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Career opportunities with the European Institutions Igor Merheim-Eyre EU Careers Ambassador Aberystwyth University
Career opportunities with the European Institutions
Igor Merheim-EyreEU Careers Ambassador Aberystwyth University
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
8) Why shouldI workfor the
EU??
A lifetime of different
jobs
Interesting and
challenging work that
makes a real difference for
Europe
The opportunity to
work and travel abroad
You are encouraged to
learn new skills and
languages
An attractive benefits package
.. have all of this…
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
> 50,000applicants
< 300successful
typically1 : 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
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-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)
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 agentsCAST 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
