[Spanish version here] In our aim and desire to accompany and inform you about the competitions and other contractual relationships that allow access to work in the European institutions, we have scheduled info sessions in the coming weeks with Q&A at the end so you can ask your doubts. On May 6th and 7th sessions will be in English, on May 8th and 9th we will discuss the same contents in Spanish.
Webinars in English will be:
CAST processes: Monday, May 6thfrom 18:30to 19:30 CET (Madrid, Brussels): we will discuss the contract agents selection processesCAST (Contract Agents Selection Tool).
Tests in the upcoming and ongoing competitions: Tuesday, May 7th from 18:30to 19:30 CET (Madrid, Brussels): we will discuss the different tests included in the upcoming and ongoing competitions (AD7 Transport field, AD7 Nuclear field, AD5 Generalists,…)
These webinars are free and with limited spots. It’s compulsory to fill in this form to participate (you will get the connection details before the webinar)
Webinar will be recorded and uploaded into our youtube channel, by participating in them you authorize to be recorded. All data will be handled according to EU regulations in force and with the single purpose of these webinars. (informative clause and our data protection policy)
Morevover, we’ll publish here new free exercises and materials from 2nd May.
Day 2 – Test MCQ (generalists, transport, crisis, migration and internal competition)
[English version here ] En nuestro afán e intención de acompañaros e informaros de las competiciones de oposición y de otras relaciones contractuales que posibilitan el acceso a trabajar en instituciones europeas, hemos programado sesiones informativas en las próximas días donde podrás preguntar todas tus dudas al final de la sesión. Los días 6 y 7 de Mayo serán en inglés y los días 8 y 9 de mayo trataremos los mismos contenidos en español.
Los seminarios online en español serán:
Los procesos CAST: Miércoles 8 de Mayode 18:30a 19:30 CET (Madrid, Bruselas): abordaremos los procesos de selección de agentes contractuales CAST (Contract Agents Selection Tool).
Las pruebas de las competiciones en curso y por venir: Jueves 9 de Mayode 18:30 a 19:30 CET (Madrid, Bruselas): trataremos las diferentes pruebas que se incluyen en las distintas competiciones, las que están por venir y las que se están desarrollando actualmente (AD7 ámbito Transportes, AD7 ámbito Nuclear, AD5 Generalistas,…)
Lo creais o no, los Reyes también visitan Ya Semos Europeos, aunque los nuestros son croquetamente un poco especiales (ahí os dejamos su foto) y en vez de oro, incienso y mirra, nos han dejado toda una colección de cositas de utilidad para esto de las oposiciones europeas.
CBT – computer based test o los psicotécnicos
El clásico de los clásicos. Recordad que en blog explicamos, por la patilla, de que va cada prueba : Razonamiento verbal, razonamiento numérico y razonamiento abstracto. ¿Cómo? la teoría muy bonita pero ¿y la práctica? bueno, en nuestro canal hemos subido nuevos ejercicios e iremos subiendo más durante el año, aquí tenéis de numérico 1y 2 , verbal o abstracto 1, 2 , 3, 4. Y durante la cuesta de enero habrá más sorpresas.
MCQ – Multiple choise questions o el examen de conocimientos
El nuevo modelo de oposiciones EPSO ha traido esta prueba de conocimientos y muchos nos preguntais por ellas, así que les hemos pedido a los Reyes que nos trajeran unos ejemplitos parra practicar
Si los Reyes te trajeron un vale para nuestras formaciones en esos MCQ, o no, simplemente te interesan para darle caña al asunto, aquí toda la info.
¿Y para los de juristas-linguistas? ¡claro! también nos han traido otro ejemplito de traducción de lengua 2 a lengua 1. Recordad que este post os puede inspirar para seguir preparando el tema.
¿Generalistas AD5? ¿alguien ha dicho algo? bueno, EPSO largo nos lo fía hasta que publique la convocatoria (más detalles aquí), mientras, aquí os dejamos una preguntillas para ir prácticando. Publicaremos más a lo largo del año, así que estád atentos.
Vale, los tests están muy bien pero ¿de donde saco ideas para estudiar? bueno, de esas tenemos unas cuantas y los Reyes nos las han recordado. Por ejemplo, en este video para propiedad intelectual , si lo vuestro Crisis y Migración, en este webinar lo vimos en detalle y en el caso de Transporte, otro webinar super útil(a partir del minuto 38).
¡GENERALISTAS! queremos generalistas como si fuera roscón de reyes (estaréis pensando). Bien, nada más sencillo, no hay que dejarse ni un euro en el tema, vamos con fuentes gratuitas y al alcance de todos (nuestros Reyes piensan en todas las croquetillas). En primer lugar Los tratados, y el ABC-EU law (en su edición de 2023, fresquito viene), con eso tendréis las bases de las instituciones y sus politicas. Si queréis adrentaros un poco más, os recomendamos que mireis las Fichas del Parlamento Europeo y los materiales publicados por los departamentos de Comunicación de la Comisión (factsheets, gráficos, resumenes) que permiten ir conociendo mejor en que consisten y que se está haciendo en cada una de las 6 prioridades políticas, con eso tendreis que ir construyendo un mapa mental (tomando notas y haciendo esquemas) de todo lo qhe hay ya que no hay libro que pueda resumir todo.
Case study o caso práctico
Pues si, de esto publicamos en su día un post. Ahora ha cambiado un pelín, en vez de 90 minutos y todo el mismo día, tendreis acceso a los documentos antes (este es el examen de propiedad intelectual) unas 2 semanas, para ir preparando el documento. Luego el día del examen, en 45 min tendréis que resolver las preguntas que os pongan ¿fácil?
Así que desde YSE os deseamos un buen arranque de año y ¡mucho ánimo! este será vuestro año de las oposiciones europeas
Yes, the year ends and we have been a year that we can describe as “interesting”. In 2023, we have stopped many of our efforts and illusions to get our dream of working in the European institutions, and during their dozen months we got plenty of emotions : a new EPSO model has been launched, the launch was delayed, competitions have been cancelled (the famous AST154 with its 6 profiles, it was a pity our webinar looked so good), there have been new calls, examinations interruptus and promises of what will come in 2024. So in our post today we will talk about the bad news and the good news (yes there are!) around European competitions, the Commission’s internal competitions and we’ll end telling you how from Ya Semos Europeos can help you in 2024 .
Let’s talk about the bad news on 2023 (good ones come after)
Desde que EPSO anunció a bombo y platillo el nuevo modelo y lanzó el nuevo modelo de oposición pese a las nubes que se veían en el horizonte (lo que motivo postponer el arranque de primavera a otoño de 2023 las primeras oposiciones), la cosa no mejoró y tanto EPSO, como los candidatos, les tocó sufrir un baño de realidad.
Since EPSO created a big hype announcing the new model and launched it despite the clouds looming on the horizon (which forced them to move the first competitions from spring to autumn 2023), things didn’t improve and both EPSO and the candidates experienced a hard reality check.
The IT platform chosen for the exams didn’t work like clockwork and in several competitions (Intellectual Property, Crisis, Migration and Economists) in view of the significant number of people who could not be examined (EPSO has not published the numbers but all points to incidents, where the candidate could not be examined, were well above 25 %) the tests had to be organised again in order to give candidates the missed opportunity. The preliminary results of the second attempt were so good that they stopped the examinations and put them on hold until February (at the earliest – EPSO dixit)
Some infos didn’t age well.
This has prompted other competitions, such as the expected Ad5 Generalists, to be cancelled for the time being and without a fixed date for return (rumors say it could be September 2024). In the images below, you can see what EPSO announced in May 2023, after a first postponement and what we now have on its website. We saw Intellectual Property, Crisis, Migration and Economists published more or less in time but already Transport (click to see our webinar) and Lawyer linguist opened later than expected (at the end of the year) while Generalists and other oppositions were postponed without new dates.
Here we are, crossing the fingers and confident that the problem will be settled earlier than later. It will be our natural optimism but we are convinced that this spring/summer, as well as heat, will give us good European competitions for all.
The good news in 2024
Not everything is going to be bad, we will see some good news for this new year
The postponements give us more time to prepare ourselves, especially in the two key tests, the MCQ (Multiple Choice Questionnaire) and the Case study, where having the booklet in advance requires us to work carefully to prepare for it, so familiarising ourselves with the topic with time is always positive.
EPSO remains committed to its new online model and to the European Union’s knowledge tests, so what we have done so far has not been for nothing. We are studying gradually and taking advantage of the accumulated effort..
The waiting can only bring more competitions or competitions with more places. Time is still moving for EU staff too. EU staff is getting old and many are retiring these years. Renewal is needed and competitions are key to achieve this, so when everything is settled, competitions will be back in full force.
