If you’re job hunting in Brussels, especially within the insular “Brussels Bubble”, you’ve likely noticed that this job market has its own rules and expectations. From EU Institutions to think tanks, from advocacy groups to consultancies and anything in between, roles in this political and policy-driven environment are as competitive as they are specialised. So, what are hiring managers actually looking for when your CV lands in their inbox?
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned policy expert changing sectors, understanding how hiring managers think can help you craft a CV that doesn’t just pass the eye test, but gets your foot in the door.
1.Relevance to EU policy and institutions
One of the first things a hiring manager looks for is clear, demonstrable familiarity with EU structures, processes, and policy areas.
Whether it’s a traineeship at the Commission, a short stint in a Brussels-based NGO, or even a master’s thesis on EU environmental policy, anything that shows you understand how the EU actually works will give you an advantage.
Tip: Be specific. Instead of just listing “Policy Intern”, say “Policy Intern – supported analysis on Digital Services Act for EU-level lobbying strategy”.
2. The Right Keywords
Many organisations (especially large NGOs, consultancies, and public affairs firms) use some form of tool to screen CVs before they are seen by human eyes. This means that keywords are crucial.
Tailor your CV using terminology from the job posting. For example, if the position mentions “strategic communications” or “stakeholder engagement”, mirror that language in your descriptions of your previous experience.
Tip: Don’t force keywords everywhere; but do align your language with that of the job posting. If your previous experience involved “liaising with institutional stakeholders”, and the job post mentions “EU stakeholder engagement”, make sure that the connections are clear and visible.
3. Languages
Brussels is officially bilingual, unofficially trilingual, and actually multilingual.
English is the working language for most organisations in the bubble. However, French (and sometimes Dutch) is still prevalent – and in some roles, essential. For EU roles, additional EU languages are a plus, and for communications and advocacy roles, they can be crucial.
Tip: Include a languages section with CEFR levels (e.g. English – C2, French – B2) and be honest! There’s little point in claiming C1 level if you’ll be expected to draft press releases or negotiate contracts in that language.
4. Clarity before creativity
Hiring managers in Brussels often review dozens of CVs under tight deadlines. They’re not looking for unique or ornate layouts.
They want clarity above all else. A clean, well-structured CV with clear section headings (Experience, Education, Skills, Languages, etc) with bullet points to underline achievements is key.
Tip: Keep your CV to one (preferred) or two (maximum) pages. Two pages is acceptable if your experience justifies it.
Remember to prioritise! Put key achievements or relevant experience in the top third of page one.
5. Show, don’t tell
Soft skills such as collaboration, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication are essential in the Brussels bubble, but just writing that you have “strong communication skills” doesn’t mean anything.
Show your soft skills through concrete examples and/or achievements:
- “Led a multilingual team to deliver stakeholder interviews in five EU member states”
- “Facilitated collaboration between technical experts and policy teams to draft position papers on EU taxonomy legislation”
Tip: If you’re applying for a communications or policy role, including a link to a writing sample or publication (even a LinkedIn post) can help you stand out.
6. Demonstrate your interest in the role/sector
Everyone knows that you’re likely applying for more than one position. However, hiring managers want to feel that you’re not applying at random, but that you have legitimate interest in working for them.
For instance, if you’re applying to an energy-focused consultancy, a short line showing your past work on the Energy Efficiency Directive or your master’s thesis on green hydrogen will immediately spark interest.
Tip: Consider a short, 1-2 line “Profile” or “Summary” at the top of your CV. For example:
“Policy professional with 3 years’ experience in digital regulation and stakeholder outreach, with a strong track record engaging EU institutions.”
7. Internships matter
The line between intern and professional is often blurry in Brussels. Bluebook traineeships, Schuman placements, and other internships roles carry weight and are often a proving ground for future candidates.
Hiring managers know this, but they want to see what you did during the internship, not just a name drop of the organisation or institution you worked for. Did you write briefing notes? Track legislative developments? Assist in event planning? The more specific, the better.
Tip: Don’t just write “Intern”. Focus on your contributions and the outcome. Internships are where many (if not most) careers in Brussels start, so don’t underestimate their value.
8. Brussels-specific experience
Even if you don’t have much relevant professional experience, showing that you’ve been engaged in the Brussels bubble can help hiring managers understand your interest and commitment.
Brussels is a networking city. If you’ve spoken on a panel, organised or volunteered at an event or conference, or even published a blog post on updates in the bubble, this shows that you are “plugged in”.
Tip: A “Professional Activities” or “Volunteering” section can capture this without cluttering your main experiences section.
9. A CV with a coherent story
Your CV doesn’t need to show a career that follows a straight line, but it does need to feel like a coherent story. Hiring managers need to be able to quickly see the alignment between your past experiences and the role they need to fill.
Did you jump from communications to policy analysis? Great! Frame it as building a career that intersects messaging and legislation. A seemingly random list of jobs doesn’t mean much, but a career that is built on each experience says a lot.
Tip: If you feel you are having trouble making your CV feel cohesive, a tailored cover letter will help you create a coherent narrative.
10. You know what’s happening in Brussels (bonus points)
No one expects you to be a walking, talking Euractiv news feed, but awareness of key files and policy debates is a strong plus for many positions in the bubble.
Hiring managers like to see that you’re not just professionally capable, but that you are actively engaged.
Tip: Even something small like “Regular attendee of Euractiv policy events” shows active engagement.
In a job market where most CVs look alike and many candidates have similar academic backgrounds and qualifications, small, strategic choices can make all the difference. Hiring managers in Brussels aren’t just hiring for skills. They are hiring for alignment, interest, and reliability.
Ask yourself: does your CV help them quickly determine what you can bring to their organisation?
Make it easy for them to say yes.