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.

2,067 Comments

  1. riviere

    [ to Ob – you do not address any of the points I made – did you see my lengthy post a few paragraphs up? ]

    TO ANYONE WITH INSIDE KNOWLEDGE:

    I have been sent an automatic e-mail inviting me to update my CV online [ re Relex exam which I passed just over a year ago – not a peep heard since then].

    Does anyone know whether this serves any useful purpose? I mean, do the CVs get looked at at all?

    Or is there any more targeted way I can find out which Delegations have ( or shortly will have ) vacancies for Pol. Adviser postings ?

  2. @netprince and etni

    I sat the FG IV on food security, rural development and environment.

    I almost agree with netprince in all his answers, except some verbals. Here I put what I think are the correct answers:

    EU test:

    1b, 2c, 3d, 4b, 5a, 6a, 7b, 8c, 9b, 10d, 11b, 12c, 13b, 14c, 15d, 16c,17d, 18a, 19b, 20c, 21d (?), 22(?), 23d, 24c, 25 b.

    I think questions 21 and 22 are wrongly formulated.

    Verbal and Numerical

    26b, 27b, 28d, 29c, 30d, 31d, 32c, 33a, 34d, 35c, 36a, 37a, 38a, 39d, 40c, 41d, 42d, 43c, 44d, 45c, 46a,47d, 48c, 49a, 50 (a and c), 51c, 52b, 53(?), 54d, 55b.

    I wrote to EPSO, complaining about questions 21 and 22 within the EU test, and also questions 50 and 53 regarding the V&N. I also disagree with some competence questions.

    Good luck!

    Rafik

  3. Pedder

    Just out of curiosity: does anyone know the minimum number of points required to be included in the “top 1440” of the preselection tests of the audit competition EPSO/AD/126/08 ??

  4. obnoxious

    Sorry riviere, I sent my reply a few days ago but it apparently didn’t get published…

    I get your point but, by taking a job in a delegation in a country which doesn’t have any kind of even remote interest to me, I would therefore lose any chance of getting a job in another delegation for at least three years.

    Also, apparently, delegations like to keep their staff members and don’t like having to pay relocation packages. I could therefore have completely lost any chance of getting a job elsewhere.

    As I said earlier on, I’m not particularly picky about where I would like to work. The only part of the world I have no interest in (no disrespect there, it’s just a matter of tastes) is Central Africa. Any job in Asia, Europe, Northern and Southern America would suit me.

    This being said, if indeed RELEX people are regulars on this forum, I would be glad to find out about the current and upcoming vacancies for Admin officers 😉

  5. stefano

    For what is worth, here’s my two pence worth: while it’s true that nepotism does indeed exist and always will, I’d still advise anyone to take up an assignment in developing/least developed countries’ Delegations. You do learn a lot and in the end that’s why (most of us) choose this job as opposed to working at the local Post Office. You’ll be much more satisfied at the end of the day, much more than those ‘friends and family’…unless you aspire being one of them, in which case WE don’t need you : )

  6. frustrated

    Obnoxious,

    It sounds like the nepotism practised in national diplomatic circles… family and friends start off in Paris/New York/… outsiders either don’t get a chance or are requested to move to Pristina, Jerevan, Kinsasha, Nairobbery (sic) or some more of those touristy places 😉

    I guess most of those jos call for a neo-colonial mindest anyway.

  7. riviere

    Ob, with respect, I think you are v v unwise to reject the Angola interview out of hand.

    Luanda would not be my first choice ( that would be Central America, New York, Mozambique – in that order) but bottom line: if I were offered an interview for a suitable posting in that location: I would grab it with both hands!

    For a start, Angola is no longer war torn.

    Secondly, I imagine the post would be in Luanda, the capital, which has some beautiful beaches within reach.

    Thirdly, you would I must assume, be offered sufficient housing allowance to be able to rent a decent apartment ( often the flats expats live in are far far superior in space and facilities to those they can afford in Europe or the States) .

    Fourthly, in these postings, there can be an interesting social life, comprised not only of colleagues in the Delegation, but also other expats (it is a capital city – there will be lots of embassies / aid workers and so on ) and hopefully ( this would be up to your own efforts) local, well educated Angolans.

    It would be an opportunity to learn Portuguese.
    In short, it could be a really interesting way of spending a couple of years in itself.
    Additionally, once ensconced in such a posting you have an opportunity to earn plaudits and a good reputation as a solid, reliable worker – and to make the necessary contacts which will lubricate your moving on to Delegations in a couple of years’ time in countries you would prefer.
    [ Though you never know: for all its problems, Africa sometimes grows on people.]
    If the offer of the interview is still available I strongly suggest you pursue it, and whilst doing so carry out further research on Luanda.
    This from the Washington Post starts you off:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-adv/specialsales/spotlight/angola/article8.html

  8. Hi everybody,
    Is there anyone for FG III audit/finance..? I would like to exchange info about the relex tests. I think I did well on v&n and EU, but in the competence.. not really satisfied 🙁 ..