More profiles will come. In addition to generalists, once the technical breakthrough has been settled, there will be a multitude of different profiles, which, although not confirmed yet,they will be the same or more varied than hitherto.
More inspiration available. Let’s put aside our concerns, we can find inspiration on people who achieved their goals, this helps us to stay motivated and work for our great goal. That is why we continue to talk to our croquetillas (candidates) who have managed to achieve their dream of getting their place in the European institutions. This year we were able to talk to Zaloa (click to watch – original audio in Spanish) and to Ángel (click to watch), we hope they will give you ideas for the year you start. Stay alert, we will soon upload another video and more to come in 2024.
If you are a YSE student, the whole situation with EPSO is attacking your nerves (ours too!) but not your pocket. All of you who have trusted in us know that beyond the materials and sessions we have committed, we are extending and updating the trainings until the very same day of the examination. Our commitment remains with us until the end of the examination.
The Internal Competitions
Si trabajas en la Comisión o en otra institución, los procesos internos de selección han sido la tabla de salvación de muchas croquetillas para pasar a ser funcionarios europeos. Aunque tuvieron sus baches los procesos de 2022-23 concluyeron satisfactoriamente (Enhorabuena a las decenas de croquetillas que tuvimos el honor de ayudar en esa aventura, fuera en AD5, AD6 y todas las demás), las de 2023 se han lanzado satisfactoriamente (AST4, AD5, AD8, AD10, AD12) (aquí podéis ver nuestro webinar para los amigos de Generation2004, el principal sindicato de la Comisión) y ahora toca esperar resultados de los examenes o los talent screener para ir a la fase de entrevistas que se espera a partir de Marzo.
If you work in the Commission or in another institution, the internal selection procedures have been the lifeline for many to become European officials. With some delays, the 2022-23 processes were successfully completed (congratulations to the dozens of our candidates we had the honour of helping in that adventure, in AD5, AD6 and all others). Then, the 2023 processes have been successfully launched (AST4, AD5, AD8, AD10, AD12, AD) (here you can see our webinar for the friends of Generation2004, the Commission’s main trade union) and it now comes to wait for results from examinations or talent screener to go to the stage of oral tests, which are expected from March.
If you could not join these competitions, don’t worry, 2024 looks promising, charged with new opportunities. The Commission has finally announced a new competition to apply at AST levels from AST/SC positions (secretariat), the classic AD5 will take place (by second quarter if they follow the schedule) as well as other levels and profiles. You will be informed in a timely manner here or in our telegram and linkedin.
In 2024 , what can YSE do for me?
If you read this, probably you won’t be interested to read about the more 12 training groups for AD5 generalists, internal competition, case study from Energy-Clima-Environment or agencies or the dozens of assessment sessions (SCBI, Field related, oral presentation, oral test-internal competition) that we have launched in 2023 and all the candidates who passed with us in Space and Defence (EPSO/AD/400/22), Audivisual , building and laboratories technicians (EPSO/AST/150/21) , Head of Administration in delegationEPSO/AST/153/22 , internal competitions from the Commission AD5, AD6, AD7, AD9 and AD12 (More than one and two name on each reserve list know us well ; -), and more.
Probably you are more interested in knowing how did they do so? what trainings did they follow? well, let explain us our proposals
0.- Free resources
Remember that on youtubeyou have a lot of videos with ideas, references and suggestions to prepare the exams for each competition. Just look for the specific webinar.
What’s in it? 4 sessions : Verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning. Original YSE materials and exercises in English.
Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. Videos and materials are accessible for 1 year.
When does it start? February. From 18.30 to 20.30
This trainings is good for….? All EPSO competitions and CAST exams (Contractual agent). All have these test.
Where can I join?Here you can join and read all the details an conditions .
2.-CASE STUDY/WRITTEN TEST Training
What’s in it? Theory of the written exercise, 5 exercises for practice with individualised correction and 3 sessions to analyse the exercises. The sessions will be in English and practice in English (some of the written test can be held in French).
Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. Exercises, in exam format, on our platform of practice.
When does it start? Next in February .
This trainings is good for….? All EPSO competitions, under the new model, they include this written test
Where can I join? In this link you can read all details about scheduled sessions and join.
3.- MCQ – Institutions and policies of the EU and digital skills
What’s in it? 1000 questions and materials on the EU (history, institutions and policies) + 150 questions on digital skills.
Our Methodology Online, a zoom session that is recorded so that you can repeat or enjoy it if you cannot connect. The 6 sessions + pre-examination session are extended to January 2024, to reach the ceiling for the examination.
When does it start? Next will begin in February
This trainings is good for….? AD5 Generalists.
Where can I join? In this linkand also to read the other details.
4.-MCQ trainings for specialist
What is it? +350 questions, background materials, video explanatory and a live session to prepare the examination. This training and materials will be in English. Videos and materials are accessible for 6 months..
Our Methodology All materials available in our course platform and the pre-exam session will be online, via zoom and also recorded to allow you to repeat or enjoy it if you couldn’t connect
When does it start? when you want.
This trainings is good for….? each MCQ training is identified below for which competition is suitable
What are they? Dedicated sessions for practice in the corresponding EPSO Assessment Centre test (Field related interview, Oral Presentation, Situational Competence based Interview (SCBI), Competence Based Interview (CBI). Practice is done in English or French. Feedback in English, the preliminary theory is available in a specific recording to give more space to practice.
Our Methodology Online, session via zoom that is recorded to allow you to review afterwards.
Pues sí, el año se acaba y nos ha quedado un añito que podemos calificar de «interesante. En el 2023 hemos dejado muchos de nuestros esfuerzos e ilusiones para conseguir nuestro sueño de trabajar en las instituciones europeas y durante sus doces meses no nos ha faWhat 2023 left us….and a promissing 2024ltado de nada : se ha lanzado un nuevo modelo de EPSO, se ha ido demorando el asunto, se han cancelado oposiciones (la famosa AST154 con sus 6 perfiles y lo bien que nos quedó el webinar), ha habido nuevas convocatorias, examenes interruptus y promesas de lo que vendrá en el 2024. Así que en nuestro post de hoy hablaremos de las malas y las buenas noticias en torno a las oposiciones europeas, las oposiciones internas de la Comisión y cerraremos hablando de cómo podemos ayudarte en 2024 desde Ya Semos Europeos.
Vamos con las malas noticias del 2023 (lo bueno viene más abajo)
Desde que EPSO anunció a bombo y platillo el nuevo modelo y lo lanzó pese a las nubes que se veían en el horizonte (lo que motivo postponer el arranque de primavera a otoño de 2023 las primeras oposiciones), la cosa no mejoró y tanto EPSO, como los candidatos, les tocó sufrir un baño de realidad.
La plataforma informática elegida para los examenes falló más que una escopeta de feria y en varias oposiciones (Propiedad Intelectual , Crisis, Migration y Economistas) ante el número importante de personas que no pudieron examinarse (EPSO no ha publicado los números pero todo apunta incidencias donde el candidato no pudo examinarse superioes al 25%) los tests tuvieron que ser reconvocados para dar la oportunidad perdida a los candidatos. Los resultados preliminares del segundo intento fueron tan buenos que pararon los examenes y han quedado en suspenso hasta febrero (como pronto – EPSO dixit)
Este anuncio ha envejecido muy mal.
Esto ha motivado que otras oposiciones, como la esperada Generalistas queden canceladas por el momento y sin fecha fija de retorno (por ahora, la cosa apunta a Septiembre de 2024) . En las imagenes a continuación puedes ver lo EPSO anunció en Mayo de 2023, tras un primer aplazamiento y lo que tenemos ahora en su web. Vimos como Propiedad Intelectual , Crisis, Migration, Economistas salieron más o menos a tiempo pero ya Transporte (click para ver nuestro webinar) y Lawyer linguist se abrieron a finales de año, mientras que Generalistas y otras oposiciones quedaron aplazadas sin fecha.
Y así nos hemos quedado, cruzando un poco los dedos y confiando que el problema se arregle más pronto que tarde. Será nuestro optimismo croquetil pero estamos convencidos que esta primavera/verano, además de calor, nos traerán unas buenas oposiciones europeas para todos.
Las buenas noticias del 2024
No todo va a ser malo, vamos con algunas buenas noticias para este año nuevo
Los aplazamientos nos dan más tiempo para prepararnos, especialmente en las dos pruebas clave el MCQ (Multiple Choice Questionnaire) y el Case study, donde tener el libreto con antelación nos exige un trabajo minucioso de preparación del mismo, así que familiarizarnos con el tema con tranquilidad siempre es positivo.
