is it hard to get a job with the city? (Pittsburgh: city hall, insurance)

[FoodPoet]

Do I have to know a good old boy?

[I_Like_Spam]

You have to live within the city limits first, and it doesn't hurt to be a registered member of the Democratic Party with an excellent record of voting.

[Pitt Chick]

Depends on what you are looking for...

With a ZIP code of 15201, you should know already!

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

With a ZIP code of 15201, you should know already!

I'm sure many Pittsburghers don't know! I don't!

What I do know is a Russian who works for the city. So you don't have to know a good old boy, but it wouldn't hurt to know one.

[Retiredcoach]

Although not unique to just the city of Pittsburgh, working for any regional/ state/ federal government entity in today's economic climate, would have to be considered among the best jobs available. Where else can a sometimes minimally skilled employee receive a livable wage, job security, paid holidays & vacations, health benefits, life insurance, early retirement perks, and a defined benefit pension? That being said, these jobs are becoming increasingly scarce. The political " backscratching" is far-reaching, and the odds of landing one of these plum positions is incredibly challenging without the "influence" of those elected. It is incredibly unfair (and civil service tests are mostly non-existent). Good luck, and you will certainly need it, if you are seeking one of these jobs without a strongly influential politician (including school board members if your job search takes you toward employment in a school) ascertaining that you are the best candidate for the job, even if you are not.

[SteelCityRising]

I think it's not necessarily as difficult as it is a time-consuming process. I was called back a YEAR after I had scored rather highly on the civil service exam for a position as a Clerical Assistant II at City Hall. By that time I was already employed by PNC. Do they honestly think someone who took a civil service exam a year ago is still going to be unemployed when there's so many other jobs available in this city in the interim?

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

I think it's not necessarily as difficult as it is a time-consuming process. I was called back a YEAR after I had scored rather highly on the civil service exam for a position as a Clerical Assistant II at City Hall. By that time I was already employed by PNC. Do they honestly think someone who took a civil service exam a year ago is still going to be unemployed when there's so many other jobs available in this city in the interim?

Oh, I am sitting on my hands.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Do they honestly think someone who took a civil service exam a year ago is still going to be unemployed when there's so many other jobs available in this city in the interim?

Many people will quit their jobs to work for the government when one becomes available. I made the same mistake when I was close to your age. I had moved to Harrisburg to find work. I applied everywhere. Six months later I was offered a job with the state for a position in PITTSBURGH. I found a job in Harrisburg a week after moving there. Quitting the job wasn't the problem. I didn't mind job hopping. But I thought, "I just MOVED here!" I turned down the job. Decades later, I still regret my decision. It wasn't just any job with the state. It was an exceptional position. It was a once in a life time opportunity, but I was too young to realize it.

Also consider how PNC worked out. The city was well aware of your online personality. They wouldn't have been fazed one bit by anything you posted here. Clerical Assistant II at City Hall had a lot of potential as a foot in the door for an interesting career.

You should apply again!

[The King of Um]

Originally Posted by Retiredcoach

Although not unique to just the city of Pittsburgh, working for any regional/ state/ federal government entity in today's economic climate, would have to be considered among the best jobs available. Where else can a sometimes minimally skilled employee receive a livable wage, job security, paid holidays & vacations, health benefits, life insurance, early retirement perks, and a defined benefit pension? That being said, these jobs are becoming increasingly scarce. The political " backscratching" is far-reaching, and the odds of landing one of these plum positions is incredibly challenging without the "influence" of those elected. It is incredibly unfair (and civil service tests are mostly non-existent). Good luck, and you will certainly need it, if you are seeking one of these jobs without a strongly influential politician (including school board members if your job search takes you toward employment in a school) ascertaining that you are the best candidate for the job, even if you are not.

They are oftentimes minimally skilled, rather than sometimes! haha But in all seriousness, the fact that, after I purchase a home here, which will be within the next 6 months (most likely), my property tax dollars will be paying for these people's holidays and vacations, life insurance, early retirement, overly generous pension plans, etc. frustrates me to no end. Property taxes in Allegheny County are too damn high. So, I hope it's hard to get a job with the city, and I hope it gets harder, as fewer and fewer jobs are offered, and with less generous pay/benefits.

[aw_now_what]

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

They are oftentimes minimally skilled, rather than sometimes! haha But in all seriousness, the fact that, after I purchase a home here, which will be within the next 6 months (most likely), my property tax dollars will be paying for these people's holidays and vacations, life insurance, early retirement, overly generous pension plans, etc. frustrates me to no end. Property taxes in Allegheny County are too damn high. So, I hope it's hard to get a job with the city, and I hope it gets harder, as fewer and fewer jobs are offered, and with less generous pay/benefits.

Why would you not want workers to have vacation time, paid days off for Christmas, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, pensions, etc.? Most of them are skilled, but even if not, those jobs should include benefits. That's selfish and short-sighted. I have a hunch I'll be paying more city taxes than you for the foreseeable future, and I have no wish to short anybody on their pay.