cover letter blue book

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 .

Related links

Want to give your feedback about this page, contact the eu.

• Call us 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11
• Use other telephone options
• Write to us via our contact form
• Meet us at one of the EU centres

Social media

• Search for EU social media channels
• Languages on our websites
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice
• Accessibility

EU institutions

• European Parliament
• European Council
• Council of the European Union
• European Commission
• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
• European Central Bank (ECB)
• European Court of Auditors (ECA)
• European External Action Service (EEAS)
• European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
• European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
• European Investment Bank (EIB)
• European Ombudsman
• European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)
• European Data Protection Board
• European Personnel Selection Office
• Publications Office of the European Union

Master Your Cover Letter: 9 Books to Land the Job

The Cover Letter Book

The damn good resume guide, 101 best cover letters, cover letters for dummies, the perfect cover letter, the elements of resume style, gallery of best cover letters.

• Knock 'em Dead Cover Letters
• The Only Resume and Cover Letter Book You'll Ever Need

We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy .

When it comes to finding a job , your cover letter can be just as important as your resume . It’s your chance to showcase your personality, highlight your skills and accomplishments, and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job. However, crafting a standout cover letter can be a challenge for many job seekers. That’s where these top nine books on writing cover letters come in. They offer practical advice, tips, and strategies for crafting compelling cover letters that grab the attention of hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.

The Cover Letter Book: Your Definitive Guide to Writing the Perfect Cover Letter by James Innes provides comprehensive advice on how to write effective cover letters that grab the attention of potential employers. The author walks readers through every step of the process, from understanding the purpose of a cover letter to crafting a persuasive message that stands out from the competition.

This book takes you through all the essential rules and high impact strategies to ensure your cover letter makes you stand out from the crowd.

The Damn Good Resume Guide: A Crash Course in Resume Writing  by Yana While this book focuses primarily on resume writing , it also includes a section on writing effective cover letters. The author offers practical advice on how to tailor cover letters to specific job openings, highlighting key qualifications and demonstrating enthusiasm for the position.

For hundreds of thousands of job seekers, The Damn Good Resume Guide has been the go-to resource for writing and refining their resumes to damn near perfection. Filled with savvy advice and written in a straightforward, user-friendly style, The Damn Good Resume Guide will help you zero in on that dream job.

101 Best Cover Letters by Jay A. Block and Michael Betrus – This book is a collection of real cover letters that have been successful in landing interviews and job offers. Readers can use these examples as a guide for crafting their own compelling cover letters, while also gaining insight into what hiring managers are looking for.

Beat out the competition for the best jobs

Create an image of accomplishment, professionalism, and competence that today’s employers are begging for!

Cover Letters for Dummies by Joyce Lain Kennedy – This comprehensive guide walks readers through the entire cover letter writing process, from understanding the different types of cover letters to choosing the right format and tone. The author also offers tips on how to customize cover letters for specific industries and job openings.

The Perfect Cover Letter  by Richard H. Beatty – This book offers practical advice on how to create powerful cover letters that showcase skills and experience, while also demonstrating a genuine interest in the position. The author includes real-life examples and templates that readers can use as a starting point for their own cover letter .

The Perfect Cover Letter, Third Edition is an indispensable guide that covers all the vital elements of a great cover letter, so you know what to include and know how to phrase it.

The Elements of Resume Style: Essential Rules and Eye-Opening Advice for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters That Work  by Scott Bennett – This book focuses on the writing style and formatting of cover letters, with a particular emphasis on how to create compelling opening statements and demonstrate value to potential employers. The author also provides tips on how to use cover letters to overcome potential objections and highlight relevant experience.

Building your résumé should be one of the easier parts to the whole job-interview process. But instead it’s becoming increasingly stressful as well! 

Gallery of Best Cover Letters  by David F. Noble – This book features a collection of cover letters that have been hand-picked by a team of career experts. Each cover letter is analyzed and critiqued, providing readers with valuable insight into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to crafting effective cover letters.

With this book, readers will discover how to craft a superior cover letter that ensures they will get noticed and gain momentum in their search for employment.

Knock ’em Dead Cover Letters

Knock ’em Dead Cover Letters: Cover Letters and Strategies to Get the Job You Want by Martin Yate is a comprehensive guidebook that equips job seekers with essential tools to create impressive cover letters that land them their desired job. The book covers a range of topics, including how to customize cover letters, highlight skills and achievements, and effectively communicate with hiring managers. It also provides valuable tips on job search strategies , interview preparation, and salary negotiation. Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional, this book is a must-read to enhance your job search skills and secure your dream job .

The book provides insights into the hiring process, shows how to write an effective cover letter, and includes real-life examples and case studies that demonstrate how to tailor a letter to a specific job and industry.

The Only Resume and Cover Letter Book You’ll Ever Need

The Only Resume and Cover Letter Book You’ll Ever Need: 600 Resumes for All Industries 600 Cover Letters for Every Situation  by Richard Walsh – This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of resources for job seekers, including hundreds of sample resumes and cover letters that have been successful in landing interviews and job offers. Readers can use these examples as a guide for crafting their own personalized job search documents.

This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of resources for job seekers, including hundreds of sample resumes and cover letters that have been successful in landing interviews and job offers.

What's next?

Choose the right tools to help you build your career.

Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career.

You cannot copy content of this page

• Editor’s Reports
• Reader’s Report
• Short Report
• Submission Package
• Copy-Editing
• Scriptwriting
• Intro to Literary Agent
• Online Tutorials and Q&A
• BPA Pitch Prize 2024
• BPA Pitch Prize 2023
• BPA Pitch Prize 2022
• BPA Pitch Prize 2021
• BPA Pitch Prize 2020
• BPA Pitch Prize 2019
• BPA First Novel Award 2023
• BPA First Novel Award 2022
• BPA First Novel Award 2021
• BPA First Novel Award 2020
• BPA First Novel Award 2019
• BPA First Novel Award 2018
• BPA First Novel Award 2017
• Join Our Mailing List
• Peggy’s Blog
• Blog Archives

How to Write a Stand-Out Cover Letter

• How to Write a Stand-Out…

SO, WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

Literary agents and many literary competitions require a cover letter along with your sample chapters and synopsis. This is a formal introduction to you and your novel. Note: It is not a CV, a bio or a blurb for the book. It’s a letter, written from one professional to another, that should make the agent or judge want to read more. The biggest mistake entrants to the BPA First Novel Award made this year was getting the balance off, either writing too much about the novel or too much about themselves – some poor novels didn’t get a mention. There’s a rough template most agents and competition judges will look for, and it’s pretty doable! Let’s give it a go.

TELL US ABOUT THE NOVEL

First, tell us about the novel. That’s what you’re trying to sell! You want the agent to finish the cover letter with such curiosity about the book that they’re hungry for the sample chapters. 

The first paragraph will usually reveal the title , the genre , the word count of the completed manuscript (If you don’t include this, they might worry you haven’t finished it!) and something that offers a taste of the novel, like a mention of the themes you’re going to explore.

Be specific when stating the genre – if it’s general fiction, think about whether the market is commercial, book club, upmarket or literary. If it’s YA, don’t just say it’s YA – is it a YA romance? YA dystopia? Who’s out there writing YA crime? The literary agent will be familiar with all the terms, so the more specific you are, the easier it will be to picture an audience for the book.

Once you’ve provided these core facts, write an elevator pitch . This is a single sentence that conveys your novel’s hook or USP. For inspiration, check out the Sunday Times Bestsellers List:

• Richard Osman’s  The Thursday Murder Club : Four friends in a retirement village team up to solve a mystery on their doorstep.
• Paula Hawkins’  The Girl on the Train : A commuter’s fascination with a married couple she passes every day turns deadly.

It’s a good idea to follow this up with a one-paragraph description of the novel. Unlike the synopsis, it doesn’t need to tell the entire story, but it should be just more than the premise. Tell us who the protagonist is, what happens to upset the balance of their life, and what their goal is (presumably to restore said life balance!). If you can do that in a couple of sentences, you might also mention one of the novel’s core turning points.

Cover letters should describe the novel first, then the writer, then remind us of the novel at the end. In a short final paragraph, say what inspired you to write the book and offer some comparable titles . (Check out agent Nelle Andrew’s advice on comparable titles .)

The letter should be targeted towards the literary agent or competition judge you’re writing to. Some writers choose to open with this and others incorporate it into the later paragraphs. The best way to make a connection and show you’ve done your research is to mention an author on the agent’s list who has a relevant readership. You could also explain why you think your novel aligns with what they describe in their wish list.

TELL US ABOUT YOU

It’s the writing, not the writer, that’s important … but the agent or judge does want to know about you too. They especially want to know why you were the one person who could write this book . And it’s true – no one else could write the book you’ve written. So tell us why. Did your job as a psychiatrist inspire the analysis of your antagonist’s motivation? Do you live in the idyllic town where the book is set? Have you studied the era of your historical novel? Share relevant details about yourself. 

The agent or judge also wants evidence that you are a writer. You’re not just someone who thinks they have a novel in them; you take your craft seriously. If you can, share what magazines your short fiction has been published in, the competitions you’ve been listed in or the creative writing courses you’ve completed. If you don’t have that kind of experience, share anything that tells us you’re serious. Join a writer’s workshop group and tell us about that. Attend an online masterclass (like the ones BPA runs ) and mention that. Experiment with writing in different forms and tell us about it. S hare which contemporary authors have inspired you, so it’s clear that you’re well read. Just don’t put, ‘This is my first attempt at writing fiction,’ and leave it at that. It doesn’t inspire confidence.

A cover letter should be professional, like the cover letter you would send with a job application, but you also want it to have some personality. And given you’re basically applying for the role of ‘novelist’, it needs to be well written.

So, keep it formal, make sure it’s eloquent, and try to get some flow into it. When you read it aloud, it should sound natural. If it doesn’t, it might be that you haven’t varied sentence length, that you’ve used rigid language, or simply that you’re trying too hard. As formal as a cover letter should be, you want your enthusiasm for this novel you’ve spent so long writing to imbue the lines. 

COMMON ISSUES IN ‘BPA FIRST NOVEL AWARD’ SUBMITTED COVER LETTERS

• Formatting it like a CV or splitting it into sections titled ‘Bio’ and ‘Novel Summary’.
• Sharing irrelevant detail about your personal life. 
• Making it too short – 200-350 words is a good guideline.
• Or too long – unfortunately, nobody’s going to read a cover letter past the first page!
• Writing a vague description of the story e.g. ‘When a mysterious event happens, a woman will have to look to the past to uncover the truth.’
• Including long-winded explanations of why there’s a huge market for your book.
• Coming across as arrogant … or lacking in confidence.
• Sharing more about the novel’s message than its story.

WRITE THE COVER LETTER YOUR NOVEL DESERVES

Once you’ve finished a manuscript, the instinct is to get it on submission as soon as possible, but it’s worth taking the time to give an accurate and exciting representation of the work . Literary agents receive many submissions a day and have to fit reading time in with a huge workload. You need to grab them in the cover letter so that they’re already thinking of you as a potential client when they read the sample.

Out of everything you could have written on the blank pages of a document titled Novel , you’ve carefully chosen each word of this story that has to be told. You know people will love it and you hopefully have a sense of who and why . Get that across to the agent or competition reader, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll request the full manuscript.

For personalised feedback on your cover letter, you might want to consider a BPA Submission Package Report – enquire here .

Related posts

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

More than 10,000 subscribers

Your information is never shared with third parties

THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING!

Land the job with cover letter templates

Show hiring managers why you're the perfect job candidate with professional, customizable cover letter templates. find the perfect cover letter template for any industry or career path..

Download free cover letter templates

Stand out from other job applicants with free, professional cover letter templates. Cover letters are a perfect complement to your resume and provide an effective opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm for a position. Focus on writing a compelling cover letter and let a professionally designed template do the rest.

These free cover letter templates are perfect for any stage of your career, whether you're looking to land an internship or your dream job. If you're applying for a corporate position, you may want to opt for a simple cover letter template. There are a variety of other cover letter designs available, from basic cover letter templates to creative cover letter templates.

Each of these cover letter templates is customizable in Word , so you can add your own text, change design elements, and more. Print out your cover letter or download it for free to use for online job applications. Once you've customized the perfect cover letter, explore resume templates that will match your cover letter design, or download free business cards for your next networking event.

