The sheer number of comments at the main post ‘So I Won’t Be A Commission Official‘ has been causing problems, so all the old comments are here instead, and hence searchable.
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@Stefano
“EU institutions just ask clear papers and dictate clear rules.”
I am afraid they do more than that; they do call your former supervisors. Moreover, they check your tax declarations directly at the source (revenue services/finances ministry) and the only experience taken into account is the one that matches the tax declarations, that is the periods you paid employment revenue taxes for.
@Stefano
ok! you convinced me! I will go to my former employer to ask an attestation including the time that I work and he didn’t pay me. Despite the fact that I hate him 🙂 He considered it a traineeship. It is important to know that the rules of EPSO do not work like in the private sector and professional experience does not count for EPSO, like professional activities in the pension calculations or tax calculations.
Many thanks for your kind answers!
@Dana
EPSO is always open to consider anything, if you don’t give them the papers, they just consider what they have in their hands.
If I’m writing a competition for people with 10 years of experience and you have 9.80 years, I have all the rights, as EU officer who must follow the rules, to disqualify you on the base of a missing requirement.
I really don’t think it is difficult to understand that rules must be followed. If you are able to proof what you say, avoid to be scared about uncommon procedures, in the EU institutions appeals are quite common, it is in its nature, and you must be prepared to show your papers and sell them in the best way you can and to have a prompt response.
I hope is clear, this is the reason why it is called “competition”.
And don’t expect EPSO to be more flexible, if they include you, they well know they will exclude someone else who will appeal again.
Stefano
A clear case:
imagine you have two contracts in one single period.
Contract 1 – 3 months on 4 hours per day as teacher in a school
Contract 2 – 2 months on 4 hours in another school.
Also if they overlap, the comitee should consider the both contracts as part of working experience.
As a result you should clain (in this specific case) 2.5 months more producing your papers because you have
1.5 months for contract 1 and 1 month from contract 2.
Consider this other case:
Contract 1 – 3 months on 6 hours per day as teacher in a school
Contract 2 – 2 months on 6 hours in another school.
In this case from contact 1 you take 2.25 months.
From contract 2 you will take 2 hours per day for the first two monts (.5).
The result is 2.75
This is subject to proofs that you can give them.
What I’m saying is that any piece of paper can help in this situation.
If the rules are not written, just ask them with a formal procedure. EPSO must be transparent will all candidates. A review of the process is always possible.
Stefano
@Stefano
One more question: any chance that EPSO might consider professional experience specialised post-universitary studies (like Master, DESS, etc.) exactly on the profile of the competition?
@Stefano
Once again, many thanks. I really need these data. Such details are not written in the OJ or rules of competition. They simply say 10 years professional experience.
However, I am not sure that I understand you correctly. Are you saying that the third contract (job) part time (as press correspondent) might help more than a full-time job? From the three jobs , two of them are overlapping at some time.
Dana,
please try to understand that EU Commission/Institutions are quite formal.
What usually pay during competition, is the fact it is really complicated:
1 – If you had part-time jobs you must ask to your employer to declare the number of hours you were working weekly for them. The EU institutions recognize only a quota of them as working days.
If you were working 12 hours per day it was only 8 hours anyway.
The fact that you take a pension right in you own country, doesn’t mean the EU institutions will break their rules.
If you have all the papers, or if you have a way to produce documents to declare your 2 working months and to prevent to be excluded, you can do an appeal procedure and I’m sure you will be taken into serious consideration.
FYI the United Nations has a procedure which is so strict that obblige them to check every single reference speaking with your direct superior. EU institutions just ask clear papers and dictate clear rules. I’m not trying to protect them, just to say they are not flexible, so don’t expect flexibility from them, just use their rules to solve the problem. Appeal is there for this reason.
Stefano
@Stefano, Kostas, penko, etni
Many thanks for your comments. The issue is : if I pay full taxes for the 2 full-time contracts for different jobs with different employers , I also get pension from both of them, I have payslips every month, why is not this good enough for EPSO? My problem is that I have to cover some months when I have worked immediately after graduation and I wasn’t paid for all the time that I have worked.
I also have a contract for 2 years as free-lance like the third job, with payslips, attestation, lots of articles published, etc. etc.
