Clearly not "rubber tire repairer".
September 12, 2011 4:13 PM Subscribe
NYC Bureaucracy Filter: I would like the ability to apply for clerical jobs at public universities in New York like SUNY or CUNY, or other clerical jobs in the city should they be of interest. I am aware I need to take a Civil Services Exam. However: here is the list of exams they have, and I do not see anything that seems to apply. What the HELL kind of exam do I need to take?
Some may be civil service, but many are not. See (for example) CCNY job listings and Research Foundation (RFCUNY) job listings.
That said, if it were me, I would almost slant my search to artificially technical. Say with your theatre background (readily apparent from internet, hope you don't mind the mention) you find a set carpentry position. Much bigger chance of a callback for that, IME, than straight clerical. (I just mean this as an example.) The only time I've ever gotten through university HR was when using a (comparatively) strange language skill for a cataloging job.
posted by skbw at 4:31 PM on September 12, 2011
That said, if it were me, I would almost slant my search to artificially technical. Say with your theatre background (readily apparent from internet, hope you don't mind the mention) you find a set carpentry position. Much bigger chance of a callback for that, IME, than straight clerical. (I just mean this as an example.) The only time I've ever gotten through university HR was when using a (comparatively) strange language skill for a cataloging job.
posted by skbw at 4:31 PM on September 12, 2011
CUNY actually seems to have a page about this. It looks like for the last office assistant job they had people take exam #2106? Does that make any sense?
On preview, I agree with skbw that you should look at the non-civil-service-exam type jobs, too.
posted by craichead at 4:33 PM on September 12, 2011
On preview, I agree with skbw that you should look at the non-civil-service-exam type jobs, too.
posted by craichead at 4:33 PM on September 12, 2011
Response by poster: ....Actually, upon looking at some of those RFCUNY listings, these wouldn't pay nearly enough after all...this may be a moot point.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:43 PM on September 12, 2011
I work for RFCUNY and I never had to take a test.
(Should I be admitting that in public?)
posted by hermitosis at 5:17 PM on September 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
(Should I be admitting that in public?)
posted by hermitosis at 5:17 PM on September 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
You (OP) may have hit upon it--other non-CUNY civil service friends report that the civil service pay scale is higher for the same work.
Perhaps you could take some non-CUNY-specific clerical exams, when they arise, as more of a long-term, cast your bread upon the waters sort of strategy.
posted by skbw at 5:38 PM on September 12, 2011
Perhaps you could take some non-CUNY-specific clerical exams, when they arise, as more of a long-term, cast your bread upon the waters sort of strategy.
posted by skbw at 5:38 PM on September 12, 2011
I think for certain positions you can find the job and begin the process, and they will let you know if you need a test. I have friend who started out 2 years ago as a volunteer helping with event-planning for a CUNY alumni organization (based at one of the colleges), and they've recently offered her a full-time position, and now she's got to take a test as a formality.
posted by thinkpiece at 5:44 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by thinkpiece at 5:44 PM on September 12, 2011
Response by poster: Perhaps you could take some non-CUNY-specific clerical exams, when they arise, as more of a long-term, cast your bread upon the waters sort of strategy.
Which brings us back to the original question -- what is the name of that test? (I see here there seems to be an exam for general "office assistant," which is what I was looking for, but it doesn't seem to be on the PDF I linked above.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:56 PM on September 12, 2011
Which brings us back to the original question -- what is the name of that test? (I see here there seems to be an exam for general "office assistant," which is what I was looking for, but it doesn't seem to be on the PDF I linked above.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:56 PM on September 12, 2011
I think (I don't know for sure) that if the exam isn't open, the link won't be up.
posted by skbw at 6:15 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by skbw at 6:15 PM on September 12, 2011
If it is like our civil service hiring in the Seattle area, you first apply, then if you are not screened out, you will be notified of the test. After taking the test, they make a list using the applications and test scores, ranking candidates. Hiring is done from said list. It takes time, but my thought is better to be on the list, so you have chance at the job. The lists expire, so you may have to test and retest over time. Good luck! Also, the pay may not look great, but the benefits of civil service are usually great.
posted by jennstra at 10:31 PM on September 12, 2011
posted by jennstra at 10:31 PM on September 12, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dfriedman at 4:23 PM on September 12, 2011