Soft Skills Required

The evaluation of general competencies in EPSO competitions has evolved significantly. These competencies, also known as "soft skills," are no longer evaluated in an assessment center, but are assessed both in your application responses and during interviews once you're on the reserve list. Consider these competencies early in the application process to ensure you align with the required skills and address any gaps before the interview stage.

Overview

  • Definition: Thinking “holistically” and developing innovative solutions

    Our Advice: Imagine you are faced with a project that has stalled due to conflicting stakeholder interests. You could demonstrate this competency by analyzing the underlying issues, considering all perspectives, and proposing a novel solution that aligns stakeholder goals and project objectives.

  • Definition: Making decisions in dynamic environments and achieving tangible outcomes

    Our Advice: In a rapidly changing situation, such as a crisis management scenario, you need to make swift decisions with limited information. You could describe a time when you led a team to respond to an unexpected challenge, such as a data breach, by quickly assessing the situation, deciding on a course of action, and successfully mitigating the issue, thereby ensuring data security and maintaining stakeholder trust.

  • Definition: Using digital tools and technologies in your everyday work to optimize workflows

    Our Advice: Demonstrate your proficiency with digital tools by describing how you implemented a new project management software that streamlined operations and improved team collaboration. For instance, you might have introduced a digital platform for data sharing, which reduced project timelines by 20% and enhanced the accuracy of data reporting.

  • Definition: Demonstrating responsibility, organization, and a constructive attitude

    Our Advice: Provide an example where you managed multiple deadlines successfully, such as organizing a major event or leading a complex project. Detail how you prioritized tasks, managed your time effectively, and maintained a positive attitude, even under pressure, ensuring all deliverables were met on time and to a high standard.

  • Definition: Actively managing your learning, growth, and self-improvement

    Our Advice: Share an instance where you pursued further education or training to enhance your skills. For example, you could describe how you enrolled in a leadership development program and applied the new strategies you learned to improve your team's performance, resulting in increased productivity and morale.

  • Definition: Conveying information clearly and engage effectively with others

    Our Advice: Illustrate your communication skills by detailing a time when you had to present a complex idea to a non-expert audience. Explain how you tailored your message to ensure understanding and secured their support for your proposal. For example, you might have led a presentation on a new policy change to stakeholders, successfully addressing their concerns and gaining their approval.

  • Definition: Driving change, inspire, and empower others to implement changes

    Our Advice: Describe how you initiated a new project or process within your organization that led to significant improvements. For instance, you might have identified a gap in customer service, proposed a new approach, and led its implementation, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.