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Job Application Insanity!
Check this out: If you want to apply for a job as a public defender in Cook County, Illinois, the job description says:
All Applications must be filed in person. No Applications will be accepted by mail.
Yeah. So I called the human resources office:
me: The job description says the application has to be turned in in-person. Is that really true?
them: Yes.
me: . . . No mail?
them: That's right.
me: So, since I don't live in Cook County, could I have someone walk in the application for me?
them: Well, no. Maybe. It depends on what job you're applying for. Some jobs require identification.
me: Just to apply?
them: Yes. What job are you applying for?
me: Assistant Public Defender.
them: Yeah, that should be ok. You can have someone bring that in for you.
Wow. I just can't believe it. In person? What is the purpose of such an insane rule? Crikey.
Obviously I'm coping less than optimally with this whole job application thing. So much to complain about, so little time!
Posted January 25, 2006 11:25 AM | 3L
It *is* Cook County... it's probably to ensure you can slip the right bill into the hand of the person who can make sure your application goes through Da Mayor's vetting process. :)
Posted by: Dave! at January 25, 2006 12:01 PM
Have you given any thought to St. Louis? Lord knows this place could use somebody like you.
Posted by: Famous P. at January 25, 2006 12:26 PM
Famous P: And MO has one of the best PD systems in the country.
Posted by: JR at January 25, 2006 12:43 PM
That's as may be, though local news often tells a different tale. Regardless, my point is that there are some desperately poor people out here who could really use the committed and principled representation that AI would surely provide.
Posted by: Famous P. at January 25, 2006 02:24 PM
My best friend is an ass't public defender for Kane County -- just outside of Chicago (she's been there 5 years). It's the 2nd largest courthouse in IL (yes, behind Cook County). I know they're always looking; perhaps you should apply there (I have no idea if you can mail it or not). :)
Posted by: Denise at January 25, 2006 03:08 PM
MO has one of the best PD systems in the country? Well, um, what about this: "A recent study found that the Missouri Public Defender System is on the verge of collapse."
That aside, MO isn't really on my radar right now, but I wouldn't rule it out. Desperate times, desperate measures, you know...
Posted by: ambimb at January 25, 2006 07:35 PM
As to the MO PD system: I am just conveying what I have heard from others -- they are the type of folks who usually know what they are talking about. However, the article you point to doesn't paint a pretty picture. Even if the MO system really is ready to collapse, I wonder how practing law as a PD there compares to practicing law as a PD in other states? Are conditions optimal anywhere? These are questions someone who knows much more than me would have to answer.
Posted by: JR at January 25, 2006 07:47 PM
I've often heard that the Alaska Public Defender system is one of the best in the country. The Texas system is, unfortunately, non-existent. Individual county's can vote on whether they want an office or not. Dallas County has an office but it seems quirkier than the Cook County system. I'm not sure about walking in a resume, but they do require you have a full year of experience before they will look at your application.
Posted by: Curtis at January 26, 2006 12:09 AM
Do NOT go to MO.. for any reason.. just say no to MO.
Posted by: justin at January 26, 2006 12:55 AM
Sounds like the purpose might be hiring based on appearance? Hate to say it if it's not true, but what other reason could there be? The only other thing I could think of is that they only want people who live locally?
Posted by: blondejustice at January 26, 2006 07:15 AM
I interned in Kentucky and Alaska, and both of them seemed well put-together.
Posted by: monica at January 26, 2006 08:41 AM
I live and work in Cook County, and (unfortunately) deal with the court. Honestly, Cook County is just that behind the times. And, given how they (fail to) process paper, I'd much rather apply in person than send it through the mail.
Posted by: Jennifer at January 26, 2006 08:43 PM
Here's another screwy job abblication bit: I applied to the Indianapolis PD's office and got an email telling me I they had received my resume and cover letter and informing me that in order to actually apply I would have to visit a county office *in person* to pick up an application. I haven't looked into it further to see if they can send me the app or if it is available online, but goodness, that just seems insane, too.
Posted by: ambimb at January 28, 2006 02:18 PM
I think they just want you to get sucked into the bowels of the City-County Building and the beast that is IndyGov. *shudder* I don't know why they'd otherwise want you to come in person to fill out the application, but I do know they move slowly over there and no matter what agency you're dealing with, there's not a lot you can accomplish online. So I wouldn't expect them to have an online application, unfortunately. But if you're allowed to have someone pick it up for you so you can fill it out offsite, and you decide to apply, just let me know. I'm happy to be your gopher.
Posted by: rachel at January 31, 2006 09:11 AM
D'oh. That should be UniGov. IndyGov's the city-county Web site, also a beast for most of the same reasons.
Posted by: rachel at January 31, 2006 11:41 AM