EPSO sigue comprometido con su nuevo modelo online y con las pruebas de conocimiento de la Unión Europea, así que lo que hemos hecho hasta ahora no ha sido en balde. Vamos estudiando poco a poco y aprovechando el esfuerzo hecho hasta la fecha.
La espera sólo puede motivar más oposiciones y/o oposiciones con más plazas. El tiempo no pasa en balde, el personal de las instituciones europeas va teniendo una edad y muchos se están jubilando estos años. Se necesita renovación y para ello, las oposiciones son clave, así que cuando todo se arregle la cosa vendrá con mucha fuerza.
Más perfiles vendrán. Además de generalistas, una vez se arregle el desaguiado técnico, se irán viendo oposiciones de multitud de perfiles (aquí hablamos en su día del asunto) que aunque no se sepan aún, seguro serán igual o más variados que hasta la fecha.
Más inspiración disponible. Dejemos de lado las preocupaciones, siempre se agradece ver que la gente consigue sus metas, eso nos ayuda a permancer motivados y trabajar por nuestro gran objetivo. Por eso seguimos hablando con nuestras croquetillas (alumnos) que han conseguido su sueño de conseguir su plaza en las instituciones europeas. Este año pudimos hablar con Zaloa (click para ver el video) y con Ángel (click para ver el video) y nos pueden dar ideas para el año que arranca. Estad atentos que en pronto subiremos otro video más.
Si eres alumno YSE, los aplazamientos atacan a tu paciencia pero no a tu bolsillo. Todas las croquetillas que habéis confiado en nosotros sabéis que más allá de los materiales y sesiones comprometidas, vamos extendendiendo y actualizando las formaciones hasta el día del examen, nuestro compromiso sigue siendo acompañaros hasta el final.
Los concursos internos
Si trabajas en la Comisión o en otra institución, los procesos internos de selección han sido la tabla de salvación de muchas croquetillas para pasar a ser funcionarios europeos. Aunque tuvieron sus baches los procesos de 2022-23 concluyeron satisfactoriamente (Enhorabuena a las decenas de croquetillas que tuvimos el honor de ayudar en esa aventura, fuera en AD5, AD6 y todas las demás), las de 2023 se han lanzado satisfactoriamente (AST4, AD5, AD8, AD10, AD12) (aquí podéis ver nuestro webinar para los amigos de Generation2004, el principal sindicato de la Comisión) y ahora toca esperar resultados de los examenes o los talent screener para ir a la fase de entrevistas que se espera a partir de Marzo.
Si no pudiste apuntarte a las últimas, no te preocupes, 2024 promete igualmente venir cargado de nuevas oportunidades. La Comisión ya ha anunciado ¡por fin! una nueva oposición para postularse a niveles AST desde posiciones AST/SC (secretariado) , la clásica de AD5 tendrá lugar (a mitad de año si se cumple lo anunciado) así como otros niveles y perfiles. Os iremos informando puntualmente por aquí o en nuestro telegram y linkedin
Y en 2024 ¿Qué puede hacer Ya Semos Europeos por mi?
Si estás leyendo esto, no te interesará leer sobre los más 12 grupos de formación para AD5 generalistas, concurso interno, case study de Energía-Clima-Mediambiente o agencias o las decenas de sesiones de assessment (SCBI, Field related, oral presentation, oral test-internal competition) que hemos impartido en 2023 y todas las croquetillas que han aprobado con nosotros en oposiciones de Espacio y Defensa (EPSO/AD/400/22), Técnicos audiovisuales, de edificios y laboratorios (EPSO/AST/150/21) , Jefes de Administración en delegacionesEPSO/AST/153/22 , Concursos internos de la Comisión AD5, AD6, AD7,AD9 y AD12 (si en cada lista de reserva conocemos a más de una y de dos 😉 y etc.
Lo qué te interesa es saber ¿cómo lo hicieron? ¿qué formaciones siguieron? bueno aquí van nuestras propuestas
0.-Material gratuito
Recuerda que en youtube tienes un montón de videos con ideas, referencias y sugerencias para preparar examenes ¡Lo hacemos para cada convocatoria!
¿Qué contiene? 4 sesiones : razonamiento verbal , numérico y abstracto. Los materiales y ejercicios (originales de YSE) son en español.
¿Cómo se imparte ? Online, sesión via zoom que queda grabada para que podáis repetirla o disfrutarla si no pudisteis conectaros. Los videos y los materiales son accessibles durante 1 año.
¿Cuando comienza? el próximo Febrero arranca el siguiente (y cada mes uno nuevo). Sesiónes de 18.30 a 20.30
¿Para qué oposiciones me vale? Todas las oposiciones EPSO y examen CAST (Agente Contractual). Todas incluyen esta prueba.
¿Qué contiene? Clase de teoría del ejercicio escrito, 5 ejercicios de práctica real con corrección individualizada y 3 sesiones de análisis de los ejercicios. Las sesiones serán en español y la práctica en inglés (posibilidad de realizar en francés alguno de los ejercicios)
¿Cómo se imparte? Online, sesión via zoom que queda grabajda para que podáis repetirla o disfrutarla si no pudisteis conectaros. Ejercicios, en formato examen, en nuestra plataforma de práctica.
¿Cuándo comienza? Febrero 2024.
¿Para qué oposiciones me vale? Todas las oposiciones EPSO bajo el nuevo modelo incluyen esta prueba escrita
¿Dónde me apunto? En este enlace puedes ver (y apuntarte) todas las sesiones programadas (utilizamos la plataforma teachable
3.-Curso de Conocimiento de la UE y competencias digitales
¿Qué contiene? +1000 preguntas y materiales sobre la UE (historia, instituciones y políticas) +150 preguntas sobre competencias digitales
¿Cómo se imparte? Online, sesión via zoom que queda grabajda para que podáis repetirla o disfrutarla si no pudisteis conectaros. Las 6 sesiones + sesión pre-examen se extenden hasta cuando sea el examen (Es decir, programaremos más sesiones si fuera necesario), para llegar a tope al examen.
¿Cuándo comienza? el próximo mes de febrero
¿Para qué oposiciones me vale? Generalistas.
¿Dónde me apunto? En este enlacey también para leer el resto de detalles.
4.-Cursos MCQ para oposiciones especialistas (ahora que tenemos más tiempo)
¿Qué contiene? desde +350 preguntas a +100 preguntas según perfil. Todos los MCQ se diseñan especificamente para cada oposición. Materiales de referencia, video explicativos y una sesión en vivo para preparar el examen. Esta formación y los materiales estarán en inglés. Los videos y los materiales son accessibles durante 6 meses.
¿Cómo se imparte? A través de nuestra plataforma de cursos y online, via zoom, la sesión pre-examen que quedará grabada para que podáis repetirla o disfrutarla si no pudisteis conectaros
¿Cuándo comienza? cuando quieras
¿Para qué oposiciones me vale? cada curso MCQ está identificado para que oposición es válido
¿Qué contiene? sesion de práctica en la prueba correspondiente del Assessment Centre de EPSO ( Field related interview, Oral Presentation, Situational Cometence based Interview (SCBI), Competence Based Interview (CBI). Se imparten en inglés. la teoría se ve en video para poder más espacio a la práctica. La práctica se hace en condición de examen y en el idioma correspondiente.
¿Cómo se imparte? Online, sesión via zoom que queda grabajda para que podáis repesar posteriormente.
¿Cuándo comienza? ya han empezado (corre que se acaban)
If you believe a public administration can leave paper behind and become a reference on IT, offering cutting-edge IT opportunities for professionals with sound careers, this competition is for you. Even more, if you think you can help a charismatic and sometimes awkward administration to be on the top of digitalization, this competition is still for you. The European Institutions need more and more highly specialized technical profiles, the world is changing and you can be a part of that change. Before we continue, if you are looking for our analysis on the AST-4 competition, find it here.
How many spots are available? When does the process begin?
A good number of spots are available, 350 spots in total!!!, distributed in 5 fields. The bad news are that you can only apply for one single field. Be careful! The process began on the 17 February and it will be open for joining until 22 March NOON (let’s say 11.59 AM CET). Until then, you can fill in and validate your application. Approximately, you have been given one month +2 days , that’s more than enough but don’t fall asleep.
What are the criteria to be a candidate?
The general criteria, as usual: Enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State of the EU (UK is no longer an option), meet any obligations under national laws on military service, and meet the character requirements for the duties concerned.
Specific criteria – languages
Same thing than in the paragraphs of the left but visible in one look. Also you have a similar table in page 5 of the notice.
