October 2020 Traineeship

“I apologize for my late answer. DG ENER agreed for me to inform you on the units looking for a Blue Book trainee. Here are the units: unit A2, unit A4, unit B2, unit B4, unit C4 and unit 01”.

DGTapplicant wrote:

nev.bos wrote:So, for my interview: the lady was very nice, no pressure. Standard interview questions : presentation, studies, skills, work experience. Be prepared for questions about the reasoning behind choosing the specific DG, especially if it's not in line with your studies or experience. A good answer there, in my opinion, can make or break the deal. Then , she explained the work that the DG is doing, your place in it, work responsibilities etc.
It didn't feel strenuous or hard, as I said, it is just a conversation. All in English, no other languages tested . I hope it can be of help, good luck to everyone!

Thank you! One more question, have you been asked to send any documents such as a copy of your degree and passport?

No, and I would be surprised if they did. They have all the available information from TO.

Laura Torres wrote:“I apologize for my late answer. DG ENER agreed for me to inform you on the units looking for a Blue Book trainee. Here are the units: unit A2, unit A4, unit B2, unit B4, unit C4 and unit 01”.

Lmao so I just checked the chart and thought how I could apply for the A3 unit bc it's relatively aligned with my background. And of course this unit isn't included among those that that are looking for a trainee

brianstorm wrote:

Laura Torres wrote:“I apologize for my late answer. DG ENER agreed for me to inform you on the units looking for a Blue Book trainee. Here are the units: unit A2, unit A4, unit B2, unit B4, unit C4 and unit 01”.

Lmao so I just checked the chart and thought how I could apply for the A3 unit bc it's relatively aligned with my background. And of course this unit isn't included among those that that are looking for a trainee

I was also hoping A.3 was having a trainee this session haha

Any news regarding interviews?

arta2020 wrote:Any news regarding interviews?

Not yet:/

until when we have the right to lobby, sending emails?

arta2020 wrote:until when we have the right to lobby, sending emails?

I’m just now sending an email to an HR asking when the HoUs will have to send their shortlists to the TO (their deadline to do so). If she replies I’ll let you guys know!

I have been receiving replies from HoU who say that they have already selected their candidate, so I’m guessing the selection process is going faster than I thought.

do you know which HoU? it is really fast

Laura Torres wrote:I have been receiving replies from HoU who say that they have already selected their candidate, so I’m guessing the selection process is going faster than I thought.

For example today I haven't received any e-mails concerning the application. Not even one of those confirming the receipt of application, etc. I am not sure if this is a reflection of how fast they've moved with the selection of candidates.
I mean if they have to send the lists of candidates by the end of this week, I am doubtful that more interviews will be conducted.

arta2020 wrote:do you know which HoU? it is really fast

The units that have already selected a trainee are:
DG ECHO: A2,
DG GROW: 01,

The ones that are not having a trainee this session are:

from the REA A.2, A.4,
From DG ECHO: A.3 and B1.

nadinae wrote:

Laura Torres wrote:I have been receiving replies from HoU who say that they have already selected their candidate, so I’m guessing the selection process is going faster than I thought.

For example today I haven't received any e-mails concerning the application. Not even one of those confirming the receipt of application, etc. I am not sure if this is a reflection of how fast they've moved with the selection of candidates.
I mean if they have to send the lists of candidates by the end of this week, I am doubtful that more interviews will be conducted.

Last year I got an interview on a Wednesday at 17:40. Once the HoU get their shortlists back (if they send shortlists because from how I’m seeing it they are sending their one selected candidate) they can still make interviews next week, but I mean this is all a guess

“ Many thanks for your email and for your interest in our unit.

The Commission internal selection process has not started yet. However, our unit has no vacancy for the next term. We will keep your cv in case this situation changes.

You will be informed in due time by the traineeship office of the results of the selection process.”

I have absolutely no idea what she means by “internal selection process” but I think it is after the HoUs have sent their shortlists and internally the TO makes due changes to the lists and when the HoU has their selected candidate (Among the ones on the shortlist) then the TO sends the official offer.

Laura Torres wrote:“ Many thanks for your email and for your interest in our unit.

The Commission internal selection process has not started yet. However, our unit has no vacancy for the next term. We will keep your cv in case this situation changes.

You will be informed in due time by the traineeship office of the results of the selection process.”

