“Oh, yes I’m the Great Pretender, Pretending that I’m doing well. My need is such, I pretend too much. I’m lonely but no one can tell”
– The Platters
Civil Service Job interviews. There are few things that annoy me more than having my time wasted with pretenders who apply for a job that is not in their skill set, don’t have the requisite qualifications, licenses, certifications, or experience for the position. Or looking like they just stumbled in out of bed or off a worksite.
I’m not sure what they are thinking… do they think that because it’s a “city job” that they can just ‘wing it’?
Do they think that the city wouldn’t verify qualifications and they would make it through because they showed up?
Well, showing up is a good first thing. I’ve rearranged my schedule, waited after hours, and watched for calls and texts just to have someone get cold feet – and not show up at all. Usually at my own expense. No overtime. I stayed late to finish my work because the candidate was scheduled during the day. My work still needed to get done whether or not the candidate showed up. One candidate needed to meet in the early evening because he didn’t want his present employer to know about his interview. So, I stick around for three hours into the evening to accommodate him. He calls me a half-hour before his interview telling me that he’s too tired to make it tonight and wanted to reschedule. Too tired. So much for that extra effort. And, no – I did not reschedule…
Then when some arrive, they didn’t dress for the occasion. It a job; your career! One guy showed up in dungarees and a flannel shirt. It was a nice paying engineering job. He would represent my team as the expert reporting out to Directors and Commissioners. Well, now he wouldn’t. I don’t know what he was thinking.
Now, as far as qualifications, they are spelled out in the Notice of Examinations (NOE) and/or the job postings themselves. They are not negotiable and they are required, in many cases, as part of the requirements. For example, let’s use the title I’m familiar with: Radio Repair Mechanic. Here are the requirements from the NOE:
One of the main tasks of this job is to repair public safety radio equipment. One particular candidate wrote out his resume in a strategic way that appeared that he had this particular experience. Once we had him in for the interview he conceded that the only experience he had with radios was that he used a portable handy-talkie radio for his job but had no clue how they worked, other than he pushed a button to talk and released the button to listen.
This is for a job maintaining radios for first responders! People whose lives depend on this equipment!
For the NYPD and FDNY there is a licensing requirement that needs to be met in addition to the Education and Experience (E&E) requirements:
Although it is true that the General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL) is no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for persons repairing Land Mobile Radio equipment (including Public Safety Radio Systems), it is still required by the agencies for several reasons. First, it is a test on radio systems, communications laws, and general electronic communications theory. It helps sort out the “hobbyists” from the professionals. NYPD and FDNY have marine divisions and some of those maritime radios – as well as the ships radars – need to be service by a licensed Radio Repair Mechanic. NYPD helicopters have aircraft radios that also need a licensed service person.
Several candidates would try to talk their way around this requirement. “It’s no longer needed” or “it’s an outdated requirement”. Well, guess what? The FCC still offers it, and it is still required for many radio services – including the maritime and aviation sectors. What makes them think they can talk their way out of this? How about their counterparts they’d be working with that ALL have the license with endorsement? What would they say – especially if they’re making the same money as they are? Did they really think I would say “oh, well ok, I guess we can ignore it”?
Interviewing for a job with the city is the same as interviewing on private industry and should not be taken lightly. You need to act like you want the job and mean it. Even for the promotional jobs I’ve taken in the city, I’ve never taken it for granted and I always prepared as if I was coming in from the outside. Dress pants, button down shirt, tie, jacket as a minimum. Suit, if appropriate. There are some good resources on the internet that can help you prepare and they all generally offer the same suggestions:
1) Know your organization. Visit their website and look over their latest posts. Do they have a strategic plan? Is the position your looking to fill part of a larger plan? Who is the commissioner? How about the division that is posting your position?
2) Do you meet the requirements? Do you have the licenses or certifications they are looking for? If they’re looking for a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) then a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification won’t cut it – and don’t waste anyone’s time thinking you can convince anyone otherwise. FCC GROL with Radar required? Don’t show up without it. Years of service? Read the job posting or NOE thoroughly. You will have to prove what you say.
3) Be prepared to discuss your experience, answer questions, and bring proof (if appropriate). Have extra copies of resumes. Just because you sent it in to Human Resources (HR) or attached it as a PDF to your application doesn’t mean I’ve seen a copy. It just got you in the door through HR – now you’re sitting with me. No extra resumes = not prepared.
4) Have some questions about the job. What did you see on the agency website that is relevant to the job? Did the job posting have details about the specific job, work location, tasks, hours?
5) Dress for Success. Show up like you want the job – appropriate attire, and on time. Late for an interview spells late for the job to me. Not dressing professionally for the job means you’re just hoping it works out or that you don’t quite respect the opportunity that is being offered to you.
For me, working for the city has been nothing less than outstanding. Opportunity for growth, benefits, retirement plan, and educational advancement – it’s all here. But you do have to work for it and earn it. If you have a perception that working for “the city” is an easy job to get as well as easy to do, you’re making a big mistake.
To use a portion of a quote from Benjamin Cardozo: “…the victory cheap and hollow were it not for the rigor of the game”. You need to bring your best game to the table and be ready to do the job you’re looking for.
Questions and Comments welcomed below.
