The national unemployment rate is hovering around 10%, but the good news is that the upcoming 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary, part-time jobs across the United States. Better Business Bureau offers the following advice on what it takes to work for the Census and tips on how to land a job.
Every ten years, the U.S. government is required to count every man, woman, and child in the country. The 2010 Census is a massive undertaking that requires the work of more than one million individuals. This means that hundreds of thousands of temporary, part-time census jobs will be created across the U.S. to assist with the 2010 Census. This should come as great news to job hunters who are looking for part-time and temporary jobs.
Job hunters can apply for jobs with the Census Bureau now, however, most hiring will take place during the spring of 2010. Census takers usually work in their own communities, going door-to-door, conducting brief interviews with households that did not return their questionnaire. Census takers work approximately 20 to 40 hours per week, primarily in the evenings and on weekends and are paid weekly.
An applicant’s chances of getting a job with the Census depend on many factors, such as the availability of work in his or her community, test score results, number of hours he or she is available for census work and veterans' preference. Also being able to speak a second language—even a rare language—fluently is a sought-after trait. Applicants will need to be flexible as census work is usually conducted on weekends and during evening hours, when most people are at home to complete their census questionnaire.
BBB and the U.S. Census Bureau recommend that interested individuals take the following steps to apply for a job with the 2010 Census:
· Review the Census Bureau’s Jobs Web site – www.2010censusjobs.gov - to see if you may qualify.
· Call 1-866-861-2010 to: learn about available jobs, contact your local Census Bureau office, or to schedule an appointment to take the basic skills test. While you can’t necessarily study to take the test, you can see a sample test online to practice and prepare for the types of questions asked.
· Fill out the appropriate application and take it with you on the day of your testing. You’ll also want to bring your I-9 Form and proper identification when you take the test.
· Follow up on your test results and the status of your application with your local Census office by contacting them directly.
For more information on the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov. Job hunters can find more advice on landing a new job at www.bbb.org.
Do not divulge personal information to anyone who solicits information over the phone. Before making any purchase, always be sure to obtain a BBB report as part of your decision making process. For reports on businesses and for information about BBB services, visit our website at www.bbb.org or call (916) 443-6843.