Civil Service Tests
As you have learned throughout this book, government jobs exist at the federal, state, county, city, and local level. In many cases, part of the application process is sitting for a written test. There are also other tests, depending on the kind of job. Notification about the results of civil service tests is posted in a variety of places. There is an opening date and a closing date for applications to take the test, and you have to file within that time frame. There is often a nonre-fundable fee to take the test.
Job bulletins or announcements are posted at government offices, sometimes published in newspapers, and almost always posted on the Internet. For local government jobs, you may often find posters in local stores. For example, announcements for upcoming New York City police and fire department tests are advertised on city buses and subways. And New York City has a weekly newspaper called
You should call the government agencies in your area. You can find many of these agencies in the telephone book and on the Internet. If you find a job opportunity, and the agency is not taking applications at this time, you can ask to be notified when applications will be taken by filling out a request. Many agencies provide e-mail notification.
Every state has its own Web site of civil service job listings. Use the Internet to find the one for your state. For an example, here is the site for the state of Louisiana. It is typical of the other forty-nine:
Government jobs are listed as either “open,” “promotional,” or “exempt.” Open jobs are open to non-civil service employees. Promotional jobs are opportunities for civil service employees within the agency announcing the job. Exempt positions are exempt from civil service protection. These positions are usually for limited, part-time positions or for executive positions where the jobholder serves at the discretion of a top executive, council, or board. However, almost all government jobs are filled by establishing a list of eligible candidates through an examination.
Fact
There is no single database that includes all federal, state and local government job openings. In addition to USAJOBS.com, you can also find listings of federal jobs and civil service test guides online at
Different kinds of tests are given for different types of jobs. An examination may consist of more than one test. Different types of civil service tests include written tests, in-basket exercises, essay tests, performance tests, tests that assess physical abilities, psychological tests, and interviews. The test date and location will be provided by the agency after your application has been submitted.
Eligibility lists are established by ranking candidates based on their overall scores in the examination. Candidates must be successful on each test of the examination. Lists are effective for a given period, as determined by each agency. When the period expires, a new examination is given. If you are not hired during the life of the list, you must take the examination again to qualify for a job.
Vacancies are usually filled through a selection from among the highest scores on the eligible list. If you are selected from the list you will be notified about appearing for an interview. You must not only do well on the examination but also on all subsequent interviews to receive a job offer. Candidates who score high on the test but are not selected to proceed with the next hiring phase usually remain on the employment list and will be evaluated for other vacancies as they occur.
ssential
You're probably familiar with most of the tests that you will encounter, but you may not have heard of an “in-basket exercise.” These tests simulate the conditions of the job for which you're applying. You're given enough information to make decisions and then assessed on your ability to deal with simulated daily tasks and emergencies.
Depending on the position, agencies may also require a medical examination, drug screening, and a probationary period. Probationary periods are usually six to twelve months.
There are several types of tests that you may encounter:
Multiple choice test: In these tests, you choose the single best answer or choose the most likely and least likely answers.
Assessment center, essay, and in-basket: These tests are used for professional and executive jobs such as administrative and management positions. Law-enforcement promotional exams may also use assessment centers. The assessment center simulates the typical duties of a position. The in-basket tests your ability to handle typical assignments that might cross the desk of the position for which you are applying.
Performance test: This test is usually used for skilled craft jobs. It requires you to demonstrate your skills in one or more physical tasks that the job entails.
Physical ability test: These are required for public-safety positions such as law enforcement and firefighting.
Psychological test: These tests are also required for public-safety positions such as law enforcement and firefighting to determine if you can maintain good judgment in high pres-sure/ stressful situations.
You also will be interviewed at least once. The interview might count as a part of the exam score. You will also be interviewed again if you score high in the test and are called in. You can score high on a written test, but if you do poorly in either a scored interview or the interview for the job offer, you will not be offered the job.