From Clever Girl Finance

How To Write A Publisher Cover Letter

Your first step in getting a publisher's attention is writing a publisher cover letter. It’s a simple yet powerful letter that can influence the future of your book.

In this article, you’ll learn about what a publisher's cover letter is, why it's important, and how to put one together.

You’ll also review a sample cover letter for more guidance when you create your own!

What is a publisher cover letter?

A publisher cover letter has the simple job of introducing you and your book to a publishing company.

In your book cover letter, you will state who you are and your experience. Not unlike a cover letter for a job. It’s essentially your elevator pitch.

But keep in mind that it’s also a letter to a publisher that can set your manuscript apart from the dozens of other submissions that publishers receive!

When do you need a book cover letter?

If you’re thinking of submitting your manuscript to different publishers then a book cover letter is an essential part of your submission package. This is because book publishing is a business.

And ideally, you want your cover letter to explain to agents or recruiters how your experience and your book will help their business grow.

Outside of the book publishing world, cover letters are also an important aspect when submitting manuscripts to journals.

What to include in a letter to a publisher

Constructing a publisher cover letter is like baking a cake. There are instructions to follow and you can’t write too much or too little or else the letter won’t be well received. Add too much salt or too little vanilla to a cake and it throws off the taste.

To write an ideal cover letter make sure you follow these instructions and include the following elements.

1. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction

The introduction of your book proposal cover letter is the most important part. According to Blue Pencil Agency, the first part of your letter should give details of your book such as title, genre, and word count.

After that, you want to hook them in with your second sentence . This sentence should describe the most interesting aspect of your book.

Following the hook, you’ll want to summarize the main points of your book by giving an intriguing synopsis.

You don’t want to share every aspect of your book, but instead, entice publishers to want to read more.

2. Include why you wrote your book and what makes your book interesting

Once you’ve got the publisher's attention, you can explain why you wrote your book and what makes it different. Use this section of your publisher cover letter to share your unique why.

What special experiences or knowledge do you have that motivated you to write this book? What are you hoping your audience will take away from the book?

Also, explain how your book differs from other books in its genre.

Are there more diverse characters? Does your book take a unique perspective for your niche?

Explain how your book stands out.

3. Share who your book is for

In addition to explaining your great storyline, you’ll want to mention your target audience. Who is your book for? Who is meant to read it?

This knowledge helps publishers when considering how marketable your book is.

4. Share your background as a writer

This part of your letter will focus on you as a writer. Whether you’re a new author, self-published, or have been previously published you’ll want to focus on different aspects of your career.

Here’s what to include in this section based on your experience.

New authors

If you’ve never been published, your book cover letter will focus on other written work and your fan base.

For instance, if you have a blog or group of followers on your mailing list you can mention that in your letter to a publisher.

If you don’t have a following you can share how your unique expertise makes you a credible writer.

For example, your can share how your field experience as an anthropologist helped you to build a more realistic and intriguing storyline for your historical fiction novel.

Self-published authors

If you’ve self-published before, you want to share about the success of your self-published book . Important things to share include rankings and feedback from readers.

Previously published authors

If you’ve previously published don’t be humble, share your achievements. Use this opportunity to share the success of your book.

Mention how many copies you sold, along with sharing some of the top reviews and endorsements.

Also, include how you’ve built a fan base or a following from your previous book.

5. Don't forget to add your contact details

To end your book proposal cover letter you’ll want to thank publishers for their time and include your contact details.

Make sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Without your contact information publishers can't contact you to move forward.

Key components

These key components are the most critical elements of your letter. Use these tips to increase the chances of your letter being read.

No more than one page

With the large volume of requests that publishers receive on a weekly basis, many publishers don't have the time to read lengthy requests. Keeping your book proposal cover letter to one page helps you to write concise and insightful information .

Aim to write around five paragraphs

To help keep your book cover letter to one page it’s best to write five paragraphs. By doing so you can avoid writing unnecessary information.

Don't make your book sample a part of the cover letter

When writing a cover letter for book submission, it can be tempting to want to include a sample of your book.

However, a publisher's cover letter is meant to be an introduction to your book and who you are as an author.

If you do include a book sample, it should be a separate document.

A sample proposal letter

In order to demonstrate how to put all the previous information together, below is an example publisher cover letter for a book submission.

Dear (Insert the name of publisher),

My name is Susie Que and I’m the author of the book Climbing to the Top, a 60,000-word non-fiction book. My book is an inspiring and impactful story that focuses on how rock climbing some of the most dangerous mountains taught me how to become stronger and how to excel in life.

This book will challenge you to examine your own fears and personal dreams and help you find the strength and resilience you need to achieve them. In this book, I provide the tools you need to move away from your comfort zone, face your fears and triumph over any obstacle.

What makes this book valuable is that I draw from my personal life experiences climbing over 30 summits. I did this while overcoming medical issues as well as mental health challenges. The surprising part is I'm over 40 years old, a wife, and a mother to two children.

My book is relatable to mothers, and women in their 40s and older who think that it's too late for them to have the success they desire.

I currently have a blog with over 100,000 readers and have been a guest on podcasts such as Ambitious Women, and Fearless Women.

Along with this, I currently have 300,000 followers on Instagram, and 120,000 subscribers on YouTube. I have a strong base of supporters and fans that will be eager to read Climbing to the Top.

Thank you for reading my letter. Attached are copies of the first three chapters of my book. If you’re interested in moving forward you can contact me at (insert phone number) or by email at ( insert email).

Sincerely, Susie Que

Related articles on getting writing a publisher cover letter

Enjoy this article? Check out articles related to writing a publisher cover letter!

• How To Get A Book Published: Self-Publishing Vs Traditional Publishing
• Writing A Book Proposal: A Great Book Proposal Template To Use
• How To Write A Book Pitch

Write a cover letter that publishers will love!

A cover letter for book submission has one main purpose. Your purpose is to get publishers interested in your book and have them believe in your capacity as an author.

You achieve this interest by hooking them in with the intriguing introduction in the first paragraph. Keep them captivated by sharing the most interesting details of your book.

Then you share your expertise as a writer and your experience in the field. And always end the letter with gratitude and your contact information.

If you're ready to publish your book, start with a stand-out letter to a publisher. Doing this can lead to getting a book deal and getting paid for your writing !

Kiersten Brown

Privacy overview.

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

For more articles, head to auresnotes.com .

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and I'll send you a list of the articles I wrote during the previous month + insights from the books I am reading + a short bullet list of savvy facts that will expand your mind. I keep the whole thing under three minutes. 

How does that sound? 

You Might Also Like

The Rise and Fall of Couchsurfing

Finance, Economics, and Crypto Resources

2 Hours of Hypnosis Helped More Than 2.5 Years of Therapy

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

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!

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Reddit

How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

by Elainy Mata

Partner Center

Cover Letters

Crafting a great cover letter can set your application apart and help you get your foot in the door. But where to start? We've got tips, templates, and examples to get you going—from great opening lines to real samples that actually worked.

Featured Articles

by Regina Borsellino

How to format a cover letter that’ll get you an interview.

Your Quick Guide to Cover Letter Headings

by Alyse Maguire

4 cover letter examples (plus tips on how to write yours), recently published.

by The Muse Editors

How to write a handwritten cover letter (examples included).

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internal Position (With Examples and a Template!)

How to Write a Cover Letter With Salary Requirements (Template Included!)

How to Write an Application Letter (Sample Included!)

5 Healthcare Cover Letter Examples (And Tips on How To Write Yours!)

by Amanda Cardoso

How to write a cover letter with no experience (examples included).

How to Close a Cover Letter in 2024 (With Tips and Examples)

What’s a Letter of Interest and How’s It Different From a Cover Letter?

125+ Words to Describe Yourself in a Job Interview, Resume, and More

What’s the Ideal Length for a Cover Letter? —Plus Tips to Get Yours There

How to Start a Cover Letter: 30 Creative Opening Sentences Recruiters Will LOVE

by Lily Zhang

Here are 15 possible reasons you’re not getting hired—and how to fix them.

by Stav Ziv

The top jobs, remote roles, industries, and cities for entry-level candidates in 2021.

by Erica Sweeney

6 tips to stand out and land a new job during the “great resignation” (because you’re not the only one looking).

The (Simple) Guidelines You Should Follow When Naming Your Resume and Cover Letter Files

No, Analytical Skills Aren’t Just for Analysts—Here’s How to Show Yours Off in a Job Search

by Kate Ashford

8 essential tasks to jump start your 2021 job search.

5 Reasons You Should Write a Cover Letter—Even When the Job Description Says It’s Optional

by Jaclyn Westlake

7 ways job searching will be different in 2021 (and how you can adapt).

• Skip to main content
• Skip to after header navigation
• Skip to site footer

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

• Get Published
• Book Proposals
• Book Business
• Conferences
• Fun Fridays

Hints for a Great Cover Letter

[I originally posted this piece over 12 years ago. The information still holds true, but I suspect many have not found the necessary information elsewhere, so I dare post it again. I’ve left all the comments intact since they add to the ongoing conversation. Feel free to add your thoughts.]]

_________________________

Here are a few suggestions for you to consider when approaching an agent or an editor. Remember to use these as hints…do not follow them slavishly as if a literary agent will spend their time critiquing your cover letter.

By the way, we distinguish between a cover letter and a query letter. A cover letter goes on top of a longer proposal and sample chapters. The query letter is a stand-alone letter that goes to the editor/agent without a proposal or sample chapters. We prefer the cover letter and the rest of the package. Why? Because a query only shows that you can write a letter. A proposal begins the process of showing that you know how to write a book.

Address the letter to a specific person. If sending something to The Steve Laube Agency, simply address the appropriate agent. Every proposal will cross the desk of the designated agent eventually. (Please do NOT send it to all of us at the same time)

Use this cover letter in the body of your email, but NOT the proposal and sample chapters! You’d be stunned to see how many people contact us with a blank email carrying only a subject line of “here it is.”

Don’t waste your time or ours. Do your homework! If you are submitting to an agent, visit their website and follow their guidelines!!! We cannot emphasize this enough! Make certain to spell the person’s name right. (My name is spelled, Steve Laube. Not “Laub” “Labe” “Lobby” “Looby” etc. But note that Bob Hostetler has to address me as “sir” or “the honorable” or “Mr. Boss”.)

If you use The Christian Writers Market Guide or some online database listing agents or editors, make sure you have the most current information because addresses do change (go to their website). Our main office changed its mailing address in February of 2007…and we still discover material is being sent to the old address. You would be astounded by the number of calls or inquiries we receive from writers who have not done their research. Someone called the Phoenix office the other day looking to talk to one of our agents who does not live or work in Phoenix.

Whatever you do, do  not say your book is the next bestseller like Purpose Driven Life , Eat Pray Love, Left Behind , or  The Shack , or that it will sell better than  The Da Vinci Code ,  Twilight ,  Harry Potter , or  The Chronicles of Narnia . That shows an ignorance of the market that is best left alone. [update note: These examples will date you really fast. The Harry Potter books are over 25 years old, published in 1997.]

In addition, please do not claim “God gave me this book so you must represent or publish it.” We are firm believers in the inspiration that comes from a faith-filled life, but making it part of your pitch is a big mistake. Read this blog post for a larger discussion on this point.

____________

The 4-part Cover letter:

1) A simple introductory sentence is sufficient. Basically, you are saying “Hi. Thank you for the opportunity…”

2)  Use a “sound bite” statement. A “sound bite” statement is the essence of your novel or non-fiction book idea in 40 words or less.

The fiction sound bite could include:

a. The heroic character b. The central issue of the story c. The heroic goal d. The worthy adversary e. Action f. The ending g. A grabber h. Or a twist

The non-fiction sound bite should include the main focus or topic. One suggestion is to describe the Problem, Solution, and Application.

If someone were to ask about your book you would answer, “My book is about (write in your sound bite.)”

Another word for sound bite is “hook.”

3)  Tell why your book is distinctive – identify who will read it . (Targeted age group….adult, teen, youth) – point out what’s fresh, new, and different.

One suggestion would be, for your intended genre, read several recent books in the same genre as your own to familiarize yourself with the market.

