Taking your network commercial?

For the experienced job seeker

Large companies might want you to represent them

Industry organisations and consultancy jobs often lead to other government relations jobs. Many of the jobs that will not get advertised are jobs with large individual companies who need their own government relations officers and lobbyists, e.g. Microsoft has a Brussels office.

Typically, these companies are already members of an industry association and might use consultancies and law firms to represent their interests in Brussels. But as the importance and awareness of Brussels regulation grows internationally, more and more companies realise the value of being well represented in Brussels, and consider opening their very own office. This does not mean though, that they will stop using the services of law firms, consultancies or leave the industry associations that represent them. Most large companies choose to be represented through all channels at the same time to maximise contact and coverage of EU institutions and their regulations.

It is important to realise that not only nations, but also international grassroot organizations, big commercial companies, bilateral political, spiritual and ideological movements, and even single individuals are altogether combatting and networking around the Brussels decision-makers.

So, as companies learn the importance of government relations, they realise the value of having representatives in a Brussels office (or their own HQ) coordinating their lobbying strategy, monitoring policy developments, building contacts with relevant MEPs and Commission officials, and taking care of senior officials when they come to Brussels for meetings.

This could be your chance. But you will have to do that research yourself, as these potential jobs are often not formally published.

What experience do company representatives require?

Companies hiring people as representatives are looking for professionals already working in the relevant policy areas and with a Brussels network in those sectors. They are looking for:

• Already experienced public affairs consultants
• Industry association lobbyists
• People with experience from an NGO
• MEP's assistants etc.

If you have industry experience and knowledge of the relevant policy areas for a company, don't be shy. If you sell yourself well, you could be the future Brussels representative of a large company. This could lead to many kinds of careers, either in Brussels, or elsewhere in the company.

To qualify yourself to go from the political scene to the commercial scene, visit our MBA page.

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