Test Observations

I took the test for the government job Saturday. The test took place at a San Diego elementary school, at 1pm.


I left the house early, so I would not have to rush. As I got closer to the test site, I found myself in a dumpy-to-bad neighborhood, and I worried my car would be broken into. I had to push that thought aside, though, because I'd driven about an hour to take the test, and I wasn't going to give up just because of the neighborhood. 


When I arrived at the test site, about two dozen people were milling around, waiting to test. It was only 12:30, so I was about half an hour early. I decided to use the facilities, and there was about a ten minute wait. While I languished in line, more testers turned up, rounding the numbers out to about sixty. I took my turn in the bathroom (there was only one stall!), then got in the official waiting-to-test line. As soon as I got in that line, another line formed to the right, then another after that. I tried to count how many people were lined up, but I couldn't see everyone, so I gave up, hoping to re-count once we were seated inside.

While we waited, our i.d.s were checked, along with our notices to appear for testing. I observed the crowd as I waited. About two thirds of the people were at least 15 years younger than I am. There were slightly more women than men. Most people were in jeans. Some were in tracksuits. At least two women had on over-the-knee boots. One woman had a Balenciaga bag. The men were mostly clad in jeans and hoodies. There were many different demographic groups represented. 

At about 1:05, after the third line firmed up, we were herded into a school building. The room we entered turned out to be the school gym/lunchroom/auditorium, and was populated with five very long tables, which could seat 50-75 children each side. The test proctors instructed us to spread out and leave space between us. After everyone had filed in and found a seat, each table had approximately 20-30 adults on each side.


Announcements admonishing us not to cheat, talk, or peek were made. They told us we'd have two hours and 15 minutes to complete the test, adding that anyone who was still testing when time was called would have to stop, regardless of how many questions they had left to answer. We got a few instructions on using the ScanTron sheets, then we were told to start the test. By this time, it was 1:15pm


Being out of practice for this kind of thing, I moved slowly through the first five questions, then I began to pick up speed. As I absorbed the tone and nature of the questions (not nearly as tough as I expected them to be), I began to feel a bit of confidence. I quickly realized the test standard was mediocre. Some of the questions were so obvious I nearly slapped my forehead. I had to guess at only four questions, and not all of them were math questions, the ones I feared the most. (Math was my worst subject, but we were allowed to use calculators, so I did okay on that section, apart from one question about decimal places that I'm sure I answered incorrectly.)


I finished my test within about an hours' time. I wasn't rushing. I was really surprised about this. Almost everyone was still seated. I estimate that about four people finished before me, including the woman I spoke to while waiting in line (see below). I felt funny walking the length of the room with so many people still testing. I felt like I had a red flag on my head. But walk the length of it I did, and finally reaching the proctors' table. I handed in my test papers, and left. 


It was a unique experience, getting a view of my level of intelligence in this context. I was curious about how people felt about the test, but there was no way to ask anyone what they thought. The woman I'd been in line next to was long gone, so there was no chance of a conversation with her. 


I have new perspective, too, after seeing a cross-section of my competition for this job. I've rarely caught a glimpse of those applying for the jobs I am trying for. I think I prefer not knowing who my competition is. 

Numbers: 
• The woman in front of me in line said that there were more than 1,000 applicants for the position 
• I asked her how long she'd been looking for work: "14 months" she answered
• I estimate that there were between 130–150 people testing during this administration of the test 
• There were at least four administrations of the test 
• So after doing some cipherin' and some guzintahs, that would mean that approximately 520–600 people testing
• Thus, I draw the conclusion that only half the people who applied were culled
• The woman in front of me in line said the top scorers would be tossed out of the viable applicants pool
• After the test results are tabulated, "some" applicants will be contacted for interviews
• They allotted 2.25 hours, I finished in 64 minutes. There were 110 questions. I guessed at four
• I was about the fifth person to finish

What do we think my chances are?

Testing, Testing . . . .

Saturday, I'm taking a written exam for a government job. I've been notified that it's going to be two hours and fifteen minutes long.

I've tried consulting people I know about what I can expect, but the only local person I know who's in government hasn't replied to my email about it, so I will just have to wing it. I suppose it'll be like the SATs, but this time, I get to have a calculator, which is a relief, because math was my worst subject.

K.Line told me a few things about what it might be like, so I'm taking her comments to heart and am grateful for the time she took to discuss it with me.

