October 2010

Online
Application
Manual

http://www.eu-careers.eu
 CONTENT

1. Introduction: Tips to help you with your application 3

2. The epso account 4

3. The interactive tests 6

4. The on-line application form 7

A. Registration Data 7

B. My Profile 8
1. Education and Training 8
2. Professional Experience 8
3. Language Skills 9

C. Motivation and Strengths 9

1. Experience 9
2. Interest 9
3. Your Contribution to the EU 9
4. Strengths 10

D. Eligibility 10
1. General Conditions 10
2. Specific Conditions 11

E. talent screener 11

f. Overview 11

g. Declaration 11
—2—
 1. Introduction: Tips to help you
with your application

This Manual will help you while you apply for the competition or selection procedure that
interests you. It will guide you through all the stages of the on-line application procedure.
It is divided into three parts:
;; How to create an EPSO Account
;; A guide to the Interactive Tests
;; How to apply for a competition or selection procedure.
You can print the manual or open it as a separate page to consult on-screen.

Here are five tips to help you with your application:

1. You will need to have an EPSO Account before applying.
2. Read the Guide to open competitions and the Notice of competition1 or the Call for expres-
sion of i­nterest carefully.

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3. Check that you have all the necessary documents at hand (qualifications, contracts of
employment, references etc.) and start your on-line application in good time. You may need
several hours to complete it. Don’t forget to save it regularly!
4. A
 ll the boxes marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed or you will not be able to validate
your application.
5. Validate your application before the deadline. Before validating it be sure to check
all the information you have entered. After validation you will not be able to
change or delete it.

The Guide to open competitions is only applicable to open competitions and not to other selection procedures.
1
 2. The epso account

The EPSO Account is the electronic interface between

you and EPSO. It holds your personal details, allows
them to be updated, keeps a record2 of the applications
that you have validated and enables EPSO to communi-
cate with you. As EPSO will not send emails or reminders
to candidates we advise you to check your EPSO account
regularly.
You can create your EPSO account at any time, even if
there are no competitions or selection procedures open.
Go to https://europa.eu/epso/application/passport/
It is strictly forbidden to have more than one EPSO account. If you already have an EPSO
Account please use it for all new applications. Creating more than one account will cause
problems accessing those accounts and may lead to your being excluded from the competition
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or competitions concerned.
If you think you have more than one EPSO account you should contact EPSO. Go to https://
europa.eu/epso/application/passport/webform.cfm?usertype=1&lang=en&langsub=ok

Creating your EPSO account

EPSO Login (user name)
Your login is important. It is used to identify you when you log in to your EPSO account. Choose
a login that is easy to remember, your email address for example. You can check to see if the
login you have chosen is available by clicking on this icon “ ”. If you forget your login you can
find it again via the website.

Password
Choose a password with at least eight characters. Try to make it one you can remember easily.
You will be asked to enter it a second time. If you forget it you can reset it via the website.

Personal information
You should enter information about yourself, including your first name, your surname and your
date of birth. Make sure the information is the same as on your passport or identity card or on
any other valid official document bearing your photograph that you use to prove your identity.
You will need to show this at EPSO’s request.

Main Language
Your main language (language 1) must be one of the 23 official languages of the European
Union.

In accordance with Personal Data Protection regulations.

2

For further information go to http://europa.eu/geninfo/legal_notices_en.htm#personaldata

Citizenship
Your citizenship must be the same as that shown on your passport, identity card or other valid
official document.

Second Citizenship
If you have a second citizenship you should enter it in the box intended for this. It also must be
the same as shown on your passport, identity card or other valid official document.

Your Residential Address

This must be the address where you currently live. It must be updated whenever you change
your address. This address will be used later in the selection process to calculate any contribu-
tion to your travel expenses, should this be applicable.

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Your Email Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers
You should use a valid email address. Please give the international and area codes for telephone
and fax numbers.

Saving your personal data

If you have completed all the information correctly please save by clicking on the button.
Your EPSO ­account has been created.
If you have to make changes to your Family name at birth/Family name/Date of birth/Citizenship
send us, by email (EPSO-PERS-DATA@ec.europa.eu) or fax (No +32 (0) 2 2979617), a copy of
an official document justifying the change (copy of your passport, national identity card, legal
decision, etc.).
Once your request has been accepted by EPSO, the change will be visible in your EPSO
Account. Please note that your request for change of personal details will be denied if no
proof is provided within five days.
All subsequent changes to your personal information, residential or email address must
also be saved in your account.
 3. The interactive tests