4)  G ive pertinent manuscript details : a) mention whether or not your book is completed (if it is not, then give an estimate as to when it will be finished) b) word length of the complete manuscript, even if it is an estimate (approximate – round off the number) c) pertinent biographical info d) tell the agent if it is a simultaneous submission e) let the agent know they can discard the proposal if rejected.

Click here to review a sample non-fiction cover letter from someone who approached us via an email inquiry. We signed her as a client.

Keep the letter to one page!!

Please don’t use narrow margins or tiny print to fit it all on one sheet. That is silly. We once received a cover letter with an 8-point font and 1/4-inch margins. It was virtually unreadable.

About Steve Laube

Steve Laube, president and founder of The Steve Laube Agency, a veteran of the bookselling industry with 40 years of experience. View all posts by Steve Laube →

Reader Interactions

January 17, 2011 at 5:45 pm

Thanks for clarifying the difference between a query and a cover letter. And I never thought about including a note about discarding the proposal if it’s rejected. I’ll remember that next time.

January 17, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Thanks for the helpful information. Appreciate, too, your making it print friendly. This is going into my “Writing Aids” file.

January 19, 2011 at 2:52 pm

This is very helpful. Thank you for this overview of the cover letter. I critique manuscripts at writers conferences, and I plan to refer them to this post!

January 19, 2011 at 11:09 pm

I am confused; this article requires a cover letter be ONE page, double-spaced, exactly while the Guidelines article requests the story be summed up in up to THREE pages, single-spaced. So what are you supposed to do since these contradict and I would like to present myself as expected by Mr.Laube?

January 20, 2011 at 8:24 am

Let me clarify so as there is no confusion.

This article is about the cover letter. Keep that to one page.

The synopsis is not the cover letter. That piece is where you tell the whole story of the novel in a maximum of three single spaced pages.

Any presentation package to an agent or a publisher has three parts. 1) The cover letter (one page) 2) The proposal – which includes, among other things, a synopsis of the book or story 3) Sample chapters

Hope that helps!

March 8, 2012 at 11:53 am

Thank you Steve. Any bits of wisdom imparted to the masses is wonderful.

February 4, 2016 at 11:54 am

So, just to clarify, should the promo sentence, sales handle and back cover copy be included in the same document as the synopsis?

The word count, target audience and platform are all mentioned briefly in the cover letter. Should they also be reiterated more in-depth in the proposal?

Just trying to line up my wayward ducks. There’s no point in submitting a manuscript if it isn’t submitted properly.

September 21, 2017 at 8:20 am

Thank you for your guidance and clarification. It helps to have every aspect broken down so well.

May 21, 2021 at 4:29 am

thanks for the offered clarification, one further point please. Perhaps I am reading too deeply and detailed, but cover letter, sample chapters, synopsis, we are talking three separate attachments to the email, given the different structures of each piece. Thanks

January 20, 2011 at 10:33 am

Now I understand. Thank you for taking the time to reply 🙂

As an aside, for further clarification – the sample chapters should always be the first three correct? (No other chapters instead?) And if you have a prelude, I would assume that would not be counted as the first chapter, particularly if it is only a few pages?

One last question please: in the cover letter should you use specific names of characters or simply be broad until you arrive at the synopsis?

Thank you so much for making things clear and God bless you.

January 20, 2011 at 11:06 am

Sample chapters. Always the first pages. Include a prelude or a preface if applicable. The idea for the limitation is to keep what you send under 50 pages of text. Some chapters are very short, some are long. But sending too much will put you in the “I’ll read this someday, when I have the time” pile.

As for the cover letter? You aren’t retelling the whole story in the cover letter so character names are not as critical. But they can be used if appropriate. Don’t write something like “Snow White along with Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, and Grumpy went to the local grocery store to buy some apples.” That can wait for the manuscript or the synopsis if you want to use those names.

January 20, 2011 at 1:37 pm

Great! Thank you again and one absolutely necessary (and final) question please: my prelude is the first 4 pages and that with the first three chapters bring you to page 60. Is that a problem? Should I just cut the story off at page 50? Thank you and this is my final question 🙂

January 20, 2011 at 1:44 pm

I can safely say, without seeing your work or reading a word, that your chapters are too long to begin with.

Cut your chapter length by thinking in terms of scenes. Make chapter breaks more frequent. A twenty page chapter in a novel is far too long in today’s market.

To be even safer, consider hiring a good freelance editor ( click here for a list ) to give you help and advice before ever sending it to us. If a manuscript is pretty good, we will reject it. It has to be magnificent and nearly ready for market.

March 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

Any idea of the price range for a freelance editor that you have listed on you link?

January 20, 2011 at 7:17 pm

Thank you for the input. My work is Christian fiction, so a few of the chapters are for world-building so that is why some of the chapters may be a little longer. I have plenty of chapters that are 8 or 11 or 14 pages long, but the third one in particular is 27 pages. I suppose I will have to split that up of course, and I do think in terms of scenes (as in a movie)…So be it then.

January 21, 2011 at 1:43 pm

One more question: if you are writing a trilogy and are only submitting the first book thus far, would the synopsis cover only the 1st book or would it encompass all 3? Thank you!

January 21, 2011 at 1:47 pm

Ryan, There is no hard and fast rule. It is usually a good idea, when submitting a trilogy, to have at least a half page worth of synopsis included in the proposal. A publisher needs to have something they can see in order to buy.

March 16, 2013 at 4:14 am

I have a project encompassing 5 books on the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers which uses the historical record to refute the Internet claim that the FF were deists and atheists. The first book is done, 2 others are 85% done. There are over 600 separate cited sources in the first book, two-thirds of which are in the public domain. Must I get written permission from the other 200 sources before I can publish the book or will footnoting the quotes used with TITLE, AUTHOR, PUBLISHER INFO, DATE, AND PAGE NUMBER be sufficient ?

Thanks very much for your help.

January 21, 2011 at 9:38 pm

Great, and with that, I have run out of questions, much to your satisfaction 🙂 Thank you and I will be sending you something soon.

February 15, 2011 at 4:58 pm

This is a great post. Thank you.

I do have a question, though. I have published my book (11/8/09), but I would like to be represented. What kind of pages do I submit? The book or the final draft of the ms before it went to print?

Also, this book is the first of a series of books that I have outlined at this point with one other ms done (children’s book, which is apart form the series).

How would I document this in a cover letter (the book and subsequent ideas I have outlined as I know you don’t accept children’s books)?

I appreciate your time and attention.

February 19, 2011 at 11:05 pm

A necessary question: are the sales handle, promo sentence & back cover copy lumped in with the synopsis or are they separate in a fiction proposal so that the proposal would contain a cover letter, synopsis, sample chapters and then another page with those 3 items? It just is not clear from what I have read on here. Thank you for clearing this up! God bless you in His name, Ryan

May 17, 2011 at 6:58 am

Dear Steve,

Thank you for explaining what you expect of our submissions to your office. I spent the night finishing my proposal and cover letter to your specifications and sent out my package today.

Faithfully, Christopher Holms

August 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm

Steve, I’ve finished my first Biblical historical novel about Jesus, the God-man. While my goal was to stay with twenty pages per chapter, some are a couple of pages longer. And how many lines per page do you suggest? I’ve tried to stick with the typical publisher’s guideline, but would appreciate your comments on this area. Also since you state that you’re open to all genres of fiction, does this include Biblical historical?

August 20, 2011 at 11:13 am

Simply use the computer’s double-space format. Also use one inch margins on all four sides. And use a Times Roman 12 point font. Whatever you do, do NOT try to squeeze more lines on a page. That will only irritate a reviewer.

In general, when using the above formatting you will end up with about 300 words on a page…which is very similar to the word count on a finished book.

A chapter that runs to 20 pages is probably going to feel long, depending on the action and dialogue included. That is over 6,000 words in a chapter.

As for our agency’s interest? I personally tend to stay away from most Biblical fiction. The only exception is Tosca Lee (see her novel HAVAH: The Story of Eve). But you may find that our other two agents may be more interested.

And be aware that if your novel is based on the life of Jesus you will need to compare it to the classic novels by Marjorie Holmes and the novel by Walter Wangerin…all of which are still in print.

October 2, 2011 at 7:35 pm

As as up and coming writer, it’s so important to attend conferences, begin networking, but most of all, read about your craft. In order to put your best foot forward, a writer needs to know what is expected. I’ve learned the answer to many of the questions above through writers groups, networking at conferences and obtaining an editor to work with me on my projects.

October 8, 2011 at 8:58 pm

Thank you for this practical advice! Much appreciated. I in preparing the proposal to send off, I am grateful for your graceful bluntness of what you are looking for. Saves us both time and energy when communicating.

October 20, 2011 at 11:46 am

Thank you for outlining so clearly what exactly you expect in a cover letter! I was unclear on one point, however; the first part you identify – “a simple introductory statement is sufficient.”

I confess, I’m unsure on what you are looking for in that statement. Your example is, “Hi, thanks for the opportunity,” but I can’t imagine that you’re looking for something to blunt and plain. What are you wanting from the author in this statement; what are you seeking to know? Is this statement really necessary, or could a cover letter open with the second part, the sound bite?

Thank you for taking the time to clarify this matter.

November 5, 2011 at 10:55 am

I have the same question regarding the Introductory Statement. Thank you for posting this information about the cover letter. It is a huge help!

November 25, 2011 at 4:21 am

Steve, when submitting a proposal for a novel that is intended as the first of a trilogy, is this something that should be mentioned in the cover letter? I’m uncertain as the second book is not yet written and the first works as a stand-alone.

Thanks so much,

November 26, 2011 at 8:43 am

Marge, If you intend to propose a series, even if book one stands alone, that should be mentioned in the cover letter and the proposal. If you are doing a query letter without a proposal then most definitely reveal the plan for a trilogy.

But if you are not certain a second book can be written then do not mention it, instead go with the stand alone.

There are times where the success of a first book creates demand for a sequel. However, most agents and publishers like to know that there is a career or a future with a particular author beyond the first book. One-book wonders do happen, and with some success. But generally we look at the total potential of an author.

May 9, 2014 at 5:50 am

Steve, Is your answer intended to convey to those of us in later life that we have little chance of finding agents and publishers? Now that I am in my early sixties and have retired I finally have the time to write but I am realistic enough to see that my literary career is unlikely to be long.

How do foreign authors work with American agents? Our style and spelling do not always align well with yours – I am English but I write (and speak) in British English not American.

Many thanks Steve

May 9, 2014 at 9:09 am

Steve Long,

We have no idea of the age of an author because we are reviewing the content of a proposal. The age of the author is immaterial.

Our primary audience is the U.S. reader. If you write with British English a U.S. based publisher will note that they will have to work harder at the various editing stages to change the style to fit U.S. English standards. Some contracts even name the Chicago Manual of Style as the standard to which the submitted manuscript must comply.

My advice? Change to the American style of English and it won’t be a potential barrier.

December 5, 2011 at 7:03 am

We write for the love of it, to entertain and educate and nobody knows for certain what will fly, so don’t worry too much about anything.

Yes, being professional is good so one ought to be polite and open minded, but we need to write compelling stories – – those that will pull readers in and not let them out easily.

Set our tone, grab a theme and move the story along like an expert, keeping us engaged, questionning and interested. Action, drama, suspense, pathos and transformative characters are excellent pieces of narrative. Hook ’em and don’t let them go.

January 24, 2012 at 12:59 pm

If I have a self-published book but hope to see it reach a greater audience, do I make copies of the pages to submit to you? I do not have them on a Word document form any longer. Thanks!

February 9, 2012 at 12:11 pm

You will need to have your manuscript in digital form at some point (Word is preferred by most publishers). If you self-published it had to be in digital form at some point. Even your printer should be able to provide a file. If it is a PDF it can be converted back to Word with the right software.

Just copying pages and mailing them is not a good idea.

January 25, 2012 at 3:19 pm

I’m a Canadian who has a completed manuscript about a personal family tragedy that garnered both political and public support. It tells how our faith and God’s intervention brought discoveries that eluded authorities after the failure of the largest search launched in 30 years.

Although this is a personal story, the case is now being used at symposiums for both Crown and Defence attorneys in Canada.

Does this story fall into the category of anything you’ve worked with or be willing to work with. I am looking for an agent in a very competitive field.

February 9, 2012 at 12:14 pm

Hard to comment in a blog comment like this because technically I still don’t know what the story is about. Best not to use the comment section to make the pitch.

