170,000 apply to take EU jobs test

Some 170,000 people have applied to take a test that could see them get a well-paid and secure EU job — but the odds are stacked against them because fewer than 1,500 roles could be available.

In a statement on Wednesday, a day after the deadline for candidates to express interest in the hiring competition, the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) revealed how many people had put in applications. “This number has surpassed all expectations,” the agency wrote. “We will inform candidates about the next steps as soon as possible.”

The next stage is a process that includes cognitive testing and exams to be held over the coming months. Successful candidates can apply for posts across the EU institutions at AD-5 grade, which pays around €6,000 to €7,000 a month, paving the way to far more senior positions in the future. However, the number of available jobs is far, far smaller than the number of applicants, with around 1,500 spots on the list of positions up for grabs — and even then a role is not guaranteed.

The hiring competition — aimed at generalists rather than specialists in areas such as HR, law and translation — has not been held since 2019, meaning many aspiring officials have been working as temporary agents or agency staff, without the job security or benefits of those employed by the EU.

A number of countries launched campaigns to try and encourage their citizens to apply, eyeing an opportunity to correct underrepresentation inside the EU and cement their influence for decades to come. Some capitals have even gone as far as paying for test practices and offering mentoring to candidates.

Just 22,644 people applied for the AD-5 competition when it was last held seven years ago, and around 50,000 had been initially forecast to take part this year.

This year’s EPSO tests, to be scheduled on a date that is yet to be announced, will be conducted virtually rather than in assessment centers, as was the case in the past. However, experts say the logistics of administering the exams on such a large scale would be challenging even with half as many applicants.