I have absolutely no idea what she means by “internal selection process” but I think it is after the HoUs have sent their shortlists and internally the TO makes due changes to the lists and when the HoU has their selected candidate (Among the ones on the shortlist) then the TO sends the official offer.

From which unit did you get did reply?
I also think that this internal selection process is what happens after the HoUs submit their lists of candidates. So I assume the HuO will send them by Friday?

Yesterday morning I got a response from a JUST unit that they received my letter of interest and will "take it into consideration".

They said their selection process was very much "ongoing" and to check back twice a week on the portal for updates.

Sounds like perhaps they won't do interviews and just submit who they choose I suppose? In any case, at least it's positive news that not all are finished selecting.

And just received two additional responses from HoUs:

No trainees this coming sesion for : DG EMPL/Social dialogue

and ENV F.2 has already chosen their trainee for oct 2020

I have a feeling that there were like 10 vacancies available in the entire EC

I was told during my interview that HoUs indeed have to send the shortlist to the Traineeship Office this week. I really hope they will finalize the process before August given the limited number of vacancies

kmh504 wrote:And just received two additional responses from HoUs:

No trainees this coming sesion for : DG EMPL/Social dialogue

and ENV F.2 has already chosen their trainee for oct 2020

Thank you guys for sharing this kind of information! I feel like the process is not transparent at all and this way we are making it more democratic ahhaha like available to all equally

brianstorm wrote:I have a feeling that there were like 10 vacancies available in the entire EC

From what I’ve been able to count! There have been like around 20 literally! I haven’t been able to find more

brianstorm wrote:

Laura Torres wrote:“ Many thanks for your email and for your interest in our unit.

The Commission internal selection process has not started yet. However, our unit has no vacancy for the next term. We will keep your cv in case this situation changes.

You will be informed in due time by the traineeship office of the results of the selection process.”

I have absolutely no idea what she means by “internal selection process” but I think it is after the HoUs have sent their shortlists and internally the TO makes due changes to the lists and when the HoU has their selected candidate (Among the ones on the shortlist) then the TO sends the official offer.

From which unit did you get did reply?
I also think that this internal selection process is what happens after the HoUs submit their lists of candidates. So I assume the HuO will send them by Friday?

This was DG ECHO B.3 Knowledge network and evidence-based policy.

And yeah I imagine our lobby time will have to come to an end on Friday!

Oh you guys I forgot to tell you! The office of DG ECHO’s General Director is looking for a trainee! As well as DG ECHO A.1

dr652 wrote:I was told during my interview that HoUs indeed have to send the shortlist to the Traineeship Office this week. I really hope they will finalize the process before August given the limited number of vacancies

This makes me wonder about how many people made the Blue Book this session. It usually is between 2000-2500 people but I wonder if because of these circumstances they admitted a lower number of people

The TO should’ve just canceled the traineeship totally back in April. It would save us the energy and time.
Anywho...see y’all on March 2021 thread lmao

brianstorm wrote:The TO should’ve just canceled the traineeship totally back in April. It would save us the energy and time.
Anywho...see y’all on March 2021 thread lmao

Hahaha you can be the one to start the thread! See ya!

brianstorm wrote:The TO should’ve just canceled the traineeship totally back in April. It would save us the energy and time.
Anywho...see y’all on March 2021 thread lmao

Hahahah, don't be pessimistic, it's not over yet.

I have a phone interview tomorrow and I'm worried that I'm going to let my nerves get the best of me. Any words of encouragement? Haha

DGTapplicant wrote:I have a phone interview tomorrow and I'm worried that I'm going to let my nerves get the best of me. Any words of encouragement? Haha

Be as confident as they imagine you are!! Hahaha jk no but really just imagine yourself already there! And that these are just some mandatory questions you have to answer as you introduce yourself but that you already got it. (This will give you the couple inches of confidence we all may forget we already have sometimes)

Laura Torres wrote:

DGTapplicant wrote:I have a phone interview tomorrow and I'm worried that I'm going to let my nerves get the best of me. Any words of encouragement? Haha

Be as confident as they imagine you are!! Hahaha jk no but really just imagine yourself already there! And that these are just some mandatory questions you have to answer as you introduce yourself but that you already got it. (This will give you the couple inches of confidence we all may forget we already have sometimes)

Be confident and relaxed about it. They already like you since they asked you to interview, so now you just need to show them that they made the right choice.
Best of luck:)

do they contact you via your personal email or through the system of traineeship?