“Joining the European civil service has been a challenging but rewarding path. Since I joined the Italian Naval Academy when I was 19 years old, I have been working for our seas and oceans in several different roles in the Italian administration and international institutions. 

Succeeding in the EPSO selection procedure allowed me to work in many central areas of EU policy making, from maritime safety to fisheries control, passing through marine research and international cooperation for healthy oceans. The opportunities an EU career offers are immense, in a fast-paced, stimulating, impactful, and truly international environment. 

My advice for future candidates would be to get deeply into the policy priorities of the European institutions, and prepare continuously over time, with weekly slots dedicated to study and preparation. I would also suggest engaging yourself in many different topics, as the more diverse your experience, the more chances you will have to succeed.”

“If you want to work in an international environment, handling topics relevant to the citizens of the European Union and beyond, then joining an EPSO selection procedure is the right step for you. 

There are all sorts of myths and anecdotes about it, and for sure it can be challenging. But the opportunities that you have once you’ve passed a competition are definitely worth the effort. 

For the procedure, make sure to use all available sources to prepare; sometimes there is even dedicated preparation support by your Member State. Approach it smartly by being confident about your strengths and actively working on elements you need to improve.

 Within the institutions, I am now working on climate change in the international context, an area that I love to work in – made possible through the EPSO selection procedure.” 

“An EU career seemed so unreal to me when I was a teenager, living in a nice Central European countryside. Fortunately, reality proved me wrong. A few years after completing an Erasmus Mundus Master programme, I managed to pursue my EU career. First as a Blue Book trainee, then as an interimaire, and later as a contract agent; eventually, I successfully passed a specialised AD competition in 2022. Patience was the most important quality in this journey. Thanks to it, I am now (7 years after my Blue Book traineeship), a team leader in DG Agriculture and Rural Development, dealing with a flagship report – EU Agricultural Outlook. And it is exciting for me to know that this is just the beginning of my professional journey in the EU institutions!”

“Don’t wait for the perfect competition (it doesn’t exist!)

Keep an eye on the EU Careers website for upcoming competitions. If something fits your profile, give it a try! Each EPSO competition I failed taught me a lesson that I used in the next one.

Don’t get lost in the details

Remember, being an expert on a subject is one thing; demonstrating it in a limited amount of time and within a structured format is another. Take the time to understand the procedure, tests and expectations. Prepare yourself to clearly and concisely demonstrate your knowledge.

Be prepared for when you receive the ‘I am pleased to inform you’ letter

Passing an EPSO competition is just another step in your career. It is important to know what you want to do next, so that you have the first-move advantage. My target was to work in an EU Delegation, so having identified the position that I was aiming for and getting familiar with the process definitely helped me secure a position shortly after the publication of the results.”

“My journey within the EU institutions started 5 years ago with my Blue Book Traineeship at the European Commission. Not only did I experience firsthand the communication actions of the Commission’s Representation in Bucharest, but I also learned more about EPSO’s selection procedures and the opportunities for young people that EU offered. This was also the time when I applied to the Generalist Administrator competition. After many hours of studying and practicing interview topics, with a pandemic in between, I was finally successful and closer to my dream of working at the EU institutions and making a difference in people’s lives. As a policy officer at DG Research & Innovation in the European Commission, I am working on a challenging and very interesting file: the simplification of the Horizon programme. My advice for future candidates is to stay focused on every step at a time, prepare well in advance for tests and interviews, and, most importantly, remember that perseverance is the key.”

“My name is Mio, and I am Croat. I like Luxembourg very much since, although very modern, it is still developing and there is always something new to experience. My fear of languages disappeared since I found here a multilingual culture so, missing to speak some of the languages is completely normal

Before I became a Safeguards inspector, I was working in Nuclear Power Plants and in one research center on positions where improving the nuclear safety was the most important goal. After joining the EURATOM inspectors’ team in Luxembourg, I learned a lot about Nuclear Safeguards, and this made a big shift in my perception of the nuclear world. This job is enormously important. It has a high level of responsibility, a fair level of independence and a lot of inspections around the EU to fulfil my idea of a great job.

Moreover, the work environment with colleagues who are always happy to share their experience and take some time for new colleagues, make this job even greater.”

“I studied translation and worked as a translator, but back in 2013 the EPSO translation competition wasn’t even on my radar. Passing it was a welcome twist in my career. Now I get to work with some of the best translators out there, diving into the kind of topics that constantly make the news. Climate neutrality, artificial intelligence, gender equality – you name it, we translate it. Here at the Commission, we play an active role in shaping the world we live in (as well as the language we speak!). It’s never boring either: my browser search history is all over the place, a true badge of honour for any translator. It is a job that helps you grow immensely, both as a professional and as a person. But don’t just take my word for it – apply and see for yourself. In bocca al lupo! (EN: good luck!)”

“It is very exciting to participate in such an important policy area as energy, which has a direct impact on our daily lives and those of future generations. As a lawyer who has always been passionate about transnational legal issues, I find it particularly fascinating to be involved in the shaping and application of Euratom law. The working environment is very stimulating and enriching, as it allows for a constant exchange of views with people with a very diverse mix of competences and backgrounds. Luxembourg is a unique place. A capital at the centre of Europe with a very distinctive international vibe, where one can hardly feel like a foreigner.”

What does an EU auditor do?

An EU auditor assures that taxpayer money is spent correctly and that it gives real value to EU citizens.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I enjoy the most is the different kinds of actions taken by the EU and that I get to audit them. Every day you get to learn something new, and I find that really exciting.

One tip for someone considering applying to the audit competition?

I would suggest getting to know the programs and the actions taken by the EU, getting sense of the overall picture of what’s done and how it’s enacted in the member states and across the world.

Viggo, Auditor

Country of origin: Sweden

Luxembourg is the place to be for anybody interested in EU Law, since it is the seat of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Court offers job opportunities and traineeships for people from all the Member States, both with legal and other backgrounds. Did you know that the Court also offers unique ways to make use of your national university degree, such as becoming a lawyer-linguist? As a lawyer-linguist, you make sure that the documents that the Court produces are legally correct in your own language. If you have a law degree from any of the Member States and foreign languages are your thing, you and the Court could be a match made in heaven!  

Of course, Luxembourg is so much more than the Court. Indeed, it is easy to fall for this continuously developing and ever-changing gem of a country. It has a multilingual and multicultural population, perfectly organised sports and cultural events, great diversity of restaurants, up-to-date facilities for spare time activities, modern and free public transport system, beautiful landscapes and a fairy-tale capital, the old part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Have you ever run a marathon at dusk in a carnival atmosphere, gone hiking in the Ardennes, eaten Gromperekichelcher at Schueberfouer, visited Éimaischen or celebrated Bretzelsonndeg? If not, it is about time to make it happen and come to Luxembourg!