Dispatch job, not this time

[joeychen]

City of San Jose posted open application period for the Police Dispatch position on Monday. I thought about it, and sent a few emails to clarify an issue with them, but then ultimately decided I don't want to apply again.
Although the process was interesting, it was freaking 6 months long! And it really irks me that they don't keep people on an eligibility list for a year or two, they make you do the whole damn process all over again if you want to reapply. Another background check, lie detector test, psych interviews etc.
I understand that even if you make it to the interview stage it's still only a 50/50 chance, but to make people go thru all that again seems like a horrible waste of money on their part.
If I wasn't just right then, why should I be just right now? Frankly I think there's some "pre-hiring" going on there anyway, cause my interview was just weird. Short and not as in-depth as it should have been, like they already had the people they wanted picked out. I think there's a bit of nepotism and stuff going on with their hiring.
Plus the whole issue with not getting any feedback on why I wasn't hired.
Besides, it would be a freaking hard job, and I don't know if I really want the stress of that, and the shift work hours. It would suck to never be able to socialise at the same time as you guys.

Comments

[emily-hahn.livejournal.com]

I think that's one of the biggest problems with public sector hiring here in CA - the whole process seems to be so drawn out and bureaucratic that if something opens up, the best qualified applicants lost hope. Like with the library branch manager position I applied for, it was 4.5 months before they scheduled the interviews. And with the state library/agency list for librarians (which is frozen so it doesn't matter), you have to get these slips in the mail for every open position. Regardless of being qualified/interested, you have to mail it back (even to say "No") in order to stay on the list.

[scarletwench.livejournal.com]

It sucks that it's that way. All the damn red tape.

Have you ever thought of teaching crafting classes? You'd be so good. If self-employment sounds too scary, I'd say Home Ec, but I really think you'd be great at doing crafting workshops. Just a thought.