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

More information, questions …

www.eu-careers.eu

eucareers.aberystwyth@gmail.com