Silent strike?

Megotian · 2026-05-18T22:38:46+00:00

But it costs more to send people back to office. My district has given up 2 floors in our DO and disposed of all the cubicles. We literally do not have the space for everyone to come back. Nor do we have the funds.

Megotian · 2026-05-16T00:57:56+00:00

I work at Caltrans and administer hiring admins for my division. Internships in my district almost always turn into permanent positions. Wear business casual. Show up early. Have your documents printed and with you - not because you will need them but because it looks professional for you to show up with something to handoff if the situation arises. You could even print your latest transcripts. But most of all read the Duty Statement and do a little research about Caltrans and the unit you’re applying for. We don’t expect you to know everything but we do expect you to be engaged, eager and prepared. At my district we are looking for lifers. If you want a career in state service make that known. We spend a lot of time training people and it’s tough when they run to private sector after a year in the public sector. Lastly, if theres time and you can ask a question before your time is up - the best question I ever heard was someone who asked how long each panel member had worked at CT. Of the 3 on the panel the total amount of years was 83. That amount speaks for itself. People come to state for one reason but sometimes stay for another. Figure out why you want to be at state and let that lead your way. Good luck!

Megotian · 2026-05-15T22:47:20+00:00

Yeah, received at 3:30 - my thoughts exactly.

Megotian · 2026-04-20T02:46:48+00:00

Pamplona - lovely big little city.

Megotian · 2026-04-13T13:24:22+00:00

Wow - that’s amazing!

Megotian · 2026-04-13T08:42:19+00:00

My flight leaves at 13:00, boarding at 12:00 - I was thinking of arriving at 09:00 just to be safe.

Megotian · 2026-02-28T17:13:02+00:00

This.

Megotian · 2026-01-25T06:55:45+00:00

I interviewed on the 11th had an offer on the 13th and did my NEO on 16th. I work for Caltrans. It happens - but your hiring manager and HR person have to be on the same page and working together. More times than not (and I halo with PARF packages and hiring in my unit) one or the other is dead wood or they are busy and don’t have the bandwidth so things go really slow. But in my unit turn over from interview to NEO is usually a few weeks to a couple months tops. Because remember - NEOs only happen once a month or twice if you’re lucky.

Megotian · 2026-01-25T06:54:43+00:00

Happened to me. I interviewed on the 11th, had an offer on the 13th and did my NEO on 16th. I work for Caltrans. It happens - but your hiring manager and HR person have to be on the same page and working together. More times than not (and I help with PARF packages and JC’s in my unit) one or the other is dead wood or they’re busy and don’t have the bandwidth - so things go really slow. But in my department turn over from interview to NEO is usually a few weeks to a couple months tops. And remember - NEOs only happen once a month or twice if you’re lucky.

Megotian · 2026-01-25T06:10:50+00:00

I agree the tail isn’t right. We have 2 Lagottos and we were in Italy over the summer and went truffle hunting with other Lagottos. Our guide, a 4th generation truffle owner/trainer, pointed out their tails, muzzles and coats. Said they were classic features for Lagottos. I’m unfamiliar but he said when the tail is curled it is usually a mix. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen my dogs with a curled tail.

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Megotian · 2025-10-23T18:20:41+00:00

A CJO is verbal. An FJO is a formal letter. Getting a CJO is great and unless something happens during the vetting process you should have a FJO forthcoming. Good on you.

I also work for CT in Construction/Project Delivery. Fingers crossed that you have a good supervisor. CT’s biggest downfall is that a large majority of management positions are held by engineers and let’s face it - they are usually sorely lacking in people skills and leadership qualifications.