I mean why do I pay taxes if the work experience is not recognised? Why do I get pension from these contracts?
@kostas, Dana, all
You are right, only one period is accepted if they overlap each other.
Generally it is clearly written in the competition rules.
Another note about the professional experience: I had the same problem for two months, and FYI you have one month after results pubblication to appeal, otherwise you accept the thing like it is.
If you have something against the decision, please, open an appeal procedure, to speak here is a good way to spread knowledge, but not a way to “solve” your immediate problem.
Another note: papers stating a freelance status can be accepted if they are originals and generally if declared in your CV, in all other cases, in respect to the regulations and to the other candidates, they cannot be accepted.
About the two months, sorry to say that the rule is most of the times quite clear. If they say 10 years and you have 9y + 10m, you are not elegible for that post.
My personal opinion is that a buffer should be applied, but the comittee has some rules to follow.
This apply also to your competencies, if they requests 10 skills and one is missing, you can be disqualified, also if the one missing is “Attitude to work in an international environment”.
I hope these few lines will help all you to understand a little bit more the selection process and how to improve your results.
Stefano
@Dana
No, I am certain that when there is overlapping of two contracts, (even if they are both full time), only one counts as professional experience.
@Dana
I can also confirm they are very strict when evaluating your work experience. My application was also rejected just recently, not allowing me to sit the written test (grrr….)
If you have any additional evidence (second contract), of course, do supply it.
@Dana
Dana, I can’t say, but seeing how particular they get I would think not. You can email and ask them though, they are usually pretty good at answering.
But, you say they invited you for an interview, so you should be past this point. I was rejected when submitted my full application after the first test.
Let us know what happens, please.
@Penko&Elena
Dear Penko, Dear Elena,
Do you know if EPSO accepts for the missing period of time (like the 2 months) official papers like payslips and work contract coming from a second full-time job ?
Or do they want only 10 years cronologically speaking?
@ Elena & Ana 🙂
Awww I’m sure they’re testing our patience:)))
Thanks for the feedback though! It’s good to know that I’m not alone on this one…
@Elena
Elena, they DO NOT accept less experience. I was just rejected for a written exam because my experience was 2 freaking months less than the 8 years they required.
Everything else was fine, I had the perfect experience for the profile (financial management), 4 languages, masters degree, passed the first test, etc.
@ Ana
A friend of mine (Profile: Scientific Adviser) made a complaint, because one of the topics to be dealt with did not have anything to do with the profile, and I suppose that she is not the only one … Probably this is one of the reasons for the delay.
Thanks, Elena. I just saw the update in the Epso website. Another month to go…
@Dana
I think I fulfill the requirements and I hope that the selection board will have the same opinion 😉
I don’t know if they accept candidates having less experience that required, but maybe someone else has more experience with this kind of competitions and can answer.
@Ana
EPSO wrote today: “… the marking of the competency tests of the candidates in the profiles “Translator”, “Scientific Adviser” and “Graduate Engineer” (all FG IV) is, due to its complexity, still in progress and candidates should receive their final results towards the end of May 2008 and they will be notified by an automated email from EPSO.”
Does anybody know why in the CAST FGIV translation selection there was only one test rather than the two tests used in Open Competitions? Don’t you think this is too easy, considering that a Group IV salary will be paid to people who have only shown ability to translate from one language to another?
One thing is for sure; it will be easier for EPSO to correct one test rather than 2….Could this whole exercise simply be a pretext for “legalizing†Temporary Agent translators, already working, whose contracts are running out? It wouldn’t be the first time EPSO has done something like that.
Hi Margarita,
I am wondering exactly the same thing as you. I am also waiting for the FG IV Translator results and I really hope they publish them today or at least before Friday. I guess that they publish everybody’s results at the same time regardless of whether who has failed or passed.
Well, let’s hope they come back soon with good news…
Ana
Hello everyone 🙂
I was wondering if there’s someone like me around – CAST 27 and still waiting for FG IV Translator profile results. They said end of April and it IS the end of April… Website’s gone dumb 🙂 Have they abandoned the idea of correcting our written exams or what? Or probably I didn’t make it and that is why I have no further information? But noramlly they send you a letter even if you failed… So I’m just a little bit frustrated 🙂
Have a nice day, everyone!
