Census bureau is hiring!

[ananda]

Go to census.gov and find out about the jobs
and where to go to apply and take the test.

There's a practice test you can take ahead
of time. It didn't do me any good, I got the
same exact score on the real test, 24 out of
28 correct, which is fine.

Anyhow, for those of you looking for work until
Obama turns the economy around, this might be
a good stop gap.

Good luck.

[108blessings]

1. I took the test a few weeks ago...they are supposed to be calling back this month

I am wondering about having a car, though. I don't, yet get around fine on bike/public transit. It would piss me to be disqualified because of this, especially when they place you close to home! Do you know any details about it?

[SheilaT]

2. My guess

and this is only a guess, is that if you live in a city with good public transportation, or dense enough that getting to your assigned place by bicycle is feasible, you should still be able to work for them.

I took the test about a month ago myself, and scored 26 out of 28, so I'm hoping to hear from them soon.

[Muttocracy]

3. I would say ask them about it if you're offered

When my mom tried to work for the census 10 years ago, she was assigned to a town far away from home that she didn't know at all. She had a car but backed out of the job due to the distance and unfamiliarity (they had said she was going to be in her town or the next one)

[Donnachaidh]

4. it depends entirely on the mass transit/alternative transport available.

My brother worked the last two censuses in New York City. He has never driven a car. But he's been able to get to assignments in other boroughs because he was familiar with the ferries, subways, etc.

The last census they had him traveling from Staten Island into Brooklyn on a daily basis. It was a great job for him - he loves to schmooze and actually got people to cooperate that historically had been big pains in the ass.

Good luck on getting the gig. It's a neat job.

[108blessings]

5. Thanks, and that is a comfort to hear that big city residents are not expected to drive

I wondered if I should have put that I had access to a car, but I didn't want to lie. The test giver said that (when we were filling out the forms) we should put that we had total availability, even it wasn't true, in order to increase our chances. She said that once you get an interview, you can always negotiate...