclusion of Part II

Part iii: how to get a job at the eu commission directly after your traineeship, part iv: practicals.

• How to Find a Room or an Apartment in Brussels for Your Blue Book Traineeship
• Safety in Brussels
• Conclusion of Part III

Part V: FAQ

Final conclusion.

Before you apply, you need to understand the minimum requirement and the criteria you will be judged on.

Read this article  here .

You will see you need to have a bachelor’s degree, speak at least English, etc.

These criteria are no secrets so we won’t speak about them.

What we will speak about are the unofficial criteria.

The EU gives you points based on these criteria. The better you rank for each metric, the more points you have, the higher your chances to be selected.

Let’s discuss them in order.

1. Your Age

The older you are, the better it is. The EU doesn’t take trainees for fun. It takes them for financial reasons.

Trainees are cheap and work well. Since older people have more experience and work better, the EU prefers hiring older people.

If you’re under 25 years old, getting a spot will be harder. Unless you’re a genius with a Ph.D. in civil engineering and speak 5 languages, you’re unlikely to be selected.

The EU values specific experience, so go do some volunteering in NGOs, internships in embassies, or get a job.

If you’re under 25 and get rejected, don’t be discouraged. It’s normal.

I met a girl who had applied three times in a row before getting accepted.

2. The Languages You Speak

You have to speak at least English. The more languages you speak, the better.

Your level must be sufficient so that you can work with these languages.

Anything below B2/C1 is useless. If you have some time to kill, I urge you to work on your languages and reach C1.

French and German are always appreciated, but Spanish will do well too.

3. The Discipline You Studied

The problem with people that want to work for the EU is that they all study political science.

Which makes sense.

Unfortunately, political science doesn’t teach you how to do politics. On top of that, we’re living in the age of diversity.

Therefore, the EU is looking for everything except political scientists.

When my internship ended in July 2021, I received a survey asking me how the EU could attract people whose background was not political science.

As a result, I strongly encourage you to broaden your skillset.

You’ll have more chances to get into the EU if you have a business, economics, law, engineering, medicine, or maths degree than political science.

The best degrees are IT and everything related (AI, data science, etc).

4. The University You Studied at

Sciences Po, Bocconi, Polytechnique institutes, Oxbrigde, etc don’t play as big of a role as before due to the EU’s willingness to be more inclusive.

While they’re still important, what really matters is that you studied  outside of your home country.

You must have done at least one Erasmus , at best a master abroad.

International experience is a must.

5. Your (Work) Experience

The EU selected me because of my work experience.

I had had the chance to work as a research assistant for an EU-funded research project at one of the leading universities in Belgium.

That project happened to be somewhat similar to what the JRC (the place where I ended up doing the internship) was doing when I applied.

So they hired me.

I can’t stress enough how important work experience is.

During my internship, I met an Italian architect whose previous job was to get administrative authorizations and permissions for new buildings in Brussels.

He got his traineeship because of his experience with Belgian bureaucracy.

The importance of work experience seems counter-intuitive when you apply for an internship.

However, as we specified above,  the EU is not a university (or a charity).

They’re not hiring trainees for the mere pleasure of teaching them.  They’re hiring them to work.

Side note: experience does not necessarily have to be “job” experience. This blog helped me get the internship too, for example.

6. Your Academic Level (Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.)

While the EU requires at least a bachelor’s, I recommend you get a master’s before applying.

Ph.D. candidates will have even more chances due to the volume of research that the Commission produces.

7. Your Country of Origin

Your country of origin doesn’t give you points – but it plays on your chances to get in.

It’s obviously much harder for a German or a French to get an internship because there are more candidates per place than for smaller countries.

The worst country to be coming from is Italy.

From what I understand, no one wants to stay in Italy. All smart Italians leave and go work in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, the US, etc (can’t blame them).

I don’t remember the exact number, but Italians are always thousands to apply compared to other countries.

If you’re Italian with a second nationality, use that one.

To help you estimate your chances to be selected, the EU created a  self-assessment tool.

The easiest countries to be coming from are Luxembourg, the Baltic states, and Bulgaria.

You don’t need to be brilliant to go to the EU.

