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Working conditions as a Translator/Proofreader for the EU
ناشر الموضوع: evajanvier
evajanvier
evajanvier
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Sep 14

Hello dear fellows,

I've been translating, proofreading and managing translation projects for about 6 years. Now I am thinking about some career evolution as a proofreader for the EU (CAST Permanent).

I would like to know from people who currently do that, how are the working conditions (please do not hesitate to tell as much as you can think of).

1. Is it mandatory to live in Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg, or can you work from home? (I live in Germany)<... See more
Hello dear fellows,

I've been translating, proofreading and managing translation projects for about 6 years. Now I am thinking about some career evolution as a proofreader for the EU (CAST Permanent).

I would like to know from people who currently do that, how are the working conditions (please do not hesitate to tell as much as you can think of).

1. Is it mandatory to live in Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg, or can you work from home? (I live in Germany)
2. Based on the official wage for your grade and step, how many percent more or how many percent less do you really earn after benefits and tax?
3. What is the part of team work? Are you rather working on your own or are you communicating with your team all day long?
4. How many hours a week do you work in average? Do you have to complete a certain amount of words, or a certain amount of hours? How does it work?
5. Do you receive a PO and delivery dealine (like for regular translation agencies) or is the process completely different?

Please feel free to describe anything relevant about the working conditions.
They don't really describe the working environment online, but it is very important for me to know what I should expect before I start the very challenging selection process.

Thanks a lot in advance for all the information you'll share with me.

Eva

keywords: EPSO, CAST permanent, European Union, EU, contract agents, EU Career ▲ Collapse
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
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@Eva Sep 15

Contracts for this/these selection procedure/s will be mainly offered for positions in Brussels and Luxembourg. A limited number of contracts may be available in other EU cities and in EU delegations worldwide.

https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/proofreaders-cast-permanent

... See more
Contracts for this/these selection procedure/s will be mainly offered for positions in Brussels and Luxembourg. A limited number of contracts may be available in other EU cities and in EU delegations worldwide.

https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/proofreaders-cast-permanent

On Contract Staff:

https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/eu-careers/staff-categories#tab-1

On salaries and taxes:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C_202404112&qid=1719318752152


[Edited at 2024-09-15 10:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
evajanvier
evajanvier
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I was more questioning about the actual everyday working environment and personal feedback. Sep 16

Thank you very much Teresa for your answer

I studied all those links prior to my post on this forum. I even did the EPSO testing example on their website.

I was more questioning about the actual everyday working environment and personal feedback.

I would also add something: Since you seem to work for the EU, would you say that it's possible to be selected when you have no contact there to pu... See more
Thank you very much Teresa for your answer

I studied all those links prior to my post on this forum. I even did the EPSO testing example on their website.

I was more questioning about the actual everyday working environment and personal feedback.

I would also add something: Since you seem to work for the EU, would you say that it's possible to be selected when you have no contact there to pull the string for you?

Thank you,
Eva ▲ Collapse
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
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Local time: 13:15
عضو (2007)
أنجليزي إلى برتغالي
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@Eva Sep 16

First of all, I didn't know a single soul in the EU when I started working there. It was purely by chance that I learnt that there were jobs available for Portuguese nationals before Portugal joined the EU. Because I was unemployed at the time, I decided to venture out. I worked at the EU first as temporary staff in Brussels (at the Council of Ministers and at the Parliament) for 5 years (contracts renewed each year) before being recruited as permanent official (translator) after passing an open... See more
First of all, I didn't know a single soul in the EU when I started working there. It was purely by chance that I learnt that there were jobs available for Portuguese nationals before Portugal joined the EU. Because I was unemployed at the time, I decided to venture out. I worked at the EU first as temporary staff in Brussels (at the Council of Ministers and at the Parliament) for 5 years (contracts renewed each year) before being recruited as permanent official (translator) after passing an open competition. I worked at the Economic and Social Committee for 20 years and retired in 2006. Things might have changed in the meanwhile, but please note that CAST are not freelance positions. During the years I worked there my salary and allowances were very good, as well as the working conditions. Working hours were flexible, I could come in between 7.30am and 10am and leave at any time I wanted as long as I did 8 hours a day. On Fridays, we left at 3 pm. Overtime (done on a rotating basis once a month during the plenary sessions) was not paid in cash but converted into rest days that could be added to holidays. The atmosphere in my division was excellent and even today, after almost 20 years of retirement, I still get on with some of my colleagues. Please don't hesitate if you have any more questions… ▲ Collapse
 


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Working conditions as a Translator/Proofreader for the EU







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