NJDOP - FAQ -JOB/TESTING

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	How do I find the current job openings? Do I have to be a citizen to apply for a Merit System job? Can I be exempt from the $15 application fee? After an application has been filed, how long will it be until the exam is held? Can I change my residency code? I am scheduled for an examination and do not know how to get to the exam center. Can you give me directions? I am scheduled for an examination, but I will be on vacation out of the country. What can I do? What can I expect to find on the test? How do you determine what type of test is administered (for example, multiple choice, education and experience)? How can I prepare for a test? Are there study guides available for tests? I am listed as a veteran with the Department of Personnel. Can you tell me how Veteran's Preference helps me on an examination? I took a test last week. Can you tell me when I can expect my results? I received a notice of ineligibility, how do I know what my score was and what was the cutoff? I applied for an examination and submitted a copy of my DD214 in order to get veterans preference. I just received a notice saying that I am being listed as a non-veteran. Why? What is the difference between rank on a list and position on a certification? How long does it take for a list to be certified? I was recently certified to a position. What do I do now? I responded to a certification letter but haven't heard anything, what is the next step? What happens if a candidate has not been certified, and the list expires? How do I know if I have been certified for any titles? How can I learn what the terminology used by the Department of Personnel means?

	1. How do I find the current job openings? The job openings are listed on our website under JOBS.

	2. Do I have to be a citizen to apply for a Merit System job? No. We accept applications from non-citizens who have been admitted to permanent residence in the United States and have a “green card”. However, you must meet the residency requirements and all other requirements that are shown in the specific Job Announcement. EXCEPTION: To apply for Public Safety titles (Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Corrections Officer, or Sheriff's Officer) you must be a US citizen.

	3. Can I be exempt from the $15 application fee? Exemptions are regulated by the New Jersey State Law; see Title 11A:4-1.1. You can also visit our Job Application Process (step 4) for information on exemptions.

	4. After an application has been filed, how long will it be until the written exam is held? This depends on numerous factors, such as the number of people who have applied for the exam, the availability of test centers, how much time is required to develop/prepare the examination, policies or rules governing particular titles, etc. It could be anywhere between three to seven months. Sometimes, it may even take longer.

	5. Can I change my residency code? If it is prior to the closing date of the announcement, all information on your application may be changed, including your residency code. After the announcement closes, we can only change your address, for mailing purposes. The residency code that is in your record on the closing date will stay on your record for the life of the list. » Change of Address Form

	6. I am scheduled for an examination and do not know how to get to the testing center. Can you give me directions? Directions to testing centers are available on our website.

	7. I am scheduled for an examination, but I will be on vacation out of the country. What can I do? Makeup criteria vary for different types of examinations. Information on make-up exams: ALL make-up examinations (EXCEPT professional level engineering promotional and public safety) Public Safety and Professional level Engineering promotional make-up examinations

	8. What can I expect to find on the test? Written and oral examinations are designed to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the announced title. These KSAs usually can be found in the job specification of the title to be tested. You can view general information about studying for Multiple Choice Tests by going to the » Multiple-Choice Exam Orientation Guide.

	9. How do you determine what type of test is administered (for example, multiple choice, education and experience)? Generally speaking, the greater the number of candidates who compete for a particular job announcement: the greater the probability that a formal, written examination will be held. When a relatively small number of candidates, that all meet eligibility requirements, apply for a given job announcement, it is often not practical to administer a formal test. However, there are certain titles that, regardless of the number of eligible applicants, it is still necessary to assess the knowledge, skill and ability level of the applicant population. If that measurement has already been performed by virtue of an applicant’s possession of a certification or license, an education and experience rating will be used to rank candidates, not a formal test.

	10. How can I prepare for a test? You should make sure that you get a good night’s sleep the night before the test, eat properly during the day, and arrive at the examination center in advance of the scheduled time, so that you are not upset by having to rush. You can view general information about studying for Multiple Choice Tests by going to the Multiple-Choice Exam Orientation Guide. Also, the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) offers a preparatory course, Ready, Set, Test! for individuals preparing for a civil service exam.

