Career opportunities with the European Institutions

Choose EU Careers Commission Council Parliament Court of Justice Court of Auditors Economic & Social Ctte Ctte of Regions Data Protection Supervisor … and many other agencies of the EU Ombudsman

Why EU Careers? A career with the EU Institutions gives you: A lifetime of different jobs Interesting and challenging work that makes a real difference for Europe An environment where you are encouraged to learn new skills and languages The opportunity to work and travel abroad, and work with people from all over Europe An attractive benefits package

What is an EU career? Two categories of staff – wide variety of profiles: Administrators (AD) e.g. policy officers, lawyers, auditors, scientific officers, translators, interpreters, communication & press officers … Assistants (AST) e.g. secretaries, HR assistants, financial assistants, conference technicians, accountants, ICT specialists…

More profiles and EU-tube Follow our “raconteurs” (blogging about their lives in the EU institutions) on: Read profiles/listen to podcasts of officials in the EU institutions: Watch a video about EU Careers: All accessible via

What we look for Best candidates across Europe Motivation to work for Europe Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills Ability to adapt easily to a variety of environments and stakeholders

How to apply Single point of entry: –European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) Entry is by open competition –Notice of Competition published in Official Journal of European Union, also available via Organised in annual cycles for general profiles –More specialised profiles “on demand” Apply online at: EPSO selects candidates –Selection procedure = 5-9 months Institutions recruit successful candidates

When to apply

2011 cycle March 2011:Administrators > European Public Administration > Law > Economics > Audit > Finance > Statistics May 2011: Language editors (EN, IT, MT, SV) Communication Specialists (EN, ES, ET, FR, PL, NL, PT, SK, SL, SV) July 2011: Linguists > Interpreters (CS, DA, ES, LV, SV) > Translators (CS, HU, LT, MT, PL, SK) Nov/Dec 2011: Assistants

Where to apply

The competition

Who can apply – basic requirements Citizens of the 27 Member States Knowing at least 2 official EU languages –Currently 2 nd language must be EN, FR or DE

Who can apply - qualifications For Administrator grades: University degree (bachelor) For Assistant grades: Higher secondary education (at least) Relevant professional experience NB: Specific requirements for each competition – see Notice of Competition

Competition structure – general overview 1. Admission Tests (Computer Based Tests — CBT) – multiple-choice tests in 1 st and 2 nd language – to test your cognitive abilities – test centre in your country – all applicants 2. Assessment Centre – written and oral tests – to test your competencies – EPSO assessment centre in Brussels – fixed quota 3. Reserve list – fixed quota See Notice of Competition for details

Computer based tests - overview Verbal reasoning1st language Numerical reasoning1st language Abstract reasoning 1st language Situational judgement 2nd language AST: Professional skills Linguists: Language skills (EU knowledge is no longer tested)

Verbal Reasoning - Example

Numerical Reasoning - Example

Abstract reasoning (sample question)

Situational judgement (sample question)

Assessment Centre Case study in the field of the competition Oral presentation Structured interview Group exercise Depending on the competition: Exercises relating to professional skills (AST) Practical language tests (Linguists)

Assessment Centre - competencies Analysis & Problem-SolvingAnalysis & Problem-Solving CommunicatingCommunicating Delivering Quality & ResultsDelivering Quality & Results Learning & DevelopmentLearning & Development Prioritising & OrganisingPrioritising & Organising ResilienceResilience Working with othersWorking with others Leadership (potential to lead)Leadership (potential to lead)

Conclusion - Reserve list List of successful candidates Basis for recruitment by Institutions Valid for at least one year – may be extended

EU Careers – recruitment process Institutions check profiles of successful candidates Candidates invited to job interviews Job offer Candidate accepts job offer, or remains on reserve list

EU Careers – the whole package An environment where you are encouraged to learn new skills and languages: –Strong focus on training and development –Language training encouraged (3rd language required for 1st promotion) Flexible working conditions: –Flexitime, part-time, telework, parental leave, career breaks … A great package of benefits: –Salary, allowances, pension, European Schools, childcare facilities

Trainees / Interns / Stagiaires Who takes trainees? Most trainees work in the Commission (75% of all trainees) Approx. 600 selected twice per year For 5 months: October–February or March-July

How it works Candidates who apply are: –checked for eligibility –added to a database (the “Blue Book”) Services search the Blue Book and make their choice

Selection criteria Must have completed min. Bachelor degree 2 EU languages (2nd: English, French or German) No prior work experience within the Institutions No age limit

Things that can help EU-related studies Excellent language knowledge Studies abroad

Good to know Salary is approx EUR per month Deadlines for application: March traineeship: 1 September of the preceding year October traineeship: 31 January of the same year Information on:

More information, questions …