  9. obnoxious

    @etni

    I know, my post was only a reply to this comment :

    Netprince 6 Aug 2008

    Etni with your “amazing” score you are largely inside :)) So dont worry for that…really….
    Now we need only to wait september and wait…and wait..a call from Bruxelles :=)

    Getting a high score doesn’t guarantee you a job, or even an interview for that matter…

  10. @ obnoxious

    I don’t think anyone here – after reading everything on Cast 27 relex – have any high expectations with regard to this competition. again, it’s better to be on some list than on none. i think you were quite lucky to get at least one offer – think of all those who didn’t get a single invitation. I understand you didn’t have Angola on your list of preferred countries on your el. CV, but you got offered the post anyway?

  11. eucandidate

    Hi there,
    has anyone had the RELEX 2008, FGIV Finance/Contract/Audit Advisor and wants to compare answers?
    Thanks.

  12. obnoxious

    Angola…

    Out of every place on Earth, I am interested in working almost everywhere, except in Central Africa… And of course, the only offer I get is in that particular place and in a war-ridden country… *sigh*

  13. riviere

    Dear Ob

    Out of idle curiosity may I ask which country in Africa you were offered the interview in ?

  14. obnoxious

    To CAST RELEX hopefuls :

    I passed CAST 27 RELEX last year (FGIII, admin officer) with a very high score (above 85%) and I have only received a single interview offer (for the one part of the world I have no interest in, Africa… I wouldn’t mind the other 4 continents though).
    So, saying that getting a good score guarantees you a job is just wrong.

  15. @ netprince

    sure you’ll pass this year!

  16. netprince

    no etni just for 1 question my total was 59.2%
    I just hope to be more lucky this year :))

  17. @netprince

    8 competency questions had issues? that’s really a lot!

    did you pass last year?

  18. netprince

    no they will neutralized and they add a point. So the averaged required will be the same in the same basis of 105 questions: 25+30+50
    Last year in cast 27 1N in Eu and 8 N in good gov and sec. Were neutralized with a start basis of gitf 8 points.

  19. @ damawand

    I will definitely do so and hope more people will write to them – the more of us complain, the more chance they will look at this seriously.
    agree with your reasoning but seems like epso follows own rules as always. which is not bad for us in this case, to get extra points.

  20. damawand

    to etni and others who are now double-checking their answers for cast relex

    Have you written to epso about questions that you think are not correct and should be removed? This will not be done without candidates bringing problems to their attention.

    Write a short note to them about questions that you double-checked and that are wrong. This reaction is needed.

    What happens to questions that are finally invalidated? Most probably they are removed and than the final score is counted on the basis of a smaller number of questions. E.g. if there were 50 questions and one is invalidated, then the final score is counted as if there were 49 questions in total. Giving a point for a question that is finally invalidated would not be logic.

  21. waiting for a call is the part i’m really not optimistic about. sorry not to be positive on this one 🙂 but of course it’s better to be on some list

  22. Netprince

    Etni with your “amazing” score you are largely inside :)) So dont worry for that…really….
    Now we need only to wait september and wait…and wait..a call from Bruxelles :=)

  23. @ Netprince

    I end up at 23/25 for EU

    I haven’t gone thoroughly through verbal questions since exam, but if you are right, my total V&N score should be 20/30 excluding those 3 problematic numerical questions

    competency exam 32/50 excluding 4 problematic questions although for 41 I’m almost sure it’s a, we had a discussion here on this earlier I can look up the link again

    so we should be be able to pass this (if no mistakes on the optical form etc…). considering epso weighting of questions to reach the global total 60 %, for each correct eu quesion, we get 0.8 points and competency & v&n questions are ‘worth’ 1 point.

  24. Netprince

    Sorry Etni i have saw now :))
    Look concerning your doubt in spec. comp:
    33 is for sure C and 36 is A (if you want i can search again the docs for you)
    I am also agree about 46 and 54 i think we have a possible of neutralized.
    For the moment if is like that i am at 20/25 eu 23/30 V&N 28-29/50 on spec. comp.
    I dont put in my count the possible N
    What is your situation?

  25. @Netprince

    I’ve posted them already 🙂 see few posts above, same page

    are you going to send a letter/email to epso about these inaccuracies? what did you think about Q 46 and 54 of Numerical, do you agree there are several ways of interpreting 54 and some inconsistencies in 46 as people wrote on epsoforum?

