Civil Service post exam selection process?

[wad2k]

Does anyone know what happens after a civil service exam has been taken?

I just got back my results from the county and it said I am ranked #2.

What hapeens now?

I have no idea what the process is afterwards?

ANy ideas?

[buffy]

they interview the 3 top scorers, so if you were ranked no. 2 you WILL be contacted by mail with information for the interview

If I were you, i would still call the county personnell dept to get the timeline

good luck!

[WNYresident]

Which civil servant test did you take?

[wad2k]

I'll definately give them a call. Thanks for the info!
I was going to send in my resume but didnt want to seem overly anxious...even though I am!
I actually took two exams on the same day and just got my other result in mail also.
I ranked 2nd on that one too.
The two exams that I took were for technical computer specialist and audio visual specialist.
Scored a 95 on the computer one and 85 on the AV one.

I am keeping my fingers crossed because the company that I work for now and have been with since I got out of college back in 1989, is having some very difficult times right now. A layoff could be around the corner.

If anything, the results I got back are certainly a moral boost for me which I needed.

[tomac]

Originally posted by wad2k
I'll definately give them a call. Thanks for the info!
I was going to send in my resume but didnt want to seem overly anxious...even though I am!
I actually took two exams on the same day and just got my other result in mail also.
I ranked 2nd on that one too.
The two exams that I took were for technical computer specialist and audio visual specialist.
Scored a 95 on the computer one and 85 on the AV one.
I am keeping my fingers crossed because the company that I work for now and have been with since I got out of college back in 1989, is having some very difficult times right now. A layoff could be around the corner.
If anything, the results I got back are certainly a moral boost for me which I needed.

Congratulations on your good score and positioning.
Just remember that it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get a job.
As was said, the County will interview the top three scores.
If there's more than one job, let's say they take score #3. Then they'll bring up #4 as the new #3. If #1 declines the job (it happens from time to time), then they'll move you to #1, #3 to # 2 and bring up #5 to #3.
If for some reason they don't want you, they can and will interview around you.
Let's assume that you DO get hired; then you'll have to work for six months on probation. During this time, if you screw up, you'll fail probation and be back out on the street.
Working for the County is a good career; good luck to you!

[wad2k]

Thank you!

The two openings that were posted for these exams were for position in two separate school districts. Unfortunatley I'm not a resident in either one of those. I am assuming it is up to the school districts themselves whether or not they have a residency requirement whereby in order to be offered the job, you have to be a resident of their district?

As far as the probation period, I know if I'm lucky enough to get the job, I will do my best not to screw it up. Especially if offered the computer specialist one. I just wish I had a degree in computers. My electrical engineering degree does help, but right about now a degree in computer science would probalby hold more weight. Hopefully, all the computer experience I have gained at my present position coupled with my "self taught" computer knowledge over the years will help me get something that I would truly enjoy.

[Smiley]

Originally posted by wad2k
Thank you!

The two openings that were posted for these exams were for position in two separate school districts. Unfortunatley I'm not a resident in either one of those. I am assuming it is up to the school districts themselves whether or not they have a residency requirement whereby in order to be offered the job, you have to be a resident of their district?

Wad2k,
Congratulations on taking the exam, passing it and being reachable at #2. Tomac really lays out the system and how it works. The employer has the ability to pick one of the top three willing to accept the position.

As far as the School Districts go, yes, they try to hire someone who lives within the district, But that doesn't always work. So, they need to fill whatever the position is and they will go outside the district lines to fill a position if there isn't a candidate pool within the district, so don't think that you are totally out of the picture. If it was for a clerical position, then you might have competition, but the test you took is kind of unique.

[cantaffordtolivehere]

I took the technical specialist test 4 years ago. It was the same situation whereas the positions that were available were not in my school district. I didn't get called for an interview for a couple of years. I was at the top of the list also. This doesn't mean that you won't get called right away; there may be more openings now. You just never know how long it will take to be canvassed. I usually take the tests in case I'm ready to make a move when they do finally call. I guess what I am trying to tell you is to be patient and don't count on a new job prospect right away. Keep taking tests even if you are in a position that you like, you never know what will happen a year or more from now.

[Linda_D]

wad2k, if you think that your current job situation may be shakey, you might want to check out the NYS civil service listings. I don't know if you qualify for their Senior Computer Programmer position, but the last time I looked, the "exam" for that was an evaluation of your education and experience. They also have numerous technical positions that you might qualify for, and many are "continuous recruitment", meaning they're accepting applications. Most of these jobs are in Albany, but occaisionally they're located around the state.