According to the competition or selection procedure chosen you may have to undertake
one or more of the following tests (they are a series of ­multiple-choice tests3):
;; Verbal reasoning
;; Numerical reasoning
;; Abstract and logical reasoning
;; Situational judgement
To assist you in preparing for the admission tests we have provided interactive tests which are
designed to help you gain an understanding of the nature of the computer-based admission
tests and the level of difficulty that you will be faced with depending on the competition or
selection procedure that you have chosen. They are available in English, French and German
only. To make best use of these interactive tests we recommend that you take them in a
language other than your main one (language 1).
Please note that for some competitions there may also be admission tests in your main
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language (language 1) and even, for some competitions for linguists, in your second and third
language. EPSO provides a separate interactive test in order to help you assess whether your
knowledge of the language chosen as your main language (language 1) is sufficient for the
level of difficulty of the competition.
We strongly recommend that you try the interactive tests before starting your on-line
application. In some cases it will be compulsory for you to take them before starting the on-line
application.
There is no penalty for wrong answers given in the interactive tests. At the end of the tests EPSO
will give you feedback to help you decide whether to apply. EPSO does not record or use the
results of these tests.

The languages for the admission tests will be indicated in the Notice of competition or Call for expression of interest.
3
 4. The on-line application form

Before starting your application please check that all

the details in your EPSO account are correct and up-to-
date.
Please note that EPSO’s systems do not support all
features of all Internet browsers. If you have problems
we suggest you try another browser. If you have tech-
nical problems more help is available in the “Frequently
Asked Questions” (FAQ) section of our website.
To start your on-line application please go to the “Apply Here” section of the website and click
on “Apply today” in the menu on the left of the screen. Then choose the type of competition or
selection procedure for which you wish to apply.
You should complete the on-line application form in English, French or German.

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A. Registration Data
Check that you have chosen the right competition or selection procedure and the right field,
option and/or channel.
Please be aware that as soon as you start your application, the system will give you a tempo-
rary reference number (T-XXXXX). When your application has been validated this number will
change to your actual application number. Your application number will appear on the screen,
at the top of the form. It is the same as the temporary reference number but without the “T”.
You should enter the number of your passport, identity card or other valid official document
bearing your photograph that you will use to prove your identity when asked to do so by
EPSO.
For certain competitions or selection procedures, you are requested to indicate the city in which
you are likely to take the admission tests. This choice may be changed when you register for the
actual tests.
Choice of Languages
You should pay particular attention to this part. The choices you make here will determine
in which languages you will have to take the different stages of the competition or selection
procedure.
Your main language (language 1) is the language of which you have, at least, a thorough
knowledge (level C14). It must be one of the 23 official languages of the European Union. It
can be your mother tongue or another language of which you have a thorough knowledge
(level C14). For some competitions, you will need to have a perfect command (level C24) of this
language.

4
There is a self-assessment grid on the EUROPASS website to help you evaluate your skills. Go to http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/europass/home/
hornav/Downloads/CEF/LanguageSelfAssessmentGrid.csp
 You should have at least a satisfactory knowledge (level B24) of your choice for language 2. For
some competitions for linguists, you will need to have a thorough knowledge (level C14) of it.
It must be different from language 1.
Usually language 2 is the one in which you will take the admission tests.
For some competitions, selections or calls for expression of interest, notably linguist competi-
tions, other language skills may be requested. Again, please refer to the Notice of competition
or Call for expression of interest.
For more information about the choice and the required level of languages you should refer to
the Notice of competition or Call for expression of interest.

Special requirements
If you need any special assistance when taking part in the tests please indicate this here. You will
need to send a certificate from the competent authority or a medical certificate to “EPSO
—8—

Accessibility” in order for your request to be taken into consideration. For more information go to
http://europa.eu/epso/discover/selection_proced/equal/index_en.htm

B. My Profile

1. Education and Training

You should enter each stage of your education or training
(provided you have a certificate for it). Start with the most
recent. Make sure that you include the qualification that
gives you access to the competition or selection proce-
dure. It is not necessary to mention your primary school-
ing. You should concentrate on the qualifications that are
most relevant to your application.
If you are currently following an educational course and
you think that it is important to mention it for the competi-
tion or selection procedure you can enter the information
in the section “Motivation and Strengths”.

2. Professional Experience
If professional experience is required you should describe
all the jobs you have had that you consider relevant to
your application, starting with the most recent.
If you are looking for your first job you can mention any
contact you have had with the working environment, such
as work experience or work placements.
If your professional experience is on-going you should choose “Today” (at the bottom of the
calendar) as the end date. Professional experience gained after the closing date for on-line
applications will not be taken into account.

