Career opportunities with the European Institutions Igor Merheim-Eyre EU Careers Ambassador, University of Kent
Where can an EU Career lead? Council Parliament Court of Justice Court of Auditors Economic & Social Ctte Ctte of Regions Data Protection Supervisor … and many more agencies of the EU … in Brussels or Luxembourg (80%) or elsewhere in the EU and the World (20%) Ombudsman Commission European External Action Service
Why EU Careers? A career with the EU Institutions gives you: 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 A lifetime of different jobs
Overview of staff categories Permanent staff: Officials Contract staff: CAST through EPSO Temporary staff: mostly in agencies Interim, Freelance, SNE Trainees not through EPSO
WHO?
Who are we looking for? Basic eligibility criteria: EU citizen 2 EU languages (2 nd = EN, FR or DE) Linguist profiles: 3 EU languages Graduate profiles ( Administrator ): bachelor degree Non-graduate profiles ( Assistant ): secondary education + 6 yrs of prof. exp. post-secondary education + 3 yrs of prof. exp.
EU career profiles Graduate Policy officers Lawyers Auditors Translators Interpreters Communication & press officers IT project managers Development Aid specialists Archivists Statisticians Contract managers Administrator (AD) Non – Graduate Secretaries HR assistants Language editors Financial assistants Conference organisers Audio visual technicians ICT support Web designers Nuclear inspectors Social workers Nurses Assistant (AST)
What kind of people are we looking for? Are highly skilled, resilient and motivated to succeed, learn and develop Have a desire to make a difference ; who want to help shape Europe and the world Enjoy working in multi cultural teams Deliver results
HOW?
Online Application Computer Based Tests World wide Assessment Centre Brussels Reserve list Successf ul applicants Selection Procedure Overview 1 9 number of months
Selection Procedure Overview Computer Tests EU wide Assessment Centre Brussels Reserve list Successful applicants
Online Application Consult Indicative planning Create an EPSO Account communication EPSO candidate Apply for a competition during the application period (5 weeks)
Selection Procedure Overview Assessment Centre Brussels Reserve list Successful applicants Computer Based Tests World wide
Computer Based Tests Computer Based Tests (CBT) multiple-choice tests in 1 st and 2 nd language – cognitive abilities (= reasoning skills) – test centre in your country – all applicants
Verbal reasoning Numerical reasoning Abstract reasoning Situational judgement Computer based tests In your main language: 1 of 23 official EU languages In your 2nd language: EN,FR or DE
Computer based tests Linguists and AST Professional skills Language skills: verbal reasoning in 2nd and 3rd language Linguist profiles Assistant profiles
Selection Procedure Overview Reserve list Successful applicants Assessment Centre Brussels
Assessment Centre fixed quota of top scoring candidates are invited 1 day in Brussels (EPSO building) Case study Oral presentation Structured interview Group exercise Practical language tests (Linguists) Exercises related to professional skills (AST) In your 2 nd language: EN, FR or DE
Assessment Centre 7+1 competencies Analysis & Problem-Solving Communicating Delivering Quality & Results Learning & Development Prioritising & Organising Resilience Working with others Leadership (potential to lead) (AD profiles)
Selection Procedure Overview Reserve list Successful applicants
Reserve list & Recruitment Data base of successful candidates Valid for at least 1 year – may be extended No guarantee for a job Institution has a vacancy - Checks reserve list - Invites candidates to interview - Job offer to ‘best fit ‘ Candidate accepts offer, or remains on reserve list Recruitment EU Institutions Reserve list EPSO
WHEN?
When to apply? Generalists : 3 major selection procedures per year Spring:Graduates ( Administrator ) Summer: Linguists - Conference interpreters - Translators Winter:Non-Graduates with experience ( Assistants ) Specialists and contractual staff: when needed (Most) profiles and languages vary each year
Benefits package Salary AD5: 4300 €/month Training :- languages - skills Travel for work Job mobility Work-life balance Social benefits :- health care - child care - European Schools
OTHER STAFF
Overview of staff categories Permanent staff: Officials Contract staff: CAST through EPSO Temporary staff: mostly in agencies Interim, Freelance, SNE Trainees not through EPSO
Other types of employment CAST – contract agents (no assessment centre stage, number of successful candidates is not predefined) Temporary agents (published on EPSO website, selection is done by Institutions/Agencies) Interim staff (via local temping agencies) Freelance linguists (translators and interpreters) Seconded national experts (via Perm. Reps of the Member States)
Other types of employment Traineeships
EC Traineeship – what is it? All Institutions offer traineeships – not centralized Most trainees work in the Commission –Approx. 600 selected, twice per year Not a boring internship (no ‘photocopying’, you are paid) 5 months: Oct>Feb or March>July
EC Traineeship – who can apply? Selection Criteria You do not have to be an EU national There is no age limit No prior work experience within the Institutions You need: to have a bachelor degree to speak 2 EU languages (2nd: EN, FR, DE) to apply in time....
EC Traineeship – key steps.... for traineeship October 2013 Apply between 3-31 January 2013 June Online application for EC Traineeship: March traineeship: apply in July-August in Yr-1 + a hard copy file! applicants 2000 pre-selected ‘Blue Book ’ 600 approx. receive an offer
Questions? Upcoming Talks: Policy Development and Research Careers in the EU, 20 th February :00, Woolf College Room W1-SR2(18) EUCareers Opportunities for Graduates in Humanities, 6 th March :00, Cornwallis Octagon COLT3