We have, on occasion, represented a personal story if it is highly unusual and has commercial appeal. In 2013, look for UNTIL WE ALL COME HOME by Kim de Blecourt as an example (published by FaithWords).

March 2, 2012 at 10:40 pm

Steve – I am seriously impressed to see that you are still tracking new comments on this post a year after it was first posted.

April 30, 2012 at 2:41 pm

Thanks for the how-to on the cover letter.

May 7, 2012 at 2:46 pm

Hello: I’d like to receive an example of a one page cover letter to an agent. I have query and synopsis letters and some agents want a cover letter as well. Thank you for your help! Brenda Sue (This is a fiction, suspenseful, murder, romantic novel dealing with international art theft.)

June 19, 2012 at 1:08 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks so much for going far beyond the call of duty and explaining exactly what is a cover letter. Now, it’s up to me. I’ll do my best.

Blessings, Jackie King-Scott

July 7, 2012 at 11:58 am

Steve, I have a quick question. I am nearing completion on a Biblical fiction novel about the nativity of Jesus. Since everyone is already familiar with the story, should I take a different approach to the cover letter and synopsis?

Thank you for any advise.

Respectfully, Deborah

January 18, 2014 at 11:03 am

Your cover letter should focus on what makes your story unique. That “selling point” is critical for a publisher when considering whether or not they can make room for it in the marketplace.

July 23, 2012 at 7:03 pm

Thanks so much for all the help you’ve given us in this post.

Sincerely, Jackie

August 8, 2012 at 7:49 pm

I’m curious to know if you can provide a sample cover letter as an example. I’m sure it would help others who are visual learners like myself.

In Christ, Fletch

January 18, 2014 at 5:56 pm

A sample non-fiction cover letter is now available for review on our site: https://stevelaube2.wpengine.com/sample-cover-letter/

August 23, 2012 at 10:04 am

Hello Steve, I have a question. I published a book with another publishing company that turned out to be a POD. My book has a part two to it. The way that I wrote part two you really don’t need to read part one to understand. I would like to send it to you. Would this be a good idea to send in part two.

January 18, 2014 at 11:01 am

That is risky because while you may think the reader doesn’t need part one, in reality there may be things in the story that are confusing to a reader of book two.

I’ve never seen a publisher jump at the chance to publish book two in a series if they do not also publish book one.

August 23, 2012 at 6:46 pm

Hello, I am currently self published under a freewill contract in which I can cease printing at anytime. I have had issues getting proper statements and wish to be represented for traditional publishing. Will this be an issue for you to accept a manuscript?

January 18, 2014 at 11:00 am

Not an issue if you own the publication rights. It is your book to sell to another publisher.

January 13, 2014 at 11:08 am

Thank you for the helpful information. I have one question: when sending a proposal by email, do you want a query letter in the body of the email and the a cover letter, sample chapters and synopsis attached as a file, or is the cover letter in the body of the email? Thank you, Lara Van Hulzen

January 18, 2014 at 10:59 am

The body of the email should contain a pitch of some sort. The content of the cover letter described above would serve that purpose well.

A HUGE mistake is made by some who send an email with the body of the email blank or with a sentence like “Here is my book. Take a look.”

Or “If you want to read my book go to this web page.”

January 18, 2014 at 10:39 am

Do you prefer single or double-spacing in a cover letter?

January 18, 2014 at 10:56 am

Single spaced. Just like a regular letter.

The only thing that is double-spaced is the sample chapters or manuscript itself.

January 18, 2014 at 11:57 am

Thank you, sir, for the fast reply.

April 29, 2014 at 9:03 am

I have nothing to submit in the moment except my deep gratitude for your site, so full of so much a writer needs to understand and apply. It’s like a free tutorial, clean, clear, concise, a true resource for the explanation of the sticky things, like query, and proposal and what to send to whom, what never to do, what’s absolutely necessary to do, and anything else that causes a writer to do the Stupid Stumble. You save our face over and over with all this help.

I just want to express my pleasure to have discovered such a credible site run by a gifted teacher. Okay. Back to the memoir.

July 22, 2014 at 11:23 am

I am now confused over the length of chapters. My chapters in standard spacing are between 8-13 pages in length. When I double space them as asked the first three chapters are 19 pages in length. So when you recommend chapters be less than 20 pages are you talking about double-spaced print or standard print? Thanks for your reply.

July 23, 2014 at 6:42 am

Always send a manuscript using Double-spaced text. The proposal and synopsis is single spaced.

Thus your chapters are very long. But it may be that they are just fine as is. Sometimes you can get away with longer chapters.

I do recommend leaning toward shorter…

March 7, 2015 at 8:30 pm

Within the first paragraph (second sentence) one reads, “…As if a literary agent is going to spend their time….” I would have thought someone in the “profession” would be a bit more capable of matching a singular subject with a singular pronoun. This confusion of “number” has become acceptable I suppose because so many are willing to worship at the altar of political correctness, so as not to appear behind the times while ruffling feathers.

March 7, 2015 at 10:31 pm

I suppose I could have use “his or her” or “his/her” instead of “their.” But instead I used what is called the “Singular Their.”

See this post about that topic: https://stevelaube2.wpengine.com/the-singular-they/

Hope that helps clarify.

May 18, 2015 at 2:49 pm

I have written a memoir and believe that Karen Ball is most likely the agent with your group who would be interested.

I understand that a cover letter, proposal and sample chapters should be sent to her. In reviewing your instructions for submissions, it seems that much of the information in the cover letter gets repeated in the proposal (or is it just me?!)

Should I therefore just keep the cover letter very succinct? Or do a combo cover letter/proposal and attach sample chapters? Thank you! I’m very new to this.

June 5, 2015 at 11:48 am

So when writing a cover letter you should specify that you are writing or have written a series of books? I am on my third book and plan on making at least two more. I was told before when writing the manuscript to only focus on that one book, and to reveal the ending of that one book.

October 27, 2015 at 5:50 pm

Hi Mr. Laube, After reading through the post and the comments, I just want to make sure I understand. Do you prefer the cover letter and proposal to be emailed or mailed?

November 8, 2015 at 8:00 am

When researching agents and their submission requirements, I see “query, synopsis and first 3 chapters or 50 pages”. I’ve never heard of a “cover letter”. My novel is a 29,000 word middle grade story.

February 3, 2016 at 8:43 pm

It’s really, really hard to boil down a 200 page book to 40 words. I feel like I”m trying to write a haiku of my entire life….

February 10, 2016 at 11:35 am

When you write or type a query letter; should you follow the guidelines of literary sites or not to follow the submission guidelines? There were a few writers who didn’t follow the guide-lines and sent a query letter and got represented.

June 13, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Steve, can you offer a sample 40-word sound bite for a historical? Struggling with the 40 word concept.

Always learn from you.

August 22, 2016 at 2:29 am

if you are writing a cover letter, or book review, synopsis etc. you should take a glance at this page to find out some tips

September 19, 2016 at 9:50 am

I was hoping you might clarify for me concerning your guidelines for submission of a query letter versus a cover letter. Do you prefer a query letter be sent via email with the book proposal and sample three chapters or a cover letter sent through the mail with an attached book proposal and sample three chapters? I am slightly confused because its appears the cover letter would only be sent if you were interested in the query letter. Would it be possible to send the covered letter instead via email with the attachments for the book proposal and sample chapters?

July 4, 2017 at 7:55 am

Daniel, I can see how that might be confusing. Try not to overthink it.

Let me clarify…as far as our agency goes, which is not a universal thing.

Never send us a query letter. That one page, if sent by itself, will not help us evaluate your writing in any way.

Always send a full proposal. A part of that proposal will be your cover letter, which is basically a “hello my name is” sort of introduction.

November 2, 2016 at 7:32 pm

Great post. I didn’t think I could shorten my pitch to a 40 word sound bite, but I did. Thanks

April 6, 2017 at 9:09 am

Hi Steve This is great. I just watched your interview in the Masters class in the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild. That was very informative. Thank you. If I want to use a pen name do I include this information in the cover letter? Thank you for your time.

July 4, 2017 at 7:52 am

Yes. It can be as as simple as “I write under the pen name of I. Noah Tall, which you will notice on the title page of the proposal.”

July 3, 2017 at 11:18 pm

Thanks so much for this helpful post! I just have one question–where can I find the book Hope for Anxiety Girl from the example cover letter? I am 100% the target audience and I so want to read it! I can’t find it online and I’m wondering if a) it was retitled, b) it’s not yet published, or c) it was repurposed into a different book. Thanks again! 🙂

July 4, 2017 at 7:50 am

Rebecca. That specific book idea has gone through multiple iterations but has yet to be published. However, the writer has had other successful projects released. The latest is a co-authored book (with Kathy Lipp) called OVERWHELMED.

https://www.amazon.com/Overwhelmed-Quiet-Chaos-Restore-Sanity/dp/0736965386/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499179781&sr=1-1&keywords=cheri+gregory

July 4, 2017 at 8:52 am

Thanks! I purchased a copy of Overwhelmed last night. 🙂

July 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

In the Proposal Guidelines, it says to include:

Promo Sentence Sales Handles Back Cover Copy

Do you actually want to see those headings in the proposal? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

September 22, 2017 at 11:37 am

You’re my kind of girl! Although we’ve seasons and waxing and waning needs, I’ve grown comfortable in the book club porch hammock with a tome of my own selection. I hate someone else deciding where I need to mature or what I’m going to spend a month devouring.

“Teach us to number our days aright, o Lord, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” With a barrage of published and digital words stalking us, we need discernment on what edifies.

October 9, 2017 at 12:41 pm

I’m a man with a unique name and a unique manuscript searching for a unique agent. I found your answers very helpful, practical and instructive. Thank you.

July 18, 2018 at 3:09 pm

Hello! I’m not sure if you still check a post this old, but I’ll give it a try. Should the cover letter be the body of the email with the rest of the proposal as the attachment, or should it be a part of the attachment with the rest of the proposal?

August 15, 2018 at 7:51 am

Thank you for the helpful post! It’s nice to have a concrete idea of what the agent is looking for before sending out the book proposal.

April 11, 2019 at 12:48 pm

This is wonderfully informative. Thank you!

June 10, 2019 at 5:47 pm

In looking at the guidelines for a proposal, it lists a number of things for non-fiction, compares fiction and adds a few additional notes. My question is, in non-fiction it asks for a half page to one page overview. If all of the additional topics are addressed for fiction it seems to cover a lot of what is described in the overview. Do you want a half page to one page overview for a fiction proposal as well?

June 13, 2022 at 6:54 am

Steve, Thank you for this terrific perennial post! The patient answers to the many questions demonstrate your passion for supporting writers. Thank you for taking the time to instill such great knowledge. It is much appreciated by this new author.

June 13, 2022 at 8:10 am

Thanks so much, Steve! These posts with examples for how to do the basics are always so helpful. I look back on them whenever I work on my proposals. Such a great resource!

June 13, 2022 at 1:26 pm

Steve, I’ve published numerous articles and love my work as an editor of books and articles and author and editor of academic research. If I submit everything you described in this great article correctly and well, and my contemporary and historical women’s fiction books have been alpha and beta reviewed with strong support and appropriately edited, but I have virtually no platform (only 1046 Followers on my website), is there realistically any point in submitting a proposal to an agent before I build a larger platform? Thanks to reading Writer’s Guide and this column for many years, I think I’ve mastered and actually enjoy the submission process you described, but I keep running into the platform roadblock. If there is no platform of thousands to cite in the proposal, is it likely to generate an offer to represent or publish? Thanks!

August 2, 2022 at 9:59 am

Okay, so I got to eat a little crow here(which isn’t bad if you put a little A-1 on it), I didn’t read the submission instructions properly and submitted my information, and a portion of my book totally wrong. I have since gone back and read as I should have done in the first place. Now I will PROPERLY submit my work as it should be. I hope this didn’t cause too much of a headache for you and your staff and please forgive my anxious foolishness. I do have a couple of questions: 1. Do I have to wait a certain amount of time before I can re-submit my work? 2. The manuscript is being edited, should I wait until the edit is complete before I resubmit it?

Get New Posts by Email

Each article is packed with helpful info and encouragement for writers. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click. 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Would you like to join us?

You don’t have the appropriate membership to access this page. Please consider becoming a member using the options below, or  log-in  if you are already one of us.