  26. Netprince

    Etni can you post all your 50 answers you think correct for good gov and sec?
    Thanks
    Notes: 20,30 39 and 41 are “under risk” to be neutralized :))
    Sure will be more harder but better to be inside then not :))

  27. Netprince,

    that will also mean that more people will pass = harder to get a job since there will be more of us.

    I agree for 50 it is b in competency test; in Numerical, 50 has two correct answers – Ireland and France are both above 12 %.

  28. Netprince

    Ciao Etni,
    yes when the question is neutralized they add 1 point :))) i can confirm!!!

    Are you agree with the 50 in good gov?

  29. @netprince

    I agree with your answers to eu questions – except for 14, where I would go for c.

    Thanks for noticing that there are two correct answers for Q 30. Having in mind that for Numerical test alone 3 questions are likely to be neutralised (46 and 54 next to 50, see here http://epsoforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=517&sid=3af42bf8b68a955da5aa10eb8a746e50), this brings us to total of 5-6 questions for good gov & sec profile that epso will have to disregard. Can someone confirm that we will get those marked as correct answers?

  30. netprince

    dear tanya from 1 ho 25 were the same question. So you can check with mines.
    Ciao

  31. ups, my answers were on COMP FG IV – Adviser – Operational Section – Economic, Private Sector and Trade Development. Seemed to be different form the “gov / sec” one.

  32. riviere

    Bit of a longshot but – does anyone know of any vacancies existing or upcoming in any of the Delegations for someone who has passed the Relex Political Advisor tests ( in 2007) and who is also a qualified lawyer ?

    I have emailed Delegations in the past with zero result but it would be easier to target them if one knew they actually had a vacancy to fill……

  33. Netprince

    Hi guys my profile was the FGIV good gov and sec. I will post to you the 25EU (verify at 90%) the V (verify at 90%) and the comp. good gov and sec (verifiy at 95%)

    EU: 1b 2c 3d 4b 5a 6a 7b 8c 9b 10d 11b 12c 13b 14a (maybe c) 15d 16c 17d 18a 19b 20c 21d 22a 23d 24c 25b

    V: 26c 27b 28a 29c 30d 31d 32c 33a 34d 35c 36a 37a 38a 39d 40c 41d 42d 43a 44d 45c
    Concerning N i prefere don’t say nothing a part 50 who can be c and a :))

    COMP:
    1d 11a21b31c41a
    2b12b22c32b42d
    3a13c23b33c43a
    4b14c24d34c44c
    5d15a25a35b45b
    6a16a26c36a46c
    7b17c27c37c47c
    8b18b28b38c48a
    9b19b29a39c(?)49a
    10c20a(???)30a&b40c50b

    Notes: 20 can be neutralized (not clear) 39 can be neutralized (mistake of convention) 41(not clear and the convention dont say esactly nothing about a or b or c or d).
    30 is so strange because a & b are correct look here :

    http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/g…r/index_fr.htm

    De 2007 à 2013, le programme thématique d’investissement dans les ressources humaines et l’instrument pour la démocratie et les droits de l’homme dans le monde soutiendront les activités de promotion de l’égalité entre les hommes et les femmes et de la responsabilisation de la femme.

    From 2007 to 2013, the thematic programme Investing in People and the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights worldwide will support activities promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    Please post your comments.
    Night
    Netprince

  34. @ stefano

    on 39 – epso (or colleagues in relex :)) mixed up two conventions – european and international one on the same matter. damawand (see page 47) found this. For the international one, entry into force year is indeed 1970, but not for european one. are you sure about 22 and 23? I just double checked DG Dev’s website, tourism is not one of the priority areas for Joint EU-Africa strategy. Also, wasn’t johannesburg summit on environment and sustainable development? which leaves us with Monterrey conference for 22.

  35. stefano

    Thanks guys, here are my double checked answers (I believe with an accuracy of 90%!) for the GF IV gov/sec test:

    1 d
    2 b
    3 a
    4 b
    5 d
    6 a
    7 b
    8 b
    9 b
    10 c
    11 a
    12 b
    13 c
    14 c
    15 a
    16 a
    17 c
    18 b
    19 b
    20 a
    21 b
    22 d
    23 d
    24 d
    25 a
    26 c
    27 c
    28 c
    29 a
    30 a
    31 c
    32 b
    33 c
    34 c
    35 b
    36 a
    37 c
    38 a
    39 b
    40 c
    41 a
    42 d
    43 b
    44 c
    45 b
    46 c
    47 c
    48 a
    49 a
    50 b

  36. Hi Stefano,

    attached are my checkings to RELEX, FG IV, COMP (but also not double checked):
    1d, 2b, 3a, 4b, 5d, 6b, 7b, 8a, 9b, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13c, 14c, 15a, 16a, 17c, 18b, 19b, 20a?, 21b, 22d, 23b, 24d, 25a?, 26d, 27a, 28d, 29c?, 30c, 31b, 32b, 33a?, 34a?, 35a, 36a?, 37a, 38c, 39b, 40a, 41b, 42c?, 43c, 44b, 45b, 46d, 47b, 48d, 49c, 50d.

