EU Concours

Concours or EU concours is a recruitment competition and examination to select staff to all institutions of the European Union.

Explanation of open competition

According to the web site of the European Personnel Selection Office, whose mission is to organize and administer open competitions to select staff for recruitment to all institutions of the EU, all permanent staff for the EU institutions are recruited through open competitions (commonly referred to as concours in all languages, originally referring to the French public administration's recruitment exams).

Number of applicants

These attract a very considerable number of applicants from all over Europe.

Permanent positions

Passing the competition is the principal way to become a permanent official in an EU institution. Other smaller competitions may provide an entry route to the select few.

Temporary positions

Regarding non-permanent jobs like temporary agents, a similar selection takes place.

Open competitions

EU open competitions are published in the C series of the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union.

Specific conditions

The OJ gives the specific conditions and requirements for each published competition, along with an indication of the number of post available.

A third level diploma is normally required, and EU citizenship. Candidates must have at least two EU languages – mother tongue and a second language. The Concours tests both languages.

There are usually 3 stages to each competition.

· Pre-selection Tests
· Written Tests
· Interview

The pre-selection tests normally cover

– EU knowledge- extensive subject matter knowledge can be required
– Verbal reasoning
– Numerical reasoning
– Specific knowledge related to the particular field of the competition applied for (e.g.: scientific/ human resources/ law etc.)

The candidate normally has to take the pre selection test in the second language. It usually consists of multiple choice questions.

Written tests involve essay-type exams and candidates may have to write something based on analysis of information provided. The first and second language may be required.

The interview may test both languages.

Examination centres are frequently set up in each member state – sometimes more than one centre in larger countries – but the interviews are generally held in Brussels or Luxembourg.

Positions available

Regarding the number of positions, it is always stated in the notice of competition.

Reserve list

This number indicates how many successful candidates will be placed on the reserve list, however, it does not guarantee that all of them will actually get a job.

Successful applicants who withdraw

Many candidates change their minds throughout the application process, so positions that appear to be filled sometimes become available.

Ways to prepare

There are a number of practical steps you can take.

General information

• European Voice – Up-to-date news in the EU
• EU Observer

Fact sheet

• European Parliament Fact Sheets – The EPs no. 1. resource

Practicing

• Online tests and background information related to EU concours
• Online EU Tests Large database of test questions in all domains, study materials and free advice
• Multilingual and multiplayer quiz game about the EU

Forums

• http://epsoforum.com an open, non-commercial p2p (people to people) forum for EPSO competition candidates

Textbooks

• Viaeurope.de – Concours Européens – Guide préparatoire à l'Union Européenne (multilingue)
• EUbookshop.com – seller of important textbooks
• The Ultimate EU Test Book – test book in this field
• EUR-charts visualisation – Essential EU Law in Charts / in Text – graphic representations of EU law in the form of charts/diagrams
• The Online book for EU competitions – The most updated and comprehensive materials to pass EU concours

Summary of legislation

• ScadPlus – EU summary

Oral examinations

• Succeeding in the EU Oral Examaminations – The reference book on the EU Oral Examination process

On line simulations

• European Career Portal – EPSO-style online tests and modules and downloadable materials
• pass EU concours – Online test simulation, statistics, ranking list
• EU Exams – Online tests
• Online EU Tests EPSO-style exam simulation, Europe's largest question database
• AdAugusta EPSO-style multiplayer quiz game

External links

• eu-epso.blogspot.com – Information on EPSO open competitions
• * Succeeding in the EU Examinations - Information on the EU oral examinations