Address
European Personnel Selection Office
80 Avenue de Cortenbergh
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
How to apply
Entry is by open competition. Apply
online on
Tel.: +32-2 299 31 31
Fax: +32-2 295 74 88
What does it involve?
The EU Institutions employ some 40,000
women and men from a wide variety of cultural,
educational, and professional backgrounds. The
European Personnel Selection Office, which
selects new staff on behalf of all EU Institutions,
is looking for talented and qualified people
who, in addition to a high level of professional
competence in their chosen field, also have the
drive to deliver results and the ability to work
effectively as part of a multi-cultural team.
The range of career opportunities is vast. The
EU currently uses 23 official languages, so
there are great opportunities for translators and
interpreters as well as lawyer-linguists. To work
as a linguist you will need to be proficient in a
three EU languages. Job opportunities for nonlinguists
cover the whole range of work which
you would expect to find in any national civil
service: administrators are typically engaged
in the legislative process, advising elected
representatives, drafting policies, implementing
EU law, dealing with human resources issues,
managing projects and programmes, developing
communication strategies, providing legal
advice, to name only a few.
What does the EU offer?
In addition to the satisfaction offered by
interesting and challenging work, the EU
offers: great opportunities for training and
development (including language training);
extensive opportunities for personal and
professional development; career progression;
mobility between different jobs possible and
actively encouraged; International career
with opportunities to work abroad; flexible
working conditions for a good work/life
balance; competitive remuneration and
package.
Where would I work?
By far the majority of openings, about 80%, are
in Brussels. Most of the remaining opportunities
are in Luxembourg. However, there are also
some posts in decentralised agencies in the
EU. Career opportunities exist also in the EU
Representations and Delegations within the
Union as well as in third countries.
How do I apply?
Entry is by open competition. As of 2010 the
European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
will organise its permanent staff competitions
in annual cycles: in March we will publish
Linguist competitions, in September we publish
Administrator competitions and in December
we publish Assistant competitions. The selection
procedure consists of three steps:
1 - Registration and self-assessment:
the competitions are published online;
when applying, the candidates are
guided through a series of questions that
will help them decide whether or not
the competition matches their profile.
2 - Computer Based Testing (CBT): a series
of competency tests will give a reliable
picture of the candidates' cognitive ability
and their practical abilities on the job. We
test, amongst other things, their Abstract,
Verbal and Numerical reasoning abilities.
3 - Assessment of candidates: In the new
assessment centre format, we will test
the competences and skills of candidates
in realistic, work-related situations.
After completion of the competition, successful
candidates are eligible to receive a job offer
based on the vacant positions in the institutions.
How can I prepare for the selection tests?
You will find some sample tests on the EPSO
website. You can also learn more about the EU
institutions from the Europa website.
Where can I get information in my own country?
The Commission Representations and European
Parliament Information Offices in the Member
States and the UK Cabinet Office may be able
to offer help and advice. You may also contact
directly the Candidate Contact Service of EPSO
through the web form on the site.
Do I need to speak foreign languages?
One of the conditions to take part in a competition
or selection procedure is the knowledge of at least
two EU official languages. Typically, candidates
are tested in their second language, which must
be one of English, French or German, though
specific requirements may apply to individual
competitions.
Are special arrangements made for applicants
suffering from a disability?
Yes. The EU institutions are committed to equal
opportunities. You will find further information
on this point in the competition notice.
Does the EU operate national quotas when
recruiting?
No. When countries join the EU we have special
arrangements for their nationals for a limited
period, but this is an exception. Normally,
applicants from all Member States compete
on an equal basis.
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