Career opportunities with the
European Institutions
Igor Merheim-Eyre
EU Careers Ambassador Aberystwyth University
Choose EU Careers
Commission
Council
Economic &
Social Ctte
Ctte of Regions
Parliament
Ombudsman
Court of Justice
Data Protection
Supervisor
… and many other
agencies of the EU
Court of Auditors
A lifetime of
different
jobs
Interesting
and
challenging
work that
makes a real
difference for
Europe
The
opportunity to
work and
travel abroad
8) Why should
I work
for the
EU??
.. have all of this…
You are
encouraged to
learn new
skills and
languages
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/watch videos of officials in the EU institutions:
http://europa.eu/epso/discover/careers/meet_our_colleagues/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 from selected candidates
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 overview
> 50,000
applicants
typically
1:3
1. Admission Tests (CBT)
– multiple-choice tests in 1st and 2nd language
– cognitive abilities
– test centre in your country
– all applicants
2. Assessment Centre
– EPSO assessment centre in Brussels
– competency-based
– fixed quota
< 300
successful
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)
Assessment Centre
Depending on the competition:
• Case study in the field in question
• Exercises relating to professional skills (AST)
• Oral presentation
• Structured interview
• Group exercises
• Practical language tests (ADL)
Assessment Centre - competencies
• Analysis & Problem-Solving
• Communicating
• Delivering Quality & Results
• Learning & Development
• Prioritising & Organising
• Resilience
• Working with others
 Leadership (potential to lead)
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
Other employment possibilities
• Temporary staff: temporary agents
• Contract staff: contract agents
CAST published on 25 Oct for translators in all
23 languages
• Traineeships (5 months)
• Seconded national experts (typically 1-2 years)
• Interim Staff (6 months, drawn from local
agencies)
Commission Ambassadors: Training Seminar
More information, questions …
eucareers.aberystwyth@gmail.com