Additional FAQs are being developed for the new eRecruiting system as questions are submitted.
- What is involved in a career counseling session?
- Where can I get an Examining/Employment Application (CMS100)?
- May I submit a resume for grading instead of an Examining/Employment Application (CMS100)?
- Can I get information about the hiring and testing process online?
- I don't have internet access at home. Where can I go to view postings and submit applications online?
- Is volunteer experience credited toward my final grade?
- What are the various types of civil service tests?
- What is automated testing?
- Do you make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities?
- How long does it take to get a grade notice?
- What happens if I don't get an A grade?
- How do I appeal my grade?
- What happens after I take my test and get my grade?
- How long are my grades valid?
- How do I renew my grades?
- What if I want to change one or both of my county choices?
- How many times may I change my counties?
- I have heard of hiring preferences. Do Illinois residents have preference for hiring over non-residents?
- What is "Reinstatement"?
- What does Absolute Veterans Preference mean?
- What are "Cook County Zones"?
- How do I save a copy of the CMS-100 application to my home computer?
- How do I transfer data from one CMS-100 application to another?
What is involved in a career counseling session?
A counseling session usually lasts about 30 minutes. The CMS career counselor will talk to you about your employment interests, in which counties you prefer to work, and what your salary needs are. He/she reviews your application, recommends appropriate titles, and provides you with testing information. You are required to bring a completed Examining/Employment Application (CMS100) with you to the session.
Where can I get an Examining/Employment Application (CMS100)?
You may obtain an Examining/Employment Application (CMS100) by contacting any one of the following locations:
- CMS Assessment Centers
- Chicago: James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph, Suite 3- 300, (voice) 312/793-3565 or (TTY) 312/814-4458.
- Springfield: Capital City Center, 130 West Mason Street, Second Floor, (voice) 217/557-6885 or Illinois Relay Center: 800/526-0844.
- Champaign: State Regional Office Building, 2125 South First Street, (voice) 217/278-3435 or Illinois Relay Center: 800/526-0844.
- Marion: State Regional Office Building, 2309 West Main Street, (voice) 618/993-7005 or Illinois Relay Center: 800/526-0844.
- Rockford: E.J. "Zeke" Giorgi Center, 200 South Wyman, (voice) 815/987-7004 or Illinois Relay Center: 800/526-0844.
- Any Illinois Employment and Training Center (IETC) operated by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
- The Department of Central Management Services Examining and Counseling Division Office, Room 500 Stratton Office Building, Springfield, Il 62706, (voice) 217/782-7100 or (TDD) 217/785-3979.
- The application can be downloaded from the internet and completed electronically or printed and completed manually.
May I submit a resume for grading instead of an Examining/Employment Application (CMS100)?
No. In order to get full credit for your work experience, you must complete the Examining/Employment Application (CMS100) in detail with comprehensive descriptions of your previous:
- duties,
- hours worked per week or month,
- numbers of subordinate staff, and
- work experience in detail.
Can I get information about the hiring and testing process online?
Yes. Please visit our website at http://work.illinois.gov for information about the services and programs offered by the Department of Central Management Services.
I don't have internet access at home. Where can I go to view postings and submit applications online?
Those without home access to the internet can visit dozens of state facilities across Illinois to view postings and apply online. View the Contact Us page for a list of locations.
Is volunteer experience credited toward my final grade?
RELATED professional volunteer experience, if quantified, will be considered and credited accordingly. Be sure to describe the hours worked per week or month, any supervisory responsibilities, etc. Non-related volunteer experience is not credited for the position for which you are applying.
What are the various types of civil service tests?
There are several forms of civil service tests.
- Automated tests are primarily for entry-level and mid-level position titles. They are in the form of multiple-choice questions on a touch screen computer. These questions are grouped by subject matter. There will be a question or statement and four possible answers from which to select the correct answer.
- Performance tests determine the applicants' keyboarding, data entry and/or dictation speed. These portions of the Automated Testing process are required for titles which have typing, data entry or dictation as part of their duties.
- Training and Experience (Traex) reviews are used for position titles needing higher levels of training and/or experience. Education and Experience on the CMS-100 employment application is evaluated and scored according to the requirements of the position.
- Supplemental questionnaires are used for position titles which have specialized technical experience and/or mandatory education requirements. The questionnaire asks specific questions related to the position. These are used to help assess the level of the candidate's qualifications for a particular position.
What is automated testing?
