The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is your starting point for EU job applications. Rather than hiring for individual roles directly, the EU conducts annual competitions, or ‘concours,’ to build pools of qualified candidates. Positions are then filled from these pools as needed.
Visit the EPSO website to explore job openings and upcoming competitions. To apply, create or log into your EPSO account. EPSO handles various recruitment types:
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AD Concours for General Administrators
This competition is for graduates with an honours degree and proficiency in at least two EU languages, including one specified for the competition. Irish is an official EU language.
AD Concours for Translators, Interpreters, Linguists, Lawyer-Linguists
For these roles, candidates must pass an additional language test to demonstrate their skills in at least three EU languages.
AST Concours for General Assistants
This competition targets assistants and secretaries and requires a secondary education and at least three years of work experience. Proficiency in two EU languages is also needed.
Before Applying
Create an EPSO account and complete preliminary questionnaires and sample tests. This helps you gauge if a career with the EU is right for you. Note that EPSO does not use these test results for selection but for self-evaluation.
The Main Steps of the Competition
The competition process typically involves:
- Posting a Notice of Competition
- Self-assessment of eligibility
- Reasoning tests and, if applicable, a digital skills test
- An EU knowledge test or Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ), followed by a written test for those who pass
- Eligibility checks
- Placement on a Reserve List, a database of successful candidates
Check your EPSO account frequently for updates and details on the selection process. For further assistance, contact the EU Jobs section at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
FAQs
How do I start applying for an EU job?
Create an EPSO account on the EPSO website to view job opportunities and apply for positions.
What types of positions does EPSO recruit for?
EPSO recruits for general administrators, translators, interpreters, linguists, lawyer-linguists, and general assistants, each with specific qualifications and language requirements.
What steps are involved in the EU job competition process?
The process includes a Notice of Competition, self-assessment, reasoning and possibly digital skills tests, an EU knowledge test, written tests, eligibility checks, and placement on the Reserve List if successful.
How to Apply (Alternative)
Use the Search Button below to begin a search, the next page contains offers available just for you and then click on any results shown to Apply.
