Saturday 17 May 2008

New English edition


Dear Readers of my blog,

I am at the happy position to inform you that the new English edition of my book (3rd Extended Edition, January 2008, 144 pages) is available from the usual bookshops.


The book continues to evolve based on the encouraging feedback and remarks I get from readers in many countries around the world.

The extensions of coverage to this edition include:

1. A section with a methodology for dealing with the numerical and verbal reasoning multiple choice questions
2. Updates to learning resources, including a series of new questions

Please note that I am currently working on translating the book in other languages.

Thank you for your support and trust in my book.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is indeed a very good instrument in preparing for our competitions.

Anonymous said...

Where can I find this book? Any suggestions please?

Anonymous said...

Hi Christos

I tried to purchase Succeding in the EU Examinations via the European Bookshop. They claim however, that it is out of print. Any suggestions as to where else it can be sourced? I tried several book stores but they didnt stock it either.

Regards
Conor

The Author said...

Hi Conor,

My book is definitively in circulation :-)

Actually the European Bookshop had sold all their copies and that's why last week I had to restock them with new copies.

Thanks, Christos

Anonymous said...

I am a EU_10 laureate of an AD5 competition with international professional experience, living abroad for more than 10 years and still waiting in the reserve list to be contacted by the EC since January 2009. Till now only the laureates who were Temporary Agents and worked inside the Commission and passed the competition like me were hired, they became permanent. I am a little disappointed by the way the EC manages these lists, I studied a lot to pass the exams and then I had to start my lobby, it is like a game without an end. Now I am receiving only polite e-mails in which different Heads of Unit tell me they have no vacancy. May you offer me any piece of advice regarding the recruitment I am here eagering to listen to it. To whom I must write more and more e-mails..

The Author said...

Dear Anonymous EU_10 laureate,

It is nomral that people in reserve lists are not automatically offered a position since the purpose of a reserve list is to actually have a reserve of candidates. Normally these lists have an average life of two-three years. That means that they should be big enough to cope for the needs of the coming two-three years.

My advice to you is to send less, but more focused emails. Depending on the competition you passed, you have to target units that could benefit from your competencies.

Good luck with your search :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi

First of all, thanks for your great book.

I'm trying to print the reference documents to make the tests. Unfortunately the url are not valid anymore.
Is it possible to receive new links for the test 2 to 8?

Regards,

The Author said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for your nice words.

Could you please let me know exactly the book edition and the page number you are referring to?

Anonymous said...

Hi Christos,
in some of your previous posts you mentioned a 2009 edition of your book. I've been searching a lot online, but can only find ed 2008. Is there a newer one and if yes where can I find it? Is there also an online e-version of the book? Sometimes delivery takes too long..

The Author said...

Hello Anonymous,

The last available version of my book is the one that in the cover says Edition 2008.

In 2009 we have done a reprint (unfortunately without changing the cover page) and that's the reason why there is a mismatch in some documentation.

It costs a lot of money to print new covers every year, as some others' are doing. But then you understand why they have to charge around 40€ per book.

Having the best book in the market at such low price is possible just because my staff union (FFPE) is subsidysing it.

Finally there is no e-book available. Although we are checking the possibilities.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I am preparing for two oral examinations and reading your book was very helpful.
I have a question concerning the CV. Apart from the usual information they are asking us to write about different types of skills (social, organisational, technical, artistic and personal). Personal skills are supposed to be "acquired in the course of life and career but not necessarily covered by formal certificates and diplomas". Should I rather refer to my strenghts, skills related to the description of duties, a combination of the two?

Thank you for your insight.

The Author said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for your nice words about my book. Although the original version was drafted in 2006, it had started to speak about competences from that time :-)

In my mind personal skills, should refer to skills gained (=strengths)in your social life, but which could be applied to the description of the duties.

In example, you studied Japanese poetry, thus you learned Japanese (=a strength), then you apply for a post in external trade (relations with Japan). The end result is that you a candidate with a unique skill (even without been covered by a formal qualification) that nodoby else possess.

All the best with the oral exams and do not forget to get us posted of your experiences.

passing exams said...

Good to see lots of recommendations.

Anonymous said...

I have prepared my oral examination with that book. It was really useful. Normally Christos, you had to be in the jury but finally you wasn't there. I hoped to meet you there. It doesn't matter, I'm today on the reserve list either... Thank you for this book... Efcharisto Christo ;-)