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Last Updated : 2006-04-18 03:16:28 (3650 read)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
The main European Institution that has the task to organise open competitions is EPSO The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) was established on 26 July 2002. EPSO became operational in January 2003. It is located in Brussels, at 80, Avenue de Cortenbergh, B-1049.
European Personnel Selection Office organise open competitions to select highly qualified permanent staff for recruitment by all institutions and bodies of the European Union namely:
Most competitions will follow a similar format: 1) Preselection tests - in the form of 3 multiple-choice tests. To be admitted you must satisfy the general entry criteria published in the Official Journal
2) Written tests - this will be one or more case studies in your chosen field designed to test: a) your knowledge of the field chosen for the competition b) your comprehension skills and ability to analyse and summarise c) your drafting ability in your main language d) your ability to draft in your second language
Institutions may decide to set a précis or essay type question rather than case studies.
3) Interview - this consists of an interview with the selection board. Depending on the number of applicants, the preselection tests and the written test may be held in one or several Member States. The Member State, in which you sit the tests, will usually be your usual country of residence. The tests will be held simultaneously for all applicants at all designated test locations. Note: If you sit the tests in Brussels expect to be in a large hall with about 1000 candidates at the test centre but, if you sit the test in London, expect approximately about 100 per room.
Statistic: 10% - 15% of applicants will probably not turn up for the first 2 stages of the competition. Even at the interview stage a number of candidates will not arrive!
4) Reserve List: At the end of the competition, the selection board draws up a list of candidates it considers best qualified for the vacant posts. Note: a) being included on the reserve list does not guarantee eventual employment b) a larger reserve list is drawn up than is necessary c) even though the reserve list will have a closing date, this will almost certainly be extended.