3. Language Skills
You must enter here all your language skills even though you have already entered certain
languages in the first part of the application form under the section “Registration Data”. You
must enter your main language (language 1) here too.
To remind you – you must have at least a thorough knowledge (level C14) of your main
language (language 1) and a satisfactory knowledge (level B24) of your second language. EPSO
does not take into account any languages where your knowledge is at level A1.4

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C. Motivation and Strengths
This information is very important as your answers will be read by the Selection Board and may
be used at subsequent stages of the selection process. Please take time to think carefully about
how you want to present yourself and what you want to write here. You may use up to 2000
characters (including spaces) in each of the four sections.

1. Experience
How is your education and experience relevant to this particular profile?

2. Interest
You should explain why you have decided to apply for work in the European institutions/
agencies.
You should also explain why this particular profile interests you.

3. Your Contribution to the EU

What specific contribution do you think you could make to the work of the European
institutions and agencies?
 In what role could you best contribute?
What particular strengths would you bring to your work?

4. Strengths
Outline two of your main achievements. Describe what they are, the process you went through
and their positive outcomes for you and for others.
For AD and AST3 competitions or selection procedures you should describe a project or activity
that you were involved in and where you undertook a leading role or made a decisive contribu-
tion. Set out the main steps and explain your input from the beginning to completion.

D. Eligibility
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In order to be able to validate your application you have

to fulfil these conditions. Click on the button in each
case.

1. General Conditions
You need to fulfil all the conditions when you apply.
For condition a you will need to prove your citizenship
with a valid official document (passport, identity card or
other valid official document).
For conditions b, c and d, no proof will be required at this stage. You will need to provide proof
upon request before recruitment.
a. I am a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union.
b. I enjoy my full rights as a citizen of the European Union.
c. I have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service.
You must have already fulfilled any military service obligations required by your
Member State. If you do not have military service obligations you should answer
“yes”.
d. I meet the character requirements for the duties involved. For detailed information
concerning character requirements please see “Title II” of the Staff Regulations:
Rights and Obligations of Officials. Go to http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/
en/consleg/1962/R/01962R0031-20060701-en.pdf
 2. Specific Conditions
You will also need to prove (with diplomas and/or contracts of employment), when asked to do
so5, that you fulfil conditions e and f.
e. I meet the minimum requirements concerning Qualifications as specified in the Notice of
competition/Call for expression of interest (including professional experience or training
if applicable).
f. I meet the requirements concerning Professional experience as specified in the Notice of
competition/Call for expression of interest (if applicable). If no professional experience is
required you should answer “yes”.
The specific requirements for qualifications and experience for each competition or selection
procedure are set out in the Notice of competition or Call for expression of interest.
g. I meet the language requirements as mentioned in the Notice of competition/Call for ex-

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pression of interest. Please refer to Section 4.A. Registration Data.

e. talent screener
This section is not applicable for all competitions or selection procedures. If you have chosen a
competition or selection procedure for specialists you will be asked to answer a series of ques-
tions aimed at evaluating the relevance, quality and level of your qualifications and experience.
You may use up to 2 000 characters (including spaces) in each of the sections. This information
will be used in the first step of the selection procedure during which the Selection Board will
select the best candidates who will be invited to the assessment centre.

f. Overview
You have an overview here of all the information you
have entered. If anything is in red it means you have not
filled it in correctly. You will need to complete it in order
to be able to validate your application. All obligatory in-
formation must be completed.

g. Declaration
You must click on the button “validate application” for it to be validated and taken into account.
Please remember that after validation you will not be able to change anything because the
application will be processed by EPSO. It is at this point that you will be able to see your actual
application number at the top of the screen. From this point on you will not be able to delete your
application.

5
Unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Competition (see the section “How to Apply”)
 Everything you enter in your online application form must be accurate and comply with the
supporting documents that you provide when asked to do so.5 EPSO informs you that should this
not be the case, your application for the competition or selection procedure will be considered
null and void.
For those competitions or selection procedures with admission tests you will receive a letter in
your EPSO account giving you information about the tests and the booking procedure. You will
have to book an appointment for your test by the deadline indicated in that letter.
To print your on-line application form click on the button “Print application form”. A new window
will open with a printable version of the form.
Unless it is otherwise stated in the Notice of competition, EPSO will inform you via you EPSO
Account when you need to:
;; print out,
;; sign (your signature must be handwritten),
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;; attach supporting documents and

;; submit
a copy of your application form.
You will be able to view your application form via your EPSO Account at any time throughout
the selection process.
If you have any questions please look at the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section on
the website. If you do not find the information you need there you can contact the Candidate
Contact Service. You will find the details on our website.
EPSO wishes you good luck!
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