LANGUAGE 1: You can choose among the 24 official languages of the EU and you should have, minimum, a C1 level. If you are a native speaker, you should qualify yourself as C2 and be CAREFUL! Do not say you have a level below C1 for any language skill (listening, reading, oral communication, written communication…), otherwise you will be disqualified automatically. The computer-based tests or CBT (verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning) will be taken in Language 1, and we can also fill in our application (except the Talent Screener) in this language.
LANGUAGE 2: ENGLISH or FRENCH (sorry, you can only choose between these 2, duty calls for it and EPSO explain long and clear why). Here we need a B2 level minimum (no need to have a degree to justify it, the tests in the Assessment Centre will be done in this language and if you can work through them, then you will qualify as having the level required). Remember not to put any item (written, oral level, or any other) below B2 level in your application.
REMINDER – Language 1 and Language 2 cannot be the same. Even if you try, the application form will alert you. On the bright side, communication with EPSO can take place in any of the languages you have declared in your application form at B2 level or higher.
Specific conditions – Work experience and studies
Let’s go one by one and in an orderly manner so the criteria are more visible to all you.
Be aware! To explain the part «professional experience in the field (ICT)» in this case, means that when describing your professional experience in the application (CV- work experience), you must clearly identify the experiences and activities equal or similar to those you are expected to do in the European Institutions and described in the notice, so take a good look at the fourth column (relevant duties) of our tables. And don’t despair, if you find this task difficult, our webinar on this competition can be key to give you tips on the talent screener.
Field 1: ICT infrastructures, cloud, networks and middleware
Field 2: Digital workplace, office automation and mobile computing
Field 3: IT and data governance, programme/portfolio and project management, project management office (PMO), business and enterprise architecture
Field 4 : Design, development/configuration, testing, operation and maintenance of IT applications and off-the-shelf solutions; Data management, data analytics and artificial intelligence
Field 5: ICT security
What are the tests that I have to pass? And what are the competition phases?
Based on the notice of competition + our experience we split the process in 3 phases: 1) fill in the application, 2) Talent Screener evaluation 3) the Assessment Centre. The celebration after you have passed the competition is up to you.
Phase 1 Fill in the Application – You’ve got until 22 March (noon) to send your application and before that, fill it in with love and care. This is the first step of the process, and the moment to differentiate yourself from the other candidates and all their experience (honestly, we don’t think EPSO expects a lot of candidates, but rather a few good ones with long CVs) in relation with the five different profiles. There are two clear pillars in your application
Work experience + Academic records – these will be used to confirm your eligibility = you have as many years of working experience in the relevant duties as required
Talent Screener – reply to the questions in the form within the application… yes! the competition begins here!! (see in the gallery below the list of questions per field)
… (Wait! we are still in phase 1) What is a TALENT SCREENER? The Talent Screener is a set of questions related to your academic and professional background that you must answer in your application, you can find the questions on the Annex IV of the notice of competition. A couple of things to remember:
1) The board of the competition is in charge of evaluating the answers
2) Keep in mind that all candidates in the same profile and field answer the same questions
In this way, the responses of all the candidates are structured in the same way, which allows the board to make an evaluation (as objective as such a type of test allows) of the compared merits of all the candidates. Remember to look at Annex IV or the application form for all the details, and if you think we can be of help, check our past webinar where we focused on tips to fill in the Talent Screener for specialist competitions. BUT if you are looking for a fresh view on your competition, check our webinar on the Administrators and the Assistants-ICT talent.
PHASE 2 – Eligibility & Talent Screener evaluation. Here you can do nothing but wait. It is the task of the board to read first your CV to see if you have all the years of working experience required and then, in a next step, read your Talent Screener and rate it. We remind you that the selection based on qualifications will be carried out only for those candidates deemed eligible, using solely the information provided in this Talent Screener section (in language 2) WITHOUT cross-checking with the rest of your application. [Yes, this was mentioned in Phase I but just in case you skipped that part]. You should therefore include all relevant information in your answers, even if already mentioned in other sections of your application form. The best of all this is, after the evaluations, only up to 3 times the openings will go to the Assessment Centre. We are talking about about 1050 candidates in total and you are one of them because you have written a great application 🏆.
Phase 3 – Assessment. Congrats! You are one of the candidates with the highest marks in the Talent Screener and you have been invited to the Assessment Centre. We have reached the final round, in which we will also have to present all our documents related to education and professional experience in digital format (they need to be uploaded into a platform before doing the Assessment Centre tests), so prepare them in advance to avoid a last minute rush.
First, we’ll have the computer-based tests (CBT). We know, you though you had escaped it… keep dreaming. Still, there is no need to get a high mark, only passing it is enough (like it is the case for CAST exams).
Easy one, just an overall of 20 points to pass it.
Now talking about the other tests, the competition turns classic. You will have to pass the following tests: Case Study and Competence Based Interview. Between the two tests you can gather a total of 80 points, with the particularity that you need and overall 40/80 to pass, but not minimum marks per competence.
Some practice, some effort and a some guidance and it will be done 😉
When you see your name on the reserve list
Anyway, although the more points we get in competences part the better (we can help with that), the key part is the field-related test where you will have to demonstrate your knowledge, and above all, your relevant experience for this position. To do so, you will have the Interview in the Field (also structured but with clear focus on your work experience) up to 100 points in that test (we can help with that test too).
Final Step – after a long process and passing the Assessment Centre, EPSO will check the validity of all your records and professional experiences (comparing them to the input of your application). For these, they will use the documents uploaded at the beginning of phase 3 -right before your first test of the Assessment Centre. So, keep your documents ready for upload once you have passed the Talent Screener!!! Once you get the final OK for this part, you will see your name on the reserve list and ready to find a job as a permanent officer at the European institutions.
When will EPSO contact me?
All the situations under which EPSO will write you in your profile, not by email, although sometimes we may get a warning message.
Many of you ask about when EPSO will tell you that you have passed to the next phase, or have been invited to the Assessment Centre, or…. you read/heard rumors about the development of the competitions somewhere. Better to isolate yourself from that noise and focus on the real messages. EPSO commits itself (it’s in Annex II of the notice of competition) to communicate with you after the Talent Screeners have been evaluated to inform you on the results and to invite you to the Assessment Centre. In the meantime, it can take weeks or months to receive any informationor being notified that we have passed to the next phase of the competition, so keep calm. If you are feeling desperate for the lack of news, you can always contact EPSO too, as candidates you are entitled to do so but be careful, replies can be a bit cryptic or copy/paste from the notice.
What can I expect of this job? How much will my salary be?
Table of the amounts of basic monthly salaries for each grade and step in function groups AD and AST referred to in Article 66 of the Staff Regulations, applicable from 1 July 2021
Both are typical questions of the candidates, therefore we invite you to check Annex I and Annex II from the notice of competition. As you can see from the images above, go to Annex I of the notice to find all the details of your expected tasks to be performed once you are an administrator in the area of ICT (The Commission counts on you!!!). And last but not least, let us remind you an AD7 (step 2) will join the institutions with a net salary above 6.000 € and this can be higher depending if you have family dependent on you and other conditions.
Can you help me?
Let share some useful links for this competition and any other.
and more competitions are striking for the first time
The summer break is here but it doesn’t mean we can stop, EPSO moves on and so we do, as we cannot choose what kind of surprises we get, so the best thing we can do is to adapt to them. EPSO is committed to make the competitions possible, And after long struggle, there is an end for each competition, read until the end of this article to see what happened to our candidates SPOILER!!! Believe it or not, there is a happy ending for those of you in the EPSO competitions.
Fact 1 : All active competitions will be evaluated online. Including CBT (also you can take this test in the old traditional CBT facility /Prometric center)
Fact 2 : When they say online, they mean it for all tests (CBT, knowledge test, E-tray, Assessment Centre). Online tests can be done both at EPSO’s test centers or at home (all this possibility should be clearly indicated in the official communications through your candidate profile).
Reminder : SCBI or Situational Competence Based Interview replaces the group exercise for online testing (not big deal, let us know when you are there, we know it well and our successful candidates too 😉
In case you are skeptical on these facts, allow us to copy some points extracted from the addendums :
Here you have the reference, online CBT testing is a reality
For this competition the intermediate computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Microsoft Office Word skills test will now be organised either remotely or in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres. + For this competition the assessment tests will now be organised either remotely or in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres ( from Secretaries EPSO/AST-SC/10/20 addendum).
How is your competition doing among EPSO competitions?
Let’s go competition by competition to clarify it (we’ll follow from highest to lowest EPSO reference number). Please, be aware the following analysis is done based on the information published in EPSO web page and our experience as candidates (yes, we once were where you are now) and trainers.
