Overview of available course material:

Time to pay forward and sharing experiences with a focus on your questions!

Question stream 3 - for those who are preparing for their next step in their career planning - on jobs/internships/research positions of relevance to EU and security

This question stream will focus on things to remember when preparing for the next step, typically an interview or a  written test.  For many in an increasingly competitive environment it is vital to understand what interview panel members may have  in their heads when looking at an interviewee. 

 I belong to those who have been  successful but I have also failed miserably several times in interview situations and I have seen others fail in ways which could have been easily prevented.

 It is both a matter of posture in the interview situation and a matter of preparing for the interview through substantial reading. To some extent the lessons to be learned in this regard are generic, to some extent specific to the EU context.​

Posture  in job interviews

 There is not one correct answer as regards  this skill. Perceptions and priorities in an interview panel is also a cultural and political issue.  Above all you need to consider whether from the start you have a real chance of getting this position or not.  Considering the context for the job opening is essential to bring you the calm necessary for the interview or the test.  Some applicants may have better chances than others – due to geographical, gender, political or other balancing criteria. In the end you may have done a very good interview and still not landed the job.  You constantly need to consider several options for your future career.

 Generic  preparation methods

 The comprehensive approach method  as outlined in the EU and Security Handbook is key.

It is a very bad method to start writing  an  answer to an  essay question without taking the time to think about  the time available  and the structure of the answer. Mind mapping techniques etc. can help.

 Above all do not get stuck on facts and figures. You need to find ways to zoom out  in order to be able to zoom in  to  make three-four  points in an answer.

  Defining reading priorities

 But mind mapping techniques  require a frame of reference to start with.  Above all you need to have an understanding of the frame of reference of the interview panel members. To define reading priorities may seem very difficult for an outsider. But there are ways to go about this which will be discussed in this stream of questions.

 Some interview panels may be looking at you as a member or a manager of  a team. Others may look at your qualifications in terms of substantial understanding of the issues involved.