Am I Too Old To Take a Civil Service Exam in NYC?

[l1995]

Originally Posted by stormgal

50K is not a reasonable starting salary for people over 60 unless they have a retirement package from a previous job.

The average household income in NYC is just over 50k

50k jobs don't grow on trees, and at least a 60 year old is almost old enough to collect Social Security

[Simplifly]

Originally Posted by nybklyn

Don't give up, you still have your chance. Have the right set of mind with expectation. Understand that the civil service exam is a process, so you need to give yourself another 2 years to get in the field. If I was you, and I really want to get into the civil service exam and work for the city, here is what I would do. I would constantly check on DCAS website for monthly open competitive exam and apply for the one that I am interested and qualified for. Meanwhile, I'll make sure I have a job to keep the paycheck coming to my bank. Other than getting prepare and doing what you can on your part, there's nothing else you can do.

If you really want to get started working for the city without the exam, you can simply by applying for job on nyc.gov just like how you apply for any other job. The downside of this would be, you will not be a permanent civil servant, instead, you are consider as provisional (meaning that at some point in your career, you either have to be on the civil service exam list to be pull off or get lay off).

If you give up on yourself, then you definitely don't have a chance. If you start doing what is necessary to get a job with the city, then at least you tried.

Would it be a waste of money to apply for a job you don't have to qualified experience for? Only have 2 years plus 1 year education but they ask for 5 years experience?

[nybklyn]

Originally Posted by Simplifly

Would it be a waste of money to apply for a job you don't have to qualified experience for? Only have 2 years plus 1 year education but they ask for 5 years experience?

Usually if they ask for 5 years work experience, is a preference, not a mandatory requirement. If it is part of a mandatory requirement, it would be under education. You can still apply for the job, but you already have a heads up that they prefer someone with 5 years work experience. So, don't be disappointed if they reject you simply due to lack of experience.

Just keep trying. There has to be some where that it will work out for you, and it also depends on how much you are willing to take it up.