All you need is

• to be old enough
• speak English
• have studied something else than political science
• have studied abroad
• get some relevant work or volunteering experience
• get a master
• not be from Italy, France, or Germany.

As you can see, no one is mentioning grades or winning math competitions.

There are four steps in the selection process.

1. The First Step

The first step is the initial application.

You’ll have to send a motivation letter, a resume, proof of skills, proof of work experience, proof of language, and a lot of other documents.

The idea is to get rid of a maximum number of contenders that already feel tired just doing all of this administrative work.

Don’t wait up.

The faster you fill-up the application, the better it is.

You will also have to choose two DGs you want to work at.

This is where you need to become strategic and think in terms of the  value you can deliver and not the DG you want to work in.

The two DGs you choose will have a hiring priority over other DGs.

Eg: If you have a Ph.D. in economics, don’t go apply to DG JUST or HR (the DGs where they don’t do anything).

If you want to maximize your chances, you need to think about the DGs that’d be happy to hire you.

So think in terms of the value you can deliver.

Not about your wishes.

During this first step, HR will review your documents to make sure that you are eligible.

2. The Second Step

Once you have been declared eligible, you have passed the first step.

The second step is easy. HR will authenticate your documents.

They may ask for other proofs if the ones you have sent them did not suit them (Eg: proof of level for the languages you claimed to speak).

You will have one week only to come up with the required documents.

3. The Third Step

Once your documents have been authenticated, you will be part of the last pool of contestants.

Roughly 30% of candidates will get an internship, so you have three chances out of ten to be selected.

The different DGs and agencies are supposed to “select you” and approach you. To do so, they search for keywords in your resume.

My DG selected me because I had “media analysis” written.

Officially, you’re not supposed to do anything during that phase. However…in the past, candidates used to track managers in DGs and send them emails to get in.

It was such a mess that the Commission asked each department and agency to provide an official email address where candidates could send their motivation letter (while discouraging candidates to send any emails to anyone else).

UPDATE December 2022: it seems that the Commission no longer provides a list of email addresses that trainees could contact, and instead asks them to choose three DGs and write motivation letters to them directly. I assume that it is because they received too many emails. As a result, I discourage you to try to hack the system and contact managers to ask for an internship. I maintain this is a bad idea, even if you have “heard of someone that knows someone that did it”. I will advise you to always respect the guideline, in this context at least. I will update this section as time goes.

They will send this list to you with a message along the lines “if you want, you can still contact the DGs and send them your motivation later”.

You obviously should send both a CV and a motivation letter to each and everyone of these email addresses.

When I did it, I created templates to automate and speed up the work.

Then I sent custom emails to all of all the DGs and agencies (find the templates below.)

WARNING: SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT LISTEN TO THE GUIDELINES AND WILL STILL TRY TO TRACK MANAGERS WITHIN DGs.

Don’t do that. It feels needy, desperate, and it’s not allowed anyway. The first signal it sends is that you’re not capable of respecting the rules (and it’s only the beginning…).

4. The Fourth Step

The fourth step does not always happen.

Some DGs offer placements to trainees during the third step, while others organize interviews (the fourth step).

Both happened to me.

After I sent emails to every DG and agency, I got two answers.

First, one DG offered me an interview. I did it, then waited. Meanwhile, the JRC offered me a traineeship, without any interviews.

Obviously, I didn’t wait to know whether I was taken to the other DG. I accepted the JRC’s proposal right away.

Even though the other DG was better, my sole purpose was to get into the Commission. This application was my only shot since my plan afterward was to be serious about business.

So I said yes to the JRC.

5. Motivation Letter Template

Here’s an example of one of the motivation letters I sent to one of the DGs.

In this case, it was the DG in charge of innovation. I personalized each letter to show that I cared and knew what I was talking about.

Dear Madam, Sir,

In a world increasingly driven by creativity and technology, innovation is a key component in the creation of jobs, wealth, and prosperity for the Union. The attention that Mrs. von der Leyen has given to innovation and science at the beginning of her presidency is an excellent reason to be optimistic about the future!

Here is what I can do for you as a Blue Book trainee.

