FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the principles of a Merit System?
What is a job interest card?
If I want to apply for more than one job, do I have to file more than one application?
How often can I apply for the same job?
How long do I have to wait before I am contacted after I submit my application?
How do I prepare for the test? What do I study?
Do I get bonus points if I am a veteran and/or disabled?
Do I get bonus points as an employee of Lynwood Unified School District?
How long is the total examination process?
When will I start the examination process?
What happens after I take an examination?
What is a rank number?
For how long is the eligibility list good?
Why has my rank number changed?
Why do other candidates have the same rank number as myself?
How do I receive an invitation for a selection interview?
What happens if I do not receive an invitation to a selection interview?
What happens if I don’t get selected for the position?
What happens if I am selected?
How can I review my application?

What is a Merit System?

A Merit system is a method of personnel management that is designed to promote the efficiency and economy of the workforce and the good of the public by providing for the selection and retention of employees, promotional opportunities, in-service training, and other related matters, on the basis of merit, fitness and the principle of “like pay for like work.”

What are the principles of a Merit System?

Hiring and promoting employees on the basis of ability, with open competition in initial employment
Providing for compensation
Retaining employees on the basis of performance
Correcting inadequate performance and separating those whose inadequate performance cannot be corrected
Training employees as needed for high quality performance
Assuring fair treatment of all applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, gender or religious creed and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens
Protecting employees against political coercion and prohibiting use of official positions to affect an election or nomination for office

What is a job interest card?
- Job interest cards serve the purpose of notifying prospective applicants via email of job openings that pique their interest. Prospective applicants can avoid having to check and re-check the website for openings; they can merely fill out a job interest card and receive notifications for any job category(s) of their choosing.
If I want to apply for more than one job, do I have to file more than one application?
- Each job requires the submittal of its own application. However, a single application can be stored online in the Neogov system and adapted for each job.
How often can I apply for the same job?
- If an applicant fails an examination, he/she must wait 90 days to retake the examination, if the recruitment for the position is still open.
How long do I have to wait before I am contacted after I submit my application?
- Applicants will be contacted approximately two (2) weeks after the recruitment period for the position has closed. Recruitment periods generally last three (3) weeks, for a minimum of fifteen working days.
How do I prepare for the test? What do I study?
- For test preparation information, including links to free test preparation and test taking practice websites click HERE.
  Public libraries are also a good source for reference materials. Below is the contact information and hours of operation for the Lynwood Public Library:
Do I get bonus points if I am a veteran and/or disabled?
- Veterans are allowed an additional five points (or ten points if disabled as the result of military service) for military or related service rendered during time of war or national emergency, to be added to the final passing score in an “open examination.” This does not apply to promotional opportunities.
Do I get bonus points as an employee of Lynwood Unified School District?
- Promotional applicants who successfully complete all parts of the examination process for these positions shall have seniority credits added to their final overall passing scores in the amount of one-half (1/2) point for each year of service with the District to a maximum of ten (10) points (20 years).
How long is the total examination process?
- A number of variables factor into the duration of the examination process (e.g., ability to recruit interview panel members). Generally, the examination process can be expected to be completed in 90 days.
When will I start the examination process?
- The examination process will commence approximately two (2) weeks after the closing of the recruitment period for that position.
What happens after I take an examination?
- Within three (3) weeks following the examination, applicants will receive either a pass/fail letter, disqualification letter, or a letter inviting them to the next phase of the examination process.
What is a rank number?
- A rank number is an applicant’s position on the eligibility list in the order of their relative merit, according to their combined point total from all examinations.
For how long is the eligibility list good?
- The eligibility list shall become effective upon approval by the Personnel Director, but shall be presented to the Personnel Commission for formal approval at its next regularly scheduled meeting (following completion of the selection process). Once approved, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for a period of one (1) year.
Why has my rank number changed?
- Rank numbers can change when applicants ahead of you are interviewed, selected, and/or rejected, thus meaning that they have been taken off the list.
Why do other candidates have the same rank number as myself?
- All eligible applicants with the same total score will be considered as having the same rank. It must be noted: rank is NOT the same as number. Though an applicant may be ranked second, he/she is not necessarily the second of three people that will receive an invitation to a selection interview. Again, a particular rank can be given to more than one eligible applicant.
How do I receive an invitation for a selection interview?
- An applicant that completes and passes two examinations will assume a rank on the eligibility list according to their combined point total from all examinations. Applicants in the top three (3) ranks of the eligibility list receive an invitation to the selection interview.
What happens if I do not receive an invitation to a selection interview?
- Applicants on the eligibility who do not receive an invitation to interview will remain on the eligibility list, to be called for future vacancies as they occur. Once approved by the Personnel Commission, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for one (1) year.
What happens if I don’t get selected for the position?
- Applicants on the eligibility who are not selected yet and who have not been rejected will remain on the eligibility list, to be called for future vacancies as they occur. Once approved by the Personnel Commission, an eligibility list shall remain in effect for one (1) year. To be considered for a position after a year (after the eligibility list has expired) you will be required to re-test for the position to be placed on the list.
What happens if I am selected?
- Applicants will receive a call from a Classified Personnel staff member notifying them that they have been selected for a position, at which point they have the option of either accepting or declining the offer. Applicants can decline twice before they are removed from the eligibility list.
How can I review my application?
- To view your application, check the status of your application, and view examination dates/time, please use your NEOGOV/GovernmentJobs Username and Password to log onto www.governmentjobs.com (click “Career Seekers”).