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 ProtectionSupervisor

… and many otheragencies 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:

http://www.facebook.com/page/EUCareers ....http://twitter.com/EUCareers

• Read profiles/listen to podcasts of officials in the EU institutions:

http://europa.eu/epso/discover/careers/testimonials/index_en.htm

• Watch a video about EU Careers:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdA10vdgzc

All accessible via http://eu-careers.eu/

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 www.eu-careers.eu

• Organised in annual cycles for general profiles– More specialised profiles “on demand”

• Apply online at: www.eu-careers.eu

• 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

www.eu-careers.eu

The competition

Who can apply – basic requirements

• Citizens of the 27 Member States

• Knowing at least 2 official EU languages – Currently 2nd 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 overview1. Admission Tests (Computer Based Tests — CBT) – multiple-choice tests in 1st and 2nd 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 reasoning 1st language

• Numerical reasoning 1st language

• Abstract reasoning 1st language

• Situational judgement 2nd language

• AST: Professional skills

• Linguists: Language skills • (EU knowledge is no longer tested)

Verbal Reasoning - Example

Verbal Reasoning - Example

Numerical 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. 1100 EUR per month

Deadlines for application:• March traineeship: 1 September of the

preceding year• October traineeship: 31 January of the

same year• Information on:

http://ec.europa.eu/stages/index_en.htm

More information, questions …

www.eu-careers.eu