Record entry for recruiting exam likely

Date: 09/04/1998

By Rory Watson

THE European Commission is bracing itself to handle tens of thousands of applications as it prepares to hold its first major recruitment competition for five years.

The concours for junior A grade administrators - the first since the Commission decided to raise the age limit from 35 to 45 - is expected to attract up to 80,000 would-be officials, compared to 55,000 last time round.

"The aim is to recruit as broadly as possible. We want to recruit people who are not so specialised that they are stuck in one service. We want lawyers and economists who can work throughout the institution," explained one official.

The thousands of applicants will eventually be whittled down to just 475, who will be placed on a special reserve list for five years and hired as appropriate vacancies arise.

"The selection criteria will be broad and quite rigorous because of the large number of candidates. But we want to screen people in, not out. At the same time we are looking for candidates who can be successful on their ability, not on pure memory," said the official.

Candidates will sit one of three competitions depending on their area of expertise: economics and statistics; external relations and management of aid to non-EU countries; or law and public administration.

The first pre-selection test, due to be held in mid-September, will be marked by computer. Candidates will face multiple choice questions designed to establish their knowledge of the EU and of a second Union language as well as their verbal and numerical dexterity.

The 1,900 successful candidates will take a written exam in January. Only half of them will reach the next oral stage, when their numbers will again be reduced by 50% for the final reserve list.

The Commission is holding its first major recruitment competition for five years.