Totally Overposted...State Government Jobs... (Howe: moving, estimate, employers)

[luckyirish676]

This is annoys me so much when others do this but I am honestly curious...

I interviewed for a State Government job (Depart. Ag) a few days before christmas. Although I thought I didn't do so well on the interview, I was surprised they called my current employer last Thursday (1/12) for a Reference/Screen. I contacted my other two past employers but they hadn't responded if they heard or not.

My question is (1) is it typical for Government HR to contact the references for multiple candidates after interview or just the top one?
(2) Its been a week, IF I was the selected candidate what is an estimate of how long they would take to offer me the position. (Im sure this very from place to place but Im wondering what is reasonable, monday was a holiday and my understanding it today is also a state holiday)

I did email the interviewed before she checked my references, she told me they were "in the process of getting references"

Anyone who works for the state and has been through the process in the past, please share you story. Thanks!

[Seoid]

The State is slow moving on hiring.

I would imagine each agency probably does things a little different as they all have their own HR departments.

Just breathe and relax. It took me about 4 months to be hired years ago from first contact/interview to start date. For another job it was between 2 and 3 months.

[RooCeleste]

I'm a 17 year Texas state employee with the past 10 of it being in management. I've only checked references for my top candidate, but if there were concerns with those references, then I would move to the second candidate. I can't speak for others or other agencies, but that's how I've done it in both agencies I've worked for. (neither of them is TDA though) Each agency is vastly different in their hiring/employment processes.

[achtungpv]

The state only checks references for the top candidate. It is usually the responsibility of the hiring manager to do so. 90% of the time none of the references or just the last one is contacted.

Due to HR and other red tape, it's not uncommon for the selected candidate to get the job offer 2-4 weeks after references have been checked.

/used to be a hiring manager @ TxDOT.

[austinbound44]

I just got a job with Travis County and it took 2 and a half months from the date I e-mailed my resume to receiving the offer. I keep in touch with my old employer so I know they checked my references the day after my first interview. I gave them a list of 6 references and they called 3. After they checked my references, I had a second round of interviews 2 weeks after that and then got the offer about a week after that. It is VERY slow compared to private or public companies but I also think it was b/c all of this happened over the holidays. Good luck!

[luckyirish676]

Sweet....I have only been with my current employer (Federal Government) for 18 months so the hiring manager/interviewer contacted them, and I heard from my previous employer today and the hiring manager spoke to her last week as well. She said she thought it "went well" so hopefully...fingers and toes crossed, I will hear back soon. I personally am not IN a rush to get started because I do currently have a job and dont want to have to move ahead of my husband, just ready to know I have something coming!

[luckyirish676]

More questions....I still have not heard back, but today is only the 2nd week from when I asked the status with the Hiring Manager.

If I were to be offered the position, I am assuming there is a "background check" period, so if that were the case, am i looking at an extended time before I can start?

Obviously I am a planner and don't take uncertainty very well!

[luckyirish676]

Thank you everyone, I got the job.

One more question, start date is March 1, will my first paycheck be March 15, or will I have to wait until April?..

[achtungpv]

The state only pays once a month. On the 1st. So you will not receive a paycheck until 4/1.

[speden1988]

I'm going through the same thing! I applied and had my interview on 8/30 and my old boss was telling me they contacted her for a reference on 9/6. However I haven't heard anything and they told me I should have known by 9/6 or no later than 2 weeks. My dilemma is that I have another job on hold for this one. I really want to work at the courthouse not the bank. It pays better and is full time. I'm hoping I hear back by tomorrow other wise I have to accept the bank job. Should I wait longer?