Space is more than a final frontier of exploration – it is also offering a vast variety of career opportunities for recent graduates and young professionals who wish to take onto exciting new challenges. Merging cutting-edge and state-of-the-art developments from science, technology, and innovation, the space sector offers a unique career path that is both challenging and rewarding. With the right approach, you can launch your career to new heights.
To support you in your journey we have collected and prepared some “how to” information to kickstart your career. Whilst there is not the “one” template to guarantee success with every application, a few tips and tricks can help you to easier navigate the European space career market, locate promising positions, and initiate and conclude your engagement.
How to…
… navigate the European Job Market
The European Union is often referred to as “sui generis” referring to be “in a class by itself” or “one of a kind”. Thus, before diving into the job or internship application itself, it is important to understand some specialities of the European job market and what this means for you.
One of the EU’s fundamental principles is the right of free movement between all EU Member States. The EU’s currently 27 Member States form a “single market” which seeks to guarantee free movement of goods, capital, services, and people, known collectively as the “four economic freedoms”. With certain exceptions, the EU’s single market also comprises the non-EU but European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Member States Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway via the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as Switzerland via bilateral agreements. This collection of participating states is sometimes referred to as the EU27+.
The freedom of movement for workers policy facilitates a seamless transition for job seekers across national borders with low administrative barriers. It grants citizens of EU member states the right to seek employment in any other member state and to reside there for that purpose. This principle promotes labour mobility, allowing individuals to pursue job opportunities across borders within the EU without facing discrimination based on nationality. It ensures that workers enjoy equal treatment with nationals of the host country in terms of employment conditions, access to social security, and other benefits. Additionally, this freedom facilitates the exchange of skills and expertise, contributing to economic growth and integration within the EU.
It is particularly beneficial in industries like the space sector experiencing a scarcity of skilled professionals and a high level of internationalisation. The space sector is actively seeking qualified individuals who can bring fresh perspectives and expertise to address Europe’s most pressing challenges.
While the freedom of movement for workers primarily benefits citizens of EU Member States, non-EU citizens can also enjoy certain facets of labour mobility within the EU. Visa and working scheme procedures are often streamlined across the EU27+ even for non-EU citizens. This is particularly pertinent for non-EU citizens enrolled in EU universities seeking internship opportunities in other EU countries as part of their academic curriculum. In many instances, non-EU students studying in EU universities may qualify for internships or work placements as components of their academic programmes, facilitated by specialised visa or permit schemes. It’s important to note that these internships may necessitate acquiring the requisite visas or permits, contingent upon the internship’s duration and nature, as well as relevant regulations in the host nation. Therefore, non-EU citizens should seek assistance from their respective university or affiliated organisations to navigate visa or work scheme procedures effectively.
… define you career plan
At the start of your journey take a second and ask yourself: What work field am I interested in? What are my skillsets? Do I want to work for an established company, a start-up or for major institutions?
To best answer these questions and to effectively initiate your professional journey, crafting a comprehensive career plan can help to guide you through your journey. Your career plan should be a detailed blueprint that aligns your academic achievements, inherent talents and skills, and personal inclinations with the myriad of roles and organisations within the space sector. Consider the vast spectrum of positions, from research and development to project management and policy analysis. Reflect on the environment you wish to work in, whether it be a cutting-edge start-up or an established industry leader.
Job matching platforms, such as the Space Career Launchpad, can act as a bridge between your unique profile and requirements of companies and institutions. These platforms are designed to filter through the noise and connect you with job descriptions that not only require your specific skill set but also fit your interests and character. By doing so, you ensure that your career is not just aligned with the current market demand but is also a true reflection of your professional aspirations and personal growth objectives.
… tailor your job applications
As you pursue employment opportunities in the space sector, it’s important to approach your applications thoughtfully. Take the time to explore job openings that genuinely interest you and research the companies offering them. Utilise resources like corporate websites and job portals to familiarise yourself with each employer’s unique application processes but also their company or institutional culture.