The general NYS website is http://www.ny.gov.

[wad2k]

Thanks for that link. I'll check it out. I dont have any programming experiece yet, but I will see what other listings they have.


Its only been a week since i got my results back on the county exams and have already received 2 letters in the mail about two separate positions. One of which just came in this morning. The first one I got which specifically stated it is full time days M-F 40 hours per week. Needless to say I already sent the form and checked the box "willing to accept immediate appointment" I'm not sure what happens next? Will I be called for an interview for that one?

I am a bit confused about the one today. As far as"SHIFT" it says "DAYS-WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS". I'm not sure if that means its full time(40hours) during the day but I would be working weekends and holidays too...Or does it mean its a part time position that would only be working on ONLY weekends and holidays and not during the week? If that were the case and I were to be offered the job and would accept it, would my name be taken off the list then since I took the job? My goal is to get a full time position. But I am willing to accept a part time just to get more experience and gget my foot in the door. But can I still stay on the list incase a fulltime job opens up somewhere in the county?

This civil service stuff is all new to me. Actually the whole job hunting is new to me also. I have been fortunate enough to hold a job at the same private company for a little over 16 years, and still going. But, because of the companies current situation, I made the decision to start looking before I get layed off or the company folds. Plus I want to focus more on computers as far as my career goes. The company I work for right now is very small( and getting smaller by the day). Becasue of that I wear alot of hats there. IT support, Engineering, Sales,Sercice, Marketing, Inventory control, shipping and receiving. It certainley has been and interesting 16 years and I really gained alot of valuable experience. With that said, I now know what career path I want... and thats is working on computers. It's just something that I really enjoy both at home and at work..and I really want to excel at it.....
I know I'm weird! Most people HATE computers! LOL

Anyways, the more I find out about the whole process the better. I appreciate any info you everyone can provide!
Thanks in advance!

[Smiley]

wad2k,
When you visit the NYS Civil Service site, look for computer sepcialist, program specialist type of titles. UB has a computer center and it is staffed 24/7. That is obviously a state job with good benefits. That would not restrict you to just UB. It would cover you for ALL state agencies.

If you accept a part time job as a result from being on the list, I believe that you are taken off the list as the hiring employer has to notify Civil Service who they hired, so Civil Service makes sure that they follow the rules. As you know, they are required to hire one of the top 3 willing to accept the position. You might want to call Civil service and ask then that question regarding accepting a part time position and how do you stay on the list for a full time position. I'm not sure how that would work.

[Linda_D]

I believe the SUNY colleges (UB, Buff State, Fredonia State, etc) have the latitude to hire outside of civil service lists, but I'm not sure. It wouldn't hurt to call the HR departments and find out if they hire off civil service lists or if they accept unsolicited resumes. If you do that, find out if you should send the resume to the HR department or directly to the computer center ... and get a name so your resume doesn't get lost.

[Smiley]

If the positions at any of the SUNY's are classified positions, then they are competitive and they must hire off the list. The only way they wouldn't be as if they are research positions. Even M/C positions are classified and come off of the lists.

[cantaffordtolivehere]

I am a bit confused about the one today. As far as"SHIFT" it says "DAYS-WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS". I'm not sure if that means its full time(40hours) during the day but I would be working weekends and holidays too...Or does it mean its a part time position that would only be working on ONLY weekends and holidays and not during the week?

The canvas letter that you received should say whether it is full time and it should also say permanent or temporary. Be careful if you refuse it (the canvas letter) because you have to choose a reason. The choices, that I remember, are: location and salary. If you choose location, they won't canvas you for a position in the future at that location and if you choose salary, then they won't choose you in the future for any openings at that salary. Of course, after a period of time, you can write to them and ask them to put you back on the list. I think that the period of time is 6 months.

Another thing that they sometimes do is tell you things on the interview to dissuade you from taking the job. They do this when they are trying to "reach" someone farther down the list.

When you return the letter saying that you would accept the appointment, they will call you for an interview. Sometimes they call pretty quickly, other times it can take months.

[FJB]

Wad2k, I sent you a private message explaini ng the real way poeple get picked. Look in you're private folder for it if you have not already. What i wrote is absolutly true.