Greetings, M.
@ALBERTCOSSERY
Hello!
My case:
a) Yes
b) FG II – female – EUR 2
called for an interview in October 2007, hired in February 2008
I was invited at the Commission, DG Economy&Finance, for an interview. In fact it was a clear job offer, following my admission in the database of CAST 27, FG IV, Press&Communication (Ro citizenship, EU-12, 34 years) . However I had to refuse, because I couldn’t leave my other 2 jobs as rapidly as the Commission wanted.
The Commission made this job offer simply because I have fulfilled (by chance) the 2 main criteria for their job: have experience in written and audiovisual media and my educational background as an economist.
@ALBERTCOSSERY
Dear friend, I was invited for an interview for an Agency in Bilbao Spain (not for any Institution). I am 41 years old, FGIII, IT officer, and Greek (does this mean I am EU12?).
I think only 1 interview for CAST 27 is not good enough. But anyway, maybe my CV is not the actually a good one, because:
1. I have never lived or worked abroad.
2. I have no experience in any EU organization.
3. I don’t have any certification like Cisco CCNA or Microsoft MCP.
4. I work in IT sector but I have studied physics.
@ALBERTCOSSERY
Hello!
My case:
a) No
b) FG IV – female – EUR 2
(according to some infos from ‘inside’, currently they are looking mainly from FG II-III…)
Morning Jon and others folks.
Firstly congratulations for this very pretty accurate blog !
First time in here.
I wonder ask you, guys, :
a) Is there someone borderlining 40 years old being call after laureate CAST 27 ?
b) If you reply, it would be usefull if you specify FG, SEX and EUR-x group?
My case :
a) No
b) FG IV – Male – EUR12
Dear all,
does anyone know how does EPSO fix the different dates for the oral exam?
I mean: why is my exam in november and not in december’…. Does it follow the alphabetical order, the best previous qualifications, the inscription order?
Thanks…
@Elena
Dear Elena, congratulations for passing the admission tests for HoU! Could you please tell me if you fulfill the 10 years of experience, and 3 years in a management position? Do you think epso will admit people for interview with a smaller nr. of years ?
Hello to all,
I applied for RELEX 2008 FG III AST Administrative Officer.
I have no clue how to prepare for the test.
Can anyone give me some hints please?
@ Penko
I read that you have a PDF of the Ultimate EU Test Book.
Would you be kind enough to send it to my email guidosarolea@gmail.com
Thanks to all and good luck.
I don’t know how, but I have managed to pass the first round of AD/103/07 (HoU with Romanian citizenship).
@Andreea
Dear Andreea, it seems you are an “insider” by now. In an Agency in Italy I recall, aren’t you? And it was a huge change for your life! How do you feel after those months? Was it worth it? All people reading this blog are REALLY interested to see if it worths the effort for getting a job at the EU. Please, tell us a few words!
I would also like to know what they asked on previous CAST Relex exams for either of these profiles:
* Relex IV CAST 2007 Political Matters Adviser
* Relex IV CAST 2007 Good Governance & Security
* Relex IV CAST 2007 Economic, Private Sector and Trade Development
I have a hard time figuring out what to select, ofcourse Political Matters adviser seems the most interesting, but I’m sure I will not be the only one who thinks this way unfortunately. Maybe I should just choose the good governance adviser, reading some of the posts above about EU Human Resources and selection policy the exam would be very short and easy!
@radu
you need to tell us on which list you are, for which grade, e.g. AD 5 and for which competition and field…and which institution, DG and unit will have an interview with you…the content of the interview depends on all that
CAST27 laureate – FGIV – ICT
Any of you asked for an interview regrading CAST27?
What about the Italian vs Comission appeal?
hello everybody
i am on the epso list, and finally was invited to an interview at EU Comm (the last one hopefully). what should i expect, did anyone attend such an interview?
many thanks in advace
Just curious, has anyone from CAST25 got any job offer? Except IT because it seems are most in demand.
@ Diana
I’ve registered for Social and Cultural Issues and also have no clue at all how to prepare.
However, having read comments about the most recent CAST (just few pages back), I’m begining to think there’s really no point in taking this test.