These last two years, I studied two master’s degrees, one in political science (EU studies) and one in business management. I have learned about economics, the EU legislative process, and had the chance to interview many of your colleagues from the JRC for my thesis on innovative political practices.

The two internships I have participated in (one in a movie production company in Belgium and one in a technology company in Poland) taught me how to use the entire Office 365 Suite (including Excel, Teams, and DevOps) and various other programs such as SAP, WordPress, and Photoshop.

I have learned through numerous student jobs both soft and hard skills such as public speaking, leadership, teamwork, pro-activity, copywriting, and online marketing.

I would be happy to use these skills and assist you with research, presentation-making, paper-summarizing, writing, problem-solving, and any other task that needs to be well done.

I understand the importance to be creative and constantly think of ways to improve the workflow. I am also attached to the respect of deadlines and being on time.

This, in a nutshell, is the value I could bring to the Research and Innovation Directorate-General. Should you be interested in my profile, I would be happy to move forward with an interview.

Best regards,

As you can see, I started with an introductory paragraph then explained my skills and what I was ready to do for the DG.

Now that I am looking at it, I think I used the word “I” too much.

But it worked, didn’t it?!

I am happy I did the EU traineeship because it’s prestigious and I wanted to see the inside of the Commission (and a friend of mine did it and I’d lie if I said she hadn’t inspired me ).

Overall though, I was slightly disappointed.

First, the people I met weren’t as good as I expected them to be.

Second, the experience looked more like an Erasmus (getting drunk with friends and having sex with strangers, or the other way around) than a professional internship.

So, this is how I got an EU internship.

Was I the best candidate? None at all.

But I fitted the profile perfectly. I was old, experienced, spoke languages, had studied at Sciences Po, and had a much more intensive international background than anyone else.

None of these things require a brain to acquire.

If you want to get an EU internship, it’s more than possible.

Just follow this plan, and you’ll get in.

A Blue Book Traineeship does not entitle you to a job, but it helps.

Let’s see how.

1. The Junior Professionals Program

The Junior Professionals Program (JPP) is an elite program developed by the Commission to hire the best of the best.

This program is only accessible to the Blue Book trainees doing their internship in a DG. Those in agencies are not eligible.

You will hear about the JPP and how to apply during your traineeship.

If my memory is correct, only 20 people get admitted into this program per batch, and there are two batches per year (so that’s 40 in total).

To get in, you need to pass a series of “logic tests”, two interviews, etc. It’s quite hard to get in, the JPP only welcomes the best of the best. You can find more info here .

Don’t be sad if you don’t get into the it.

There are other ways.

2. Passing the CAST

CAST means Contract Agents Selection Tool. It’s a database with people who have been screened and judged smart enough to work at the EU. Once you get into the CAST, getting a job becomes a whole lot easier.

To get into this database, you’ll have to pass a series a tests (logic, knowledge, etc).

Once you’re in, you can start applying for CAST-only job offers.

If you are recruited, you will be a contract agent for a maximum period of six years.

After that, they will have to give you a permanent contract…or drop you.

Once you get a permanent contract, you’re set for life.

3. Getting a temporary agent contract without the CAST or through interim

Interim is the French word for “temp staff”.

This is how most people start after a Blue Book.

When civil servants get sick or take a sabbatical, or simply when a DG has a special mission for which they need help, temporary job positions that do not require the CAST open.

Now, these jobs aren’t advertised on TV.

They’re hard to come by, and they’re quite competitive.

Nonetheless, I know a few people that got these jobs, so it means it’s possible.

Here’s how:

• Hustle . The best way to get one of these jobs is to do such a good job during your internship that they want to hire you right away. Do not work from home, arrive early, leave late, volunteer for tasks, work hard, introduce yourself to people, and let them know you’re looking for an actual job at the end of your internship (be subtle and non-needy, please). One girl in my team had done such a good traineeship that she got hired right after it within the same team. This is where you see that experience can be good! She was a data scientist with lots of experience so she could be useful and valuable FAST.
• Be a part of as many WhatsApp groups as you can . Everyone will start making some dumb WhatsApp groups. Eg: one per country, one per hobby (when I did the traineeship, there was a WhatsApp group called “Plant Parents”…). They often circulate some job offers in these groups, so be a part of them.
• Talk to people . You always have people that somehow know everything (hot girls, tall guys), so make sure to befriend them. Remember that the competition among trainees is insane, so don’t reveal all of your cards either. Play it smart.