Remember our analysis of this competition (profile 1, profile 2 and profile 3) ? well, not much have changed. In total there has been 1454 split in 710, 465 and 289 application on each profile respectively. So the wise EPSO has decided to go to the eligibility check (CV screening) and then to the Talent evaluation. It will take a while so we expect the assessment by the beginning of 2022. When the moment for the assessment comes, If you think we can help you with our trainings, you can check our next sessions or subscribe for the next ones.
Well, finally the expert in Structural reforms were far more than expected and the CBT has been called upfront and literally while we were writting this, EPSO decided to inform on the dates. the 4th August opens the booking period. CBT exams will take place from 2nd to 10th September. After that, for those of you with the highest marks. Let’s say around 450 , 1 out 4 of the candidates who applied for Structural reform support and around 250 for Schengen acquis, 1 out of 1,5 (not bad, eh??) will go the eligibility check (CV screening) and then to the Talent evaluation, After it, the highest mark in the talent, around 135 for structural reform and 75 for Schengen, will be invited to the assessment (end 2021 or most likely beginning of 2022) . If you think we can help you with our trainings, you can check our next sessions or subscribe for the next ones.
3.-Administrators in the field of Chemicals Policy EPSO/AD/390/21
Do you remember our analysis of this competition ? well, it has advanced!!! the eligibility checks is done and it moves to the Talent Screener. 518 lucky candidates will be checked thoroughly to evaluate their merits, of which, only the 135with the highest marks in the talent will go to the assessment. It will take a while so we expect the assessment by the end of 2021 or beginning of 2022. And when the moment to prepare the assessment comes, and you think we can help you, check our next training sessions or subscribe for the next ones.
This competition is a good example of the evaluation procedure. Applications closed in April, 440 brave candidates presented their application. Around 80 didn’t fulfil the eligibility criteria, so 359 went to the talent, of which 118 are invited now to the assessment that will take place in Autumn. So, it’s time to prepare it! Second half of September will take place the case study (our article on it), then October-November are expected the Competence based interview, field related interview and situational competence interview. If you are interested in our trainings, you can check our next sessions or subscribe for the next ones.
There you have the next moves in this competition. Only case study has been formally announced
5.-Administrators in the field of sustainable agriculture and rural development EPSO/AD/389/21 – AD6
So the CBT is done (according to EPSO last date was 26th July) and let’s hope everybody got its opportunity to take the CBT. Assuming this, results should be ready by September. Then, those successful candidates with the highest marks will jump into CV screening (approx. the first 550 by ranking in marks) and afterwards Talent Screener evaluation from which , a selected group of 165 candidates will be invited to the assessment. Most probably by end of this year to take the assessment beginning of 2022.
Yes! EPSO committed itself with an indicative date for the results, we hope this will be the good one.
We know all of you (to be precise the 11498 of you) who applied for this competition and almost of all you who took already the CBT, are anxious to get the results, but you will have to wait until the end of the summer break to get them. There may be a few of you that because of the pandemics didn’t have the opportunity to take the test, without them ,the next phase ( eligibility test and talent screener) can’t be launched. The good news are that phase looks closer and results are announce for mid-September. Wait patiently (no other option is possible) and you will be rewarded (finger crossed for all of you)
7.-Administrators in the field of European Law EPSO/AD/381/20
Here we go! after the summer break, we’ll have our test on EU law, don’t forget to take the treaties with you this summer!
Yes, many of you took the CBT when you were supposed to do so, that is, from end November until mid-December (green square). But still, many (hundreds or even thousands) candidates couldn’t due to Covid-restrictions. In December 2020, EPSO committed itself to give them an opportunity and there it goes (red square). The negative effect of this is that you won’t get your CBT results until all candidates has passed the exam (EPSO said in its 15 December announcement) well…That has been done!!!! We are now facing the EU LAW test (here some free resources and books suggestions) in September, with the linguistic comprehension test. If you think we can help you with the EU LAW test, join our next training, aimed to help you to study during the tempting summer break. .
8.-Administrators in international cooperation and managing aid to non-EU countries EPSO/AD/380/19 – AD7and AD7
Your memory is right, this competition opened in December 2019 and the CBT was done couple of months later but, as international cooperation projects, nobody said it would be easy or short. Right after the end of the CBT, the lockdown began and this competition went frozen. Now, seems it’s getting warm again but not too much. Case study was announced for January but finally it will take place after the summer break??? (we’ll see, it’s been 3 times since the pushed it back) and the Assessment continues, now with the Competence based interview. The end of it is foreseen by end of October (we really hope so, courage!!)
In the meantime, dear candidates, keep your stamina and resilience up. If you need some help with the case study or with the pending assessment test, check here.
Well, many have asked about this competition and when the second test (the one about Word-MS Office skills) could take place. Apparently not yet. Still quite a few candidates haven’t taken their CBT test, so a new window is open to book and do the CBT. This opportunity comes with a cost, you won’t get your CBT results until all candidates has passed the exam (EPSO already said in its 15 December announcement). Still, there is light at the end of the tunnel and the intermediate test (Word test) has been announce for September. We are preparing some trainings for it, If you think we can help you with the WORD office 2016 test, inscribe/show your interest in our next training, aimed to help you the moment you will invited to it. .
And the good news are?
Each of these croqUEtillas has a name and a story behind, we are very happy we helped them to join the reserve list and soon, become AD officials. We’ll be even happier when we can celebrate this properly
There is light at the end of the tunnel!! In the last months we got the results of three competitions, namely Specialists in legal research-Lawyers-EPSO/AD/365/19, to EPSO/AD/370/19, Administrators in the field of Audit EPSO/AD/372/19 – AD 5 and AD 7, and graduate Administrators (AD5 Generalist) EPSO/AD/373/19 AD5. Two dozens of former-candidates, now laurates, to join the reserve lists and become officers in the European Institutions. Despite the challenges, the long waiting periods, the uncertainty and the new SCBI. 24 people (our «croqUEtillas» as we fondly nicknamed them) are now in the reserve list. They did their best and we helped them to perform at the maximum level, now this effort has its reward. In YaSemosEuropeos (YSE) we’ll remain at your service to help you with the EPSO challenge and sooner or later, to celebrate your success.
In these challenging times, it’s time to take care of your beloved ones and of yourself, but also there is an opportunity to start (or keep) your next steps on the EPSO competitions. Sooner or later everything will come back to normality, those who took advantage of this time will have better chances of succeeding.
A good number of spots are available, that is, a total of 41 spots, most likely to work in DG SANTE (Brussels). There is something for all of you!!! Be careful though, the process has begun on May 20th and it will be openuntil June 22nd NOON (let’s say 11.59 AM CET). Until then, you can fill in and validate your application. Approximately, you have been given one month +5 days , that’s more than enough but don’t fall asleep.
What are criteria to be a candidate?
General criteria: enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State of the EU (UK is not longer an option), meet any obligations under national laws on military service, meet the character requirements for the duties concerned. Above all, decide which profile you want to apply for (we know, it’s not a formal criteria but a personal one 😉
Profile 1 – Policymaking and law-making in the field of health EPSO/AD/392/21-1
Profile 2 – Policymaking and law-making in the field of food safety EPSO/AD/392/21-2
Profile 3 – Auditing, inspection and evaluation in the field of health and food safety EPSO/AD/392/21-3
Our advice? Choose whatever profile fits you best, there are 30 spots for each profile 2 and 3 and 41 spots for profile 1, there is no big difference in the number of spots and a CV that fits one of the profiles well can determine your success. If you are reading this post, it means you have selected profile 1 – Policymaking and law-making in the field of health.
Specific criteria – languages
LANGUAGE 1: You can choose among the 24 official languages of the EU and you should have, minimum, a C1 level. If you are a native speaker, you should qualify yourself as C2 and CAREFUL! do not put any item of the language level (speaking, reading, etc) under C1, you would be disqualified automatically. The CBT (verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests) will be taken in this language 1 and also we can fill in our application (except the Talent Screener) in this language.
LANGUAGE 2: ENGLISH or FRENCH (sorry, you can only choose between these 2). Here we need a B2 level minimum (you do not need a language certificate to justify it, the tests in the Assessment Centre will be in this language and if you can work through them, then that means that you have the level required). Remember not to put any item (written, oral level, or any other) below B2 level in your application.
REMINDER – language 1 and language 2 cannot be the same one. Even if you try, the application form will alert you. On the bright side, communication with EPSO can take place in one of the languages you have declared in your application form at B2 level or higher.
