Government Position HELP!

[preciousjeni]

I'm looking into three state jobs (Parole Officer, Probation Officer, Juvenile Probation Officer) all of which have a reasonable starting salary (around $30,000). I've also been granted an interview for a bank job for around $14,000 (yeesh!)

The bank job is pretty much in the bag, but the state jobs are all up in the air. Does anyone know how long it usually takes (minimum) to get through the process of being hired by a state? I'll be very unhappy to take $14,000 when I could have more than twice that much!!!!! Of course, being hired for the state jobs isn't as probable as being hired at the bank job. The pool of applicants is different.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I don't know what cost of living is like where you are but $14,000 doesn't seem likes it's enough to live on.

[PsychTau]

In Arkansas, state applications take a while to get through, mainly due to the red tape, due process stuff. Around here, if you have a publically posted position that closes on April 1st, it won't close to current state employees until April 10th-15th. THEN, human resources (or whoever) has to go through each app to determine if minimum qualifications are met. THEN they have to rank all of the qualifying apps (how, I do not know). THEN the top X number of apps are forwarded on to the hiring department. THEN the hiring department reviews the apps and picks X number to schedule interviews. THEN you have to do the interview. THEN they narrow it down to X number they want to invite back to a second interview. THEN they might hire someone....

I'm sure not every department nor every state goes through this extensive process. As far as you deciding which job to take, are you sure the bank job isn't part time? How badly do you need the income? (i.e. can you wait a month to find out if you have a chance with one of the state jobs?). If you take the bank job now and then get a state job, would you be able to leave the bank job (some people can walk away from a job without blinking an eye, some feel guilty because they made a committment). Would the bank be OK with you leaving if you got a state job?

Which job would bring you the most joy (don't take the salary into account)??

Just some things to consider...Good Luck with it all!!
PsychTau

[preciousjeni]

Thank you for replying so quickly!!!

Lady Pi Phi: I live in Georgia, so I can get by with about $1000/month. I'm used to being a poor college student! But, I'd RATHER have $2500/month!!

PsychTau: Thank you for the breakdown of the hiring process. I figure all states are pretty similar. I thought it would take a while and you confirmed it!

They consider the bank job to be full-time (37.5 hours) and it's $8/hour (bleh!!). I've been waiting on both jobs for like three months!!! So, I'm sure I can wait. As far as walking away, I have no problem doing that, and I'd give two weeks, but I'm concerned about the effect it would have on my record. Of course, I know so many people change careers in their 20s, so I don't know how bad the effect would even be. I don't think the bank would be "ok" with me taking another job after they went through all the trouble to hire me, but I really don't care. I'm in it for me!!! How selfish does THAT sound?? But, business is business, right??

As far as the joy part...banking is a huge interest of mine, but corrections is more of a passion!

[AXO_MOM_3]

I worked as a juvenile court counselor for almost eight years and LOVED every minute! I left because I wanted to be at home with my own darling children.
I agree with PsychTau - the process can be pretty lengthy. In my state the position has to be posted for 30 days, then HR sends qualified applications to a regional committee, who then evaluate the the best 10-15 candidates, then you have a personal interview, then an interview with four staff members, and then a final decision is made. Best of luck to you with the process - pm me if you want more tips on how to make your application stronger.