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European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has just released their EPSO/AD/315-320/15 Notice of Competition – that is Translators for Finnish, Hungarian, Latvian, Polish, Portuguese and Slovak languages to be recruited as permanent staff within the various EU Institutions. The deadline for registration is 1 September 2015, giving applicants just over one month to apply.
A multilingual organisation like the EU needs high quality translations and relies on professional linguists to keep it running smoothly. As a translator, you will support and strengthen multilingual communication in Europe and help citizens understand EU policies.
Successful applicants will be based in Brussels or Luxembourg. New staff will be provided with support and assistance to relocate and offered a comprehensive remuneration package, including pension and health insurance. The following reserve lists have been advertised:
- EPSO/AD/315/15 — Finnish-language (FI) translators (AD5)
- EPSO/AD/316/15 — Hungarian-language (HU) translators (AD5)
- EPSO/AD/317/15 — Latvian-language (LV) translators (AD5)
- EPSO/AD/318/15 — Polish-language (PL) translators (AD5)
- EPSO/AD/319/15 — Portuguese-language (PT) translators (AD5)
- EPSO/AD/320/15 — Slovak-language (SK) translators (AD5)
Notice contains 6 competitions, each of which has 2 options. Applicants can ONLY apply for ONE competition and only ONE option. It is important to note that applicants will not be able to change their choice once they have confirmed and validated their online application form.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates will need to have:
- EU citizenship.
- At least 3 years’ completed university studies attested by a diploma.
- A perfect command of the language of the competition (C2).
- A thorough knowledge of English, French or German (C1).
- A thorough knowledge of another official EU language (C1).
Please see the Notice of Competition for details on the language combinations and qualifications needed per competition.
Pre-Selection
If you validate your application form within the deadline you will be invited to sit a series of computer-based MCQ tests in one of EPSO’s accredited centres. The results of the numerical reasoning test will not be taken into account in the overall total score. However, you must reach the minimum pass marks in all tests in order to be able to qualify for the next stage of the competition.
The computer based multiple-choice question tests will contain the following:
|
Tests |
Language | Question | Duration | Pass Mark |
| Verbal Reasoning | Language 1 | 20 questions | 35 min | Verbal + abstract combined: 15/30 |
| Numerical Reasoning | Language 1 | 10 questions | 20 min | 4/10 |
| Abstract Reasoning | Language 1 | 10 questions | 10 min | Verbal + abstract combined: 15/30 |
| Language Comprehension | Language 2 | 12 questions | 25 min | 6/12 |
| Language Comprehension | Language 3 | 12 questions | 25 min | 6/12 |
Translation Tests
If you meet the eligibility requirements according to the data in your online application, and if you scored one of the highest total marks for the computer-based MCQ tests, you will be invited to sit two translation tests in one of EPSO’s accredited centres. You must score one of the highest total marks in these tests to qualify for the next stage of the competition.
Assessment Centre
Those who scored the highest on the preliminary tests will be invited to attend the Assessment Centre for 1 day, most probably in Brussels, where you will take tests held in your language 2. Eight general competencies, each marked out of 10 points, will be tested at the Assessment Centre through three tests: oral presentation, competency-based interview and group exercise. The marks for these tests will be combined with the marks already received for the translation tests to give candidates their overall score
Make sure to ALWAYS check the official Notice of Competition and understand the rules relating to the exams. For full details on the profiles and the selection procedure 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.
Online EU Training offers a wealth of practice materials for all stages and levels of the EU institutions’ selection exams, as well as FREE E-books, webinars and e-learning materials to help you excel. If at any point you have a question or need additional help in understanding the EPSO processes, please do not hesitate to contact us. So plan your preparation and start practicing right now!
Want to see what these EPSO pre-selection exams look like? Try our FREE EPSO Exam Demo.
Useful reading:
The Classical Way Of Singling Out Wrong Answers: Abstract reasoning - finding the wrong answer
The Magic Of Rounding And Estimating: One Numerical Reasoning Tip That Will Save You 20 Seconds per Question
Words Won’t Bring You Down: How To Become An Expert In Verbal Reasoning
The Visual Way Of Singling Out Wrong Answers: Abstract reasoning - finding the flow
Secrets Of EPSO Numerical Reasoning: Percentages and Percentage Points
How To Solve Those Abstract Reasoning Nightmare Questions: Abstract Reasoning - Visual Overload
Download FREE E-books on reasoning tests of the AD exams.