Finally, take a look at this page which outlines the different options you have to get a job at the EU.

1. How to Find a Room or an Apartment in Brussels for Your Blue Book Traineeship

First thing you should do is read my honest Brussels guide . I am from Belgium and lived in Brussels 3+ years, so I know what I talking about.

Read it? Good.

I recommend you book an Airbnb (or hostel) and fly to Brussels prior to starting the internship so you can visit the rooms and the neighborhood.

Indeed, Brussels is not the same everywhere, and the room you take isn’t only about the room – it’s also about the neighborhood.

You can always ask the tenant/owner to show you the room through Skype. If they have a lot of friends on Facebook, some pics, comments, etc, you may reasonably think that they’re not fake and won’t scam you.

There aren’t as many scams as one may think. My best advice is not to be overly paranoid and just have a bit of common sense.

Alternatively, you can read the most detailed guide on the Internet about how to find a room in any city in the world.

Do not mention that you’re going to do an EU Internship before knowing the price of the room, as it might entice the owner to charge you a premium.

Most offers for rooms are on Facebook.

You’ll get paid something like €1.3k/month. Because of inflation (which has been 90%-110% since 2018, don’t believe the “10%” from the media, it’s a lie), €1.3K is not nearly enough to live in Brussels.

So you’ll have to hustle another job online or dip into your savings.

Find a list of Facebook groups that offer rooms, apartments, etc to rent. There are more websites at the end.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BRUSSELSFORRENT/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/brussels4rent/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1861261114151382/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/alouer.meuble.stgilles.ixelles/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1043857159023306/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/373319039493392/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/551842041574913/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/387869898439292/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/249165441913335/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468782609864124/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/150087345814547/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/281553825275009/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/901230233329112/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BRUXELLESALOUER/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1525522444394631/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195527370457521/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/482068671840449/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/394108044073579/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vastgoedbrussel/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1952601251669075/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bruxelleskot/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/303286503412889/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chambresbruxelles/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/188519461195986/

Find below websites other than Facebook.

www.nestpick.com

www.housinganywhere.com

www.student.be

www.appartager.be

www.immoweb.be (for apartments)

2. Safety in Brussels

Brussels isn’t the safest city to live in.

So, what should you fear?

According to the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs , there is a high risk of terrorist attacks in Brussels.

However, I estimate this risk to be low.

Theft or harassment is what you should be wary of. I used to work for a pub crawl in Brussels, and people got their phones stolen every single night.

So, please, be careful.

Take Bolt or Uber when you don’t feel like walking, put your phone in your front pocket, avoid the subway, buses, train stations, and trams, hold your bag near you and close it well, don’t let watches and wallets linger around, and always watch your drinks.

Don’t dress too fancy (holds true for both men and women) and never, ever stop if someone seems like they want to ask you for something as these will likely be:

• Someone asking you for money to buy drugs.
• Someone offering you to buy drugs.
• Someone asking you for money for Oxfam, the WWF, etc.
• Someone distracting you while someone else comes behind you to steal your phone, bag, wallet, etc.

1. What is the monthly salary of the Blue Book Traineeship?

€1300 net per month. Technically this isn’t a salary but an allowance given in the context of a traineeship.

2. How can I find a house in Brussels?

Look at the list of Facebook groups and other websites above.

3. Should I report my Blue Book Traineeship salary to any tax authorities?

Technically yes, you should report this in Belgium.

Practically though…no one really cares.

4. Should I register in the city hall when I come to Brussels?

Technically yes, practically, no.

It doesn’t give you any benefits, it’s long and annoying to do, and you won’t stay there enough time for it to be worth it.

For example, most people’s ID comes 6-9 months after they registered.

5. What about health insurance?

I highly recommend you subscribe to the Commission’s Allianz plan. It’s €30/month but it is definitely worth it. Take your European Health Insurance card too (you should ask for it from the social security of your country).

6. Does the Blue Book Traineeship entitle me to a job?

No, it does not entitle you to a job, but it is an excellent opportunity to work hard and network to get one!