I'm sure I'll focus on what the other test-takers look like, and say. I'll be very interested to people-watch in this particular instance. I'm really wondering what my "competition" will be for this job.

Did I mention it's entry-level? Ugh. I can't believe I'm pursuing this option, but it's the only viable one I have right now.

* * *

Last month I interviewed for my dream job, with my dream company, but the position was offered to someone else. I have since found out that there are other similar positions in other locations, but it would mean I'd have to leave my family to work for this company. At this point, I won't rule that out.

I'm also considering doing an exhaustive job search in the town my sister lives in, because I could live with her rent-free, and send all my wages home. At least I'd be living with family. Of course, this idea, and the idea of relocation in general is fraught, and risky, but what else can I do?

Thoughts?

Drita Hearts Me!

I love to throw "Drita is my idol" around on Twitter and Facebook.

I did it again this morning, after I saw a fresh tweet from her about last night's episode.

She saw it and tweeted me back!

(I realize it may be a staffer tweeting, but still.)

Water Color

The driveway after rain.

Lately, I've been taking photo after photo of the sky and clouds.

I have no perspective here: Is this just a picture of asphalt? Or is it very cool how the water reflects the sky, making it look like a watercolor?

I'm going to stick with posting sky and sky-related photos for a little while.

We'll see if that's interesting, beautiful, or just repetitive.

A New Perspective on Lounging

At left: Indira, formerly known as 12, 13, and 14, is now 15+. She'll be 16 in May, gawd help us!

She has her own perspective on how to properly lounge on the living room furniture.

She's wearing her dad's oversize sweater, an offering from the Gap about three years ago.

I've been experimenting with my iPhone, taking a lot of photos. That camera is surprisingly good, considering it's very point-and-shoot. So I'm using it that way, as a purist. I'm opting not to manipulate the photos in any way, either using apps or with Photoshop. I'm trying to get them right the first time, so I don't have to do anything to them. I really like the perspective on this.

Dashed off on a Thursday Afternoon

About 30 minutes' worth of work. Unfortunately, the perspective isn't quite right.

Rearranging Deck Chairs

Nothing new is happening. People keep asking me how my job-hunt is going, and it isn't really going anywhere.

I had an interview last week, but it was over before it even started. I got an email on Wednesday from a woman who wanted to arrange a phone interview for Monday. The email looked a bit funny (not funny "ha ha," but funny "this could be spam). It seemed partially legitimate, so I checked her name out on LinkedIn and she's a real person. Her company is interesting. But the job title she cited as the one I'd applied for didn't sound familiar. I checked through my records—I save all emails, letters, and job postings, and I keep a database of all the jobs I've applied for. No luck—the job title she referred to didn't match anything I'd applied for, but since it was similar to ones I've applied for, and since she seemed to check out, and since I want to work, I replied to the email agreeing to the phone interview. Now we shall see if she calls on Monday.

It's December 10, and I'm adjusting my goals. Originally, after I got laid off, I wanted a job right away, so that there was virtually no lag time between jobs. I knew this goal was preposterous, and entirely unlikely to be met despite anything I attempted to do to meet it, but it was my goal, and I was going to pursue it. After about a month, I re-evaluated, and decided that I'd hope for a job by the end of the year, knowing full well that nobody does any hiring during the holiday season. Again, a preposterous goal, but it drove me forward and kept me focused. When the calendar turned over to December, I counted how many jobs I've applied for since September 18, when I started job search #2. 80. I re-evaluated my goal again, and thought it might be interesting to try to apply for 20 more jobs before the end of the year, bringing my total up to 100. It's a numbers game now. If I do meet that number, it'll be 200 jobs I've applied for in six months.

I'm now no longer upset about rejections, either outright or implied by inaction. I'm honing my criteria and applying for fewer jobs. I'm only applying for jobs I have a chance of getting. When I started this search, I applied for everything that was even feasible. Of course, I thought lots of those jobs I applied for were feasible, but many weren't. Now I'm not "shooting for everything," I'm just casting an informed, wide net. I'm not applying for things that I have no chance of ever getting.

I re-did my résumé again (4th time), in hopes that it'll garner more response. I'm branching out, trying to find new companies and job boards to use. I'm worn out, and I feel like I'm rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I'm ready for this year to be over. It won't feel any different when 2012 comes, but I'll draw a line under 2011, and try to get a fresh mindset as the New Year arrives.

Hurry, 2012!