(No job like another
What the EU institutions consist of is often difficult to see from the outside. But above all, they consist of employees who work in ten institutions. There are: the European Commission, the Council of the EU, the European Parliament, the joint foreign service, the European Court of Auditors, the European Court of Justice, the Economic and Social Committee, the authority of the European Data Protection Supervisor and the Ombudsman. In addition, there are the agencies represented in all member countries. These institutions must be constantly supplied with young employees. This is done by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). UNIGLOBALE met Laura Tarragona Sáez, Head of Communications at EPSO, in Brussels for an interview.
Ms. Tarragona Sáez, what particularly appeals to you about working here?
Especially among young people, the life of a civil servant has a reputation for not being particularly exciting. But that is misleading. You get to know an incredible amount. I have been to Vilnius, Budapest, Estonia, Paris, London and Sweden over the last six months. You get around a lot and are incredibly free to go your own way. I have held six positions in 13 years at the EU, working in the Commission and Parliament. But what I particularly value about work is the intellectual freedom that you enjoy. Anyone who wants to work for their fellow citizens or for the future can really make a difference in the institutions.
What qualifications are we looking for and how does the selection test process work?
At the beginning there is a selection process for which you register online. The prerequisite for the selection process for generalists is usually a BA degree. The selection test for generalists can be independent of the course of study completed, such as: B. this year. Whether you studied veterinary medicine or law, physics or history doesn't matter, as long as you have a degree. You register online as an applicant and create a personal EPSO account through which you receive all information and your results. And then you have to complete the first computer-based test in one of our four test centers in Germany (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt / Main or Hamburg). The test consists of four parts. The German candidates complete the first three in their native language. The fourth part must be in the second language, either English or French. These are standard tests that test reading comprehension and abstract and numerical thinking as well as situational judgment. The candidates' results are then compared with one another and the best candidates are then invited to the assessment center.
How does the assessment center work?
The candidates are invited to Brussels or Luxembourg and spend one to one and a half days in the assessment center. There you then have to complete a group exercise in the second language (French or English for German candidates) with other candidates. Applicants must also give a presentation, work through a case study and complete a structured interview with a partner. This checks core competencies that all EU officials must have. It's about communication skills, analysis, logical thinking, the ability to work with others and organize the work yourself, to set priorities and deliver good quality results, and leadership qualities are also checked. The names of the candidates who have proven themselves in the assessment center are then put on a list from which the EU institutions then recruit their new civil servants. Listing is not a guarantee of being hired. But there is a very high probability of getting hired. However, it cannot be said in advance which position will be offered to each individual applicant.
So far we have talked about the generalists. What does it look like if a student already has special knowledge?
The selection process for generalists is usually program-neutral, but recruiting is not. This means that if a graduate, for example, studies law, has gone through the selection process and the assessment center and is on the list, he will most likely be selected for a legal role. For example, in the legal service of the Commission or in an advisory role or as a lawyer in a directorate general. There is also the option of completing a specialist concours. You start at a higher salary level, but the employment requirements are also somewhat stricter than for generalists. You have to have professional experience and a certain degree. These specialist recruitment procedures are organized according to the needs of the institutions.
Are there further training measures that the EU offers its employees?
The possibilities are almost endless. Every EU institution is a school in itself. We have a huge range of further education and training measures. Over the course of your career in the EU, it may happen that you move away from your field of study completely or that you remain loyal to a particular area of interest. A lot depends on the personality of the individual, but the framing possibilities are practically unlimited.
What roles do languages and international experience play?
For German applicants, either English or French is required as a second language when hiring. Before your first promotion comes, you then have to prove your ability to work in a third EU language. If you don't speak a third language, that's not a problem; the institutions will then take over the training. But we have found that it is an advantage to have at least basic knowledge of a third language. The majority of our applicants have also had experience abroad, such as ERASMUS or working abroad.
Let's talk about money for a moment: What is the starting salary at the very beginning after list recruitment?
The generalist starting salary is around 4,300 euros. Depending on your personal situation, there are additional allowances, for example if you have children. Moving costs and the like are also covered, and there is a foreign surcharge for colleagues who do not work in their own EU member state.
If you would like to slowly get to grips with EU operations: Is there the possibility of completing internships or doing student work?
The institutions all have an internship program. The prerequisites are a degree and at least two languages, one of which is English, French or German. The programs usually start in March and October and last five months. The intern receives a scholarship of around 1,100 euros per month. This offers those interested the opportunity to find out first hand how the EU works.
Further information can be found here and the Candidate Contact Service can be found here .
Interpreter at the EU – How does it work? How many languages do you have to speak? Interpreter Tilmann Haak gives an insight into his everyday working life.
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(Not) a job like any other What the EU institutions consist of is often difficult to see from the outside. But above all, they consist of employees who work in ten institutions. There would be: the European Commission, the Council of the EU, the European Parliament, the joint foreign service, the European Court of Auditors, the European Court of Justice, the economy - and