Specific conditions – Work experience and studies
Option 1 : LONG ACADEMIC BACKGROUND+PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – you’ll need a university degree (of minimum 4 years length attested by a diploma in medical and health sciences (in particular, epidemiology, biology, biomedical sciences, laboratory disciplines, communicable and non-communicable diseases, molecular biology/genetics, antimicrobial resistance), pharmacology, pharmaceutical products, toxicology, healthcare systems, integrated care, statistics and big data analysis, digital health, health information management, social or political science, law, economics, or other subjects directly relevant to the nature of the duties in this field [remember this is for a position of law and policy-making so there is a good margin of maneuver] . Besides the degree, you’ll need at least 6 years’ professional duties of this field as indicated in Annex I
Option 2 : SHORT ACADEMIC BACKGROUND+PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE – this time with a 3 years degree attested by a diploma in n medical and health sciences (in particular, epidemiology, biology, biomedical sciences, laboratory disciplines, communicable and non-communicable diseases, molecular biology/genetics, antimicrobial resistance), pharmacology, pharmaceutical products, toxicology, healthcare systems, integrated care, statistics and big data analysis, digital health, health information management, social or political science, law, economics, or other subjects directly relevant to the nature of the duties in this field, or other subjects directly relevant to the nature of the duties in this field. With this you’ll need at least 7 years’ professional duties of this field as indicated in Annex I.
As you can see, DG SANTE is still an administrative outpost, not a hospital – caption with the full list of duties expected to perform (annex I)
REMEMBER! «duties of this field as indicated in Annex I» means that when describing your professional experience in the application, you must clearly identify the experiences and activities equal or similar to those you are expected to do in the European Institutions and described in the notice. Bear in mind EPSO is looking for people with real experience on the subject. This webinar can help understand exactly what we mean, but if you are looking for something tailor-made for this competition, on June 14th we’ll organise a new webinar specific for this process.
What are the tests that I have to pass? What are the competition phases?
Based on the notice of competition + our experience we split the process in 5 phases : 1) fill in the application, 2) The CBT test, 3) the eligibility checks of the files of the candidates, 4) Talen Screener and 5) the Assessment Centre.
Phase 1 – You got until 22 June (noon) to send your application and before that, fill it in with love and care. This is the first step of a competition and the way to differentiate yourself from many other, perhaps hundreds, of candidates and also give you the green light in phase 3 and phase 4.
As you can see, to make some policy and law in the Institutions, you need a strong background.
(wait we are still in phase 1) What is a TALENT SCREENER?This is a list of questions related to your academic and professional background that you must answer in your application, you can find the questions on the Annex II of the notice of competition. The board of the competition is in charge of evaluating the answers. Keep in mind that all candidates answer the same questions. In this way, the responses of all the candidates are structured in the same way, which allows the board to make an evaluation (as objective as such a type of test allows) of the compared merits of all the candidates. As an example, on the right you can see the points, all in the area of auditing, inspection and evaluation in the field of health, that will assessed in the Talent Screener (look annex II or the application form for all the details).
Phase 2 – The first test will be the classical CBT (Computer-Based Test) which includes verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning. Remember, you only need to get a 10 out 20 in verbal or 10 points out of 20 for numerical + abstract combined. This phase will be passed by all those who exceed the minimum score, but the evaluation of the eligibility criteria and the Talent Screener (the two following phases) will be done in order of your CBT results [if the CBT took place upfront, see next paragraph]. Focus, keep calm and get a good result, this is easier than it looks, trust yourself!
About verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning, we won’t give too many details here (you can visit our blog and also here some links to our resources and trainings. If the amount of candidates is not high enough (up to EPSO to set the number, under our experience we bet that «not high enough» might mean under about 600 candidates), the CBT will take place during the Assessment phase and you will skip this phase for the moment.
Phase 3 –Eligibility checks EPSO will verify whether you comply with the conditions for participating in the process (assessment of your CV to check that you really meet the profile and experience). Make sure that your CV fits that of an expert in health and food safety, do not forget to put all your relevant information (degree and work experience, even if you describe it in the Talent Screener part, doesn’t matter. Consider the CV part and the Talent Screener as two different applications, as the selection board will look at them separately. After they review CVs in the order that came out of phase 2 (results obtained in the CBT) and they make sure who meets the participation requirements, the pool of candidates who pass to phase 4 will be filled, up to a total of 10 times the available spots (we are talking about 300 candidates).
Phase 4 – Talent Screener evaluation. Here you can do nothing but wait. It is the task of the board to read your Talent Screener and rate it. We remind you the selection based on qualifications will be carried out only for those candidates deemed eligible… , using solely the information provided in this Talent Screener section (in language 2). You should therefore include all relevant information in your Talent Screener answers, even if already mentioned in other sections of your application form. The questions are based on the selection criteria included in this notice (check the photo above). The best of all this is that up to a total of 3 times the openings will go to the Assessment Centre. We are talking about about 90 candidates (3 × 90, math does not deceive 🙂), you are almost there!
Phase 5 – AssessmentCentre (AC). We have reached the final round! Before the actual Assessment Centre, you will have to present all your supporting documents in digital format (what used to be the famous USB memory stick, now in the online Assessment Centre you need to upload the pertinent papers to the system, so prepare them in advance). As concerns the tests that you will encounter in the Assessment Centre, since last year, the group exercise has been replaced by a Situational Competence-based interview. The rest of the tests will be business as usual, that is, a field interview, a written test in the field and a case study based on competences. For the tests based on your competences, no prior knowledge is required. You must perform at your best in all the 4 tests, as each competence is only evaluated by one single test, as you can see below.
It’s easier than it looks, trust us, we have been there 😉
BUT (yes, big but) the real differences among candidates will be in the field-related test where you will have to demonstrate your knowledge, and above all, your relevant experience for this position. To do so, you will have the Interview in the Field (also structured but with clear focus on your work experience) and the written test in the Field (focus on your practical knowledge for the position.
What can I expect of this job? Is my degree valid?
That’s your future job, is it challenging enough?
Both are typical questions of all the candidates, therefore we invite you to check Annex I and Annex III from the notice of competition. In Annex I (image on your right) you can find the expected tasks to be performed once you are an Administrator in the area of health and food safety (you won’t be caught by surprise). Also we remind you an AD7 will join the institutions with a net salary above 6.000 €, which can be even higher depending on personal circumstances such as having family members depending on you.
In the Annex III we have a fantastic list of degrees and academic titles that are eligible to apply for this competition, also ordered by country. You can check if your degree is enough and the right one to apply for this competition.
Can you help me?
Concerning the dates foreseen for the next phases of this competition, there is some solid hope that the announced dates will be the correct ones, given the fact that all other competitions at the CBT stage and with remaining candidates to take the CBT have adopted the same dates. In case you still need some help with the CBT, check this (in English) and this for CBT trainings in Spanish . Don’t forget to join our webinar, on 14 June, which will focus on the Talent Screener for this competition .
¡Aquí viene otra oportunidad! Normalmente sólo analizamos las oposiciones pero el anuncio de 65 plazas para trabajar en REA (European Research Executive Agency), unidad D4 «Central Validation Service» (antigua C3 “Participant Validation”), en Bruselas y con contrato de «agente contractual» permanente (sin limite de duración) bien se merece compartir con vosotros el análisis de la convocatoria. Tenéis hasta el 21 de Marzo el 16 de Abril (Lunes) a medianoche para echar la candidatura. Por mucho que os empeñeis en buscarla en el organigrama disponible , aún no la veréis (buscad la C3). ya que es de nueva creación dentro de los cambios orgnanizativos que se están produciendo en las agencias ejecutivas, tenéis el detalle aquí (¿Que os importa eso? que habrá vacantes y más oportunidade en esas agencias ejecutivas, os iremos avisando, para lo demás podéis dormir tranquilos). ¡Aviso! este post es un resumen para facilitaros arrancar con el asunto, recordad leer la convocatoria para conocer el detalle oficial.
1.- ¿Que ofrecen?
30 plazas para «Legal Officer profile», otras 30 para «Financial Officer profile» y unas 5 para «Information Technology and Data Management profile» (usamos el nombre en inglés para evitar lios y que la convocatoria no está disponible en otro idioma). Todas ella del tipo agente contractual 3a ¿eh? básicamente que el puesto pasa a ser indefinido (o hasta que la agencia desaparezca, pero eso lo vemos poco probable en los próximos años) después de firmar dos contratos de 1 año.
Además, para acabar de poneros los dientes largos, os recordamos que el salario mensual de un agente contractual 3 (a), grupo de funciones III, consiste en un salario base de 2777,78 euros complementado con diversas asignaciones, en particular la asignación por expatriación (un 16% más a sumar al salario), la asignación familiar, la asignación por hijos a cargo y la asignación por educación, si procede, pensión, seguro médico y nivel impositivo bajo (pagas impuestos a las instituciones europeas, no a un estado miembro).