Already logged-in but still directed to this page?

If you have a membership and are still re-directed to this page:

• It could be a browser cache issue. “Cache” means your browser remembers and temporarily stores the webpage you’ve visited to load them faster next time. In this case, your browser may ‘remember’ this page as it was loaded last time. A simple fix is to try log-in from an incognito window / private browsing sessions. If this issue persists, please drop me a message on the ‘Chat with Mai’ tab on the right-hand side and I’d assist you.
• Or it could be that you have not enrolled in the appropriate membership options. E.g. A Cover Letter Only member will not be able to access posts tagged as Interview Experience, and vice versa. Please check your membership level in your account page here.

Why is this member-only?

The materials on our site are highly private and contain a lot of details that are personal to us. If we have unrestricted access to this site, these letters with our confidential details will uncontrollably float around the Internet. A one-off donation is in place for the site to avoid such situations and to also help us covering the maintenance costs of this site. It is to ensure only the members of Cover Letter Library who care and truly need these quality materials would be able to see them and learn from them. Alternatively, you can always join us at no cost by contributing your own successful materials and help others! We hope we would add great value to your job application by setting the examples of what has worked for us.

As Featured In

Cover Letters and

Interview experience, applicants since, join us for free .

Share your successful cover letter or your interview experience, together with your proof of offer. Help others and become one of us! 

Sign Up as Affiliate 

Refer us to your friends using your unique referral link and earn £10 for every friend’s purchase. With the enrolment of 2-3 friends, you earn an equivalent of a free membership. The more you refer, the more you earn, no upper limit.

Become a Member by Donation

Cover Letter Library is a community of students and professionals who share their successful job applications with each other and future members to improve everyone’s chance of success. We rely on donations to keep the site up and running.

The donation is equivalent to a cost of a meal in the UK. Think of it as getting your senior and alumni a meal as thanks for their help.

Your lifetime membership options to cover letter library will be activated immediately., all options below are one-off donation via secure payment gateways, no monthly fees., once you're a member, you can earn this amount all back with 2-3 successful friend referral..

Interview experience only access

Lifetime access to detailed reports of interviews and assessment centres from professionals who have successfully obtained the positions.

New interview experiences are added on a frequent basis.

• One-off donation towards site maintenance, no monthly fees.

Cover Letter only access

• Lifetime access to real-life cover letters of professionals who have successfully obtained the positions.
• New cover letters are added on a frequent basis.

all material access

• Lifetime access to real-life cover letters and interview experience of professionals who have successfully obtained the positions.
• New materials are added on a frequent basis.

Trusted by thousands of Job Applicants

Cover Letter Library is a community of students and professionals who share their successful job applications with each other and future members to improve everyone’s chance of success.

358  Successful Cover Letters and Interview Experience  to  141 companies, contributed by  2,713 members.

All cover letters and interview experience are carefully screened for vadidity and accuracy

Join for free if you contribute your own material, or contribute a small one-off donation towards site maintenance, life-time access to all materials, with growing number of contributions.

Rate this page

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Cover Letters

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Introduction

These resources will help you understand and write successful cover letters. To use these pages, you may select links in the navigation bar on the left, you may select links from the list below, or you may advance through the pages using the links at the bottom of each page. Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters. The cover letter pages are organized into the following sections:

• What is a cover letter?
• Why do I need to do a cover letter?
• What should I do if I'm a veteran transitioning into civilian life?
• What should I do if I'm a transitioning automotive industry worker?
• What should I do about any times I was not working?
• What should I do if I have been incarcerated?
• What should my cover letter look like?
• What should my cover letter accomplish?
• What should I do before I start writing?
• What are the sections I should include in my letter?
• Introductions
• Addressing your letter
• Body paragraphs
• How should I follow up on my cover letter and résumé?

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Book Submission

If you’re wondering how to write a book submission cover letter, first of all: congratulations! You’ve written a whole novel , and edited the completed manuscript so it’s ready to submit to literary agents . That’s a huge achievement!

While the world of publishing and the manuscript submission process might seem opaque, we’re very lucky here at The Novelry. We have a whole team of experienced authors and editors who have been on both sides of the process – so we know how to write query letters that really grab literary professionals’ attention.

Read on for our top tips on crafting the perfect cover letter. Remember, the cover letter is one of the most important ways to ensure the package you submit stands out from the crowd.

While you’re here, be sure to look over other articles in our creative writing blog – they’re full of tips and tricks for navigating the publishing industry. For example, you can find advice on how a writer can create the perfect hook for a novel , and how to write a synopsis to go with it. You might also want to cast your eyes over our tips on how to start a story and write a great first paragraph.

Plus, you can read this article with a literary agent’s advice on novel openings so that your first three chapters are as strong as they can be.

And if you really want a tip-top submissions package, sign up to one of our creative writing courses. Our structured programmes will take you step by step through the novel-writing journey, ensuring your book aligns with the publishing market at every stage: from a cracking idea to a beautifully formatted manuscript. You get one-to-one coaching from a bestselling author in your genre, and access to a roster of professional editors who can whip your manuscript into shape. Plus, we work with the leading literary agencies in the UK and the USA, and we know exactly what they’re looking for!

And always, always remember to read the instructions on each agent’s and publisher’s website before you even think about putting together a submissions package.

But above all, do away with any fear or nerves: manuscript submission really isn’t scary stuff! It’s all very straightforward, and agents are on your side ! They want to share great stories with the world. Think of this as another stepping-stone to seeing your book on the shelves, not an obstacle.

The basics of writing a book submission cover letter: tone

The first thing to establish before you start writing the cover letter for your book is the tone.

It can be a difficult balance, and – understandably – a significant choice for a writer. After all, this isn’t a cover letter to apply for any old job where your writing prowess might not be a huge factor. This is your chance to prove your prose is worthy of agents’ extremely limited time.

The temptation to show off your skills and your writing style might be strong. But remember: that’s why you submit sample chapters. Think of this more as a business letter. Keep it professional, to the point and easy to read. Keep your word length and sentence length in check; this is no place for purple prose.

Some writers also hope their query letters will convey their personality – and so they should! If it feels right, feel free to add a splash of dry humour, and give the agent an idea of who you are (without recounting your entire life). But again, maintain a balance and stay on the professional end of the spectrum rather than going all-out wacky.

A brief note on conveying your personality: be sure to write in the first person, as yourself. Some people think it’s kooky or endearing to write their letter as their protagonist. It might feel original, but unfortunately agents have seen it before, and few will be amused.

Above all, proofread, then proofread again, and then proofread a final time. You might even ask a friend from your writing group , or a savvy editor, to give it one more proofread for good measure. What you really don’t want in your cover letter is a grammatical or spelling mistake. You’re selling the agent on your writing – keeping it error-free is the bare minimum!

Key elements of cover letters in publishing

Once you’ve thought about tone, consider the topics your cover letter should address.

There are five key elements in the query letter that writers send with their book submissions:

Generally, you’ll write a cover letter that hits those topics, probably in that order.

The word count

Before we think about how you’ll address these elements, and how much of your cover letter each will take up, it’s worth thinking about the overall word count.

Again, you might find yourself wrestling your writerly instincts (even if you’re fond of writing short fiction…). You need to keep your covering letter short and snappy. After all, you don’t want the agent to spend all their time reading just your letter. You want them to turn to your manuscript as soon as possible, and get right into those three sample chapters (or however many their guidelines request).

At most , your pitch letter should take up one page (in a legible font size, please. We know your tricks!)

1. Writing the hook for your book submission

The very first thing in your letter will likely be your hook. It’s right there in the name; its job is to hook the reader into your fiction.

As we mentioned, you can get in-depth advice on how to write a great hook for a novel in a dedicated article, but we’ll give you some brief pointers here.

It should be a very short paragraph, which includes the title and genre of your novel, along with the pitch or hook. Put simply, it will go: ‘[TITLE] is a [GENRE] in which [PITCH]’ .

The hook should be (ideally) a single sentence, and sum up the premise of your book. To nail it, you’ll want to consider these factors:

• What your novel is about
• Who it’s about
• What’s at stake for your protagonist
• What stands in their way
• What they must do to achieve their goal

Some writers find it helpful to use titles of works they’re comparing their novel to, often in the ‘X meets Y’ format, or ‘X but in Z setting’. For example:

• Alien was pitched as ‘ Jaws but in space’
• George R.R. Martin’s pitch for A Game of Thrones was ‘ Lord of the Rings meets the War of the Roses’
• Our writing coach Katie Khan’s debut novel, Hold Back the Stars , was pitched as ‘ Gravity meets One Day ’

If there are titles or concepts that fit, this can give agents an immediate idea of what to expect in your manuscript.

Plus, you’re offering proof of concept. That’s integral to any compelling business proposition, but it’s especially important in the world of publishing. While the industry has risk-taking pretty much baked in (given only around a third of published books are profitable), there’s still hesitancy around signing books with a premise that’s completely untested.

Which brings up another important point: don’t make the mistake of comparing yourself to an outlier or phenomenon (like Harry Potter , The Da Vinci Code or Fifty Shades of Grey ). Not only could you come across as a little self-aggrandising, but not all agents want to bet on outliers. They might prefer the security of a surer thing.

2. The story paragraph

Once you’ve given the basic hook, you’ll be relieved to know that you have another, longer paragraph to summarise your story.

This is one of the most essential parts of your cover letter. Importantly, it sits apart from your hook, synopsis, chapter outlines and/or sample chapters.

To give you an idea of what you’re aiming to write, it’s akin to the blurb written on the back of book covers. It should be stirring and pithy. It should also make it clear what question will drive readers to the novel’s end from its very beginning.

Make it as intriguing as you can and feel free to end on a cliffhanger. The agent needn’t know the entire story at the point of submitting. Plus, they’ll usually have requested a more detailed synopsis as part of the submissions package, so they’ll turn to that if they want more detail. Or they might even ask to see the full manuscript! But this letter is your chance to grab their attention and stick in their memory.

While you want to distil the essence of your whole novel into this section, do try to keep the focus on its beginning, the part that makes us keep going. That’ll make the literary agent want to read the rest of your materials!

One fact you should always include is the total number of words in your full manuscript.

Examples of story paragraphs

To give you an idea, here are a couple of examples from popular books. We’ll put the novel after the paragraph, so you can see how easily identifiable the work should be from its brief description. Hopefully it will give you an idea of the amount of detail to go into.

Mrs Bennet wants nothing more than to secure good marriages for her five daughters and is thrilled when a wealthy young gentleman rents a nearby manor. When middle daughter, Elizabeth, is first introduced to eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she finds him cold and arrogant – and he seems unimpressed by her quick-witted charm. However, as the weeks pass, both Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves reconsidering their first impressions. — Summary for Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Summers span decades, winter can last a lifetime and the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south – where heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues – to the vast and savage eastern lands, all the way to the frozen north where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men... All will play the Game of Thrones. — Summary for A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

As you can see, neither is especially literary or complex in its language, but each gives the reader a sense of the tone of its corresponding novel. Likewise, without giving away the whole plot or spoiling the ending, we have a very good idea of where the stories will take us.

3. Addressing the market in your cover letter

We touched on the notion of staking your novel’s place in the market in your ‘hook’ paragraph. If you didn’t do it in your hook, this paragraph is your chance. If you did, now you can dig a bit deeper.

In any pitch letter, you should align your work with other things that have been successful.

It doesn’t have to take the form of ‘X meets Y’. You could just write something simple, like ‘people who enjoyed Example Book will also enjoy my novel’, or ‘This novel would sit comfortably in a bookshop alongside Example Book and Another Great Book ’.

Of course, this requires a deep and very up-to-date awareness of your genre. While it’s good to have an appreciation of the classics, it’s often best to draw parallels with recent successes and show you understand current trends in your cover letter.

Some good avenues include:

• Reading bestseller lists (like the Sunday Times or the New York Times)
• Browsing bestselling titles of online retailers like Amazon
• Checking which books are stocked on supermarket shelves (and particularly those that stick around for months)
• Seeing what bookshops have in the windows and on the front tables

Bonus points if you mention authors represented by the agent you’re querying! (And a stern reminder to be very mindful of copying and pasting cover letters from one agent to the next; they should be carefully personalised each time.)

