This was posted yesterday on a different thread. I've noticed there are a few textbooks etc. in bookstores out there which prepare you for different tests etc. for certain jobs, am I correct?
My question is this: does anyone know of any other similar tests like this one?
I can't afford college right now and maybe this could be a way to slightly improve my work situation in the US.
Also, I don't remember who it was (clmarsh perhaps?) but someone mentioned office-based skill tests etc. they took for a temp agency (I don't remember, sorry). Anyone have any info on this or any links to websites with more info?
I think I'll try to take it one step at a time and if there is any way I can get credentials of any kind to prove that I can work in an office environment, I'd do anything I can for it. (I'm used to studying and taking exams, I just don't know which exams/tests to take).

Thankies.

Raspberry,

I took the test in the temp agency. It was Adecco, I believe they must be located almost everywhere in USA (they are international job placement agency).

They tested me for computer literacy - Word, Excel and Power Point and so called "Clerical Will Do", which was mostly, in my opinion, checking out your work attitude. They told me my results, but I am not sure if they would give you anything in writing if you wanted it. My understanding is that they were doing it as their internal procedure - so they know where they can send you depending on your skills.

I am not sure how helpful it would be for you, but if you have Adecco close to you, you can go there and go through the whole procedure. You don't have to take a job from them, but if you wanna get experience in the office, it's probably a good solution to start.

I have a lot of office experience and skills and can't find a job here, but Adecco placed me in the office temporarily for a month, so it's better than nothing.

Good luck

Ana

Thanks for your reply, Ana. I appreciate it.

I might just have to go back to that bookstore to figure this out.

I took tests like that as well at Robert Half (another temp firm) they do share your results with you, and tell you how well you did in relation to the rest of the pool of applicants in your region. And hey, they kept calling with job oppotunities, too!

I found this website: http://www.expertrating.com/examlist.asp
I wonder if the certs you can get hold any weight though.

I did a couple of the free Expert Training tests online, they were okay, but I thought some of the questions were rather subjective, particularly in the Office Skills test as everyone has a different way of answering phones and directing messages etc. Clearly there is a way NOT to do it, but there are certainly more ways than one to conduct yourself in a polite and professional manner. That kind of thing depends on the company that you work for.

I didn't look at the 'paid for' tests. They might be significantly better, although I have no idea how much weight they would carry if any with an employer.
If only they recognized Pitman here.

this is not office work related but you can sign up tot take a test at your local post office to become a mail person. The work is not the most fun, but pay is good, starting is in the 12-14 dollars per hour for a rual route carrier.

And the great thing about being a rual route carrier is that your route is set as a time, ie it shoudl take you 8 hours and 15 min for this route, and you get paid for that time amount no matter how fast you finish so the faster you work the better....if you get our route done in 5 hours then there is 3 hours and 15 min that you are getting paid for even when you are off.....and benifits are great.

all rual route carriers do start off at part time though, but that means atleast one day a week at about 100 per day so if you have nothing eles an extra 400 a month would probablly be nice. plus lots of time there is more work so extra money.

just a thought

I've been looking into that and it sounds great (well, alot better than my current job anyhow) but I'll have to get my driver's license first huh?
Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I guess you are not aware of the restrictions put on non-citizens. If you are not a citizen it means you are NOT qualified even to apply for government jobs..including post office jobs.

USPS - Employment Requirements

I wanna become a carrier too :D:D:D

logging on the post office site immediately

Anastassia,

Do you have permanent residence without condition? (As you see in raspberryswirl's explanation Conditional Permanent Residents are not qualified) I do not have any of these...not even CPR. I hope you do and wish you good luck working for USPS

"guess you are not aware of the restrictions put on non-citizens. If you are not a citizen it means you are NOT qualified even to apply for government jobs..including post office jobs."



I was aware of the conditions, but not everyone on this site is at the same place, so for people who are having there condition lifted soon, or already have them lifted. And honestly I would like to know what oppertunites were out there for me, even if I had to wait, better pay is always nice. So, I was just throwing the idea out there. I knew it wouldn't apply to everyone but for some people it would be helpfull

Alright, I've done some research (ahem) and maybe some of you might find this useful, so here's a list of exams you can prepare for with textbooks that are available on Amazon or B&N:

Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exams offered by the Project Management Institute (Website)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exams offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (Website)

Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) and Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) exams offered by the Institute for Supply Management (http://www.napm.org/)

Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) exam (Website

It's a start, right?

I can't afford college right now and maybe this could be a way to slightly improve my work situation in the US.

Hi RS I noticed you mentioned "you cant afford college right now". I know that in this state they have courses that are run through different job agencys that you can do for free to help you gain employment or at least get you started Ring your local college or junior college and ask them for some information on that. Currently I also have to go back for retraining and a few extra courses to complete my degree. Hope this helps......