2.-¿Que se espera hacer ahí?
2.1.-De forma general
La unidad D4 de REA tiene el título de “Central Validation Service” asi que le toca implementar la parte del Single Electronic Data Interchange Area (SEDIA) y proporcionar servicios de validación a más de 60 clientes (Direcciones Generales, Agencias Ejecutivas y Empresas Comunes). El apoyo incluye la validación jurídica y financiera de los participantes en los procedimientos de subvención y contratación bajo la gestión directa de todas las Direcciones Generales, Agencias Ejecutivas y Empresas Comunes asociadas a la Comisión Europea (en lenguaje común, asegurarse que todos los papeles están bien y todo el proceso sigue su debido cauce).
Si vamos al detalle para cada perfil (simplificado, leed la convocatoria para todos detalles)
2.2.-LEGAL OFFICER
Revisar, validar y codificar (de acuerdo al procedimiento) todos los documentos de los
Contribuir a los grupos de trabajo relacionados con la simplificación, armonización de normas para verificar la legalidad e igualmente contribuir al desarrollo y actualización de los manuales y correspondientes;
Responder dudas a consultas publicas sobre lo anterior y comunicarse con los participantes (via herramienta informática (el chat del teams no cuenta);
Igualmente tendrás que comunicarte (pasar el informe) a las DG, Agencias, empresas comunes (Joint Undertaking) y otros durante el proceso de validación.
2.3.-Financial Officer
Análisis de los datos financieros y su codificación en los sistemas informáticos, para ser evaluados posteriormente y de acuerdo con las normas, procedimientos y metodología;
Asistencia en la elaboración de informes e información, datos o estadísticas;
Contribuir a los grupos de trabajo relacionados con la simplificación, armonización de normas para verificar la legalidad e igualmente contribuir al desarrollo y actualización de los manuales y correspondientes;
Responder dudas a consultas publicas sobre lo anterior y comunicarse con los participantes (via herramienta informática (el chat del teams no cuenta);
Igualmente tendrás que comunicarte (pasar el informe) a las DG, Agencias, empresas comunes (Joint Undertaking) y otros durante el proceso de validación.
2.4.-Oficial de tecnología de la información y gestión de datos
Asistencia en el desarrollo de informes de SAP Business Object, y análisis de datos y preparación de estadísticas para fines de informes;
Asistencia para asegurar el cumplimiento de los requisitos de protección de datos y para análisis y la supervisión del correcto funcionamiento de los sistemas informáticos;
Contribución a la definición e implementación de procedimientos de seguridad, planes de aseguramiento y control de calidad de TI;
Asistencia en la creación de la documentación necesaria (requisitos de usuario, arquitectura técnica, etc.) para el diseño y desarrollo de los sistemas informáticos utilizados para los procesos de validación de los participantes;
Participación en reuniones y prestación de apoyo a los usuarios finales en relación con el uso de aplicaciones / sistemas de TI;
Enlace con proveedores de servicios de informática (por ejemplo, DG DIGIT, DG.RTD.CIC, etc.).
3.-¿Cómo me presento?
Pues habrá que cumplir con los siguientes pasos
Formulario de elegibilidad rellenado (ver la imagen)
CV detallado (EN ¡¡¡FORMATO EUROPAS!!! nos guste o no es lo que toca) y asegurarte que dices lo mismo que en tu candidatura de cast FGIII. Además de poner sólo lo que puedes demostrar, si no tienes papeles (contratos, títulos u otros documentos) no vale, sino seríamos todos Bill Gates y Perry Mason en nuestro CV.
Carta de motivación de 1 página , no te enrrolles quese la van a leer, no te quepa duda. Si necesitas inspiración aquí van unas indicaciones.
Indicar a cual de los 3 perfiles te presentas
Todos los documentos (EN INGLÉS y nombrasos con vuestro apellido) se deben mandar via email a: REA-HR-APPLICATIONS@ec.europa.eu haciendo referencia a la convocatoria de estos puestos y antes del 21 de Marzo 16 de Abril de 2021 a medianoche. Además, deberíais disponer de una candidatura cast completa y validada (en uno de los perfiles aquí indicados ) .
Aquí tenéis algunas pistas de lo que va un CAST por si necesitáis más apoyo. Recordad que sólo elegirán 150 candidatos para las entrevistas (unos 2,5 candidatos por plaza, así que toca currarse la aplicación). Suponiendo que todos teneis el perfil CAST relleno pero no todos habéis pasado el examen (el CBT famoso) no os preocupeis, os invitarán al examen. Lo más probable para hacerlo en las siguiente fechas (calendario CAST previsto por EPSO)
Las notas suelen darlas 2 semanas después de realizar el examen.
4.-¿Cómo me eligen? Criterios de selección
Después de currartelo mucho, has mandado una super candidatura al email arriba indicado pero ¿con qué ojos la van a mirar? ¿qué necesito para que me elijan? vamos pues con los criterios de selección. De forma general (esto aplica a todos los perfiles):
Tener excelentes habilidades analíticas, organizativas y de toma de decisiones para asegurar la calidad y puntualidad de las operaciones de validación.
Tener una fuerte orientación al servicio al cliente.
4.1.-LEGAL PROFILE
BÁSICO – 3 años minimo de experiencia profesional (cuanto más variada mejor) en:
Experiencia en la evaluación de la existencia legal y el estatus de una entidad legal,
Experiencia en la evaluación de documentos legales,
Experiencia en los servicios legales descritos en la 2.1 y 2.2 de este post (y section III en la convocatoria),
Nivel de inglés B2 (pa’ arriba) hablado y escrito.
VENTAJOSO – si no lo tienes, no estás eliminado pero tendrás que aportar más cosillas, así que mejor si lo tienes:
Conocimiento satisfactorio (nivel B2) de una tercera lengua oficial de la UE.
Tener conocimientos prácticos de uno o más de los siguientes idiomas de la UE (nivel B2): holandés, búlgaro, croata, checo, danés, estonio, finlandés, alemán, húngaro, letón, lituano, portugués, eslovaco y esloveno.
4.2.-FINANCIAL PROFILE
BÁSICO – 3 años mínimo de experiencia profesional (cuanto más variada mejor) en:
Experiencia en contabilidad cubriendo todas las áreas principales (libro mayor, activos fijos, cuentas por pagar / por cobrar, etc.),
Experiencia con los principios de contabilidad generalmente aceptados (GAAP) y las normas internacionales de contabilidad (IAS),
Experiencia en el uso regular y comprensión de estados financieros de varios tipos de entidades legales,
Experiencia en la preparación de análisis e informes financieros que describan el desempeño y los riesgos financieros
Experiencia en análisis de riesgo crediticio y / o suscripción de préstamos / créditos comerciales.
Nivel de inglés B2 (pa’ arriba) hablado y escrito
VENTAJOSO : si no lo tienes, no estás eliminado pero tendrás que aportar más cosillas, así que mejor si lo tienes
Conocimiento satisfactorio (nivel B2) de una tercera lengua oficial de la UE.
Tener conocimientos prácticos de uno o más de los siguientes idiomas de la UE (nivel B2): holandés, búlgaro, croata, checo, danés, estonio, finlandés, alemán, húngaro, letón, lituano, portugués, eslovaco y esloveno.
4.3.-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DATA MANAGEMENT PROFILE
BÁSICO – 3 años mínimo de experiencia profesional (cuanto más variada mejor) en :
Experiencia en gestión de procesos de negocio o IT.
Experiencia en la preparación y contribución a la validación de entregables de gestión de cambios / proyectos para el cumplimiento de los requisitos comerciales.
Experiencia en analítica de datos para el diseño y elaboración de informes utilizando SAP Business Object.
Experiencia práctica en la gestión de la protección de datos personales, ya sea en el diseño de sistemas de TI (privacidad por diseño) o en asuntos legales operativos en esta área.
Conocimientos prácticos avanzados de Microsoft Excel.
Nivel de inglés B2 (pa’ arriba) hablado y escrito
VENTAJOSO – si no lo tienes, no estás eliminado pero tendrás que aportar más cosillas, así que mejor si lo tienes :
Conocimiento satisfactorio (nivel B2) de una tercera lengua oficial de la UE.
Conocimiento de procesos y flujos de trabajo relacionados con la validación legal y evaluación de la capacidad financiera de los participantes.
Educación o certificación en metodologías de gestión de proyectos (PM2, Agile o propósito similar).
Certificación en diseño de Reportes SAP Business Objects y Microsoft Excel avanzado.
