A Career in the Heart of Europe EPSO 25/03/2017 A Career in the Heart of Europe Steffen Ludwig European Personnel Selection Office EU career

EPSO selects staff for… 25/03/2017 EPSO selects staff for… European Commission Council European Parliament Court of Auditors Court of Justice Economic & Social Committee Data Protection Supervisor Committee of the Regions Ombudsman EU career

What do the EU Institutions offer? EPSO 25/03/2017 What do the EU Institutions offer? A lifetime of different jobs. The opportunity to travel, and work with people from all over the world. An environment where you are encouraged to learn new skills and languages. An attractive benefits package: EU career

We are looking for people who: EPSO 25/03/2017 We are looking for people who: Motivation to work for Europe Enjoy working in multicultural teams Strong analytical, organisational and communication skill Come from wide range of backgrounds: generalists, economists, lawyers, scientists, IT specialists, linguists, and many more. EU career

What is an EU career? Administrators (AD) e.g. policy officers, lawers, auditors, scientific officers, translators, interpreters, communication & press officers … Assistants (AST) e.g. secretaries, HR assistants, financial assistants, conference technicians …

EPSO 25/03/2017 How to apply Entry is by open competition for citizens from all 27 Member States (no quota!) All vacancies are advertised Apply online: www.eu-careers.eu Applications in German, French and English Regular cycle of competitions - annual Selection procedure 5 – 9 months EU career

How to apply www.eu-careers.eu EPSO 25/03/2017 You will find more information and the latest news regarding competitions on the EU Careers website. The Discover EU careers section has information in 23 languages, the other two sections are in English, French and German. Specific questions can be asked via the contact form on the website. EU career

EU-careers on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_slqhvf4VUg EPSO 25/03/2017 EU-careers on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_slqhvf4VUg EU career

Presence on social media www.facebook.com/page/EUCareers www.twitter.com/eucareers

The competition

Basic requirements EU citizen; EPSO 25/03/2017 Basic requirements EU citizen; University degree (for AD posts, Bachelor); Knowledge of 2 official EU languages, of which one must be EN, FR or DE as your second language; Specific profile requirements for each competition. EU career

Competition structure EPSO 25/03/2017 Competition structure   1. Admission tests (cognitive abilities in CBT, MCQ) All applicants 2. Assessment centre (Competency based) Fixed quota 3. Reserve lists > 10,000 Applicants Typically 1 : 3 < 300 Successful EU career

Pre-selection: Cognitive testing Computer based Testing: cognitive testing s Verbal Numerical Abstract g g – General Ability s – Specific Abilities + Situational / behavioural + Professional competencies (where appropriate) + Second language

Pre-selection tests Computer-based tests (= also known as CBT) Verbal & numerical reasoning NEW: Abstract reasoning NEW: Situational judgement In second language (English, French or German) In test centers in all EU member states

Example verbal reasoning

Example numerical reasoning

Example abstract reasoning KEY: D.

Example situational judgement You lead a team of twelve people. In order to address the department's new objectives you have been asked to work out your department's yearly plan. Your Manager has given you and other department heads a deadline of two weeks so that she can report to the board. Competency: Organising and Executing Level: AD5 You would: Spend an hour on it, as yearly plans are never followed anyway. (Least effective) Try to complete the plan in time to discuss it with your Manager before she has to submit it to the board. (Most effective) Before preparing your plan, quickly contact your key stakeholders and ask for their views on your department. Because of the complexity of the task, turn it into your top priority for the next two weeks by personally producing a detailed plan.

Assessment centre

Assessment centre: Testing personal & professional competencies with exercises Case study (on specific field) Group exercise/ role play Structured interview(s) – on basis of situational judgement test Oral presentation (on basis of case study)

Core competencies: 7 + 1 For all grades: Analysis and Problem Solving Communicating Delivering Quality and Results Learning and Development Prioritising and Organising Resilience Working with Others A further competency applies to AD5 and ADL grades: Leadership Manages, develops and motivates people to achieve results

Selection: Assessment centre Each competency at least tested twice Each candidate tested by several assessors Feedback report to all candidates and Institutions

Assessment centre parameters Assessment centre premises in Brussels One day Performance in English, French or German – the second language of the candidates 36 candidates maximum per day in groups of six

Conclusion = Reserve list EPSO 25/03/2017 Conclusion = Reserve list List of successful candidates Basis for recruitment by Institutions Valid for at least one year – often extended EU career

linguistic skills test - When to apply? AST Registration + Self-assessment CBT Assessment Recruitment Registration + Self-assessment CBT / professional linguistic skills test - CV sift Recruitment Assessment Centre ADL Self-assessment Registration + CBT Assessment Centre Recruitment AD December March June September