7. What are the best tips and tricks to obtain a Blue Book Traineeship?

• Get some international experience (study/work abroad)
• Get a master’s degree
• Study a non-political science-related degree (STEM is best)
• Write about relevant experiences in your resume and motivation letter
• Get some relevant work experience prior
• Learn a third language
• Respect the guidelines

More than a year and a half after I finished the traineeship, I am still editing this article.

The results have been pretty impressive as thousands of people have read it.

I have one last piece of advice to give you: don’t be discouraged if you don’t get in the first time.

You have higher chances to get a job if you already have skills and experience, than if you don’t.

If you have spotted some changes in the selection process of the EU Commission, kindly let me know here so I can keep this article updated.

PS: if you have read to the end, I thank you for reading my work. I’m always up to meet some readers, so shoot me a message when you come to Brussels! Maybe I will be around 🙂

Addendum: Scientific Traineeship at the Joint Research Center

The JRC offers traineeships outside of the context of the Blue Book traineeship.

This is because their work is important and they often need skills and know-how from the outside because they lack it internally.

You can find opportunities for a scientific internship here .

The application process is different than that of the Blue Book, but I don’t know exactly how it works.

So, I’ll tell you what I know: every DG has a fixed budget to hire trainees. This budget is set by the EU Commission. The more money they have, the more trainees they can hire. Sometimes they don’t know in advance whether they’ll be able to hire or not.

The JRC is the only (?) DG to hire trainees outside of the Blue Book traineeship.

Because their HR needs depend on their projects, deadlines, and budget, they can’t plan much in advance who and how many trainees they will need. As a result, everything is done last minute. 

When I was at the JRC, I was working with a software engineer on a scientific traineeship that got his place two weeks or so before starting. But it was virus time too, so I suppose it didn’t make things any easier. 

My advice: get a plan B in case the traineeship doesn’t work. And definitely expect a last-minute call. 

Photo by Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash

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This Post Has 4 Comments

love your article and thank you for your article and advices !!

I’m preselected for the march 2023 but I was not selected during the first step (where I chose 3 DGs). Now I’m waiting for the second selection of January. I was actually thinking about lobbying, but I don’t understand why you say it’s forbidden ? I haven’t read that anywhere, plz let tell me more about this before I make a regrettable mistake. (you can email me : [redacted])

Hello, Thank you for your comment. I have dozens of people emailing me with the same question. In the past, candidates spammed managers and employees within DG to get a spot. So the Commission asked DG to create an email address where candidates could send their CVs right away. I assumed these mailboxes were flooded and this is why they changed the system, asking candidates to choose three DGs and wait to be selected. This is also why I strongly advise against trying “to hack your way” into the Commission by contacting people individually. After, everyone is free to do what they want, and if you think it is best to do it this way, by all means, do it this way. Best, Aure

Hi, I have doubts as to what the ATS could reject from the application platform. I just applied for the European Commission bluebook. I think I meet all the criteria you have mentioned here and I have filled out the form and documents well. However I have not noticed that in the document with the supporting documents of what we have declared, it said that we had to place on page “0” a table of contents (I have omitted it) I don’t know if this could be crucial. And another detail that I have omitted is the name of the document, I have not named it as you have indicated. Do you think that I am automatically discarded as a matter of system filters?

I have no idea. I think it helps people that are in charge of sorting out the applications but I doubt it’s such an important factor. The question you should ask yourself is: would you like to work for an institution that would cancel your candidacy because you forgot a table of content? I do hope you get in and wouldn’t worry too much about that. If you are a competent person with high-value skills, I don’t think they will miss out on your candidacy. And if they do…you can always reapply in a few months 🙂 Good luck!

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Motivation letter samples and templates

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Unique Motivation Letter European Commission: 9 Example

Want to write a Motivation Letter European Commission Are you considering applying to the European Commission? If so, it’s important to submit a well-written motivation letter. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with nine example motivation letters for the European Commission. We hope these letters will help you create your own successful application. Good luck!

How To Write a Motivation Letter European Commission?

