Getting a government in Springfield? (Chicago, Peoria: attorney, employment, construction)

[Rick971]

Can someone give me an idea on how hard it is to get a state government job in Springfield? Specifically in information technology. I filled out an app for Information Analyst I A Option and received an A grade (well qualified). That was a few weeks ago. I realize veterans take precedence but I am not one. Will I ever here from them for an interview when a position comes up and what are my chances?

Any experiences with the process welcome, TIA.

[chet everett]

The State has some ridiculous layers of sign-off so the time-line for adding even well qualified staff for positions that are fully authorized is often months. With a budget crisis looming various agencies will probably be forced to eliminate their unfilled positions. Always helps to have an inside angle too...

If you did not have a specific position that you are targeting it would be foolish to assume that you are going to get a call before some one that has some kind of inside position -- even for the technically demanding / hard to fill roles there is a path that often involves (or at least used to...) a stint with one of the connected firms that supplies contract employees to the State.

I'd batten down for a wait and try to find a temp-to-perm type assignment to help bolster your chances.

[Rick971]

Thanks for the reply Chet.

[linicx]

Many of the state offices are closed on Monday and the state is scaling back on services. You can call the Governors Office. Doug will be able to tell the scoop on hiring or point you in the right direction.

You might be better positioned to land a job in Chicago - but you will have a lot of competition. If you want to move closer to Springfield, you might check out Bloomington -Normal and Peoria. Now Peoria has an obnoxious unemployment rate, but they do hire college grads and other professionals. It is developing into a regional technilogical center - a great deal of which is in the medical field.

[CPT Puffy]

Rick971, I've been employed with the State of IL for roughly 20 years; worked in Springfield during many of them. The State of IL is facing an unprecedented budget deficit and is in the process of downsizing. If you are a CPA, attorney, LCSW, have a credential related to technology, healthcare or have a PH.D (or are politically connected to the Quinn Administration), you may have a chance, albeit with lots of competition. Be advised that the State of IL has fewer state employees per capita than any state. The Federal Government probably has more to offer in terms of public sector employment at this time in Springfield (or other areas in Central IL such as Peoria, Bloomington-Normal or Champaign-Urbana). Pay and benefits with the Fed, especially retirement income as a percentage of final earnings, are far better with the Fed than State of IL (which only pays 1.6 percent for each year of service for most workers). Chet and linicx both make good points. Its helpful to have an "inside angle" and the record shows many persons began their State of IL careers working for contractors doing business with the State. Peoria is becoming a significant regional center for healthcare (and also medical research) and CAT continues to hire engineers, even with the poor economy. However, C-U and B-N both get the nod over both Peoria and Springfield in job growth for IT and computer professionals. The explosive population growth in B-N and C-U has largely been driven by IT and technology related employment. Any of these 4 communities are great places to live and work, each with its own pros and cons.

[CPT Puffy]

I forgot to mention that most Federal agencies have regional offices in Springfield. Peoria, B-N and C-U also have a good number of Federal offices, but probably not as many as Springfield. C-U does have a large Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory.