Leaves are beginning to change colour, pumpkin spice is in the air and EPSO competitions are going full tilt. A HUGE AST3 comp was just released, and... well read on to see what else is in store for this month.
Quick Links
--> COMPETITIONS IN PROGRESS
- AST3 (EPSO/AST/154/22)
- EXTERNAL RELATIONS (AD5 / AD7)
- HEADS OF ADMINISTRATION IN EU DELEGATIONS
- MARITIME AFFAIRS & FISHERIES (AD6)
- LAWYER-LINGUISTS
- PROOFREADERS/LANGUAGE EDITORS
- TECHNICIANS (AST)
- CAST
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Upcoming EPSO Competitions
ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELDS OF ENERGY, CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
EPSO will be releasing this AD6 competition in mid-October.
To help candidates understand the selection process of this particular EPSO competition and the best ways to prepare effectively for each phase, EU Training will hold an interactive information webcast where you can ask questions directly from EPSO expert Andras Baneth.
You can register for the LIVE information session here - it's FREE!
Before submitting your application or beginning to prepare for any EPSO competition, it's really a good idea to get at least a basic understanding of the specifics of each EPSO selection phase, so you can implement these useful insights into your prep schedule.
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IN PROGRESS...
Here is the list of competitions currently in progress and in varying phases of EPSO selection exams.
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ASSISTANTS (EPSO/AST/154/22)
EPSO released a huge competition on 22 September 2022 with six profiles:
- Financial management
- Accounting and treasury
- Public procurement
- Graphic design and visual content production
- Social and digital media
- Webmaster
Applications must be submitted no later than 12 noon on 25 October 2022. The Computer-Based Tests will be used as classic pre-selection exams, which means the pass mark is not enough and only candidates with the highest scores will have their applications screened for eligibility. The Assessment Centre phase will include a Field-Related Interview (FRI), a Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) and a Case Study (CS).
Important dates >>>
- Deadline for application. 25 October 2022, 12:00 PM (Brussles time / CET)
How to prepare >>>
EPSO will only publish indicative dates after the application deadline. Until then here are some ways you can start preparing. Methodology webinars are a great way to get familiar with the Reasoning Skills tests.
- PRE-SELECTION PHASE:
- Beginner's Guides (free)
- Pro Tips (paid)
- ASSESSMENT CENTRE PHASE
- Understanding EPSO Competencies & Values (free)
- Case Study Insights (paid)
Helpful resources >>>
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Get an overview of this competition with helpful tips and an in-depth look at the Notice of Competition by watching this recording of the live information session - 2022 EPSO AST3 Competition - Information Webcast
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Talk to other candidates about this competition - join any number of EPSO AST Exams Facebook groups:
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ADMINISTRATORS IN EXTERNAL RELATIONS (EPSO/AD/382/20 - AD5 / AD7)
Candidates who made through the Talent Screener phase are now in the midst of this competition's Assessment Centre stage. The AC for this competition includes the following exams: Competency-Based Interview (CBI), Field-Related Interview (FRI), Case Study (CS) and a Written Test in the Field (WT).
Important dates >>>
- Assessment Centre exam period
- mid-September 2022 to end of November 2022 (indicative) for AD5
- beginning 10/2022 - mid 11/2022 (indicative) for AD7
- 4 October 2022 - Case Study and Written Test (happening both in test centres and remotely proctored, depending on what candidates chose)
Here's how to prepare >>>
Some candidates have already participated in our interview simulation sessions. Here's feedback from a participant who participated in the 16 September 2022 FRI Simulation with Jan de Sutter: "Concrete and structured feedback provided. The trainer was professional and proactive. I would recommend because it brings momentum to and is an important milestone in my preparation work."
- The next session is on Friday, 30 September at 9 AM - secure your spot here:
- More online training sessions are available for both the Competency-Based and the Field-Related Interview - browse the selection here.
- Explore methodologies to get the highest scores, get practical advice on how to prepare for these types of interviews and how to present the information assessors are looking for --> EPSO Competency Based Interview Insights (inc. Field-Related Interview) Webinar
- Case Study practice with or without evaluation - take a look here.
- For a detailed overview of the Case Study you may want to purchase this Case Study Insights webinar, it offers useful tips on how to structure your time and manage difficulties.
More helpful resources >>>
- Talk to other candidates about this competition: Join the EPSO Administrators in the field of External Relations Exams Facebook group.
- Understanding EPSO Competencies and Values - free video
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HEADS OF ADMINISTRATION IN EU DELEGATIONS ( EPSO/AST/153/22 - AST4)
Applicatons for this competition closed TODAY as of 12 noon (Brussels time). The next step will be the Pre-Selection phase, which means Computer-Based Tests. These tests typically begin about 45 days after applications close and last for approximately four to six weeks. What we also know from the Notice of Competition is that the Assessment Centre will include these exams: Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI), Field-Related Interview (FRI) and a Case Study (CS).
Important dates >>>
- Deadline for application is 27 September 2022 at 12:00 pm / Brussels time (CET)
- Try to get your application submitted a couple of days before then, because if there is a technical issue, you'll have time to sort it out. So set your deadline for 25 September 2022.
Here's how to prepare >>>
Since we don't know any indicative dates yet, here are some resources that will be useful for you once the dates are released by EPSO. Methodology webinars, for example, are a good way to get familiar with the Reasoning Skills tests.
- PRE-SELECTION PHASE:
- Beginner's Guides (free)
- Pro Tips (paid)
- Practice Test Questions - Once you know the dates for your CBT you can start practicing for the reasoning skills tests.
- ASSESSMENT CENTRE PHASE
- Understanding EPSO Competencies & Values (free)
- Case Study Insights (paid)
- Get to know what the interviews are like, and how you can improve your performance --> EPSO Competency Based Interview Insights (inc. Field-Related Interview) Webinar
- Closer to your actual exam you can join an online training session, like the Field-Related Interview Simulation or an SCBI Workshop
- You can already get a feel for what the case study will be like by practicing on our site.
Additional resources >>>
- Get an overview of this competition with helpful tips and an in-depth look at the Notice of Competition by watching this recording of the live information session - 2022 Heads of Administration in EU Delegations Information Webcast
- If you haven't yet make sure to join the dedicated Facebook Group for this competition.
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ADMINISTRATORS IN THE FIELD OF MARITIME AFFAIRS & FISHERIES (EPSO/AD/397/21 - AD6)
The pre-selection phase ended in June and the Case Study took place in September. The in-progress Assessment Centre exams includes a Competency-Based Interview (CBI) and a Field-Related Interview (FRI).
Important dates >>>
- The Assessment Centre period started in mid-September and goes until the end of November 2022 (indicative)
Here's how to prepare >>>
Online training sessions are available for this competition and we've already received some nice feedback from a participant who took part in 23 August 2022 FRI Simulation for the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries comp with Ticiana Tucci: "Ticiana is knowledgeable, a good communicator, provides useful and constructive feedback and treats us with care and respect. I would recommend it because it was useful to have a flavor of what to expect from the interview and how to prepare it."
- The next FRI is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 AM - register here.
- Online training sessions are available for both the Competency-Based and the Field-Related Interview - browse the selection here.
- Explore methodologies to get the highest scores, get practical advice on how to prepare for these types of interviews and how to present the information assessors are looking for --> EPSO Competency Based Interview Insights (inc. Field-Related Interview) Webinar
- Case Study practice with or without evaluation - take a look here.
- Get expert tips on how to structure your time and manage difficulties - Case Study Insights webinar.
More helpful resources >>>
- If you haven't done so yet: join the Administrators in Maritime Affairs & Fisheries - EPSO Exams Facebook group.
- Understanding EPSO Competencies and Values - free video
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LAWYER LINGUISTS (AD7)
- GREEK - EPSO/AD/376/20
- FRENCH - EPSO/AD/377/20
- POLISH - EPSO/AD/378/20
Candidates had their translation tests in September. The Assessment Centre tests - Competency-Based Interview (CBI), Field-Related Interview (FRI) and Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) will take place in October.
Important dates >>>
- The Assessment Centre exam period will begin some time in October 2022 according to the EPSO website..
