EURACTIV has many good examples of how to employ trainees in a smart way that can really benefit the company in the coming years. Several colleagues remained as trainees with EURACTIV, and even held leadership positions only five years after joining.

I have met many dozens of trainees over the past fifteen years. For me, academic qualifications are almost secondary, because most people who are trying to storm the European Union bubble have studied “European affairs” or a similar path. Attendance at a specific university/institution is less important to me. I assume that most courses (unlike technical courses in nature) are somewhat united with the teaching method.

When reading the CV, especially in the interview, I want to fail to the biography terms and try to evaluate the person in front of me. To do this, I apply up to 10 “filters”, and this helps me in a decent evaluation.

1. Team player – Is this candidate able to work well in the team’s environment? Holidays function in the CV can help answer this question.
2. Multi -task – Is the candidate able to move in irregular work patterns and deal with work burdens heavier at certain times?
3. Flexibility – How flexible is the filter if asked to go out of their comfort zone?
4. Mud-Do I think that the candidate will adapt to an office environment and do not continue to show a “student-like behavior” in a professional environment.
5. Attention to detail – Do I think this candidate has an accurate interest in detail, and always verify work messages/email before arriving to “send”?
6. Organizational skills-Do I think the candidate is a good organized person who has a logical thinking process?
7. International – How much is this candidate? Are they internationally thinking and able to embrace different business cultures?
8. The ability to learn-does the filter seem open enough to accept comments, take advice, then apply?
9. Future career path – Is this candidate “management materials” in the future?
10. Staying on power – this is the most difficult to be sure, but do I think the candidate will join and then start immediately searching for a job in European Union institutions? Or are they really serious about joining a leading media company in the European Union bubble?

As an interview with a trained position, you can take these tips into consideration. But every employer searches for different things. So perhaps the best advice I can give is: Be yourself; Stay comfortable and elegant; Answer any questions, frankly!