@ Andrea,
Thank You so much for the info. The interview is on Tuesday, so I will come back with some feedback:)
And now that I think of, for me it was also 3rd language (it could have been 4th and there it would have been trouble). I applied in French, my mother language being Romanian, and they tested me in English (because the main language here is English)…but as I said, they can be very nice, or you can surprise yourself! And if they are not nice, do you really want to work with them? Think about that, too…I see a lot of people trying to get in and then wanting to run away…changing places etc…think well of everything, especially if it is a big change in your life and affects more than you 😉
Hope you’re gonna be lucky!
@EV
It’s strange you have to pass the interview on a 3rd language, but this is just a personal opinion…it can also be a good thing, english seems to take it over (no offense)
Anyway, you should be able to talk about you, your previous experience, professional and/or studies, and, why not, understand things like, “it’s sunny today, how do you find the city, would you like to live here, was it hard to find us, what would you do in this or that situation” kind of stuff…and also jokes, my interviewers were quite nice, you never know 🙂
As I already said it, it’s good to be as relaxed as you can, nobody likes stressed people, confident, even if the language is a little rusty…if they like you, it is not the language that will keep them from choosing you! Think that after that, you can improve the language because as far as I know, you can take language courses and they also encourage you to do so 😉
Good luck!
@Ris,
I agree with you I did right more or less 80% of questions but the real selection will be done by test b and c, will see. Good Luck !!
@ Rosa
Rosa, I don’t know if you’re still reading this blog sicne your last entry is from 2007, but I read you have scanned copies of a lawyer-liguist exams and I would like to have a copy.
My email is isabelhg2882@yahoo.es
Thanks a lot!
Has anybody got the Relex 2007 Adviser – Operational Section – Economic, Private Sector and Trade Develoment exam? Do you know what I should study for it? I will be doing the exam in July and I’m a bit lost!!
@Dimitar,
The difficulty of the MCQ part depends on your objectives.
If the aim is to have 50% or little bit more of the questions correct (what is I believe the minimum requirement), the task was relatively easy.
If your aim is to be close to 100%, it becomes very difficult, because:
– the test is very broad and covers many domains
– in some cases however it is very specific and goes in the details of the specific tool or product (BO question)
– sometimes the questions are badly worded (BO question again, Codec question…)
– Sometimes there is more than one answer possible (BO question)
– Sometimes none is completely correct (PDF files are in some way compressed -reduced in size)…
The real aim is to have enough points to go to the second section. And this really depends of how good are others. It is a competition, so you will have to hope that some 200 candidates have done less good than you (not well prepared, wrongly entered the answers in the grid, had bad day, were depressed by the Brussels weather…)
But I think the most difficult part is the written section. Their is even more subjectivity and they might not like your reasoning, your writing, your spelling…
And for the last test, they require 8/10 points, what is really high.
Good luck
@ Penko: can u also please send me the document at d1919@yahoo.co.uk?
Many thanks
@ Ris
Thanks, I think the right answer is A but I’m not sure too. How you found the test, easy or difficult ?
@ Dimitar,
I would say it depends how you understand the expression “design the layout”.
https://bo.omni.fsu.edu/FAQ/65Client.pdf says:
To Create a new report using the Report Wizard:
â– From the Menu bar click -> File > New
– For the Report Layout – Select Generate a Standard Report
– For the Way to Access Data – Select
â– Universe and then Next
â– Select the ‘Training DB in Oracle’ Universe from the list and click Finish ….
So, the first thing here is too choose between a standard layout or a template. Could this be called “Design the querry layout”, I am not sure.
At the end you can “format” your report (so this could also be called designing the layout).
So, I would say:
a) design the report layout (probably)
c) create the universe (possible)
Does somebody have the translation of this question in French or German?
@ Penko: can u also please send me the document at yael.collet@wanadoo.fr
@riviere and anyone who knows about it: do u have any advices for the specific exam of the political adviser position? what do we need to revise?what is it about?
Thanks a lot in advance!
@ Nola, Milda, Andreea
Hi
could you shed some more light on the 3rd language test, please. As the job I will be interviewed for requires good knowledge of 3 rd language I am getting very bit nervous. Shall I prepare some basic topics as interests etc?
Thank you much
Hi Guys! Has anyone registered for the AST internal security?