Finding an international job in brussels: The EU selection process

EPSO is more than just the personnel office of the EU. It's the agency which runs the selection process across the EU.

Selection for non-intern jobs in the EU is competitive, in the most literal sense. In addition to the normal methods of selection, EPSO operates a rigorous but fair competitive formal selection process. This selection process is an important, and growing, part of international career paths in the EU, as new member states enter and the EU expands. The EU selection process is based on the principle of equal opportunity from the advertisement stage onwards. To illustrate the selection process: EPSO advertises a 'Notice of Competition' for a position.

Only eligible EU citizens may apply for the job. In addition to basic eligibility criteria, the applicants must also meet specific criteria related to the job.

Pre selection tests are held for the position. The basic EU tests include verbal and/ or numerical reasoning, knowledge of the European Union, and linguistic abilities.

This stage is followed by a written test, a panel interview, then an oral exam, usually held in Brussels.

The series of tests mean that literally, only the highest scoring people are considered. This is where the lengthy selection process pays off, for the EU as an employer and the successful candidates. From the test results, a 'reserve list' is created, of those people eligible to fill vacancies as the arise.

The reserve list is used for a limited period of time, but it's usually long enough for the candidates to be placed in a job.

For increased fairness, some member states have created resources for EU citizens to have some exposure to the selection process prior to actual exams. EPSO itself doesn't provide these materials, nor does it guarantee any validity of the preparatory courses. The French site, CeeS, Centre des Etudes européennes de Strasbourg, is a good example of the concept of preparation. The website contains a lot of essential information about the EU and its institutions. This sort of general knowledge is obviously necessary in terms of the examination requirements. CeeS also includes current news, and a range of products for those studying the EU in more depth. This page, for example, http://www.etudes-europeennes.fr/ contains a range of information including materials under consideration for the EU budget of 2013. The EPSO selection process may be long and tough, but it's also an insight into the nature of international careers at their most formal. Everything about EPSO's methods is based on the nature of the international workplace. There's no doubt that it's the first truly international standardized selection process. Not everyone gets selected, but those that do enter a truly international career.

There are many other paths to an international career in Brussels, though. Internships and traineeships are also part of the possible itinerary of the international careerist. Really, there are as many opportunities as there are possible employers.