When applying for jobs or internships with the European Commission, you will often be asked to submit a motivation letter along with your CV. This letter is your chance to introduce yourself and explain why you are the perfect candidate for the position. Here are some tips on how to write a strong motivation letter for the European Commission.

Start by doing your research. Visit the website of the Directorate-General or department you are applying to and read their mission statement. This will give you a good understanding of what they are looking for in a candidate. For example, if they are looking for someone with strong communication skills, be sure to highlight your ability to communicate effectively in your letter.

Next, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. What makes you stand out from other candidates? What skills and experience do you have that would help you excel in this role? Be specific and give concrete examples to back up your claims.

Finally, conclude by reiterating your interest in the position and expressing your confidence that you would make a valuable contribution to the European Commission. Thank the reader for their time and consideration, and politely request an opportunity to discuss your qualifications further during an interview.

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (And Get Hired in 2022!)

Motivation Letter European Commission

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to apply for the European Commission’s Traineeship program. I am a recent graduate of the University of XYZ and I hold a degree in Political Science. So, I am fluent in English and have a working knowledge of French.

I am interested in pursuing a career in international relations and I believe that this traineeship will be an excellent opportunity for me to gain valuable experience in this field. So, I am a hard worker and I am confident that I can make a positive contribution to the work of the European Commission.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and It look forward to hearing from you.

Related: 7+ Sample Motivation Letter for Masters Degree

European Commission Traineeship Motivation Letter

so, I am writing to apply for the European Commission Traineeship program. I am a recent graduate of XYZ University and I am eager to begin my career in the field of international relations.

The Traineeship program offers an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in the European Commission. And I believe that I can contribute positively to the work of the Commission and I am eager to learn more about the inner workings of the EU.

So, I am a hard worker with excellent communication and research skills. So, I am confident that I can be an asset to the Commission and I look forward to contributing to your work.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Related; Application Letter for Employment: 07 Samples & Examples

European Commission Motivation Letter Examples

I am writing to apply for the position of ___________ with the European Commission.

I am a ___________ with experience in ___________, and I believe that I can be a valuable asset to the European Commission.

The skills and knowledge that I have acquired through my work experience will be beneficial to the Commission, and I am eager to use my skills to contribute to the Commission’s goals.

I am committed to the values of the European Union, and I believe that by working for the European Commission, I can help to make a positive impact on the lives of citizens across Europe.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Related: Best Motivation Letter Erasmus: 5+ Editable Samples

Motivation Letter European Commission Sample

I am writing to apply for the European Commission’s Traineeship Programme. I am a recent graduate of political science and international relations, and I am passionate about working in the field of European Union policy.

The Traineeship Programme is an excellent opportunity for me to gain first-hand experience of the work of the European Commission, and I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to the organisation.

I am a motivated and hard-working individual, and I am eager to learn. So, I am also an excellent communicator, both written and oral. I am confident that I possess the skills and attributes necessary to be a successful trainee at the European Commission.

So, I look forward to hearing from you.

Related: Creative Motivational Letter for Learnership [7 Samples]

Short Motivation Letter European Commission

I am writing in regards to the European Commission’s open position for a _____. I believe that I am uniquely qualified for this role and would be an excellent addition to the team.

Here are some of the reasons why I think so:

-I have a deep understanding of the European Commission’s policies and procedures. Having worked closely with the organization for many years.

-I am highly familiar with the inner workings of the European Union. Having worked as a lobbyist for various NGO’s in Brussels.

So, I have an extensive network of contacts within the EU institutions, which I believe could be beneficial to the Commission. Also, I am fluent in English, French, and German, which would be an asset in this role.

So, I am confident that I could be a valuable asset to the European Commission and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: Motivational letter for university: 12 Examples & Sample Included

Motivation Letter European Commission With No Experience

I am writing in regards to the open position for a European Commission Trainee that I saw listed on the website. Though I have no prior experience working specifically within the European Commission. I do believe that I have the skill set and motivation required to be successful in this role.

As someone with a keen interest in politics and international relations. I have followed the work of the European Commission closely over the years. I am particularly interested in the role that the Commission plays in promoting peace, security and economic prosperity across Europe. So, I believe that my academic background in political science and international relations would be well suited to this type of work.

