Assistants in different fields

Jan 9 2013

Assistants in different fields: frequently asked questions

Please read our first set of FAQs.

CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION
I am interested in and technically eligible for a few different fields. I know I can’t apply for more than one but do I have a better chance in one over another?
You should apply to the field you are most interested in, and to which your experience is most relevant. Demand is probably high for all of them.

Could my professional experience possibly be taken into account in the context of the competition?
It is for the selection board to decide, within the framework set by the notice of competition, if professional activities carried out can be considered as the professional experience required (including any experience acquired during a traineeship, doctorate, masters or other studies).
To come to this decision, the selection board interprets the concept of professional experience required only in the terms of the competition in question, as set out in the description of duties (see notice of competition) and not in terms of national legislation, as this would inevitably lead to differences in treatment between candidates of different nationalities.
Professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.

Could activities carried out in the context of a doctorate, masters or other studies be considered by the selection board as professional experience?
It is for the selection board to decide, within the framework set by the notice of competition, if professional activities carried out can be considered as the professional experience required (including any experience acquired during a traineeship, doctorate, masters or other studies).
Candidates must clearly specify the period of studies – masters or doctorate – during which they have been in real paid employment (in the sense described below) and if such employment was for the whole duration of these studies. If not, the actual duration must be specified. The selection board will only take into account periods of real paid activities.

Professional activities performed as part of a doctorate, masters or other postgraduate studies can be considered by the selection board as professional experience if the following two conditions are met:
1 – they are genuine and effective, excluding any small scale research activities carried out during studies that would be purely marginal and ancillary
2 – they are paid, even if the level of remuneration is low, below the guaranteed minimum wage, and regardless of the source of earnings (employer, government, foundation or other) or the sui generis nature of the employment relationship (employee or not) under national law.
Professional experience is relevant only if acquired after the diploma giving access to the competition was obtained.

Will my diploma be accepted?
It is for the selection board to decide, within the framework set by the notice of competition, if your diploma can be considered relevant.
We do not have a list of all possible diplomas and we cannot therefore give you advice on individual cases. We would however suggest you to carefully read the annex on the chosen field as it contains useful information on the accepted diploma.

How many EU languages do I need to speak?
You need at least 2 languages: your first (or main) language which is normally your mother tongue and must be one of the 23 EU languages; and a second language that must be English, French or German (this second language must be different from your first language). You must have a thorough knowledge of your first language and a satisfactory knowledge of your second language.
The assessment centre tests will be in your second language.
To give you an idea of the required knowledge, you can check the following web site:
http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/hornav/Downloads/CEF/Languag
eSelfAssessmentGrid.csp?loc=en_EN

I’m not a citizen of one of the 27 EU Member States. Can I apply?
No, you must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union to apply.

How many places are there on the reserve lists?
We are looking for the following number of successful candidates per field:
Audit: 25
Finance/Accounting: 45
Economics/Statistics: 40
These numbers are based on the needs the EU Institutions expressed prior to the publication of the competition. The reserve lists constitute a pool of potential recruits which are valid, in general, initially for about one year. The validity of reserve lists may be prolonged by EPSO according to the needs of the Institutions. Being on a reserve list does not guarantee your recruitment by the Institutions.

What is the salary range for these posts?
You will find basic salary grids in the following document:
http://eurlex.
europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:338:0001:0006:EN:PDF

MY ONLINE APPLICATION
Can I modify the content of my application once it has been validated?
You can no longer edit your application, as EPSO immediately processes data once it’s validated.

Where can I apply?
After reading the documents published there, you can start the online application at
http://europa.eu/epso/2012/assistants/index_en.htm

I have some difficulties with filling in the application form.
Please check the online application manual. You will find there many tips to help you register your application.

Can I fill in the application form in my mother tongue?
The application form must be completed in English, French or German.

Do I need to send you my diplomas and other documents relating to my professional experience?
You will be invited at a later stage via your EPSO account to submit your supporting documents.

FURTHER QUESTIONS?
If you cannot find an answer to your question in any of our pages, please send us your questions either by posting it on www.eu-careers.info or via our online web form where you should select the subject title “On-going competitions for permanent officials”.

By Nathalie - EU Careers • Assistants - 2012 cycle, AST3 2012 • 103