Playbook
How to apply for public-sector recruitment exams
Civil service, public institution and state-owned enterprise recruitment runs on published announcements with fixed registration windows, written exams, interviews and background checks. Eligibility rules on degree, major, age and residence are strict and checked against documents.
How these are won
- Read the eligibility table for each post line by line before registering: ineligible candidates are often removed only after the exam.
- Register early in the window; some systems show how many people have applied for each post, which helps you avoid the most crowded ones.
- Keep scans of your ID, degree certificate and transcripts ready, because document review can come at short notice.
Materials checklist
- Application form answersOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
A preparation timeline
Counted back from the deadline. Each program guide puts real dates on it.
- 28 days before the deadlineCheck fit and list the materialsRead the official page, confirm every eligibility rule and list what the application asks for.
- 21 days before the deadlineDraft the answers and documentsDraft each written answer and document from what you already have, citing real facts only.
- 7 days before the deadlineReview against the criteriaReread every answer against the published criteria, fill the gaps and check every upload.
- 2 days before the deadlineSubmit and keep the confirmationSubmit before the last day; portals slow down near deadlines. Save the confirmation.
Questions you will meet, answered honestly
Why do you want to work in the public sector?
Tie it to the duties of this post and a real experience, such as an internship or community project. Answers about stability alone are heard every day.
Does my major match the post's requirement?
Check the official major catalogue the announcement cites. If your degree title differs, ask the recruiting unit before registering and keep their reply.
How Onward Scout helps
This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.
Open now
- Closing soon: 11 November 2026EPSO Open Competitions for Permanent EU StaffEuropean Personnel Selection Office (EU Careers)Competitive selection procedures run by EPSO to recruit permanent officials for the EU institutions; successful candidates join a reserve list from which institutions…permanent EU civil service career · competitive salary and benefitsBrussels, Luxembourg, Belgium, Luxembourg, FranceDetails and how to apply
- See cycleCommon Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law and National Security Law TestCivil Service Bureau, Hong Kong SAR GovernmentThe Hong Kong government's standard entry exam (language and aptitude papers) required for degree-level civil service posts, held in Hong Kong several times a year and…qualifies candidates for degree/professional civil service grades · electronic result certificatesHong Kong, Beijing, Hong Kong SAR China, China, United KingdomSeveral rounds a year; the latest Hong Kong round was 3 October 2026 and an overseas round is scheduled for 5 December 2026 (applications closed 2 October).Details and how to apply
- See cycleUN Young Professionals Programme (YPP)United Nations SecretariatAn annual entrance examination that recruits young graduates from under-represented member states into the UN Secretariat as international civil servants, followed by…entry-level UN Secretariat professional post · induction and professional development programmeOpen worldwideHeld once a year; the participating-country list and exam subjects are published annually on UN Careers.Details and how to apply
Let Onward Scout prepare your public-sector recruitment exams applications
Drop in the résumé, deck or portfolio you already have. Onward Scout builds a sourced profile, finds opportunities you can win and prepares each application for you to approve with a tap.
Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.