Do you have to be a resident BEFORE you apply for a city job? (Chicago: apartment)

[9sun]

So, I am going to be applying for a job at the Chicago Public Library. You'd think I'd be able to find specific rules for residency, but I'm having a hard time figuring out whether or not I should actually be living in Chicago to apply to the job. It just says "upon employment" proof of residency is required - so does that mean I can apply to the job with my out of state address, and still be equally considered? Or do they generally prefer people who are already residents?

Have you ever applied to a job in the city while you were living out of state still? How did you explain your intentions to move to Chicago and become a resident on your cover letter or job application?

Thanks in advance!

[chet everett]

The assumption is that anyone that is selected for the position MUST establish residency BEFORE they can officially be put on payroll.

For positions that have technical / degree requirements most hiring managers will give folks plenty of lead time to get an apartment / house after the selections are complete -- it is not uncommon to ask for 30 or more days.

If you were applying for something without technical / degree requirements I would say your chances would be slim, not just becuase you do not live inside Chicago, but also because for those kinds of positions the old ways of "we don't want nobody that wasn't sent by somebody" are still part of the way things work...

[jman07]

I applied to a job and they give you 6 months to move. I think they will be more likely to give you a look if your already in the city though.

[danguba78]

You do not need to be a resident to apply. You must, however, be a resident at the time you begin employment. Residency waivers, once somewhat common, are now exceedingly rare for City of. Chicago employees. (As opposed to and distinct from employees of the sister agencies, like CPS or CPkD, where residency waivers are still common.)

So, apply away, but be prepared to establish residency by the time you start. Good luck.

For more info on the rules, regs, ordinance, and recent changes, see http://chicagoinspectorgeneral.org/w...port_final.pdf.

[9sun]

Thanks everyone!