For the first time, the EU is opening up a more open and faster Europe-wide recruitment competition.
The process will take between five and nine months and there are hopes that it will be an annual competition.
The European Personnel Selection Office launched 'modernised and streamlined' selection procedures for EU officials.
It is the first time in five years it is open to all member states - previously it was skewed in favour of the new member states.
Applicants must have a Bachelors degree and the ability to speak English, French or German. They will be tested in that second language.
The applicants will go through an aptitude test that will be taken in their second language, these are done in test centres in all member states.
Those selected will go through to an assessment test presenting a case study, followed by structured interviews.
The EU institutions have 40,000 staff, with the Commission employing some 70% of this number.
Until now the first round of testing focussed on European geographical and cultural knowledge.
It favoured those based in Brussels or in mainland Europe where there were cramming courses for the four stage 'Concours'. The new system goes for aptitude and ability rather than European knowledge.
At present there are 250 Irish people working in the European Commission, but most of them (200) are at senior level.
Ireland is poorly represented at the lower level since in the past six years very few Irish graduates have been applying.
The basic monthly salary starts at €2,600 for assistant level, AD 5 level (junior administrator) is €4,190.
Applications open next Tuesday.
For more information europa.eu/epso or eu-careers.eu.
There are other competitions for more administrative, technical, IT, jobs that will have a different competition profile.
