Getting Information about Other Exams

Information needed to take exams is supplied by the U. S. Civil Service Commission at (1) most first- and second-class post offices, (2) Civil Service regional and branch offices in sixteen large cities, (3) from any Civil Service representative, and (4) the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washington 25, D. C. You can get a quantity of information about federal employment by writing for a copy of Representative Publications of the Civil Service Commission to the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washing­ton 25, D. C, and then sending for booklets and leaflets listed in it (many of them free) describing such things as careers, engineering, post-college opportunities, various occupations open, summer employment, and vet­erans preference.

Nearly two million applications for Federal Civil Service positions were processed in 1959. Of these, about half were ineligible for one reason or another. About one-fourth of those eligible were hired as a result of suc­cessful competition, and it is therefore evident that competition is keen. Understanding the scope of the exam, preparing well in advance, and con­ducting yourself intelligently during the exam are all bound to increase your chances for success.

Not all positions in the federal service require written examinations. For some positions the applicant is rated on how well his experience and training meet the requirements of the job for which he is applying. Some jobs that usually require written examinations arc: Postal transportation clerk, safety inspector, research scientist, computer-operator trainee, ac­counting, stock control clerk, postmaster, printing plant worker, fiscal clerk, nurse, office machine operator, guard, messenger, customs service positions, positions in physical and biological science, printer's assistant (securities), telephone operator, geologist, and motor vehicles safety in­spector.

In 1955, the Federal-Service Entrance Examination was introduced; it revolutionized Government recruiting. It is open to all college graduates
and college juniors and seniors, regardless of their major, and to people who can qualify on the basis of experience alone or a combination of ex­perience and education. By passing this one basic, general examination, a person can receive consideration for employment in a variety of occupa­tions and localities. It is a career-type system of recruiting, rather than in­viting application solely for a specific job. Those who successfully pass the FSEE enter on the trainee level, some of them trying out for manage­ment internship with a training program from a few months to a year in length. If they successfully complete the training program, they are eli­gible for promotion and, upon showing continued promise, are given further attention with opportunities for development. The basic, general abilities test is given several times a year. Those interested in management internships take additional tests when given (usually once a year, in the Fall). Candidates for management internships are required to participate in a group interview, followed by a short, individual interview. Confiden­tial inquiries are then sent to persons who know the applicants to deter­mine whether applicants have the personal qualities needed in the posi­tions to be filled. Interviews and confidential inquiries are conducted for other positions of certain kinds to be filled from the FSEE examination. A booklet, Futures in the Federal Government, Pamphlet 30, October, 1958, is obtainable from the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washington 25, D. C. It contains a wealth of information in its 36 pages, including the topics of starting salaries, location of jobs in general, how to apply, agency programs, and details about specific bureaus, Departments and Commissions of the Federal Government whose addresses are given for those wishing to obtain further information. Addresses of twelve Civil Service Regional Offices are also given. Pamphlet 30, on the Federal-Serv­ice Entrance Examination, is extremely valuable for those considering government work as a career.