Here's how to prepare >>>
- Online training sessions are available for the Competency-Based Interview - browse the selection here.
- Explore methodologies to get the highest scores, get practical advice on how to prepare for these types of interviews and how to present the information assessors are looking for --> EPSO Competency Based Interview Insights (inc. Field-Related Interview) Webinar
More helpful resources >>>
- Join the converstation: EPSO Lawyer-Linguists Facebook group.
- EPSO's New Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) - What To Expect
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PROOFREADERS & LANGUAGE EDITORS / EPSO/AST/148/21
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Estonian
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Irish
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Portuguese
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Spanish
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Italian
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Greek
The eligibility check and selection based on the Talent Screener has ended. The booking period for Computer-Based Tests is over too. Coming up next is the pre-selection CBT and the Assessment Centre. The AC will include both the competency-based interview (CBI) and the situational competency-based interview(SCBI).
Important dates >>>
- The testing period for the EPSO CBT lasts two days, starts on 17 October, ends on 18 October. This is applicable for both in-person testing in test centres and remotely proctored testing.
- Candidates proofreading and correcting skills will be tested from 31 October 2022 until 4 November 2022
- The Assessment Centre exam period varies for each profile, so make sure to check your specific competition's EPSO page for official dates.
Helpful resources >>>
- Get to know what the interviews are like, and how you can improve your performance --> EPSO Competency Based Interview Insights Webinar
- EPSO's New Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) - What To Expect
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TECHNICIANS (AST)
- Audiovisual and conference technicians - EPSO/AST/150/21 - 1
- Building technicians - EPSO/AST/150/21 - 2
- Laboratory technicians - EPSO/AST/150/21 - 3
The Assessment Centre exam period for Audiovisual conference technicians & Building technicians began in September and lasts until about mid December 2022.Laboratory technicians will begin their AC phase in mid October 2022.
All three profiles have the Field-Related Interview (FRI), Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) and Case Study. EU Training will be offering SCBI workshops once EPSO releases their SCBI assignment.
Here's how to prepare >>>
Online training sessions are available for this competition and we've already received some nice feedback from a participant who took part in 15 September 2022 FRI Simulation for Building & Laboratory Technicians with Jan De Sutter: "The training session gave a clear presentation and simulation of my interview ahead. The trainer is experienced and good presenter."
- The next FRI Simulation for this competition is Friday, 30 September at 12:30 - still some spots available here.
- Online training sessions are available for the Field-Related Interview - browse dates here.
- Case Study practice with or without evaluation - take a look here.
- Get expert tips on how to structure your time and manage difficulties - Case Study Insights webinar.
- EPSO's New Situational Competency-Based Interview (SCBI) - What To Expect
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EPSO CAST COMPETITIONS
- Educational Psychologists (FG IV)
- Proofreaders (FG III)
- Translators (FG IV)
- Building management (FG II, FG III, FG IV)
- Finance (FG II, FG III, FG IV)
- Communication (FG III, FG IV)
- Political affairs / EU policies (FG III, FG IV)
- Law (FG III, FG IV)
- Information and communication technology (FG III, FG IV)
- Manual and administrative support workers (FG I)
- Child care staff (FG II)
- Project/programme management (FG III, FG IV)
- Administration / Human resources (FG II, FG III, FG IV)
- Secretaries/Clerks (FG II)
The computer-based tests booking and testing periods are continuous for these CAST profiles. We'll focus on just the next dates here to keep it simple.
Important dates >>>
- You can book your slot for a Computer-Based Test between 07 November 2022 and 11 November 2022
- Testing will take place between 14 and 21 November
- Results are announced on 25 November 2022
Here's how to prepare >>>
Get those reasoning skills up to par with our After-Work (17:30 - 19:30) Reasoning Skills Test Series:
- Tuesday, 4 October - Master EPSO Verbal Reasoning Test
- Wednesday, 5 October - Master EPSO Numerical Reasoning Test
- Thursday, 6 October - Master EPSO Abstract Reasoning Test
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Feel free to contact us with any questions on support@support.eutraining.eu and remember to follow us on Facebook!
Good luck on your exams!