I applied online. The process took 8 months. I interviewed at EPO
Interview
The experience with a job application at the EPO was quite frustrating, lengthy and intransparent. It was said at the interview that the outcome would be communicated within about one month. After three months an email came that I was among the successful candidates that could be appointed, but there are "slight" delays in the procedure and the final decision had not been taken yet. Finally, after another three months, I got an email that I am kept in a talent pool (that's a kind of soft rejection you get at the EPO). However, at that time, some of the successful candidates had already actually started working, so the EPO was obviously waiting until all people have their contracts signed, and only after that the unsuccessful candidates were informed. It would have been just fine to reject people and keep them in the talent pool, but they chose to keep candidates on the hook in the hope that they are still being considered for half a year (!) instead. This is not respectful to the candidates and does not really shed a good light on the organisation... Also, you can forget that you would get any information about the basis for the decision, no score or feedback.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is your motivation to apply for this job position?