Automated testing refers to the manner in which a test is administered. There is no paper involved. The entire test is presented on a computer screen. Multiple choice questions are displayed on the computer screen, four possible answers are listed, and you merely touch your selected answer. This type of testing offers many advantages to the applicant. For example, you receive a grade immediately after the exam; after it is scored, you have 15 minutes to see your scored results, and you receive a breakdown of how well you did in each section.
Do you make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities?
Yes. CMS has an Accommodated Testing Program for persons with disabilities. Applicants who have a certified disability may request a reasonable accommodation. To request accommodation, please contact the Disabilities Coordinator at 217/524-7514 (voice) or (800) 526-0844 (Illinois Relay Center).
How long does it take to get a grade notice?
For automated testing, the grades are provided upon completion of the test. If you select a title that requires an assessement of your training and experience (Traex), or you require a paper and pencil test, you should receive your grade by mail in approximately three weeks.
What happens if I don’t get an A grade?
“A” grade candidates are interviewed first. If you do not receive an “A” grade, it would be to your benefit to re-test in an effort to improve your score. You may test again for the same title after 30 calendar days. If you wish to appeal a grade you’ve received see the next question.
How do I appeal my grade?
Applicants have always been able to appeal their open competitive and promotional examination grades by submitting a signed and dated statement requesting an appeal to the CMS Examining & Counseling Division. Grades must be appealed within ninety (90) days from the exam date in order to be considered a valid appeal. Appeals will be considered received on the date they are stamped received by the CMS Examining & Counseling Division. Untimely appeals will not be considered. Submit your written appeal to Central Management Services, Examining & Counseling Division, Room 500, Stratton Office Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706.
What happens after I take my test and get my grade?
Your name will be placed on an eligibility list for the county or counties of your choice. When a state agency intends to fill a position, the personnel office requests the eligibility list for the position title and a particular county. The employing agency contacts the individuals inviting them to interview for the vacant position.
How long are my grades valid?
When you receive a passing grade, your name is placed on an eligibility list. Open competitive grades remain on the list for 12 months; promotional grades are valid for three years. Your name will be removed from the eligibility list if you fail to respond to an invitation for interview (referral), or if you waive or decline two referrals.
How do I renew my grades?
After your grade expires, you have to again participate in the civil service testing process.
What if I want to change one or both of my county choices?
Complete and sign a Change of Information Form (CMS-263) [PDF, 13KB] and submit it to:
Examining & Counseling Division
401 S. Spring Street
500 Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Fax: (217) 524-8740
To help with your selection, a county map [PDF, 27KB] is available.
The form and map are in PDF format and may be viewed/completed/printed using Acrobat Reader.
How many times may I change my counties?
There is no limit.
I have heard of hiring preferences. Do Illinois residents have preference for hiring over non-residents?
Yes
What is "Reinstatement"?
The Personnel Rules state that a former certified employee who resigned or terminated in good standing may be reinstated to a position in the class to which the employee was assigned prior to resignation, or to a position in any other position class for which the employee is qualified. Reinstatement is a means of employment - - it is not a guarantee of employment.
In order to be considered for employment via reinstatement, you must apply to agencies for posted vacancies.
What does Absolute Veterans Preference mean?
In 1997, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that military veterans shall receive absolute hiring preference over non-veterans in the same grade category.
Absolute Veterans Preference refers to two aspects of the hiring process. First, preference points are awarded to the passing scores of veterans when they apply for open competitive grades. The points vary depending on the nature of the military service and the status of the veteran.
Second, when an agency hires from the open competitive eligibility list, it must consider veteran applicants before non-veterans.
What are "Cook County Zones"?
Cook County is divided into five zones for the position titles listed below for the purpose of administering eligible lists. The open competitive position titles which Cook County zones apply are:
Automotive Mechanic
Child Development Aide III
Cook I
Heavy Construction Equipment Operator
Highway Maintainer
Highway Maintainer Lead Worker
Laborer (Maintenance)
Licensed Practical Nurse I & II
Office Aide
Office Assistant
Office Clerk
Security Officer
Stores Clerk
Storekeeper I
Support Service Worker
View the Cook County map [PDF, 1.8MB] and respective zones. The map is in PDF format and may be viewed using Acrobat Reader.
How do I save a copy of the application to my home computer?
To save a copy of the file on your computer for later use, right-click on the link and select Save Target As, then select a location on your computer (like My Documents) to save the file. You can then go to your My Documents folder (or whatever location you saved the file in) and double click on it to open the application without needing to be online.
How do I transfer data from one application to another?
To transfer your data from an old CMS-100 application to a new one, first open the old saved version and click the Export Data button. Save the data file to a location on your computer (like My Documents). Now open the new application and click the Import Data button. Go to the location you saved the data file in step one, select the file and click the Select button.