In addition to my academic qualifications, I have also gained a number of transferable skills through my previous work experiences. These include strong research and writing skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team environment. Also, I am confident that I could utilise these skills to make a positive contribution to the work of the European Commission.

I am eager to put my skills and knowledge to use in a role that is directly involved in the shaping of European policy. So, I believe that the European Commission Trainee programme would provide me with an excellent opportunity to develop my skills further and gain valuable work experience. I would be grateful for your consideration, and And look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Related: Europass Cover Letter: 05 Samples & Templates ideas

Motivation Letter European Commission Template

I am writing to apply for the European Commission Traineeship program. So, I am a recent graduate of XYZ University and hold a degree in Political Science.

Also, I am interested in pursuing a career in the European Union and believe that this traineeship will provide me with the necessary skills and experience. And I am fluent in English and French, and have a working knowledge of Spanish. So, I am confident that I can contribute to the work of the European Commission and would be grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: 9+ Best cover letter for retail job Samples & Templates

5 Things To Include In a Motivation Letter European Commission

When applying for a position at the European Commission. I t is important to include a motivation letter as part of your application. In this letter. You should explain why you are interested in the position and what skills and experience you have that make you a suitable candidate. Here are five things to include in your motivation letter:

• Explain why you are interested in the position and what you can bring to the role.
• Outline your relevant skills and experience. Including any specific experience you have of working in the European Commission or other international organizations.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the European Commission and its work.
• Show that you are familiar with the job requirements and are prepared to meet them.
• express your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to making a positive contribution to the work of the European Commission.

Related: What is Cover Letter? Complete Guide To Get any Job.

I hope you found this blog helpful in understanding the motivation letter and what European Commission is looking for. It can be difficult to summarize all of your skills and experience into one document. But hopefully this blog gave you a better idea on how to structure and format your letter. Remember, focus on showing how your skills match the position and how you will be an asset to the team. Good luck with your application!

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Europass cover letter

The Europass cover letter is the most popular CV template in Western Europe, as it was designed by the European Union in order to promote accessibility and transparency across member nations. If you intend to apply for jobs in an EU nation, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Europass cover letter. Here’s what you need to know.

What is a Europass cover letter?

The Europass cover letter template is a standardized CV and cover letter format. It helps you present your qualifications and skills in an easy-to-digest format. For employers, the Europass cover letter offers standardization, which promotes faster application processing and hiring. You can access the customizable document on the European Union’s official website ( 1).  

While a CV is technically the equivalent of a resume , the EU template lets you create a matching CV and cover letter , hence the term “Europass cover letter.” 

The document is best known for its timeline-style format, where your most recent work experience is listed at the top of the document, followed by your subsequent role, and so on, until you cover all relevant positions and education. The EU template has a line along the left border of the document, with bullet points marking the start of each job or educational experience. 

Overall, the Europass cover letter represents an excellent tool for making applying for jobs in the EU easier and more efficient. However, the layout of the template can lead to lengthy or bloated CVs and cover letters. Fortunately, you can use other resume templates to streamline your application.

Other products for jobseekers by Europass

The European Union has built on the success of the Europass cover letter and CV template by creating several other products for job seekers. Like the original resource, these tools are free to use and are designed to promote a more open and accessible hiring process across member nations. These products include: 

Europass profile

Before you can create a Europass cover letter, you’ll need to make an account on the platform first. Fortunately, this is quite easy — and free. When setting up your profile, make sure to include all relevant work, training, and educational experiences. Also, list any volunteer work, language proficiency, and digital skills.

You can always go back and edit this information later or add new work experience. Additionally, you can pull information from your profile to create cover letters and other Europass documents. 

“The Europass cover letter template is a standardized CV and cover letter format. It helps you present your qualifications and skills in an easy-to-digest format.”

Europass Mobility

Europass Mobility is a supporting document that provides more detail about your educational experiences. As with all Europass tools, this feature is totally free. 

If you have acquired a diverse education from multiple nations across Europe, this tool can be a great addition to your job application. Just make sure to avoid making your cover letter too long or bloated, as doing so can make reviewing your documents cumbersome for hiring teams. 

