Part 1

Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (italics).

There is an additional Transcriber’s Note at the end.

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PRICE 5 CENTS.

HOW TO GET A GOVERNMENT POSITION.

MULTUM IN PARVO LIBRARY.

Entered at Boston Post Office as second class matter. Published by A. B. Courtney, Room 74, 45 Milk Street, Boston.

Vol. 3. JULY, 1896. Published Monthly. No. 31

Subscription Price, 50 Cents Per Year.

HOW TO GET A GOVERNMENT POSITION.

For a young man or young lady without private means, or with but a small income, the Civil Service opens a channel for pleasant work, regular hours, and fairly good remuneration. Government employees know what to expect, can calculate exactly on the punctual payment of the amount assigned to their respective positions, and are certainly not expected to injure their health or mental powers by overwork; in addition to which, in some positions, at the end of a certain number of years they will find themselves in a position to retire from further labor, with a certain, if moderate, income for the remainder of their lives.

The Civil Service System of the United States has been extended until it is now the only avenue of entrance to thousands of lucrative positions. The examinations are competitive. Suppose that one hundred candidates write at a particular Civil Service examination in the city of Boston, that sixty-five of these pass the examination and that there are forty vacancies to be filled. Of these sixty-five successful candidates, the forty who stand highest are chosen for the positions, the candidate, whether man or woman, standing first, taking the best position, the candidate standing second, taking the second best position, and so on down. This makes it very desirable and important that intending candidates spare neither time nor money in preparing themselves thoroughly for the examination.

Limitations of space make it impossible to give more than a general outline of the examinations and a few practical hints as to the best method of studying for the examinations.

Requests for blank forms of application for competitive examination for admission to the Classified Civil Service and all regular applications for such examinations shall be made--

1. For Classified Departmental Service, to the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C.

2. Classified Customs Service: Sec. of Customs Board of Civil Service Examiners, ---- ----

3. Classified Postal Service, to the Sec. of the Postal Board of Civil Service Examiners, ---- ----

Give in the blank spaces the name of the town at which you wish to enter the service.

Requirements.

Applicants for ordinary positions must be not less than 16 or more than 35 years of age. Messengers, stampers and other juvenile assistants not under 14. In Classified Departmental and Customs Service are 18 to 45. Age limitations do not apply to those honorably discharged from service in the army or navy who served in the late war.

Three citizens to whom you are known must fill out blank forms giving statements as to your character, etc., if you desire to enter departmental service.

Blank Form of Application.

As indicated in the “Directions to Candidates,” send for a blank form of application, fill it out carefully, according to the directions given, and forward to the Commission or Board named thereon. The following questions are selected from the application form used by applicants for admission to the classified departmental service:--

Your Christian name and surname? Are you a citizen of the United States? Of what state or territory are you a (legal) resident? How long have you been a resident thereof? Your present post-office address? The day and year of your birth? Your age last birthday? Where were you born? Your education? (Kind of school, etc.) How old when you finally quitted school? Are you married? How many members of your family are in the classified service? Have you ever been convicted of, or are you under indictment for, any crime? Do you habitually use intoxicating beverages to excess? Are you physically capable of a full discharge of the duties of the position to which you are seeking appointment? Have you any defect of sight? Of hearing? Of speech? Of limb? Have you been examined for the classified service since July 16, 1883? Particulars? Are you now in the service? Were you dismissed? Were you ever in the military service of the United States? Your place of abode during year of 18--. Your occupation during that year? Name of your employer, and his business? Present post-office address of employer?

Examination Rules.

1. Two examinations for each classified customs district and post office shall be held each year. In each customs district one commencing the first Tuesday of April and the second on the first Tuesday of October; in each post office one commencing on the first Tuesday of February and the second on the first Tuesday of August. The examinations continue from day to day until all applicants present upon regular notification have had an opportunity to be examined.

2. An applicant for a customs or a postal examination, cannot be examined at any other custom house or post-office than the one in which he is seeking to enter the classified service.