2017 EPSO CAST Competitions Released!

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has just released the notice for 2017 EPSO CAST Expressions of Interest, calling forward applications for contract agents in multiple fields of expertise.

There is no deadline to submit you application since the CAST competitions have been changed to an open-ended selection procedure.

What are the different Profiles and Function Groups?

The different “function groups” relate to different levels of responsibility, and hence, salary.

You can apply to as many CAST profiles and/or function groups as you like, there are no limitations with this (and will not affect your ability to participate in any other EPSO competition either).

These open competitions will recruit contract agents based on the EU agencies' needs in the following areas of expertise:

Finance

EPSO/CAST/P/5/2017 (Finance, FG II)
EPSO/CAST/P/1/2017 (Finance, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/2/2017 (Finance, FG IV)

Project Management

EPSO/CAST/P/3/2017 (Project/Programme Management, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/4/2017 (Project/Programme Management, FG IV)

Secretaries/Clerks

EPSO/CAST/P/6/2017 (Secretariat/Clerical Tasks, FG II)

Administration/HR

EPSO/CAST/P/7/2017 (Human Resources/Administration, FG II)
EPSO/CAST/P/8/2017 (Human Resources/Administration, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/9/2017 (Human Resources/Administration, FG IV)

Communication

EPSO/CAST/P/10/2017 (Communication, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/11/2017 (Communication, FG IV)

Political Affairs / EU Policies

EPSO/CAST/P/12/2017 (Political Affairs/EU Policies, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/13/2017 (Political Affairs/EU Policies, FG IV)

Law

EPSO/CAST/P/14/2017 (Law, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/15/2017 (Law, FG IV)

Information and Communication Technology

EPSO/CAST/P/16/2017 (Information and Communication Technology, FG III)
EPSO/CAST/P/17/2017 (Information and Communication Technology, FG IV)

Please see ANNEX I of the Notice of Competition for specific information about the typical duties to be performed per profile.

Click here to view the 2017 CAST Information Webcast

Successful applicants who are recruited will mainly find posts based in Brussels and Luxembourg, with a limited number of contracts in other EU cities and in EU delegations worldwide.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates will need to satisfy the following:

Have EU citizenship
Fulfilled any military service requirements
Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned
Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages – will be defined as your Language 1
Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of either English, French or German and must be different from Language 1 – will be defined as your Language 2
Qualifications & Work Experience for Function Group II & III:
- Completed post-secondary education attested by a diploma, OR
- Completed secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education + a minimum of 3 years’ relevant professional experience, OR
- Where justified in the interest of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level
Qualifications & Work Experience for Function Group VI:
- 3 years completed university studies attested by a diploma, OR
- Where justified in the interest of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level

Selection Process

1. REGISTRATION

Those candidates interested in being considered for any contract job opportunities at the EU Institutions can now apply via the EPSO website.

Please note: You must fill in your application form in your chosen Language 2. That is – English, French or German.

2. PRE-SELECTION

As needs arise, EPSO's recruiting services team will search the pool of applications, to compile a shortlist of candidates whose skills and qualifications best match the requirements of the job being recruited for.

Please note: your will need to indicate your on-going interest in this procedure by updating your application at least once every 6 months. This is to ensure that your application remains active and visible to the recruiting services team.

3. SELECTION TESTS

Only candidates pre-selected by EPSO's recruiting services staff will be invited to sit a series of reasoning and competency-based tests for the relevant profiles and function groups.

With the CAST competitions, validating your application does not automatically mean you will be invited to the selection tests.

The computer based multiple-choice question tests will contain the following:

Function Group II & III

Tests	Language	Question	Duration	Pass Mark	If successful, results valid for
Verbal Reasoning	Language 1	20 Questions	35 min	10/20	10 years
Numerical Reasoning	Language 1	10 Questions	20 min	Numerical + Abstract score is combined 10/20
Abstract Reasoning	Language 1	10 Questions	10 min	Numerical + Abstract score is combined 10/20
Competency Test	Language 2	25 Questions	50 min	13/25	5 years

Function Group IV

Tests	Language	Question	Duration	Pass Mark	If successful, results valid for
Verbal Reasoning	Language 1	20 Questions	35 min	10/20	10 years
Numerical Reasoning	Language 1	10 Questions	20 min	Numerical + Abstract score is combined 10/20
Abstract Reasoning	Language 1	10 Questions	10 min	Numerical + Abstract score is combined 10/20
Competency Test	Language 2	25 Questions	50 min	16/25	5 years

You will need to attain the required pass marks in the Verbal Reasoning and combined Numerical and Abstract Reasoning tests to succeed. Your Competency Tests will only be marked if you pass the Reasoning Tests.

If you have already made it to this point, don't blow it! Make sure you plan your preparation and factor in at least 6-8 weeks of practice so you can perform well even under these strict time pressures. Check out our practice test offering.

If you pass...

You will not have to sit these tests again for the following period of time:

Reasoning Tests: results will remain valid for 10 years, for the same or lower function group(s).
Competency Test: results will remain valid for 5 years for the chosen profile in the same or lower function group(s).

If you fail...

The following will apply:

Failed the Reasoning Tests: you will not be invited back again for a test of the same or higher function group for the next 6 months.
Failed the Competency Test: you will not be invited back again for the test of the same or higher function group within the same profile for the next 6 months. However, your scores in the reasoning tests will be retained.
Please note: once the 6 month period has elapsed, you are not automatically entitle to re-sit any failed tests. You will only have the chance to re-sit it, if you are pre-selected again for a vacancy.

4. RECRUITMENT TESTS

If you pass the required Reasoning and Competency tests, you will be invited to an interview, conducted by a selection panel, to assess:

the suitability of your qualifications
your professional experience
linguistic knowledge.

In certain cases, the recruiting services may also ask you to undergo other forms of evaluation, for example a written test, a practical test or a simulation.

5. RECRUITMENT

Those candidates who are successful in all stages mentioned above, may receive a formal employment offer.

How to apply

Make sure to ALWAYS check the official Notice of Competition and understand the rules relating to the exams and selection procedure. For full details on the profiles, function groups and the selection procedure, please read the official Notice of Competition and the General Rules Governing Open Competitions to ensure you have the required qualifications and satisfy the eligibility criteria before applying.

To start the application process, please click here

You may also be interested in joining the 2017 EPSO CAST Exams Facebook group, where you can interact directly with other candidates undertaking this competition.

Are you new to EPSO Competitions?

EU Training offers a wealth of practice materials for all stages and levels of the EU institutions’ selection exams - including the CAST competitions.

Check out our FREE E-books, webinars, webcasts and e-learning materials to help you excel.

If you have a question or need additional help in understanding the EPSO processes, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Want to see what these EPSO Pre-Selection exams look like?
Try our FREE EPSO Exam Demo

Unsure how the EPSO selection process works?
View our sort video - ‘New To EPSO Competitions’