Tailor your application strategy for each opportunity. This involves refining your application materials – such as your CV, cover letter, or portfolio – to specifically address the requirements and goals of each employer. The aim is to create an application that not only meets the criteria but also aligns with the values and objectives of the organisation. By customising your approach in this way, you not only showcase your qualifications but also demonstrate your dedication to the role and your potential as a valuable team member. This level of attention and personalisation can greatly strengthen the impact of your application, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.
… apply spontaneously and on your own initiative
Whilst hunting for jobs or internships, especially in fields that value innovation and initiative, don’t underestimate the power of spontaneous and initiative applications. Many job and internship opportunities, especially in specialised areas, may never be publicly advertised – maybe due to missing resources, time constraints or inefficient communication. Other companies might be lacking specific skill sets without having them as part of their employment processes
So, don’t be afraid to send unsolicited applications. Whilst this may require some confidence it’s a chance to show initiative and a pro-active attitude and express genuine interest in joining a specific team. To do this effectively, make sure your resume and cover letter are well-tailored to the company’s culture and values.
Taking this proactive approach expands your job search possibilities and shows potential employers that you’re thoughtful, curious and ready to take initiative. It’s a way to stand out in a crowded job market, beyond just relying on traditional methods of job hunting.
… write an engaging cover letter
Your cover letter is your first chance to showcase your professional self, providing a concise narrative that complements the details in your resume. Other than your curriculum vitae, a cover letter does not necessarily follow specific standards but leaves room for creativity within an otherwise set application framework. It allows for a bit of story writing, adding character, emotion, and personalisation to your application. As such, your cover letter shouldn’t just repeat what’s in your CV; rather, it should bring your qualifications to life, crafting a story that highlights your suitability for the position, both from a rational and an emotional point of view.
Focus on a few key points that demonstrate your fit – a notable achievement, a relevant project, or a specific skill set – and support them with examples showcasing your abilities and readiness for the role. Let your enthusiasm shine through, showing eagerness to take on the responsibilities of the position and contribute proactively to the organisation’s goals. And don’t be afraid to add some anecdotes: Perhaps your interest in space sparkled when you saw your first successful launch of an Ariane rocket or when you had the chance to meet an astronaut? Maybe your grandma was a skilled satellite engineer? Or you simply want to professionalise your hobbies after winning the European Rocketry Challenge? Stories like this help to highly personalise your application and set yourself apart from standard applications.
Additionally, your cover letter is a chance to demonstrate your communication skills and thoroughness. It should be carefully crafted, with each sentence serving to bolster your candidacy. Maintain a professional yet friendly tone, reflecting a candidate who is not only qualified but genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the team and support their mission.
Ultimately, your cover letter serves as your first handshake with potential employers—a chance to leave a positive and lasting first impression. Make sure it’s a confident and welcoming introduction that encourages further consideration.
… use the Europass CV
A curriculum vitae (CV) serves as a concise and more standardised tool of showcasing an individual’s suitability for a particular role or pursuit. It allows employers, institutions, or professional organisations to assess the candidate’s qualifications in a very efficient and time-saving way and to determine their fit for a position or opportunity.
In addition to listing past experiences and qualifications, a CV may also include additional sections such as publications, presentations, honours, awards, certifications, and professional affiliations. The structure and content of a CV can vary depending on the individual’s career stage, industry, and specific requirements of the intended audience. If you apply for a more scientific role you might want to include any of your papers that have been published in a scientific journal, if you apply for a job in computer science you might want to put emphasise on your programming language skills or any published coding projects.
Overall, a well-crafted CV provides a comprehensive snapshot of an individual’s professional journey, skills, and accomplishments, helping them stand out in competitive environments and secure opportunities aligned with their aspirations.
To further streamline the evaluation processes and ensure compliant recognition of CVs cross-border, the EU introduced the Europass CV as a standardised document format. It was invented to provide a common framework for individuals to present their skills, qualifications, and work experiences in a clear and structured manner. By promoting transparency and uniformity in the presentation of qualifications and experiences, the Europass CV seeks to remove barriers to labour mobility and facilitate the recognition of skills and qualifications acquired in different EU countries.
