Anyone ever work for the US Census?

[fofinia]

My DH went and took the test for the Census. He's not sure how he did. They didn't give any feedback. and they didn't tell him when they would contact him. There were about 20 people taking the test. And all they would say is "If they had an opening they would call him." And they would not call to let him know if he passed or not. So not sure.

 

[Glenn]

I took the test a week ago. It consisted of 28 questions to be done in 30 minutes. They want two forms of ID, a drivers license and somthing like a SS card, pastport or birth certificate. I had to run home & come back with my second form of ID. The papers here said pay started around $13 but then the papers are so so wrong many times. Good luck.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Ok, well that solves that. I just called to get my name on the list to take the test. They said that they were all full and to call back in a month. I don't know what a month is going to do. Like every where else there's alot of unemployed people looking for jobs in my area. I'm not unemployed but looking at entering the work force again for part time work. There is very little full time or part time in our classified ad's.

Good luck to everyone looking for work.

 

[dolfinjuls]

My mother-in-law just applied and had to take some 2 hr test. The pay would be $11/hr and that's in South Jersey.

 

[sbakersub]

My son signed up and took the test last week. He said it was pretty easy. They told him he could go online to check his results in a couple of weeks. When they are hiring in the area, they'll apparently call up the test results for people in the area, and hire those with the highest scores and then work their way down the list. But he wasn't clear exactly when the hiring might start...

 

[Michelina]

I worked in the office scanning surveys back in 2000. It was the best temp job ever. I made $10-12/hr, the work was easy, we would take hour lunches. Toward the end there really wasn't anything to do so we would all come in and play board games for 8 hours.
If I didn't have this "real job", I'd be glad to do it again.

 

[nictodisney]

I worked the Census in 2000. The pay was good, included mileage and daily meetings to turn in the work.

About 75% of homes were easy to do. Then there was that other 25%. I was spit on, threatened with a gun, cussed at, you name it. I ended up quitting because of nightmares I started having after a little old couple pulled me in their home, locked the door, said they were getting their gun and calling the police. I ran!!! They did call the census # I gave them and complained about my tresspassing and haressing them. I was there once before and left a note on the door, that was it!

People that don't like the government take it out on you personally. I did have some towns that were better than others. You are on your own and no one knows where you are specifically. It can be a very stressful job.

There were lots of nice people too. It just wasn't worth dealing with the crazy ones for a job that only lasted a couple of months.

If you do go to people's homes - leave notes at home about where you'll be and messages on the answering machine at home to let family know where you are specifically. You will be going down long dirt roads, pass gates and signs that say no tresspassing. You will be going to the roughest neighborhoods (also the nice ones). I live in southern IL, a peaceful area, so I would hate to see what could happen in the bigger cities.

 

[swilshire]

If I remember correctly, the television last week said wages here are from $12 - $17 per hour. Pretty good for this area.

Sheila

 

[disney1990]

I looked at the website, if you go to the Find Your Local office section it will tell you the pay range. $10-16 in Cleveland Ohio

I went to the Census website, but I couldn't find anything about "Find Your Local" office section.

My DH took the exam last week. They let him stay until they graded his exam and they said that he did very well. They also said that they would be getting back to him sometime in early February, but they never mentioned what the pay would be.

He would be working in the Maryland suburbs of DC.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I went to the Census website, but I couldn't find anything about "Find Your Local" office section.

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/2010censusjobsmap/localofficemap.php

 

[Planogirl]

I worked for the Census ten years ago and it wasn't too bad. The pay was high for where we lived at the time and I worked rural routes which was kind of pleasant. I didn't have any problems with people but a few dogs and one turkey was quite threatening!

 

[Dictator]

I worked for the 2000 census doing data entry. It was paying about $14/hr back then. No benefits. Flexible scheduling. That's where I met my wife.
The job lasted from Feb-late October for those of us doing data entry.

 

[stazmatic]

My dh and I took the test last night. There were about twenty people. The test is 30 minutes timed to answer 28 questions. The questions were very commonsense and I think my 8 yo could have passed easily. There is no feedback and you are put on a list. The facilitator did say that those with military experience and a dd-214 are given preferential treatment for positions.
The pay ranges from $13-17 an hour plus mileage.

 

[vellamint]

I just made an appointment for a test...I could have gone tomorrow but Thursday was more convenient for me. I was surprised the testing was right NOW lol.

Wish me luck....thanks OP!

 

[tar heel]

My son took the longer test (and made a perfect score) last week, but he hasn't heard back from anyone. He has a college degree but hasn't been able to find a job.

My understanding is that the people being hired now are NOT the ones going door to door -- those jobs will be filled in the fall.

They stopped taking applicants here BTW.

 

[cruisnfamily]

They stopped taking applicants here BTW.

I just called my local office and they said they are not hiring now(they're full) but will be hiring again in April so I'll try to remember to call at that time.

 

[chattyann]

I worked at the Census Bureau in Indiana until Nov. 2006. It is not bad at all. It just depends on what department you are in. I worked data entry, phone center, geography, kit line, and a few other areas. I started there in 1998.

 

[Soccer Princess]

I just called to set up a test time and I am going Thursday afternoon. Random question -- do you just go take the test or did you speak to someone/interview as well? Did you dress in professional/interview attire? Thanks

 

[DisneeMommee]

When I took the test, there was no "official" interview, but I assume the person giving the test was taking some "unofficial" notes. We filled out the paperwork first, while waiting on everyone to arrive. She looked it over and had people fill in parts that required more explanation. At the scheduled time she handed out the tests and gave directions. After the time was finished, she collected the tests. She immediately graded them while we waited. She called our names one by one and gave us our results, privately, on our way out the door. Some people were dressed in nice work clothes, others showed up in ratty jeans and hoodies. I wore nice work clothes. She said they would begin calling the beginning of February to start filling positions, so far, I haven't received a call. I had 28 out of 28 correct. Goodluck!

 

[disney1990]

Remember, if you are a veteran, you get a small advantage for these positions.