Remember that, unless you are recruited as an interpreter or a translator, opportunities to use your language skills vary from post to post. Home Civil ServiceGraduate entry to most government departments is possible at two levels, the Civil Service Fast Stream, and the operational grade. Most vacancies are in the operational grade. Knowing a foreign language is not an essential requirement, but some posts in some departments may provide opportunities to exercise your language skills. If you are recruited to the Civil Service Fast Stream, you will work on the formulation and implementation of policy, so excellent analytical and communication skills and an interest in current affairs are most important. Opportunities to apply your language skills may be infrequent. See the civil Service fast streamer for more details. The extent to which you can use your languages depends on the department you work for. Some departments may offer opportunities for staff to serve in embassies and UK delegations abroad. For example, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in its work on agricultural policy, has many staff working in Brussels. Operational grade work is usually concerned with the effective application of policy. There is likely to be even less opportunity to use your languages at this level. Visit the Civil Service Jobs Online for career opportunities. back to top Diplomatic serviceThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recruits graduates every year to the Fast Stream for the Diplomatic Service. An aptitude for foreign languages is an asset, but most recruits are not language graduates. You will be given intensive language training before any overseas posting, the first of which comes after two to three years in London. Most posts abroad involve dealing with representatives of overseas governments, explaining British foreign policy and negotiating particular issues, or promoting exports and assisting trade. The Diplomatic Service (Economist) scheme recruits several additional graduates in economics annually. Operational entry vacancies are advertised annually. A degree is not a requirement, although the majority of entrants are graduates. The range of work is wider than the policy grade and includes commercial, consular, managerial, immigration/visa and information roles. The first three years are spent in London, followed by an overseas appointment. back to top Institutions of the European Union (EU)There are opportunities for graduates of any discipline to obtain general administration posts in the European Commission. Details of competitions for traineeships are available from the European Commission Traineeships Office (Bureau de Stages) and EU Careers. A good level in a second EU language is required. The EU has its own Civil Service and the UK government is keen for more UK nationals to apply for posts within it. The other institutions of the EU have a much smaller demand for graduate staff. There are numerous satellite employers surrounding the institutions of the EU. These include trade associations, pressure groups, political consultancies, law firms and media and PR agencies. Most vacancies are filled by networking or speculative applications, although some are advertised in the local press or specialist journals. back to top Other international organisationsEnglish is one of the official working languages of the United Nations (UN), but vacancies for recently qualified graduates in the UN and its agencies are rare. Posts in administration demand considerable practical experience, as well as high academic achievement. Successful applicants often have postgraduate experience and/or relevant work experience Consult working abroad for further information about working overseas.
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