Are you considering moving to another European country to find a job? Looking to get some work experience while experiencing a different culture? Here is some information to guide you as you plan.
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), you have the right to live and work in any other EU country. More information
Working abroad has always been part of many young Irish lives and can offer some fantastic opportunities and experiences.
Before you go, it is so important to prepare and plan ahead. Crosscare Migrant Project have put together some important advice and information to consider before you go.
The EURES Network was established by the European Commission to help European citizens find work in another country of the European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA).
EURES Ireland has a network of EURES advisers, who can give you information and advice on your job search in Europe and help you to contact European employers. They can also give you more general practical information on living and working conditions in another EU/EEA country, for example social security, information on pay levels, taxes, recruitment practices or provide pre-departure and on arrival advice.
For more information and contact details to your local
EURES adviser, visit www.euresireland.ie or email
eures@welfare.ie
EURES Portal gives you access to more than 3 million job opportunities all over Europe. You can search for job vacancies in a wide range of occupations and sectors, across all EU/EEA countries.
You can get in touch directly with the employer or through the Public Employment Services Office listed in each vacancy.
You can also contact one of the European EURES Advisers who will provide more detailed advice on job opportunities, searching for a job in their country or they may recommend you to potential employers.
If you are looking for a job in Europe, you can use EURES Ireland and the EURES portal to:
• access a database of jobs across Europe
• find information on living and working conditions in each EU and EEA country
• include your Europass Profile/CV in a European database which can be seen by European employers
• avail of job mobility supports (such as an interview or relocation allowance) if you are moving for work to another EU or EEA country
• take part in onsite or online recruitment events across Europe (see Europe Jobs Days for more information)
The European Targeted Mobility Scheme (TMS) is a European Union job mobility scheme which offers financial assistance to EU citizens aged 18+ who are relocating for work or travelling to an interview in another EU country, Norway, or Iceland.
Supports include:
• financial allowances for travel to an interview and/or relocation to another country for work
• language training allowance (if required), family support, supplementary and recognition of qualifications allowances
• information on living and working abroad
You must apply for financial support before you leave your country and before the starting date of your new job/interview date. You cannot apply after you have
moved to your new country of work.
For more information and to apply you can email: tms@welfare.ie
The Europass platform is a one stop shop with information on learning and working
opportunities in Europe.
By selecting ‘Work in Europe’, you will have access to opportunities available across Europe. Results are provided by EURES. See HERE.
Officials working in the EU’s Institutions and Agencies pursue rewarding international careers in a uniquely multicultural and multilingual environment. EU officials serve 450 million EU citizens across 27 Member States and develop and implement policies that have
a real impact on peoples’ lives.
The work of the EU is very wide ranging and, reflecting that, the Institutions require staff with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets. Linguists and lawyers are, of course, always in demand but so are
economists, ICT specialists, scientists and veterinarians,
as well as administrative and support staff with more
general backgrounds.
EU institutions do not usually recruit to fill individual posts. Instead, they hold competitions (called ‘concours’) to identify panels of qualified candidates, who can then be recruited by the institutions as the need arises.
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is the recruitment service of the EU Institutions and manages this process.
To apply for a position within the EU, you must be a citizen of an EU country and fulfil the language requirements of the post. Most positions need a thorough knowledge (C1) of one official EU language and satisfactory knowledge (B2) of a second official language. For instance, if English is your mother tongue and you speak a good level of Irish, French, etc. this would satisfy the language requirement in most cases.
Similarly, if you were a native speaker of Polish with a good level of fluency in English, this would also satisfy the language requirement. Educational requirements vary according to the position but positions are available for both graduates and nongraduates.
EU Careers – is a one-stop-shop for information on jobs in the EU
Information on how to get a job in the EU
Green Book – the essential guide to starting your career in the EU.
Most EU Institutions offer paid traineeships (known as “stages”) between 3-5 months for university graduates. Undertaking a stage can be an excellent way to gain experience of working life in Brussels and for many, it can act as the launch pad to an EU career. Even if you’re not sure if an EU career is for you, a stage can develop your professional and personal skills, as well as giving you the opportunity to live and work in a vibrant European city.
Trainees, or stagiaires, work in a wide range of fields, with opportunities in law, finance, human resources, environmental policy, communications and many more. The work of a stagiaire can include everything from preparing policy and position papers to coordinating visits. More information about the stages can be found on the DFA Website and on the websites of the institutions. There are also internships available specifically for Irish speakers interested in working as a linguist in the EU.
Organised annually by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, these internships give 10 graduates the opportunity to work on translation and proofreading in Irish. Further details of this scheme, known as Scéim Intéirneachta in Institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh, can be found via the Department’s website
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a website dedicated to Job Opportunities in the EU.
EUJobs – Dept. of Foreign Affairs You can subscribe to their mailing list via the website to receive event invitations directly to your inbox. They also post regularly to their social media (@EUJobsIreland) with details of upcoming competitions, traineeships and information sessions.
Other useful resources include European Personnel Selection Office’s (EPSO) website provides details of current jobs opportunities and career profiles in the EU so you can understand what role would fit your skills best..
European Movement Ireland’s (EMI) jobs list which is updated weekly on their website
Finally, feel free to send any questions you have to eujobs@dfa.ie.
Much of this information has been compiled as part of a booklet ‘Europe is Open to You!’ providing information on European opportunities for young people including studying, training, working and volunteering.
Blanchardstown Europe Direct YouTube channel have a series of podcasts on Employment in the EU for young people.
Volunteering in Europe with Amy Collins – talks about the skills gained and future work options generated through her voluntary opportunities at home and abroad
My Volunteer Experience with Marie Conte (VSI) – talks about how her voluntary experience has helped her in her career goals
Employment Skills with Jill Barrett from The Head Coach Part 1 – talks about young people need to increase their chance of employment
Growth Careers with Joe O’Connor talks about which careers could be the ‘growth careers’ of the future
Whether you are a student or unemployed, seasonal work might help you on your way – opportunities include fruit picking, resort and leisure jobs: More information
Useful websites:
www.seasonalwork.nl [NL]
www.igapyear.com/gapyearjobs (seasonal jobs)
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