This section should make it easy for a literary agent to identify your target audience. It will give them clues as to which editors and publishers they can pitch your novel to, and how it can be marketed after publication.

4. Mention the agent in every cover letter

We just touched on the importance of personalising your cover letter, but it’s not just in the published authors you mention.

You should write about the agent and any relevant details about why you’ve chosen them. Most agents receive hundreds of query letters a week, so if you want them to give you their time and attention, show that you’ve given them yours.

Of course, you don’t want to give the impression you know every detail of their life. Not only could that be creepy, but you’re adhering to a tight word limit – don’t let yourself go over one page!

You can – and should – use a couple of your precious sentences to show you know their professional background. While researching individual agents might seem time-consuming – especially on top of all the work you’ve already done – it’s vital.

And it’s not just manners; it’s important for your long-term success, well after you sign with a literary agency. After all, this is ultimately a business deal and a professional partnership. You need to be sure that it’s the right fit for you and your novel.

So use agents’ online presence on their agency website or professional profile to see the kinds of authors they work with, and the ones they admire. If they align with your style – great! You can feel good about submitting to them, with the promise of a fruitful partnership on the horizon.

5. Writing about yourself in your query letter

Finally, we come to the topic many novelists least like to write about: themselves.

You’re in luck, because most agents want this section to be very brief. Remember, the focus is on your fiction and its viability. Your life story isn’t relevant. While your passion and commitment to writing are indispensable, the fact you’re trying to publish a novel you’ve written speaks for itself. Don’t wax too lyrical.

In fact, there’s pretty much only one concrete thing that every agent wants to know about you, and that’s whether you have any publishing history.

Don’t panic if this is your first book! Unless it says otherwise in their submission guidelines, the vast majority of agents are open to debut authors (and many are actively looking for them).

If you haven’t yet published any books but would like to include something about your writing experience, you can mention other publications or practice you’ve had. It could include:

• Experience in a professional realm (maybe you’ve worked as a journalist or a copywriter)
• Online creative writing courses you’ve taken (especially if you’ve done any with The Novelry, which literary agencies love!)
• Short fiction you’ve published
• Writing awards you’ve won

Some people include a brief line about their day job or other details of their life – particularly if it’s relevant to the genesis of their fiction. For example, Harriet Tyce was a criminal barrister, and wrote two novels centred around criminal barristers. It was clear where she found story ideas for her thrillers – or at least their protagonists.

This type of connection can give agents confidence in the accuracy of your writing, suggesting your editor will have a lighter workload when it comes to factual discrepancies. Plus, it can be helpful when it comes to marketing (if you’re happy to divulge your background).

If your job is uninteresting, unrelated or you’re trying to keep it under a page, feel free to omit details beyond your fiction writing. Agents are more interested in you as a writer than as a person.

And that’s pretty much it! All that’s left to do is to thank the agent for their time and consideration, and sign off. Done and dusted.

What happens next?

So what happens next? Agents will usually give an expected window for responses on their website, and this can be anywhere from a few days up to six weeks, or even longer. It’s important that you respect this timeframe! Follow their guidelines about when and how to check on the status of your submission.

Similarly, if an agent passes on your submission, please do not badger them for an explanation or ask them to reconsider. Agents can only take on authors and stories that they genuinely feel they can champion, and they know their own tastes – be gracious about rejection and try not to take it personally. Remember, publishing is a small business and agents have long memories!

And the fact is, dealing with criticism and rejection is part and parcel of a writer’s life; that’s why it’s so important for us to develop resilience .

Tips from The Novelry’s partner literary agencies

At The Novelry, we’re fortunate enough to partner with some of the world’s leading literary agencies.

They’ve kindly written articles for us in which they share their experiences and advice on querying agents, as well as on a whole range of other fascinating topics which you can read on our blog.

Here are some of the gems they’ve shared:

• Keep the body of the email as short as possible; send materials as attachments, unless otherwise directed.
• Include your attachments (i.e. the sample chapters, synopsis/outline and anything else that’s requested) as a Word document if possible. Most e-readers don’t deal well with PDFs.
• Proofread very carefully; a single mistake could make an agent give up on your submission.
• Be respectful and humble.
• Address agents by name. Some may prefer a title and last name, others are happy to be addressed by their first name. If in doubt, go for the more formal option. But never address them as ‘Sir/Madam’ or anything similarly anonymous. Triple check you have spelt their name correctly!
• Always send exactly what they ask for on the website. If they request the first three chapters, send them. If they only ask for ten pages, send that. Some might not want any sample material in the first instance, so don’t send any! You need to make it clear that you’ll be able to follow directions from your agent, your editor and your publisher down the line.
• Tell agents who you hope your audience will be. Think of the common marketing technique across media, ‘ for fans of ’ or ‘ if you liked X you’ll love this ’. Imagine your book on an online retailer – what titles would it appear with under ‘Customers who bought this also bought…’ or similar features?
• If you’ve been rejected by an agent who’s offered some reason for their rejection, don’t resubmit your edited manuscript requesting new comments. They aren’t your editor. If they want to see a revised version, they’ll tell you.
• Don’t pester agents for a response. If they’re going to reply, they will when they have time. Hopefully their auto-response or guidelines will let you know what to expect (i.e. whether they respond to unsuccessful submissions, and what the window usually is for responses).
• Use a professional-sounding email address. Not the silly address you created in high school, and no joint accounts with your partner. Remember, agents are considering not only whether they can publish your book, but whether to sign a professional contract with you. Act accordingly!

Sample cover letter

Finally, you might want to look at examples of successful pitch letters for books.

We look at sample cover letters in depth in our courses, analysing what works well and why.  

In the meantime, you can also look at other cover letters online. For example, author and editor Phoebe Morgan shared her sample cover letter here , and agent Juliet Mushens has published one here .

Of course, making it all the way through to bagging your dream literary agent and getting a publishing contract means your manuscript will need to live up to the promise of your perfect pitch letter. The best way to make sure it does is to join us for The Finished Novel Course . We’ll get your novel ready for publication and connect you with your perfect partner agent who knows the publishers that will love your story. Sign up and start today to become one of our sparkling success stories!

Get on the list!

When you sign up to receive the world’s #1 writing blog to your inbox every Sunday!

Related Articles

What Trellis Agents Are Looking For Right Now

Penguin Random House Editor Jeramie Orton on the Author–Editor Relationship

Indie Press or Big Publisher? Gina Sorell on ‘Debuting Twice’

• fr français

Administrative traineeship (ADMIN)

How does the selection process work for the Administrative traineeship?

Candidates included in the Virtual Blue Book are invited to apply for up to three traineeship positions.   

You will receive instructions to connect to Virtual Blue Book portal where Commission Directorates-General (DGs), services and agencies propose various positions for the nearest traineeship session. The number of proposed positions matches the number of trainees per session.

Pursuant to article 4 of the legal basis , certain Directorates General, Services or Agencies may not recruit nationals from non-Member States .    

Carefully read the job description and the details of the post. You may mark as many positions as you like as favourites.

You may apply for a maximum of 3 posts, one post at a time ,   following the scheme:

Applications for the traineeships positions in VBB open for 48 hours - you may apply for 1 post . Post openings will be unpublished as soon as the maximum number of applicants has been reached or after 48 hours.

During the following days, Directorates-General (DGs), services and agencies select  the most suitable candidates from all candidates who applied for their posts.

• Application for the 2nd post (2 days in week 2)
• Selection (2 days in week 2)
• Application for the 3rd post (2 days in week 3)
• Selection (2 days in week 3)

Certain Commission departments or agencies entitled to select trainees might contact their candidates directly for an informal interview, while others rely solely on the application forms. 

Please note that the recruitment of non-EU candidates requires additional compulsory administrative steps imposed by national authorities. Consequently, the selection of non-EU candidates ends with the first phase.  

If none of your three applications is successful or you missed the opening times, you may still have a chance in a second phase.

Departments that have not yet found their candidate may continue the selection process. Thus, you may still be selected by a Commission department or agency you have not been in contact with.

Related links

Share this page

Effective Altruism Forum EA Forum

Eas interested in eu policy: consider applying for the european commission’s blue book traineeship.

Inspired by a series of recent forum posts highlighting early career opportunities in US policy, this post summarises why and how to apply to the Blue Book Traineeship. This paid, five-month internship programme with the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, is one of the main pathways into an EU policy career. The last section of this post also outlines some other options to get started in EU policy.

There are two Blue Book sessions each year, with applications opening in January for the session starting in October and in August for a start in March of the following year. Application deadlines can be found here . Applications for the October 2023 session are open now and close on January 31 .

As the programme is suitable for people in different stages of their career and from various backgrounds (see below) and EU policy is arguably still neglected within the EA community, an application could be a good option for many EAs. The initial application is fairly low-cost, as you only need to upload your CV and documents without writing a motivation letter.

The programme is not only relevant to students or recent graduates, as many trainees have some years of previous work experience (around 30% of all trainees are 30+ and only 5% younger than 25, see full statistics here ). Work experience can even be a significant advantage for finding full-time positions after the traineeship, and it can be a strategic decision to only start the traineeship after gaining some work experience to increase the chances of being able to stay on. [1]

Epistemic status: This post is mostly based on my experience completing the traineeship last year and now working full time at the Commission, including conversations with around 20 people before and during the traineeship about both the application process and getting full-time employment afterwards. The post was greatly improved by the contributions of four other EAs with expertise on EU policy.

Eligibility

The programme is mostly directed towards EU citizens. [2] The minimum educational requirement is a completed undergraduate degree. However, a master’s degree is sometimes necessary to pass through the first stage of the selection process (especially for ‘competitive’ nationalities below) and increases employment opportunities after the traineeship.

The programme is open to graduates of all disciplines, not just people holding policy-related degrees—even rewarding applicants from ‘rare fields of study’ in the selection process. Most degrees outside of policy, law and economics should fall into this, as the majority of trainees ( around 70% ) hold degrees in one of these fields. It is therefore a good opportunity for EAs with no previous policy experience interested in testing their fit and learning more about impact in the sector.

All eligibility requirements are detailed here , including the requirement to prove very good knowledge (B2 level) of two official EU languages (English plus one other is sufficient).

Background on the European Commission

The Commission is the executive body of the EU. It draws up initial legislative proposals (which are then amended and adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU , the other two main EU institutions) and implements EU policies (e.g., deciding how to allocate funds, outlining the technical details of legislation, monitoring the implementation at member state level). It employs around 30,000 people mostly based in Brussels. The Commission’s main departments according to policy areas, the Directorate Generals (DGs), are comparable to government ministries at the national level. A Blue Book Trainee works for five months in one unit within one of these DGs or in one of the executive agencies.

The Commission is a rather technocratic institution, which is reflected in its working style. Though specific tasks depend on policy area and position, writing policy notes and briefings as well as attending meetings to exchange information and coordinate policy strategy can usually be expected. Overall, the EU policy process involves coordination with many actors (within the Commission across DGs and hierarchies but also across EU institutions and Member States) and this is reflected in the day-to-day work at all levels of the Commission. Communication abilities (both oral and written) and ‘people skills’ (especially willingness and ability to network) are therefore some of the key requirements in this field. Having impact - e.g., rising through the ranks to become a senior decision maker or getting your initiatives adopted as a junior civil servant - often requires mastering ‘office politics’.

A comprehensive discussion about the overall desirability or impact of an EU policy career is out of scope of the post. As stated above, the EU policy process is quite synergetic, so it can be somewhat difficult for an individual to make major changes - though there are examples of even junior civil servants in the right position influencing important legislations or large sums of spending programmes, and people in senior positions tend to have some discretion over policy decisions. Added to the question of the influence of a civil servant is the general debate about the global importance of the EU in relevant cause areas, which has been discussed on the Forum previously: See this collection of Forum posts for AI governance (specifically this post ) or here for the relevance of EU animal welfare legislation.

One benefit of working at the European Commission are the generally great staff conditions. Commission employees earn a relatively high salary (especially at junior level: depending on your contract, entry-level positions pay around € 3,500 - € 5,500 monthly tax free; the traineeship salary is ca. € 1,300) and have a generous vacation allowance. The Commission offers many opportunities for continued learning (language and policy courses during working hours) and you tend to work with motivated colleagues from all over Europe. Working hours can be intense in certain positions and during peak times, though are generally comparable to private sector roles and (mostly) much lower than in other career options popular with EAs like strategy consulting or investment banking (see discussion on working time in the comments). However, somewhat unstable job conditions can be a downside for junior civil servants on temporary contracts (see details in the relevant section).

