maybe a boring post?

today, i just completed the first part of the application for a u.s. census job.

i decided to do this because the census only comes around every ten years and if they would find a place for me with my crazy schedule, i could potentially make $18.75 an hour.

www.2010uscensusjobs.gov

i was hoping for a more blog worthy experience, but it was rather mundane. here are the steps:

1. call your local census center and set up a time to take the employment test.
2. go to the employment site with the appropriate form of ID (passport is best).
3. fill out an application.
4. take a 30 minute test (28 questions) to assess clerical, organizational, number, analysis and some other skills.
5. wait to hear from them.

the most difficult question (for me) was something like... 39.2 x 173 (no calculators allowed).

what i learned:
1. i appreciate our government with processes like these. it was simple, thought-out and open to many people to give them a job (they even provided writing utensils and scratch paper).
2. the writing utensils were very industrial.
3. i like competition and tests (particularly when i know i can do well).
4. i like filling in the little circles neatly.
5. census hopefuls reflect chicago's diversity and i was curious of all of their stories. some came in with sheepish grins and i wondered if this was 1 of 200 tries at a job. others spoke different languages. while others loudly answered cell phones while waiting. nothing was extraordinarily different or shocking.

i may or may not hear from them since my availability isn't stellar. but i was glad to do the experience and pray for others while i was doing it.