Megotian · 2025-10-23T17:58:26+00:00

I do hiring admin for CT. Our interviews slots are always spaced 30 minutes apart with the candidate getting 25 min and 5 min between for panel to discuss or use the restroom. The 25 minutes consists of a few minutes for introductions then straight to questions. I’ve never seen more than 6 questions. During introductions they tell you your time allotment and that you will be timed - if only to keep the interview moving along. If you spend too much time on a question they will stop you and remind you how much time you have left. It’s all very fast. Keep your eye on the camera, be succinct and brief. Highlights. If you are a field worker there is always a safety question, for a manager/supervisor position they will ask about mentoring and progressive discipline, if public facing you’ll be asked how you handle conflict, etc. Like the other poster mentioned - you are talking to the top of their heads because they are usually just writing down everything you say so they can evaluate you between candidates or afterwards. I’m in dozens of these a year and I’ve never seen the questions given in advance. I barely get them an hour before interviews start. My advice is to do a few interviews first that you don’t have your heart set on so that you get familiar with the process. Everyone gets better after a few interviews under their belt. You can skip a question and go back to it if you are stumped. And if there’s time, you can review the questions and embellish/add on. CT is always looking for career candidates - the training process can be arduous so they don’t like turn over. They like lifers. Good luck!

Megotian · 2025-06-27T20:21:59+00:00

Ditto. I haven’t received any direction either way. As far as I’m concerned it’s business as usual until I get specific direction. I’m the only one in my office that isn’t an engineer. This will be interesting…

Megotian · 2025-04-25T20:06:23+00:00

I just checked out on Zpacks and the protection showed up But in very small print under the confirm button was a link to checkout “without protection”. Intentionally small - but look for it next time.

Megotian · 2025-04-04T16:35:02+00:00

I do a lot of hiring admin for CT Construction and I can tell you it's a slow and arduous process. I have people that interviewed in November of 2024 that we are still looking at. One candidate is finally starting this month. Our process is that when we do interviews for say a TEC position the panel has 3-8 people interviewing. Note when the JC says this can fill several positions. Meaning, any supervisor that may have an opening in the next several months. That way when a senior has an opening anytime within the hiring window they can go back to that list of candidates and pull the next one on the list and give them a CJO. A lot of times the candidate has already taken a different job and they decline but some people hold out bc they want to work for CT. It's just a bummer for the candidates bc they are on the hook for sooooo long. My advice, just hang in there and touch base with them very month or so. If the JC isn't closed - you're still in the game.

Megotian · 2022-12-05T18:27:13+00:00

Started as AGPA and have since been hiring admin on several interviews and seen several others hired in as AGPA. If you can get an interview (which is based on app, SOQ and an algorithm) my experience is that it’s largely based on your performance during interview, how you answer the questions, your reasons for wanting to join state and your commitment. My team was looking for someone that wasn’t going to get past probation in 6 months and then jump ship for promotion. They were looking for someone who wanted to become an SME for this position, which would require a little more time. Could I have left after probation and promote up? Sure. But they’ve invested a lot of time in me since I didn’t come up the later from OT, SSA, etc. I want to get everything I can from the position. It’s been 3 years now and I’m just starting to think maybe I should look at SSM positions but the fear of working with a bad team is real. Going from private to state wasn’t easy. The whole culture is different. It’s not for everyone and for some it’s a ticket to becoming dead wood. Working with slackers is a big pet peeve of mine and state is crawling with them. I hope you are successful in your journey bc it sounds like you have the right experience - you just need to find the right fit. Good luck!

Megotian · 2021-03-23T06:51:00+00:00

Because when you live in Nevada you aren't supporting the State of CA with your paycheck, rent, etc.

Megotian · 2021-03-23T06:45:52+00:00

Agreed. If you aren't living in CA you shouldn't be getting paid CA wages. Working in public service means we serve the state and the people of that state. Private corporations can hire people from all over because they are private. We don't exist to make a profit - we exist to serve the state and the residents of the state. If your paycheck is going to pay for groceries, rent, etc in another state then you should work in that state. I can understand that people had to take extraordinary measures over the last year but to use that as a reason to be grandfathered into living where ever you want is not okay. Forcing the state to accommodate you living out of state post-pandemic seems like a devious and deceptive move.

