I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Europol (The Hague) in Sept 2013
Interview
After almost 4 weeks of having submitted the application, I was contacted by HR as shortlist candidate. They arrange my flight and hotel to attend 2 days written test and interview at Europol premises.
After the selection, it took approx.1 month to know the response: I was not selected but entered into a rooster. I later discovered that I was the 1 person in rooster and I got a job offer for another position in the same Unit after 3 months.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The written test is approx. 3 open questions/ tasks related to the work you will do; in my case was: 1) writing a briefing note for your manager (they provided some supportive docs for collecting information); 2) preparing a PPT presentation on the briefing note; 3) preparing a budget plan in XCL, linking some worksheet.
The following day I had my interview, with: 1 manager + 1 advisor from the Unit selecting the position; 1 staff from HR; 1 staff from another Unit (as moderator). The interview is a standard competency based (what do you know about Europol and the selecting Unit, teamwork, expertise in the position), they may ask you some direct examples of your past experience.