Blue Book Traineeship application process and advice

How competitive is admission to the programme.

Each traineeship cohort consists of 700 to 1,000 trainees. Quotas (weighted by the population and number of applicants per country) determine the number of preselected applicants per nationality, making the first stage of the application process much more competitive for applicants of certain nationalities—for example, over the last 4 years, 31.6% of Estonian applicants but only 5.9% of Italian applicants were selected for the traineeship. The table below summarises the official statistics .

Application success rate by nationality (Average 2019 - 2022)

Overview of the application process

The application process (nice outline here ) is divided into two stages [3] :

• Preselection : General online application filling in your CV and attaching relevant documents (no motivation letter)
• Apply to up to three eligible units with motivation letters within a week after the selection opens. Units then interview suitable candidates.
• If unsuccessful, you have a chance of being selected from a pool of “remaining applicants” by “remaining units”.

(1) Preselection: Automatic scoring of your CV to get into the virtual Blue Book

Applicants complete an online application form with their CV details—university degrees and results, language skills, work experience etc.—and attach diplomas and certificates for them. It is essential that all your experiences and (language) skills are correctly specified in your initial application and you upload the required proof for all of them. See the FAQs on requirements for supporting documents and what is accepted as proof for language skills. Anecdotally, missing or insufficient documents to prove language abilities and work experiences are a hurdle for surprisingly many applicants. Small deviations, e.g., in the completion date of a degree, can lead to exclusion from the process.

Each application is scored by an automatic system, with a certain number of candidates from each nationality progressing through the next stage if they reach the required score. The scoring criteria are not public, but I’ve been told that in the previous application process, the importance of the different categories roughly follows this order:

• Education is by far the most important category, with reportedly half of all points awarded here. The main factor here is the highest degree completed—i.e., applicants holding a master’s degree (or PhD) have an advantage over applicants with a bachelor’s degree. Especially for nationals from the more ‘competitive’ countries above, it can be difficult to get preselected without a completed master’s degree. The scoring should not take into account the reputation of the university you attended, but the relative performance within the degree (grades, scholarships, prizes etc.).
• Languages . Claiming a higher proficiency at a language will yield points, but if you cannot prove it with official documents (specified in the FAQs), your application might be rejected after the pre-selection stage.
• Work experience
• International/European profile through education or work abroad . Having completed a semester abroad with Erasmus supposedly awards additional points here.
• Rare fields of study (e.g., STEM, as most applicants have backgrounds in politics/law/economics)

There are no restrictions on reapplying if you don't make it through preselection, so investing some time on the initial application can be a good decision.

(2) Selection

If an applicant reaches the required score for their nationality and their documents are deemed sufficient proof of claimed skills and experiences, they are selected for the ‘Virtual Blue Book’ (=the catalogue of preselected applicants). You will get notified of this around 4 months before the start date of the traineeship in an email containing a link to all available traineeship positions. Not every unit has a Blue Book position in each cycle, so make sure you are flexible to choose other units than the ones you were initially interested in or try to enquire early on with the unit you are interested in.

The portal is open for one week, allowing the candidate to apply with a cover letter for a traineeship in up to three units. For advice on which units to apply to, see the full section on unit choice below. At this stage—besides the three cover letters—candidates are also asked to fill in a motivation section (500 - 1,500 words) about their general interest in a traineeship with the Commission (rather than outlining the motivation for joining a specific unit). It can be a good idea to prepare this in advance of receiving the preselection results, giving you more time to tailor the unit-specific letters to the text in the job opening in the week the portal is open. The units then start a selection process among candidates that applied for their job description, potentially conducting interviews or assigning writing tasks.

Applicants should also consider reaching out directly to units [4] —drawing more attention to your profile in addition to the initial application, or to reach out to more than the three units you can apply to via the portal. This used to be a very common and successful practice in the old application system, when units did not yet publish their vacancies. I’m unsure how relevant it is in the new system, but it can still be part of the strategy—some of the less popular units will be unable to fill their position from the initial applications. If you haven’t received an offer after this ‘first’ selection round based on portal applications, it can make sense to follow up with some other units with a short email, as they may also still be looking to fill their position. They may otherwise fail to notice your application in the large pool of “remaining applicants”, or assume you may already be taken if your application is outstanding.

Units interested in your profile will often give you a short phone call—either without prior notice or after coordinating by email. These generally last around 15-30 minutes. They seem to mainly serve two purposes, with the first one more important:

• Finding out the candidate’s willingness to join the unit.
• Units want to assure themselves that the candidates they end up selecting will commit to their unit and did not already, or will in the future, confirm with another unit. It therefore seems important in these interviews to signal that you are very interested in the unit and would be excited to join them. If you want to maximise your chances of getting a placement, it can be good to do this with every unit you talk to—even just as a backup option, though this can be risky, as you might have to break this commitment. If you end up getting an offer from a unit you prefer at a later date, inform the unit you have signalled interest to previously as soon as possible that you are no longer available, so they can choose another candidate instead of you.
• Testing the candidate’s knowledge/fit for the unit.
• While most of these calls are more informal interviews without many policy/knowledge questions, some units ask questions on the Commission which require a bit of preparation—e.g., current developments in the policy area, which DGs and agencies are relevant for it, and the overall structure of the DG and the Commission.
• It is useful to prepare a short statement about yourself, keep up to date with the relevant policy area and have a look at the organisation charts and lists of Commission DGs.

While units can give you indications that they would like to hire you, the formal offer will come from the Traineeship Office, around one month before the start of the traineeship. If a unit was unable to find a trainee until then (or their candidate changed their mind) offers are sent out even later.

How to choose which units/DGs to apply for

The unit you’re placed in is perhaps the single most important factor determining the success of your traineeship (e.g., how much you enjoy it, how much you learn, whether you get further employment in the Commission). First, as seems to be the case for most public sector institutions, the ability to have impact within the Commission is highly unevenly distributed between different units—with some doing vastly more impactful and interesting work than others. Second, some units integrate their trainees well and assign interesting tasks, while trainees in other units receive little attention or work assignments. And third, it will be much easier to stay with the Commission after the traineeship in some units: DGs differ in their ability to hire past trainees full-time (though this can be difficult to predict), in their policy on inviting trainees to the CAST (Contract Agent Selection Test), and in their competitiveness for the JPP (Junior Professional Programme, more on both below).

It is therefore extremely useful to talk to someone within the Commission, asking them if they have any suggestions about which units to join (or not to join). It would be best to speak directly to someone who interned in a unit of interest—e.g., write up a list of some units that sound interesting to you and reach out on LinkedIn to past trainees in those units or contact people working at the Commission you might have some relation to (e.g., alumni from your university course). Applicants should ideally start doing this soon after their initial application, well ahead of the release of the preselection results, as you only have one week to send your three applications once the portal is open.

Since most trainees who find a full-time job in policy afterwards do so in the immediate environment of their traineeship, the choice of unit should be taken very seriously , as it can have a large influence on the rest of someone’s career path. While the Commission encourages changing your policy area and DG multiple times throughout your career (HR even inquires personally if someone stays in the same position for 4 to 5 years) and is therefore much more flexible than some administrations at member state level (e.g., Germany ), there remains a certain path dependency and you will often spend some years of your career in the policy area first chosen. You can, of course, make an effort to connect with people from other fields early on, e.g., through seminars, by recommendation of other Blue Book trainees and staff, or via mentoring requests, or apply to vacancies posted publicly or on the intranet (more below).

Here is a full list of DGs and other Commission services. The organisation charts on the webpage of each DG (e.g., this one from DG CNECT) give a good overview of the DG’s internal structure and priority areas and allow applicants to identify relevant units before they publish their positions on the web portal.

Influential and particularly EA-relevant units

One strategy can be to not just consider DGs directly working on the policy area you’re interested in, but instead try to aim for a placement in the cabinet of a Commissioner [5] or the Secretariat General (SG). These play an important coordinating role in the policy process and are often regarded as more influential and prestigious. A placement there could give you better insights into how the Commission works and be a potential advantage in applications for further positions in the Commission. The same is true for traineeships in the office of a Director-General (the head of a DG) or Director.

While these places offer good career capital within the Commission, the downside is that you might work on a very broad set of issues and can only impact each one in a limited way—if you consider one narrow policy area more important (like AI or animal welfare), you might be able to have more influence on policy outcomes in a unit working directly on it instead of just coordinating. While it is very hard to make general statements here, if you find a position working exactly on your preferred policy area within a DG, it might be better to take that one instead of a higher-level coordinating role.

The Commission does not publish how many candidates apply for traineeships in each DG and unit, so there is no hard data on how competitive each is. Anecdotally, positions related to international relations (especially placements in the External Action Service ) tend to have a large number of applicants. The SG and Commissioners’ cabinets also seem more competitive , while less well known DGs or units often struggle to recruit suitable trainees, particularly given the new targeted application process. You can alter your chances of being selected by strategically choosing units that may be among the less preferred overall or in which you are more qualified than most trainees (e.g., a unit concentrating on your own Member State or a highly specialised area).

Below is a very broad list of DGs that could be relevant for some example EA cause areas. Though as outlined above, it is very useful to directly speak to people with experience in these units.

• AI : unit A2 within DG CNECT is working on AI policy development and coordination and was the lead on the initial proposal of the EU AI Act and unit A3 ('Microelectronics and Photonics industry') is working on semiconductors and could be relevant for compute governance; Cabinets of Commissioners Vestager and Breton
• Biorisk : unit B2 within DG Sante is responsible for health security; the recently founded DG HERA works on pandemic preparedness (stockpiling and R&D funding of medical countermeasures); Cabinet of Health Commissioner Kyriakides
• Animal welfare : DG Sante (unit G3 is responsible for Animal Welfare; unit E2 is responsible for regulatory approval policies of novel foods, including many alternative proteins) DG Agriculture (unit E3 is responsible for animal products), and DG RTD (unit B2 on bioeconomy and food systems coordinates research and innovation funding for alternative proteins), and the cabinets of associated Commissioners.
• Global development : DG INTPA (International Partnerships) is responsible for EU development aid. It’s the DG with the most employees and usually the highest number of trainees.
• Climate change and biodiversity : DG Climate Action ( CLIMA ) and DG Environment ( ENV ) and cabinets of the associated Commissioners (especially Executive Vice President Timmermans, who is in charge of the EU’s Green New Deal)

Moreover, the impact you have in different units and DGs can vary over time. For example, you could join a unit working on a crucial piece of legislation (such as units in DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE) currently working on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) or a large spending programme (e.g., DG ECFIN and SG RECOVER coordinated the Covid recovery funds under NextGenerationEU in autumn 2020, the Commission’s current biggest spending programme).

Full-time employment within the Commission after the traineeship

Anecdotally, most trainees would like to stay on full-time in the Commission (> 80% in an informal poll in my cohort) after their traineeship but many do not manage to do so (estimates of trainees staying on range from 5% - 20%). Trainees can only stay on within the Commission on temporary contracts , as the majority of Commission staff are lifetime civil servants (‘fonctionnaires’). This status is only awarded after passing a highly competitive exam (‘concours’). A few exam sessions, adapted to different profiles, take place each year (find a list of upcoming selection procedures here ).

The most prestigious option to stay is the Junior Professional Programme ( JPP ), a two-year programme with three rotations within the Commission . 25 candidates from around 1,000 applicants (Blue Book trainees and contract agents are eligible) are selected. You can start applying around one month into the traineeship by completing an online application form, where it is advisable to frame yourself as a generalist in line with the nature of the programme. You then have to sit a computer-based multiple-choice exam, which around half of the applicants pass (useful resources to prepare are the mock exams on EU training , Orseu books and relevant Facebook groups ). Each DG then chooses some of the remaining candidates to pass onto the final interview—the process is different in each DG, and it therefore helps to speak to people who are familiar with the one in your DG. In the final panel interview you need to give a presentation on a randomly selected EU policy area. This relevant guide written by two EAs presents more specific advice on the JPP selection process.