	11. Are there study guides available for tests? We have several different types of study guides. You can view a complete list of all of our orientation guides on our website.

	12. I am listed as a veteran with the Department of Personnel. Can you tell me how Veteran's Preference helps me on an examination? In the open-competitive examination process, Disabled Veterans who pass the exam head the list in rank order, followed by veterans who pass the exam, then non-veterans. For more information, go to the Veteran’s section of our website.

	13. I took a test last week. Can you tell me when I can expect my results? It normally takes about 4-6 weeks after a test is given before candidates are notified of the results. Notification of test results involving public safety examinations may take somewhat longer.

	14. I received a notice of ineligibility saying that my score was below passing, how do I know what my score was and what was the cutoff? As indicated on your notice of ineligibility, you may call the DOP at (609) 292-4144 for an appointment to inspect your test papers and see scoring information. You must call within 20 days from the date of your notice.

	15. I applied for an examination and submitted a copy of my DD214 in order to get veterans preference. I just received a notice saying that I am being listed as a non-veteran. Why? In many cases, in order to get the preference, you must have served in a specific area (usually a conflict area), as well as during a specific time period. These areas are listed on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ web site. For additional information, please contact the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’.

	16. What is the difference between rank on a list and position on a certification? Rank on a “list” does not change unless the Merit System Board orders a change as a result of appeals. When a certification is generated from the “list” of eligible candidates, our computer system numbers the relative “position” of each candidate on the certification only as a reference point for the hiring agency. This is not the same as rank on the list. Certifications are issued using all active lists, with older lists positioned above newer lists. For example, an eligible ranked #10 on an old list may be in position one on a certification, and the eligible ranked #1 on a newer list may be in position two. In addition, eligible people who are tied in rank on a list are listed alphabetically, but they all occupy the same rank. EXAMPLE: If Smith, Doe, Jones, and Hill are tied for Rank 1 on a list, their positions on a certification may be: 1. Doe; 2. Hill; 3. Jones; and 4. Smith. All four are considered equal for appointment consideration.

	17. How long does it take for a list to be certified? A list will not be certified unless the Appointing Authority requests a certification. It can be almost immediate following issuance, or may take some time, depending on the need of the Appointing Authority to fill a position.

	18. I was recently certified to a position. What do I do now? Respond to the appointing authority shown on your certification notice within five days of the notice date, and indicate that you are interested in the job. You may respond by telephone, but follow up in writing within the deadline shown on the notice. If the appointing authority calls you for an interview, try to be available at the appointing authority’s convenience. Appear for the interview on time and in professional office attire, and expect to answer questions reasonably related to the job for which you are applying. Ask any questions that you have about the job, so that you can make an informed decision about whether to accept an offer. If the appointing authority does not call you for an interview, follow up with them to find out why. If they do not respond to your follow-up, contact the DOP Information Center at 609 292-4144.

	19. I responded to a certification letter but haven't heard anything. What is the next step? If the appointing authority does not call you for an interview, follow up with them to find out why. If they do not respond to your follow-up, contact the DOP Information Center at 609 292-4144.

	20. What happens if a candidate has not been certified, and the list expires? Unfortunately, there are times when more people are eligible for a position than are needed to fill the position. If this is the case, the list may expire without candidates ever becoming certified.

	21. How do I know if I have been certified for any titles? You may call the DOP at (609) 292-4144 to find out any titles to which you have been certified.

	22. How can I learn what the terminology used by the Department of Personnel means? Definitions can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/personnel/public_empls/terms.htm.

	If you still have a question regarding testing or other information after viewing our FAQs, please call the information center at the Department of Personnel who will be happy to assist you. The DOP Information Center may be reached at: (609) 292-4144.