Europass Language Passport 

The Language Passport allows you to showcase your linguistic talents. If you are proficient in two or more languages, you can create this document and use it to bolster your application. 

This is especially important when applying for jobs where the native language is different from your own. After all, employers want to know that you can effectively communicate with team members if you earn the job. 

Europass Certificate Supplement

The Europass Certificate Supplement provides employers with insights about your certifications or specialty qualifications. This document is especially popular among tech professionals due to the wide range of add-on certifications available in the field. However, you can use it anytime you need to outline non-traditional educational experiences. 

Europass Diploma Supplement

The Europass Diploma Supplement provides a deep dive into your higher education. If you attended a prestigious university and were highly involved in extracurricular activities like clubs or sports teams, use the Europass Diploma Supplement. 

Should I use the Europass cover letter?

Overall, the Europass cover letter template can be a great tool when applying for jobs abroad. The various add-on tools provide even more value to your job-hunting process. However, the template itself can be a bit dated and rigid. While you can customize it with your personal experiences, many of the formatting aspects cannot be changed. 

If you aren’t sure if the Europass cover letter is a good fit for you, consider exploring other cover letter examples and resume articles from Jobseeker. Our growing library of resources can help you compare different options and decide the best way to showcase your skills and talents to European businesses.

Expert Tip:

Keep in mind that almost everyone applying for jobs in the EU uses the Europass cover letter template, which makes it difficult to stand out in competitive hiring processes. Using a more dynamic template can differentiate you from other job seekers and increase your odds of landing an interview.

The pros of a Europass cover letter

There are some undeniable benefits associated with using the Europass cover letter, including:

You enjoy access to complementary tools

If you use the EU’s free platform, you’ll have access to a range of complimentary tools, including Mobility, Language Passport, and Certificate Supplement. These add-ons allow you to go into greater detail about your abilities, work history, educational experience, and background. 

Conversely, generic CV templates can be a bit limiting. That’s where the Europass template shines. 

You benefit from standardization

If you have never applied for a job in Europe, using the Europass platform can make the entire process much easier. The standardized format takes the guesswork out of creating your cover letter and CV, as you can simply fill in the blanks. 

Standardization also makes life simpler for hiring teams, as they know what order your information will be presented and where to find key details. 

You have the opportunity to share a lot of information

If you have an extensive educational or professional background, the Europass cover letter can be expanded to suit your needs. You can add supplementary documents via the EU’s free tools and tell employers everything they need to know about who you are as a candidate. 

The cons of a Europass cover letter

Before you create a Europass profile and get to work on your standardized cover letter, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks of these templates. Here are three of the biggest shortcomings: 

The U.K. doesn’t use the Europass

The United Kingdom doesn’t use the Europass cover letter. After Brexit, the U.K. made a concerted effort to differentiate itself from EU member nations. 

The transition away from Europass cover letters was a relatively small change compared to some other post-Brexit changes. But if you are seeking a job in the U.K., it’s important to know that employers don’t expect a Europass CV.

The good news is that you can still nail your U.K. job application with a little help from Jobseeker. Our resume examples and cover letter articles offer real-world insights into what your U.K. documents should look like and how to make them stand out. 

The template is restrictive

Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of the Europass cover letter is that it can be restrictive and rigid. You don’t have much freedom to change the overall layout of the document, only the information it contains. This can lead to your application blending in when it should be standing out. 

Your CV may be too long

Another downside to the Europass template is that it can yield a long, multi-page document that obscures important information. 

If you have a dynamic professional history and extensive educational background, you justifiably want to showcase it. But if you rely on Europass tools, your CV and cover letter could have a combined length of four pages or more. 

You need a concise and engaging way of putting your skills on display. That’s where Jobseeker can help! Our matching CV and cover letter templates offer conciseness and standardization while also making applications stand out. 

Stand out with Jobseeker 

When it comes to writing a great cover letter, Europass alternatives like Jobseeker’s resume and cover letter templates represent a better option. Check out our Europass CV , a modern and highly customizable alternative designed to help you stand out and land your dream job. 

Ready to get started? Connect with Jobseeker for personalized support.  

References: 

(1) Europass Cover Letter Editor: https://europa.eu/europass/eportfolio/screen/cover-letter-editor  

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