  37. @stefano

    not double checked, but some checking brings me to these:

    1-d, 2-b, 3-a, 4-b, 5-d, 6-a, 7-b, 8-b, 9-b, 10-c?, 11-a, 12-b, 13-c?, 14-c, 15-a, 16-a, 17-c, 18-b, 19-b, 20-a??, 21-b, 22-c, 23-b, 24-d, 25-a, 26-c, 27-c, 28-b, 29-a, 30-a?, 31-c, 32-b, 33-c or d??, 34-c, 35-b, 36-a or c??, 37-c, 38-c, 39-no correct answer (see previous page on this forum), 40-c, 41-a?, 42-d, 43-b, 44-c, 45-b, 46-c, 47-c, 48-a, 49-a, 50-b.

  38. frustrated

    @ Breach,

    We both know the length of the procedure leading up to the establishment of reserve lists isn’t the real problem… the real problem is in the opaque weeling and dealing once the list is out… not suprised their little survey didn’t pick that up as they left it out of the scope ;-). What could have solved that is a set of statistics regularly monitoring the time it takes a given person broken down by nationality, sex,, previous working experience at the commission… to land a job once the a list was out. This might have made public what most people suspect, especially as regards those scandalous practices at DG relex (get a buddy in, let him sit one of those 60% passing rate comps and grant them an indeterminate perk courtesy of tax payers).

    I gather there will be annual AD comps from now on; won’t tell what I’m thinking now…… read all about it in some Cresson II report 15 years from now, after which a Kinnock II will step into the picture.

    Sad really…. only thing I rejoice at is that the commission pension fund willl be floating tits up and they’ll be begging the EU Parliament for money the next 20 years and that Parliament might have noticed how Joe sixpack resents the eurocrats with a vengeance.

    Aaargh ferk it…. my balls need a scratch and my stomach needs a belch.

  39. stefano

    Hi there,

    Anyone got a complete and double-checked answer sheet for the 2008 GF IV Gov/Security test? I’d like to share and compare. Best whishes to all those who undertook the EPSO ‘grilling’ this year…With all its downsides, the Commission’s a great employer.
    Cheers

    Stefano

  40. Teagan

    Hello,

    Anybody out there taking part in the AST/37/07 competion : Assistants in the field of communication and information?
    Any idea when we’ll get the results of the written test?
    Would you like to share thoughts on this subject : oral test, candidate profiles, missions,…?

    Cheers,

    Teagan

  41. elmira

    I am going to a Delegation and I have been in touch with them, we even decided on the date together.
    And yes, after the official offer I confirmed it immediately.
    I just don’t have the contract itself.

  42. @Elmira,
    the offer is a firm offer, you can confirm practical arrangements from the day you receive it.
    Have you not been in touch with your unit to confirm everything is OK?
    to answer your question, I work at the Commission.

  43. thanks to all of you who provide helpful answers and let newcomers profit from their experience.

    My question:

    I have seen postings of Temporary agents I am interested in.
    The question is does an outsider (never worked for the EC) really has a chance to get in as a temporary agent ?

  44. elmira

    My profile is Secretary and there are more vacancies in this profile available. At one time I was starting to thing that there is no chance and shortly after that I received 4 invitations for interviews. I was succesful on the second and even refused the next two.
    So, you will receive invitations, just need to be patient.

  45. I also passed CAST 27 ( as communication officer), but I did not get any kind of employment at EU…

  46. @griet

    Did you receive the welcome document for the beginners? “Welcome to the European Commission, your new…” In this document it is stated that on the first day you will meet first of all somebody from DG ADMIN, and then you can go to your unit. This is the theory,the practice could be different 😉
    So I would also contact my HoU and talk to him about it.
    And yes, there are some courses for the newcomers.
    Elena

  47. elmira

    Thank you so much Elisa, I really feel better now. Are you working in a Delegation and how you understood with sure that you can orginise your travel (some kind of confirmation or what)?

  48. Elmira,
    you will receive your contract only once you have started. I think they normally hand it to you on the day you start although in my case I received it a few days later.

  49. Hi,
    Has anyone else applied to jobs at the european chemicals agency (ECHA)? Anyone heard anything?

    Thanks
    AQ

  50. elmira

    Thank you very much for the email of ADMIN 4. The thing is that I passed CAST 27 and on 23 June received the official proposal of employment. The date expected for taking up my duties is 4 August and I haven’t received the contract yet.
    Does anybody knows when I can expect to receive it and isn’t it too much late?

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