Competition structure – by type EPSO 25/03/2017 Competition structure – by type This diagram illustrates the different stages of a competition by type of competition. EU career

Cycles March: Administrator competition July: Linguist competition EPSO 25/03/2017 Cycles March: Administrator competition July: Linguist competition November: Assistant competition These are the fields included in the AD5 Administrator competition for 2010. The fields for 2011 and subsequent years will depend on the recruitment needs of the institutions. In total, approximately 320 successful candidates are being sought for the 2010 competition. For the final figure and the breakdown per field, refer to the Notice of Competition (published on 16 March). EU career

Upcoming/ongoing competitions in 2010 EPSO 25/03/2017 Upcoming/ongoing competitions in 2010 21/10/2010: AD5 National law EN/ES/FR/NL 28/10/2010: AD7 Structural funds/Cohesion funds 28/10/2010: AST3 Documentalist/Archivist AST4 Nuclear inspection AST3 Audiovisual/Web design 03/11//2010: AST3 Language editors EL/ES/NL/PT 10/11/2010: AST3 Proof readers IT/MT 17/11/2010: AST1 Secretariat DA/DE/EN/ES/FR/MT/NL/PT/SV 23/11/2010: AST3 Statistics, Finance/Accounting, Human resources, ICT Lawyer linguist and other specialist competitions will be organised differently. Details of the eligibility criteria, the competition structure and the types of tests will be provided in the Notice of Competition. EU career

Recruitment & career

Recruitment procedure EPSO 25/03/2017 Recruitment procedure EU-Institutions check profiles of the candidates Candidates are invited to job interviews Job offer Candidate accepts job offer – or remains on reserve list EU career

EPSO 25/03/2017 Career development Facultative slide EU career

Pay and pension Basic monthly salary for AST1: 2600€ EPSO 25/03/2017 Pay and pension Basic monthly salary for AST1: 2600€ Basic monthly salary AD5: 4200 € Basic monthly salary AD14: 12361€ Additional allowances for: expatriation (16%), household, dependent child, education Income tax on salary paid directly to EU Normal pension age: 65 years, right to stay until 67 years Full pension rights = 70% final basic salary PAY (Gross) Basic salaries (1 May 2004): An administrator can in principle go from AD5 to AD14 without taking on a management post Entry salary: AD5: 3811€ per month Final salary: AD14: 13101€ per month Allowances – a number – perhaps most important: Household allowance (if married and the partner has no or low income): approx. 150€+2% of basic salary Dependent child allowance (if having dependant child under 18 years of age or up to 26 years if studying): approx. 330€ per month per child Education allowance (covering actual educational costs for dependent child): approx 220€ per month per child Expatriation allowance (if expatriated): 16% of basic salary +household allowance +dependent child allowance PENSION Normal retirement age 63 – right to stay until 65. Full pension rights= 70% of final basic salary Earns 1,9% per year, i.e. 36,8 years of service for full pension – BUT also right to transfer pension rights from national system. EU career

Traineeships/ internships EPSO 25/03/2017 Traineeships/ internships EU career

Traineeships All Institutions offer traineeships – not centralized EPSO 25/03/2017 Traineeships All Institutions offer traineeships – not centralized Most trainees work in the Commission Approx. 600 selected, twice per year Training lasts 5 months, Oct–Feb or Mar-Jul Salary: approx. 1000 EUR per month EU career

How it works …at the Commission EPSO 25/03/2017 How it works …at the Commission Candidates that apply … are checked for eligibility and added to a data base (the “Blue Book”) Services search Blue Book and make their choice EU career

Selection criteria Minimum Bachelor degree EPSO 25/03/2017 Selection criteria Minimum Bachelor degree 2 EU languages (2nd: English, French, German) No prior work experience within the Institutions No age limit EU career

Selection procedure 5000-7000 applicants for the pre-selection EPSO 25/03/2017 Selection procedure 5000-7000 applicants for the pre-selection ~ 2000 will be selected in the “Blue Book” Approx. 600 applicants will receive a traineeship offer (twice a year) EU career

What can help… EU related studies EPSO 25/03/2017 What can help… EU related studies Self-evident synergy or “value” for Institution/ DG Excellent knowledge of languages Studies abroad EU career

Application deadlines EPSO 25/03/2017 Application deadlines October traineeship: 15 February of same year (Application forms available online 01 Dec) March traineeship: 1 September (preceding year) Further Information: http://ec.europa.eu/stages/index_en.htm EU career

Questions ? www.eu-careers.eu