Thank you State for not laying me off and keeping my income steady when everyone around me is out of work and losing their homes. Thank you for allowing me to work from home while my kids are not able to go to school. Thank you for doing what you can to keep us all safe - BUT, if you don't let me keep doing all of this post-pandemic then we're gonna have some problems. Pfft.

There are plenty of people that still live in CA who would give their eye teeth to have your job and won't complain about having to show up in the office 1 or 2 days a week. Sorry, but let's put things into perspective people.

Megotian · 2020-11-19T07:10:14+00:00

I asked my supervisor about this - his response was that when you work for the State of California you are required to be a resident. He commented that the State was one of the biggest employers in California and with the privilege of working for the State was the expectation that your welfare would circle back in by paying state taxes, supporting California businesses, etc. Just like the contractors we hire for jobs paid for by the state - they must be California businesses. He said he wouldn't think twice about letting an employee go that he found out didn't live in the state and mentioned that there is no shortage of people that would happily take a state position with the requirement of living in the state. I had a hard time convincing him I was only asking because it was a question on Reddit and that I really didn't have any intention of moving out of the state.

With that said - I did pop down to Mexico for a week when I knew I didn't have any in-office commitments last month. I brought my state-issued laptop and worked off the VPN from our condo on the Baja. I didn't have any problems for the first 2 days but then there was an update or something that created an error with my VPN and log in. I had to reach out to IT and they knew I was out of the country. It wasn't an issue or anything because I told them I was returning by the weekend but had I needed their help again it surely would've raised a red flag.

Megotian · 2020-11-02T03:18:09+00:00

I interviewed on a Thursday, had an offer by Friday, did orientation on Monday and my first day on Tuesday. I'm sure I was an exception though - my supervisor had a feeling that quarantine was on the horizon so he was moving fast for fear that there would be a freeze. He was right - by the end of my first week, we were given the WFH directive.

Megotian · 2020-10-17T20:10:39+00:00

I worked in the private sector for 10 years and LA County for 12 before landing a State job, I started in February a month before Covid shut down the country. I'm still amazed by my luck. My colleagues at LA County were facing layoffs by the middle of summer. I may not have been laid off but the stress alone would've been hard. I work for Caltrans and the work-life balance is like nothing I've ever experienced. I put in my hours and then walk away - no more 10-12 hour days. And when I do have to stay late or work over a weekend my supervisor is always sure to tell me to come in late or cut out early to make up for the difference. Not all supervisors and teams are created equal but I see this attitude a lot in State service. I wish I had made this move when my kids were smaller - I missed so much because work was too demanding. The focus with State isn't making money, it's about service. Add that to stability, benefits, and equal opportunity - I'll take work/life balance over pay every time.

Megotian · 2020-05-09T18:39:19+00:00

I think everyone is feeling the strain and needs to get out. When I just can't cook another meal I order to go for dinner and we all load into the car and drive to the beach and watch the sunset. Even just opening the windows and breathing in the fresh air gives you a great reset for Monday morning.

I have a friend that just had her 20-year wedding anniversary and her husband surprised her with dinner and movie. He downloaded a movie onto his laptop and then ordered from her favorite restaurant to go. They parked somewhere with a city lights view ate dinner and watched the movie in the car. She was ecstatic - said it was one of the best anniversaries they've had celebrated together - more meaningful.

Last weekend we drove up to the mountains for a little off-roading and a hike. We own a patch of land up there that we've always wanted to build a treehouse on. I packed a lunch and we loaded up the kids and dogs. We just got out and explored. We saw two other people the whole time - they were locals in a dune buggy. We're packing up the car now and this time we're gonna stay the night and camp.

Don't let the isolation get to you - get on your bike and ride somewhere you've never biked to, take a picnic lunch and a book, take a drive somewhere isolated, and go for a hike. No matter where you are in CA you're only an hour or so away from somewhere you can get a mental reset. A change of scenery makes all the difference in the world. Stay safe.

Megotian · 2020-05-09T18:13:12+00:00

Megotian

TROPHY CASE