Website, DB, & Software Developers

Last Governor didn't exactly help with some of her privatization efforts. Thus far, the new Governor seems a lot less hostile towards us.

There has been a strange disconnect with some state tech jobs and the application/hiring process. We got dozens of people applying for a Help Desk gig, including people with advanced degrees. Then for some programming gigs, no one applies. I talked to someone at another state agency, and they were getting people like out of work plumbers applying for mid level programming gigs with no programming experience at all.

There has been a recent "brain drain" over the past couple of years at the state, so you don't necessarily have to be a spot on match with experience or skillset. Of course, that can mean you step into a void that you have to fill, and it can be sink or swim.

There was another guy hired, same time as me, with no Mainframe and no COBOL experience. He read some things online, and actually did OK on the programming test they gave. He's done pretty good, shown initiative, and worked hard. Early on, he was frustrated, and some of the senior folks were talking bad about him. I spread it around, "If y'all don't want to work with him, give him to me. I'll work with him, since he's willing to learn, and oh by the way, he comes to me for help anyway because y'all don't seem to understand how to explain COBOL to someone trying to learn it."

If the job has 4 major skills desired, and you only have one, apply. If you don't have the required years they want, apply. If you are THE candidate, or just the best candidate, you might get in.

Sometimes the application is a bit of a test in reading carefully and following directions. There might be instructions buried in the job listing that say, "Attach a copy of your resume, cover letter, and references" or "Complete the application at the link near the bottom and attach it".

If you get in for a first interview, those are almost always technical in nature. Could be a written test that they leave you in a room with to complete. Other times they just hand you the questions printed out, and you answer aloud. I have found that younger managers will sometimes employ the dry erase board, maybe sketch a couple of database tables, and ask you to write a SQL statement to do something.

If you get called back for a second interview, that will be the compatibility test. Working well with others, stepping up to get the work done, working out conflicting priorities with Project Managers, etc.

Some places combine it all together in one interview and have both technical and compatibility questions together. If you see the people on the interview panel writing while you are answering questions, they are scoring your answers. 5 points total, 1 point for saying X, 2 points for saying Y, 2 more points for saying Z. That sort of thing. Some will give unconscious visual cues like putting down their pen/pencil when you have completely answered the question to their satisfaction.

There is time reserved near the end for you to ask anything or add anything. If there are any gaps in your skillset or years of experience, as compared to what the job posting wants, now is the time you can proactively address those. "I know that on paper I am not an ideal match for this job, but I know that I can step into this role and deliver what is needed." Make it your own words so that it flows naturally and sounds like it comes from you.

Something you might want to do is make an appointment at a local WorkSource office to talk with a job coach, career counselor, or whatever that local office calls them. Resume advice, mock interviews, 30 second commercial were all very helpful and valuable to me.
https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/worksource/

If you know anyone personally at any state agency, ask them if they know anyone in IT. See if you can get an informational interview with one of the hiring managers in IT. There might be a position they are trying to fill, and you showing the initiative of seeking them out could be enough for them to consider you when otherwise they would not. On the other hand, if the person is a complete jerk, then maybe you cross that agency off your list. Even if you don't know anyone, but the job interests you, contact the person listed on the position. They might be HR or they might be IT. See if you can get an informational interview with the hiring manager to learn more about the agency, the office or department, and the work involved.

If you are not 100% certain what a particular agency does, go on their website and fish around. You can get a good overview from a little reading. I applied for a job with the Board of Industrial Insurance Adjustments, BIIA, two years ago. They did ask me during the interview if I knew what they did, and I gave a brief synopsis from what I read online. They can be helpful so that you have an idea about how serious they are as an agency. For example, I know the Washington State Patrol polygraphs all employees, even IT. I've talked to people who applied to WSP, not for trooper jobs, and the interview can feel like an interrogation.