Solely Applying Online - a few questions

[RegretNothing]

Hey guys, im a new poster here but have been lurking around in the forums. I'm inquiring about online applications with the MTA website. So i just graduated this may (B.A., economics). 

 

I've been applying for transit mgmt analyst trainee positions since jan 20th of this year. I've continuously applied online for various openings in the transit mgmt analyst trainee position. In the "activities" tab where all my applications are showcased, the "status" says submitted, but the "disposition" is left blank. it's been that way for every single one of my transit mgmt analyst trainee applications (all ~15 of them). does a blank disposition mean i didnt get the job? i mean, it's been well over 5 months for about 4 out of 15 of the apps. 

 

I also applied for a quality assurance specialist job and it's the only app that's furthered in the app process (i passed the screening and pre-screening), but it's been stuck at that status for about 3 weeks. am i guaranteed a phone call soon or am I setting my hopes up for disappointment? 

 

Latching back onto bullet #1, is there a better chance of getting a position if you take the exam as opposed to solely applying online? I realized a bit too late that the transit mgmt analyst trainee exam was offered yesterday and couldn't take it (i only applied online by submitting my resume). Does this mean that i'm at the bottom of the pile against everyone who actually participated in taking the exam? (PS- i am qualified for the position, and i possess all "desired skills" as well)

 

Lastly, does having a referral in the online job app help my application in any way? I have a referral of an MTA supervisor but he's not part of the administrative dept (which im inclined to join).

 

I apologize for the lengthy inquiry and would greatly appreciate any input. thanks. 

[Alucard]

I will attempt to address some of your questions & concerns:

1] Applying online via the MTA site does one thing that is vital, it gets your applicaion/resume into the hands of the HR end that made the posting [usually seperate from the actual hiring side] Now, the difficult thing is time. As you mentioned you have been attempting since 1/20, and there are times when the wait for a call can be months. I have seen from apply to first contact be as long as 4 months. So when you see an open position, it doesn't sometimes mean they are hiring for it "at the moment" it could be days, weeks even months before something occurs-if anything. As to the status areas on the "my activities" honestly take it all listed there as just auto filled or parsed data, if you see something saying "passed" or "qualified" it means you have passed a "pre-check" and something may or may not happen past that. Again, apply but don't expect things to click right away, the delays can be frustrating. You can sit on a passed pre-check for months and nothing may happen. The percentage of applies to responses can be very low, but if you don't apply then your percentage is zero, so even low reponse levels (sub 5%) seem better than that.

3] Having interviewed for analyst positions I can tell you that someone on the list will always get priority versus someone attempting to get hired from the outside. I think the law stipulates that if someone is on that eligible list they have to be given first consideration. So there definetly is a benefit to taking the exam & passing, in that way at least you have a position listing in addition to applying & attempting to get an interview due to qualifications & experience.

I think that as of current, since that exam was given just recently, until the list is established you may have a small window for a callback [at the same time TA could slow Trainee hiring until the list is established] Being qualified is good, and honestly can get you into the interview. But, once there is an established list you are likely looking up to those who are on it & are vying for the same slot.

4] I doubt the referral section really triggers anything but data on the analytics end as to where people are sourcing the jobs from.

 

Hope that helps a bit. Good Luck.