The Europass CV is integrated into a free of cost service website. This platform enables users to develop a personal profile with both professional and personal details. The platform allows users to effortlessly generate their individual Europass CV for different occasions and saving them as distinct templates. Whether emphasising past teaching expertise or coding skills, hands-on work experience or your academic pursue – the Europass CV facilitates seamless selection, compilation, and storage of desired information in preferred formats for future applications. You can create your profile and use the website free of charge following this link: https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv.
Choosing the Europass CV format is recommended in regards of easing cross-border comprehension and to allow employers to swiftly evaluate the potential of candidates from diverse backgrounds. Be however advised that some companies might prefer other specific formats or may request additional information beyond what is provided by the Europass CV. Ultimately, the recognition of a Europass CV depends on the specific context and the policies of the recipient organisation. It is advisable for individuals to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the intended recipient and to adapt their CV accordingly, whether using the Europass format or another preferred format.
… craft your curriculum vitae
When crafting your curriculum vitae (CV), it’s crucial to prioritise clarity and simplicity. Your CV should offer a concise yet engaging overview of your professional journey. Use vibrant, active language to highlight your career achievements and showcase your impact with measurable results.
Each aspect of your CV should be carefully selected to add significant value. This goes beyond listing job duties to convey your professional values and unique qualities. Tailor your CV to align with the vision and needs of the prospective employer, demonstrating how your skills and experiences match their objectives. Usually a CV includes:
- Personal information: Name and contact information (address, phone number, email (please be mindful to use an appropriate email address)).
- Professional summary or objective statement (optional): Whilst optional, a concisely written summary can be great to add a bit more personality to your otherwise very standardised CV. This should include a brief overview of your person, your career goals and qualifications and should not exceed 150 words.
- Work experience: Chronological list of past employment, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities or achievements. Please be aware that for job applications it is usual to put work experience before education. When applying for an internship with very little work experience you might want to first list your relevant education.
- Education: List of degrees earned, including institutions attended, dates of attendance, and any relevant certifications or honours. This also includes ongoing education programmes.
- Skills: Relevant skills and abilities categorised by hard (also technical), soft, and language skills. Be mindful of what is relevant for the desired role but don’t exclude anything that could come in handy later. Even as a software engineer it might be helpful to be able to use video cutting software at some point; you still might find use for your basic coding skills in python or C+ when working in human resources, respectively.
- Achievements: Quantifiable accomplishments or awards that demonstrate your professional success.
- Publications, presentations, or projects (if applicable): Any contributions to research, publications, presentations, or projects relevant to your field. Like “skills” be mindful of what is relevant for your desired role.
- Professional affiliations: Memberships in professional organisations or associations related to your industry.
- References: Contact information for individuals who can provide a professional recommendation, usually available upon request. Persons for reference should usually have surpassed a certain hierarchy level (e.g. your team leader, or management director).
Please note that, whilst a profile picture can add to the personality of your application it is not mandatory to add a picture to your application by EU law. If you decide to include a picture, make sure to use an appropriate one. Professional application photos usually ensure a specific level of quality, seriousness, and professionalism.
… conceal missing work experience with your academic and educational achievements
The space sector is highly competitive with many talented, focused and niche young and not-so-young professionals. As for all industry sectors, work experience might differ largely between individuals . Whilst work experience not necessarily implies increased suitability of one person over the other, professional experience (e.g. in the form of past internships or even full work experience) is often perceived as a huge plus for many recruiters. This is to the detriment of people who may not have had the time or means to gather more professional experience outside of their curriculum. For recent graduates and young professionals, it is thus fundamental to highlight their academic achievements and additional skills accordingly.
If your work history is limited, focus on your academic successes and any extra skills you’ve acquired. Consider the unique aspects of your education – whether it’s a specialised course, a significant project, or an innovative research paper – and explain how these set you apart from others. Think about the breadth and depth of your educational experiences and how they’ve equipped you with a distinct set of skills for the challenges of the space industry. By doing this, you not only demonstrate your potential but also show a proactive approach to personal growth, which is highly valued in this field. Remember, the details of your education can strongly attract attention to your application, making you stand out among other candidates even if your vita might lack professional work experience.
