| 1987-1988 | Diplom in Internationalen Beziehungen, Johns Hopkins University, Bologna Centre, Italien |
| 1988-1991 | Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung, Gruppe Geldpolitik, Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Wien |
| 1991-1995 | Finanzattachée, Ständige Vertretung (Mission) Österreichs bei den Europäischen Gemeinschaften, Brüssel |
| 1995-1996 | Beraterin EU-Angelegenheiten, Direktorium der OeNB, Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Wien |
| 1997-2000 | Ministerkabinett, Beraterin des Ministers (EU/Internationale Finanz- und Wirtschaftsangelegenheiten), Bundesministerium für Finanzen, Wien |
| seit 2000 | Stv. Abteilungsleiterin, Abteilung für Integrationsangelegenheiten und Internationale Finanzorganisationen, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), Wien |
| | - 2000-2003 Mitglied EU-Wirtschaftspolitischer Ausschuß |
| | - seit 2003 Mitglied IWF Unterarbeitsgruppe des WFA |
| | - seit 2006 WFA (Wirtschafts- und Finanzausschuss) Alternate |
| | - 2003, 2007 Mitglied High Level EZB-Rats Task Force zum EU Verfassungsvertrag |
| | Chairman of Student's Union, Johannes Kepler University Linz |
| 1979-1981 | Assistant, Department of Agricultural Policy, University of Linz |
| 1981-1984 | Head, Economic Policy Division, Austrian Farmers' Federation |
| 1985-1986 | Employee, Provincial Government of Upper Austria |
| 1985-1987 | Municipal Councillor in Sierning |
| 1987-1989 | Secretary of the Office, Federal Minister Dr. Josef Riegler |
| 1989-1990 | Head of the Office, Federal Minister Dr. Franz Fischler |
| 1990-1993 | Director, Austrian Farmers' Federation |
| 1990-1994 | Member, National Council of Austria |
| 1993-1994 | Secretary-general, Austrian People's Party |
| 1994-2000 | Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry |
| 2000-2003 | Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management |
| 2003-2007 | Chairman, Austrian People's Party Parliamentary group |
| 2007-2008 | Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of the Republic of Austria |
| 2007-2008 | Chairman, Austrian People's Party |
| 2008-2011 | Member, National Council, Spokesperson on Constitutional Matters |
| 2011-2015 | Vice-President, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg |
| since 2015 | Managing Director, EFSI - European Fund for Strategic Investments, Luxembourg |
| from 1984 | Journalist for the weekly "Der Falter", Vienna |
| 1986-1987 | "Kleine Zeitung", Graz |
| 1987 | Free lancer at the weekly "profil" |
| since 1988 | Staff-member at the newly published daily "Der Standard", Vienna |
| 1994-2002 | European Editor in Brussels for "Der Standard" |
| since 2002 | Managing editor, head of newsroom, "Der Standard", Vienna |
| since 2009 | Editor for Europe and NATO, "Der Standard", Vienna |