Apart from the JPP, there are three types of temporary contracts in EU institutions with differing job stability, salary and responsibility . In descending order of both attractiveness and infrequency, these are:

Temporary agents (TA): relatively rare, can in theory only be offered if no suitable fonctionnaire can be found. The usual contract duration is 2-3 years initially (extended up to a maximum of 6 years) and they receive the same salary and benefits as permanent civil servants. Responsibilities, job title, salary and benefits vary with levels (Administrator, Assistant, Secretary).

Contract agents (‘CAST’) : common form of temporary employment, contracts last 1-3 years initially (the median contract duration seems to be 1 year) and can be renewed for up to a total of 6 years. Responsibilities, job title, salary and benefits vary with function groups (I - IV). To be eligible, you have to pass the computer-based multiple-choice CAST (Contract Agent Selection Test; similar to the JPP exam above, with an additional knowledge part). Getting invited to this test is not straightforward: Officially, only units having open positions for contract agents are allowed to invite candidates to sit the test. Some DGs interpret this policy relatively flexibly and invite all their trainees to the test (this should be one factor in deciding which DG/unit to go for). Generally, it can be good to try to get invited to the CAST early on in your traineeship (see dates for upcoming examination periods here ). This can give you a significant advantage when applying for positions or sending your CV around. Some DGs advertise their CAST vacancies publicly or on the local intranet. [6] I was successful applying to those and would recommend applying to as many as your profile could be a good fit for from the start of your traineeship, as this will increase the chance of getting invited to the test. The test itself can be a hurdle, but studying with the right resources (see links for the JPP exam above) drastically increases your chances. Once you pass the test, you’re in the pool of eligible candidates for contract agent positions within your function group and all lower function groups. If a unit considers you as a potential candidate, you will be invited for a short interview, for which it is relatively easy to prepare for as they are pretty standardised.

Interims : Additional positions that can be created ad-hoc from a unit’s budget to bridge staff shortages, e.g., if someone is on parental or sick leave. There is no maximum duration, though interns have to take a 1-month employment break every 5 months. They are employed via an employment agency, and thus can not benefit from many of the staff advantages, e.g., tax exemptions and training programmes such as language courses.

While a lot of luck is involved in the ability to stay on after the traineeship (most notably, your unit having the budget to retain you after your traineeship), two key factors will increase your chances of receiving a full time offer after your traineeship :

• Good reputation and relations within your unit . If the people in your unit (especially the Head of Unit and your traineeship advisor) think highly of you and your work, they will likely consider you first if they have an open position you are eligible for. And even if not, their support is often key in the JPP selection stage at DG level. Moreover, they can recommend you for and let you know about positions in other units or invite you to a CAST exam (if the HR department of your DG is not too strict on this).
• Building a network and awareness outside your unit . You should both aim for ‘quality’ connections (reach out and go for coffee chats/lunches with people from interesting units) as well as ‘quantity’ (cold-emailing your CV to heads of relevant units, in case they hire for temporary roles with your background). While connections to more senior officials are important (they are well connected and therefore know about job openings, and also make hiring decisions themselves), you should (especially initially) also aim to connect with more junior employees. This can be less intimidating at the start and they will be much more aware of how hiring for temporary positions work (e.g., how to get invited to sit the CAST) than their senior counterparts.

The great majority of temporary positions are never advertised publicly (the main exceptions are the CAST positions listed in footnote 6 and the JPP). This is the main reason why building a network is so crucial—and also overall why the Blue Book traineeship is a standard route into employment in an EU policy institution.

Alternative routes into an EU policy career

As described above, you may work for the Commission directly via a temporary position without going through the Blue Book traineeship. But this can be difficult without a network on the inside to make you aware of such opportunities. Another option for lateral entry is to pass the above mentioned highly competitive exam to become a permanent civil servant. While some exams are only accessible to Commission staff on temporary contracts (‘internal concours’), external concours are generally open to everyone with no previous EU experience necessary.

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament are the other two main institutions influencing EU policy. While both institutions also offer traineeships ( Schuman traineeship in the Parliament, Council traineeship ), work in the _administration _of these institutions tends to be less interesting or influential. In contrast to the Commission, EU civil servants working in the Parliament and Council administration are generally more removed from policy decisions, performing more administrative tasks instead. Other actors are responsible for the policy decisions in these institutions: member state representatives in the Council and members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or political groups in the Parliament. Importantly, one can only complete one traineeship exceeding 6 weeks with either the Council, the Parliament (including traineeships with MEPs and political groups) or the Commission .

In the European Parliament, both individual MEPs (members of the European Parliament) and political groups hire trainees and full-time assistants. For a good summary of the experience and work environment, see this Forum post . MEPs usually have 2-3 assistants (Accredited Parliamentary Assistants, ‘APA’s), who support their policy work, with one also in charge of communications. The impact of these roles strongly depends on the MEP and which files they work on. Advisors to the political group can also be very impactful, as they can significantly influence the party line on issues that are not yet politicised. Being a member of a political party and the associated network can often be crucial to get or hear about these roles, though many MEPs and parties are also open to hiring people not affiliated with their party. Sometimes APA positions are even posted on EU career portals, so it can be a good idea to set up a Google Alert for this; political groups may also have an online form to express interest in working for them, see e.g., here for the S&D group . A good strategy for both traineeships and assistant positions can be to send your CV to MEPs working on the files you’re interested in or trying to schedule coffee chats with their assistants.

Working on EU policy through the Council of the EU largely requires working in the civil service or politics at member state level. This feels like an underrated route to influence EU policy—a civil servant working on amendments to EU legislation in a national ministry might under certain circumstances have more influence on the final legislation than a civil servant working on the first draft within the Commission. There are also some options of switching between the national and EU level, as the experience and network gained on either level will be relevant for work at the other level.

One interesting option is also to work for a Council presidency. Each of the 27 member states holds it for half a year in a rotating schedule (see the upcoming schedule here ). Roughly a year before the start of its presidency, the administration of a country starts hiring extra people to support it during the surge in work a presidency is associated with. As the Council presidency has considerable influence over files discussed during its term, these positions can be very impactful - and often less competitive than other positions of similar impact, as you are mostly competing only with nationals of your country (or people who speak your country's language). The hiring process varies between countries, but it can generally be useful to send your CV to people working on European files in national ministries or to the Permanent Representation of your country to the EU.

There are arguments both in favour of working for the administrations of smaller or larger member states—while large member states like Germany or France will generally have the most influence on final proposals, their ministries are often large bureaucracies with many people working on one file and one civil servant therefore having smaller influence on the country line. Though the voice of smaller countries will have less weight in Council discussions, often there is a single person in charge of multiple files. Policymakers or politicians from smaller member states will also face less competition to be nominated to important EU positions—e.g., Commissioner or Permanent representative to the EU. While the chance of securing one of these influential positions will always be slim, this could lead to outsized impact if successful.

Another option to work on EU policy is to work for an NGO or influential think-tank (e.g., Bruegel , CEPS ), though work outside the institutions is mostly outside the scope of this post, as I have only very limited insights into this sector. There are also some organisations in the EA space working on EU policy in Brussels.

One more programme to highlight is the EU Tech Policy Fellowship by Training for Good, which supports and connects talented, morally ambitious people to enter EU AI Policy in an 8-month programme.

For people still willing to do a masters, the College of Europe can be a good option, especially to get a head start in building a network in EU policy. It offers prestigious one-year master’s programmes, many graduates of which end up working on EU policy.

Finally, I would also like to highlight other Forum posts on policy career opportunities in Europe, these two on EU AI policy and this one on careers in politics and policy in Germany.

However, to be eligible for the Junior Professional Programme (details below), you can only have a maximum of three years of paid work experience (including internships) at the time of application. So perhaps around one to two years of work experience are ideal, to give you multiple chances to apply to the JPP. ↩︎

In theory, it is also open to non-EU citizens. However, nationality quotas (see table below) make the selection procedure for them much more competitive and they have only very limited and often country-specific opportunities for full-time employment within the EU institutions after the traineeship. ↩︎

The application process changes from time to time, so if you read this some time after publication, the post and advice might not be tailored to the current system anymore. ↩︎

You should email the Head of Unit (HoU) and their deputy (dHoU) in this case. As their email addresses are not public, you have to ‘construct’ it yourself, using the general email format of the Commission ( [email protected] ). _Find the last name of the (d)HoU on the DG organisation chart and use the official directory of EU employees (EU Whoiswho ) to find out the first and last name of the deputy HoU if not available on the organisation chart. There are websites which allow you to check whether your constructed email address exists (e.g., here ). ↩︎

Many cabinets select only trainees of the Commissioner’s nationality. Before using one of your three applications for a Commissioner's cabinet, it can be good to check the current trainees on the team website of the Commissioner or past trainees on LinkedIn to get a feel for whether nationals from different member states are sometimes selected. ↩︎

All the DGs working on international relations (DG NEAR, DG INTPA, EEAS, etc.) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) publish their CAST vacancies online - see here and here respectively. Some DGs publish their CAST vacancies on the local DG intranet (e.g., DG RTD, DG EMPL, sometimes DG GROW). Everyone in the Commission has access to those, so you could ask Commission contacts to keep you updated about relevant roles there. ↩︎

More posts like this

Thanks very much for writing this post. As someone who has gone through the process myself I find it very useful and will share it with others who are considering an application. I find the job landscape to be quite complex and the post does a great job of being both clear and comprehensive.

Two points:

Though some positions are intense, people usually work well below 50 hours per week (with overtime counting towards your vacation allowance).

I would tend to disagree with this statement. In my experience there are many, many people working well above 50 hours, not just members of cabinet, assistants to Directors and (Deputy)DGs, etc. but also Heads of Units and many Policy Officers. In my experience this is largely driven by peer pressure and ad-hoc demands. Of course one does not necessarily need to pursue the intense positions you mention, but at lower level it can be very difficult to avoid excessive workloads, at least in specific time periods (e.g. acute crisis, political deadlines). In addition, as far as I know overtime does not count toward your vacation allowance per se, but can be "recuperated" depending on the policy of the unit; this is probably too much detail for this post though.

entry-level positions pay around € 3,500 - € 5,500 monthly tax free

This may again be overly precise for the purposes of this guide, but while EU officials do no pay national taxes, they do in fact pay social security contributions and various taxes, including an income tax, to their employer. These taxes are considerable lower than for those in regular employment in the country (around half) and are largely compensated for through generous allowances (family, household, expatiation). Nevertheless, I believe it is important to be precise here as there is a persistent misperception about this topic both in the Brussels bubble and among citizens more broadly.

Thank you very much for your comment! I will adjust the section on working hours in the post

Thank you so much for this, it's so helpful! It looks like an extensive library of useful links too.

I have  a few questions:

• Have you heard about the Impactful Policy Careers Workshop (and here too)? If yes, what's your take on it? (it seems to stem from Training for Good but with different objectives and framework)
• You talk about orgs in the EA space working on EU policies in Brussels, could you be more specific?
• [edit] Do you recommend other 'academic' options besides the College of Europe? Heard about this one at Harvard , saw some on Coursera and other websites... Hard to see whether some are more valuable than others.

Thanks again!

Thank you, glad it's helpful!

I think the Impactful Policy Careers workshop is a great way to dive deeper into the topic and connect with other EAs interested and working in the field.

Degrees from other prestigious schools in policy-related subjects (LSE, Sciences Po, Harvard Kennedy school, Oxford Blavatnik, etc.) can also give you an advantage and you meet many people having graduated from those in Brussels. I mentioned the College of Europe specifically as it is explicitly training graduates for EU policy and the network you can build there will be very relevant. I don't know about online degrees - I'm not very confident they would distinguish your CV much, but the right ones might be a good learning opportunity.

Thanks for this helpful post!

Professional Blue Cover Letter Template

Use this free template with google docs and microsoft word.

The "Blue Cover Letter" template is your gateway to making a strong first impression in the professional world. Crafted for job seekers and career climbers, it combines the power of words and design to communicate your qualifications and passion. The soothing blue palette conveys trust and reliability, setting the stage for your career aspirations to take center stage.

• Free Template
• Easily change the text, images, and more
• Created: October 29, 2023
• Author: Maryna Miaskovska
• DPI: 300. Ready to Print at Office/Home
• Size: 8.5 x 11 inch , 210 x 297 mm
• Free Standard Google fonts
• Compatible: Google Docs and Microsoft Word
• Color: Blue
• Style: Professional
• Downloads: 465
• Added to collections: 76