… finalise and sanitise your curriculum vitae
When creating your CV, it’s important to keep it short yet thorough. Ideally try to summarise the most important points of your CV in only two pages. Of course, if you have a very extensive list of publications and deem them important for the position it is better to add them to the CV – but in general try to be short and precise.
Have someone carefully check your documents for any mistakes or unclarities. This step isn’t just about fixing errors; it’s about making sure your qualifications are clearly communicated. Whilst they are at it, let them check your cover letter as well. A well-checked CV and cover letter represent you in the job market, showing your attention to detail and consideration for the reader’s time. They should present your qualifications clearly and accurately, demonstrating your professionalism and dedication to excellence in the space sector. Remember, clear and accurate documents can leave a good impression, setting the stage for a successful first interaction with potential employers.
… secure endorsements and back up your statements
As you near the final stages of preparing your CV, it’s important to think about including references. References legitimise your claims and add seniority by adding the option for potential employers to “fact check” any of your statements by a third-party. It’s crucial to only list people who have previously agreed to be included in your CV. This shows respect for their privacy and ensures they’re ready to support your application honestly. Oh and, it sure helps if they agreed to only speak positively about your skills and character.
Information about references should include:
- Their full name
- Their latest position and affiliation to a company, institution, or organisation
- Contact details (email or phone number).
If the details or position of a person has changed significantly since your engagement with them, maybe add a little background info of what their affiliation was before – this can be especially important if for example a person switches from private to public sector or vice versa.
… align your (LinkedIn) profiles
In today’s digital era, keeping your online presence updated may be just as important as your application itself. It’s important to ensure that your LinkedIn profile and any other professional social media accounts you use accurately reflect the information in your CV. This consistency ensures that potential employers see a coherent story of your professional journey.
Take the time to review each section of your online profiles, including your education, work history, skills, and endorsements. Make sure these digital platforms not only showcase your current qualifications but also align with the career path you’re aiming for. A consistent and polished online presence can enhance your professional image and boost your visibility in the job market, especially in the dynamic space sector.
Remember, in professional networking, your digital presence often forms the first impression. Make sure it’s a positive one.
… prepare for selection tests
Before or after being selected for an interview, some institutions and companies might invite you to a job selection test. These tests are meant to systematically score potential candidates for a specific role.
These tests are either designed to check your expertise on niche topics or to see your overall problem-solving skills including your ability to work under pressure and your skills to think outside of the box. Some tests may also combine the two. Familiarise yourself with the format and content of the test by reviewing any available practice materials or past test examples. Identify the specific skills and knowledge areas being assessed and focus your study efforts accordingly. Practice solving problems or answering questions similar to those that may appear on the test, utilising resources such as textbooks, online courses, or practice tests.
… prepare for the interview
Congratulations, you have made it past the initial application process and selection test. Now for the interview. Start by researching the company’s or institution’s values, achievements, and goals. This knowledge will help you discuss your qualifications in context and explain how they fit with the company’s plans.
For in-person interviews, it can be beneficial to have your application documents printed out for the interviewers to use (CV, relevant certificates, and identification documents). Maybe you have gained a new certificate in the meantime? Show it and use it as a new point of discussing your ongoing willingness to learn. It goes without saying that even for more technical jobs which may not require specific dress codes at the work place, you should dress up accordingly. Whilst suit and tie might be outdated for some job interviews you should at least consider “smart business” or “business casual” attire to show a certain level of dedication and preparation. Please check beforehand the fashion “dos and don’ts” for your specific field as for example a job interview in finance might differ from a job interview in propulsion engineering.
In virtual interviews, ensure your technical setup is reliable and familiar. Familiarise yourself with the software used during the interview (Webex or Zoom might differ from other solutions such as Microsoft Teams or Google Meets) and ensure clear audio and video quality. Creating a calm, well-lit environment projects professionalism, preparation and composure, showing potential employers your commitment to meeting the standards of the space industry with enthusiasm and technical proficiency.
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