Census Jobs

KarmaQueen_2

Wohoo well after training etc I have now just accepted the final offer as a co-ordinator. Getting quite excited now, should be very different!

x:j

velissaria

wwalker30 wrote: »

Hi Lambourne I haven't been waiting as long you have, but I phoned them today as I have been waiting just over 6wks.

They told me that they hadn't made a decision yet, I asked why this was and they said that they had to move the deadline for the area where I applied. He said that census has to reach a certain about of applications in each area before making a final decision and they hadn't reached their target number for the area where I applied.

Sounds like they are just stalling till someone better comes along.

I agree, it seems to be a real reason and not an excuse. Processing and decision time seem to differ between different areas.

I applied for the Collector and the Enumerator jobs and went through the Siftability tests on the same day, mid-December (btw the tests were identical). The Collector Job is local (council where I live), the enumerator is in another town half an hour away (different council).

I got invited for the Collector tel. interview, I did that, and I received two emails since then thanking me for my patience because they need more time to view all applications. Re- the Enumerator job, I got an email after 2 weeks telling that although I "did well" in the siftability test, I was not successful. They did not say why, but I can clearly see that it was because of the distance and not being local. They clearly prefer local people for these roles, which makes sense, because they won't have to pay commuting expenses, local people will know the areas better etc.

lambourne

:(I also received the email saying should hear in 2 - 3 weeks but then again that is what they said after the telephone interview in November!

Does anyone know who is responsible for the census in governemnt or civil service as I feel that they way candidates are being treated should be brought to their attention?.

Incidentally I have applied for the area where I live, as at 26th January they were still advertising for people to work in this area, it seems they are waiting until they have more applicants before deciding which means those who applied within the original deadline (i.e. were most organised and followed the guidance) are actually being penalised, if I didn't need the money I would tell them to stuff their job!

ShaneUK

I applied for a Census Collector 29th December, and got an email yesterday inviting me for a telephone interview, which is tomorrow night....

Tomthumb

Off for my Special Enumerator training this afternoon! Bit nervous but it's only 4 hours so not too bad

tobsy99

I had my interview for Census Collector on 17th December and have also not been told the result of my application yet. I have telephoned twice and been told that they are waiting for the job deadline to be reached so that all candidates can be assessed fairly. The problem with this is that firstly the deadline has been extended at least 4 times. The second problem is that I know this not to be true. My husband decided to apply for a part time collector post for exactly the same area a few days after me, as did a colleague. They both received job offers on the same day way back in early January and have already completed their online training.

I agree that this process has been a complete farce, but worse that that it is totally unfair.

mellymeep

I applied on the 12th November, did the phone interview the week later and have had numerous emails applogising for the delay, think I'm just gonna give up now!

ColU_FC

1/11/10 - Applied for post of Special Enumerator.
2/11/10 - Completed SiftAbility test.
16/12/10 - Telephone interview undertaken.
30/12/10 - Received email saying "Thank you for taking the time to complete a telephone interview for the above role. Unfortunately, your application has not been successful at this stage."
8/2/11 - Received email saying "We are delighted to confirm that your application has been successful."
:rotfl:
If the recruitment process has been this poor what chance the actual execution of the census project is going to run smoothly?

As they say on Dragon's Den, I'm out.

ColU_FC

BluebellWood wrote: »

The English system sounds like a nightmare and a shambles.

I have got the job of Census Enumerator in Scotland and the application and interview system was extremely efficient. I had a group interview and was advised within 24 hours that I had the job.

I was then given clear communication about the next steps. My references were checked, disclosure returned and information on training times/venues and contract were completed within two weeks of the interview. I can't believe that with weeks to go all the job offers are not in place in England. Not sure who is running the Scottish operation, but don't think it is Capita.

I'll give you a little more information about how farcical it is.

It took 3 months and 8 days from initial application till today's job offer. The Special Enumerator's job commences on 7 March 2011. That's 3 weeks and 6 days from today. In that time the following tasks need to be completed:

1. Send various items of ID to Capita.
2. Capita to undertake criminal record checks.
3. Send details of referees to Capita.
4. Capita to request, receive and check references.
5. Undertake the e-learning programme.
6. Undertake classroom training.
7. Get together with other team members in your specific area prior to commencement of the project. It doesn't say this in the emails I've received, I'm just guessing it might be a good idea if one wanted to run an effective team during the life of the project.
8. Receive sign and return contract of employment.

I worked in project management for a few years. This doesn't feel or look like a well run project to me.

moosetastic

Tomthumb wrote: »

Off for my Special Enumerator training this afternoon! Bit nervous but it's only 4 hours so not too bad

ive got my special enumerator training tomorrow, how did it go? what did it consist of, if you dont mind sharing