5.-¿Y después? una última ayudita
Una vez seleccionados entre los 150 candidatos (unos 2,5 candidatos por plaza, lo teneis cerquita) y con el CAST aprobado, iremos a una entrevista (en inglés) en base a las secciones III y V de la convocatoria. Para eso os recomendamos, cuando os inviten, practicar a tope (no hay formula mágica, la práctica es la clave del éxito, al menos la nuestra y sobretodo la de nuestro alumnos), revisando muy bien vuestro perfil y lo que piden.
Os dejamos por aquí algunas entradas del blog que os pueden ayudar
The new year is bringing lots of surprises. Apparently we cannot choose what kind of surprises we get, so the best thing we can do is to adapt to them. EPSO is committed to make the competitions possible, despite all odds being against, so they have launched new dates for the exams. SPOILER!!! Believe it or not, there is a happy ending for those of you in the competitions. Keep reading until the end 😉
Fact 1 : All active competitions will be evaluated online.
Fact 2 : When they say online, they mean it for all tests (CBT, E-tray, Assessment Centre). Online tests can be done both at EPSO’s test centres or at home (all this will be clearly indicated in the official communications through your candidate profile).
Reminder : SCBI or Situational Competence Based Interview replaces the group exercise for online testing.
In case you are skeptical on these facts, allow us to copy some points extracted from the addendums :
For this competition the assessment tests will now be organised either remotely or in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres ( from Parliamentary ushers EPSO/AST-SC/08/19).
For this competition the intermediate computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Microsoft Office Word skills test will now be organised either remotely or in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres. + For this competition the assessment tests will now be organised either remotely or in one of EPSO’s accredited test centres ( from Secretaries EPSO/AST-SC/10/20 addendum).
How does the Covid crisis affect your EPSO competitions?
Let’s go competition by competition to clarify it (we’ll follow from highest to lowest EPSO reference number). Please, be aware the following analysis is done based on the information published in EPSO web page and our experience as candidates (yes, we once were where you are now) and trainers.
We know all of you (to be precise the 11498 of you) who applied for this competition are anxious to begin with the CBT, but you will have to wait until the beginning of February???? for the booking opening, and until end February or beginning of March to take the exam. Yes, it’s the 4th time EPSO has delayed the dates (initially the booking opening was intended for December) so we can not be 100% sure about this time. Nevertheless, the fact all other competitions at the CBT stage and with remaining candidates to take the CBT have adopted the same dates gives us some solid hope this time it will be the right one (in case you still need some help with the CBT check this).
Administrators in the field of European Law EPSO/AD/381/20
Dear law experts, remember to include the word «indicative» in your thoughts
Yes, many of you took the CBT when you were supposed to do so, that is, from end November until mid-December (green square). But still, many (hundreds or even thousands) candidates couldn’t due to Covid-restrictions. In December 2020, EPSO committed itself to give them an opportunity and there it goes (red square). The negative effect of this is that you won’t get your CBT results until all candidates has passed the exam (EPSO said in its 15 December announcement) Be careful and check the current restrictions to know if this try is the good one in case you absolutely want to take the CBT in a Prometric facility, or you need to prepare your home for it. We are not interior experts but for the CBT itself, we can help, check this.
Administrators in international cooperation and managing aid to non-EU countries EPSO/AD/380/19 – AD7and AD7
Oh my God! And the date for the assessment ?
Will be this the good one?
Yes, right, this opened in December 2019 and the CBT was done couple of months later but, as international cooperation projects, nobody said it would be easy or short. Right after the end of the CBT, the lockdown began and this competition went frozen. Now, seems it’s getting warm again but not too much. Case study was announced for January but finally it was postponed until February(from home? only the pandemic knows) and after that, well at least a couple of months after that, we can expect the rest of the assessment tests. With the latest update, the case study is scheduled for April (then most likely in the Prometric centers) and after that the rest of the Assessment (April and May).
In the meantime, dear candidates, keep your stamina and resilience up. If you need some help with the case study, check here.
Like in good EU legislation, you need to read the footnote (this photo was valid until end January)
and this is the latest update!!!!
The flagship of the competitions, also known as Generalist, is still frozen. The fact its Assessment Centre didn’t begin before the pandemic doesn’t help and 294 of you are testing your resilience to limits you couldn’t imagine. So far, priority has been given to Competition Law and Auditors that had already began (and have far less candidates to assess).
It seems once Audit is moving again, Generalists won’t take long to begin. Winter lasts until 21st of March, so be patient and probably you will be rewarded in mid-February with some good news (or some news, at least). The clever people from EPSO read this post and decided after its publication to release the dates , so brace yourself, in April the competition begins until June. Plenty of time to prepare but better to begin early. If you need some help with the case study, check here.
Candidates in the Auditors’ competition were puzzled when the new dates for Assessement were published as they split the Assessment into two events with different dates for AD5 and AD7, and then we got a Remote Assessment and Situational Competency-based interview (SCBI for short). Why? As the Audit competition already started in March 2020 (yes, a long time ago), some candidates only need to take the SCBI , as they already have gone through the Assessment Centre with a group exercise. Being precise, in 2020, 257 candidates in AD5 and 118 in AD7 were invited to the Assessment, now, in 2021, 195 and 111 respectively (so 62 and 7 need to go through the SCBI only, if someone hasn’t retired from the competition or retired from the working life after such a long time).
First the veterans, then the young auditor Padawans
Specialists in legal research – Lawyers – CY,EL,HU,IT,LV,PL EPSO/AD/365/19 to EPSO/AD/370/19
It’s a bit paradoxical that it takes longer to list all these competitions than the time the Assessment will take for these 6 competitions with 2 profiles each (AD5 and AD7). Restarted recently, their SCBI was publish and the first profile Legal research -lawyers – Cyprus will begin first week of February (between 3-5 February), while the last, Italian and Polish are scheduled for first half of March. No much time to prepare the interviews and SCBI although it should be enough if you focus on the task.
Well, many have asked about this competition and when the second test (the one about Word-MS Office skills) could take place. Apparently not yet. Several hundreds, even rumors say couple of thousands haven’t taken their CBT test, so a new window is open to book and do the CBT. This opportunity comes with a cost, you won’t get your CBT results until all candidates has passed the exam (EPSO said in its 15 December announcement).Then, will the exam be in the Prometric-CBT facilities or at home? Stay alert and read carefully the invitation that you will receive in your candidate’s folder. Because of Covid, many restrictions have been imposed in European states so the «at home» modality is getting more likely everyday. Still, the exam will be the same, so get ready! If you think we can help, check this.
If you are part of this competition and you were waiting for the next exams, you will get them with a vengeance. After several announcement and interruptions, now both, CBT and E-tray are announced for the end of February for the 75 of you who are still in it. Be careful with the length of this exam (65 minutes of CBT + 60 of E-tray can be dangerous if we don’t manage our energies correctly). After that, or perhaps at the same time, more news should come on the Assessment Centre (not too long, just 2 interviews : competence-based and field-related). So be ready to get fresh news right after the CBT and E-tray! Meanwhile we are crossing our fingers to see it becomes real and also thinking you could provide a tip or two to the EPSO staff on how to organise a online conference or an online assessment without technical interruptions .
Both SC1 and SC2 of Parliamentary Ushers got the same calendar
Well, they say a Parliamentary Usher must be patient with the MEPs, so consider this process (that began in July 2019) a testing method of your patience. Still, in Autum-Winter of 2020 you got the opportunity of taking the CBT and now, 52 in SC1 and 81 in SC2 candidates will go through the Assessment Centre. A role play , competence based interview, language test and field related interview are waiting for you. Scary? Not much. You have until Spring (lets say April or beyond) to prepare it. don’t miss it! (and if you need some help with these test, here our proposal)
And the good news are?
Each of these croqUEtillas (tender nickname for our candidates) has a name and a story behind, we are very happy we helped them to join the reserve list and soon, become AD7 officials. We’ll be even happier when we can celebrate this properly
There is light at the end of the tunnel!! Administrators in Competition Law EPSO/AD/374/19 , which had the privilege to be the first competition restarted in the online-Assessment mode has ended and the results went public. It was particularly challenging as they replaced the group exercise with the SCBI and part of the candidates had already gone through the Assessment in March, despite all this, 10 of our candidates are now in the reserve list. They did their best and we helped them to perform at the maximum level, now this effort has its reward. In YaSemosEuropeos (YSE) we’ll remain at your service to help you with the EPSO challenge and sooner or later, to celebrate your success.
In these challenging times, it’s time to take care of your beloved ones and of yourself, but also there is an opportunity to start (or keep) your next steps on the EPSO competitions. Sooner or later everything will come back to normality, those who took advantage of this time will have better chances of succeeding.
We are really happy about this (the candidates even more). And that’s why we share it with you.
Ya semos europeos 