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With around 70% of drafting carried out in English, first language English speakers are in high demand in the EU institutions. In the last round of recruitment, UK citizens made up less than 1.5% of applicants, and just seven were successful. Under-representation of Britons within the EU civil service is a growing problem, and that’s why the UK Government has been running a campaign to increase the number of British citizens applying to work for the EU.
The application process runs in three stages – an online registration, pre-selection computer-based tests and a day in an assessment centre. The candidates first register online and once the online application form has been accepted, they take a series of computer-based cognitive tests (numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning, and situational judgement tests). The first three tests will be available in all 23 EU official languages and candidates can sit them in their main language.
Those with the best scores will then be invited to an assessment centre in the autumn, and anyone who gets through could be starting their new career by the beginning of next year.
Overall the 2011 selection procedure will be aiming to identify around 300 successful candidates to become new EU officials, serving the interests of over 500 million citizens across Europe. The competition is accessible via the EPSO website. The registration period closes at midday CET on 14 April 2011.
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