Main steps of the selection process

Below is an overview of the typical stages in an EPSO competition.

Click each step to learn more.
 

1. Publication of the competition

The process begins with the publication of a Notice of Competition on the EPSO website and in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This is your essential reference document throughout the competition, outlining:

• The sought profile and the main duties
• The eligibility criteria
• The tests involved
• An overview of all competition phases

2. Application

To take part in a competition, follow these steps:

1. Choose the right competition
2. Read all key documents
   Carefully review the Notice of Competition and any supporting information available on the competition webpage.
3. Check your eligibility (optional)
4. Access the Single Candidate Portal
5. Complete and validate your application form
   Fill in the application form carefully and submit it before the deadline.

Select the competition that best matches your educational and professional background.

Use the Experience Assessment Survey Instrument (EASI), available on the competition webpage, to check your eligibility based on your qualifications and experience.
The results are confidential and visible only to you.

Applications are submitted exclusively through the Single Candidate Portal, which is also the main communication channel throughout the entire process.

Click “Apply” on the competition webpage. You will be prompted to log in to the Single Candidate Portal using your EU Login account. If you don’t have one, you will need to create one first.

All updates and communication about your application will be managed through the Single Candidate Portal.

You can also subscribe on the competition webpage to receive e-mail notifications whenever new information is published by EPSO.

 
3. Testing

All candidates who have submitted their application form by the deadline indicated in the Notice of Competition will be invited to sit a series of tests.

Depending on the competition, these may include:

• Reasoning Tests
• EU Knowledge Test - for Graduate competitions
• Field-Related Test – for Specialist competitions
• Digital Skills Test – only when required by the notice.
• Written Test

The reasoning tests are multiple-choice tests assessing the candidates’ verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning skills.

The EU knowledge test is a multiple-choice questionnaire about the EU, its institutions, procedures, and the main policies. The references to the sources used to develop this test will be made available on the EPSO website after the notice of competition is published.

The field-related test is a multiple-choice questionnaire related to the field of the competition.

The digital skills test is a multiple-choice questionnaire aimed at assessing the candidates’ digital literacy – the ability to understand and use digital technologies for various tasks and purposes.

The written test is aimed at assessing the candidates’ written communication skills. This test evaluates your ability to write clearly and effectively.
 

4. Eligibility check

At a specific stage of the selection process, EPSO verifies that candidates meet all eligibility criteria (e.g., nationality, education, language skills, professional experience).
Only candidates who meet the criteria can be included on the reserve list.
 

5. Reserve list

At the end of the competition, EPSO establishes a reserve list of successful candidates who can be recruited by the EU institutions when a suitable position becomes available.
Being on this list means you are eligible for recruitment but not automatically employed.
 

6. Request for review

If you believe there has been an error or procedural irregularity affecting your test results, you will be able to request a review.
 

Recruitment

Once a reserve list is established, the EU institutions manage their own recruitment based on their specific staffing needs.

When vacancies arise, the institutions:

1. Consult the reserve list to identify candidates whose profiles best match the job requirements.
2. Invite shortlisted candidates for an interview (some may be contacted by several institutions)
3. Make job offers to successful interviewees.

In some cases, the EU institutions also publish available vacancies directly in the candidate account.
Candidates on a reserve list can then apply directly through their account. The institutions themselves decide which vacancies are visible to which reserve list(s).