One of the best pieces of advice I can give to someone trying to land a job with the State of California is to follow all directions provided in the job advertisement. Read it carefully & Print it and make notes in the margins if you need to.
The easiest way to get disqualified from a job (even if you’re the most qualified applicant!) is to not follow the instructions in the bulletin. The State of California's hiring process is merit-based. However, that doesn't mean that just because you are that you can get away with submitting a poor-quality State Application or failing to submit all required documents.
Additional Required Documents
- Reference the Job Control (JC-xxx) or position number. Many departments have multiple openings in the same classification and the only way they know which one you’re applying for is in the position number or the Job Control number. You might be one of a hundred applicants for a position and the hiring unit is not going to take the time to try to figure out which job you’re applying for. That is your responsibility as an applicant.
- All job bulletins should have a caveat about including one of these numbers if you’re submitting a hard copy of your application. Make sure you include it even if you’re not instructed to do so.
- Familiarize yourself with the minimum qualifications and provide all documentation that proves it. For example, if you are applying for a Staff Services Analyst (General) position and your basis for meeting the minimum qualifications is that you have earned your bachelor’s degree, provide a copy of your degree when you send in your application.
- If the position you’re applying for requires a license, make sure you include that information on your application and in your application packet. The State Application (Std 678) has a space to list the license you have and the identification number associated with it. Make sure to list that here. Also, take a copy or scan of the physical license. You can upload it as a pdf and submit it with your electronic application packet. If you’re submitting a paper application, submit a hard copy.
- The job bulletin will have one of three options for resumes. It will be either required, optional or not required. If it is required, you’ll have to do one. If you’re submitting your application electronically, you’ll have to upload one. If you’re submitting your packet by mail, your application will be rejected if you don’t have all the required documents.
The CA Job Blog has information in an article titled How To Write A Great State Resume. Check it out for from great info on perfecting yours. - Employment with the State of California is competitive. If there is something you can do that makes your application stand out from everyone else’s, it doesn’t hurt to go for it. The cover letter is a good opportunity to showcase the set of applicable skills you can offer, what you can contribute. Sell yourself a little bit here. But keep it short because the hiring analyst on the other end might not have a lot of time to read it.
- For the most common types of license the state requires (like Registered Nurse, Psychiatric Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse) the hiring unit will be able to verify the license electronically. Include a copy or scan anyway. At some point, probably at the interview, you’ll have to present your license to someone from the hiring department for a second verification. Make sure your license is valid.
- Many positions, including Office Technician and Office Assistant, a typing certificate is required before you can be appointed to the position. After you receive your typing certificate, make sure it is uploaded to your CalCareer account. That way you'll be able to send it with your application packet. Keep the original though, because the hiring department might want to see it at some point.
- Increasingly, applicants are finding that a Statement of Qualifications is being required when applying for jobs. Writing one of these well can be the difference between being invited for an interview or sent a "no thank you" letter. Learn to write these well and you'll open yourself up to tons of possible jobs.
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