“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.”