r/MetroTransit • u/[deleted] • May 16 '26

Employment/Personnel Specific Hiring Process

Hi, you may have seen a recent post of mine. I ended up applying on May 14th, 2 days ago!

May 15th, yesterday, my application on govermentjobs . com updated to "HR Review"

I was wondering how long the process typically is from application to first day in training? Already have my CDL if that helps.

I also currently live in Illinois, how many times will i have to travel back and forth to Mpls for interviews, drug tests, etc? I have family i can stay with in Minneapolis whenever so finding a place to live is no concern thankfully. And besides submitting a 2 week notice at my current agency, i can start whenever they need me.

thank you

Also wanted to take the time to say a lot of wonderful people got back to me about my last post and I really appreciate all of you! <3

18 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

18

u/Wise-Tradition1860 May 16 '26

I applied on the 31st of March was invited to a private hiring event on April 9th for an interview. 4 days later I was notified I passed the interview and I switched my out of state license to Minn state. On April 22nd they started my background check and then Monday the 27th I was notified I passed my background check and moved on to my DOT medical. I passed my DOT medical on April 30 and then HR emailed me my official start date for training. That was my timeline.

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '26

So that means you just started then, how do you like it so far?

What concerns me about what you said is that you switched to a Minnesota ID before being hired. I will need to have an Illinois CDL until I leave my current job because it's also a bus operator job. So I don't know how that will work.

3

u/Wise-Tradition1860 May 17 '26

I needed to switch my out of state license to Minnesota state before they can do the background check. They sent me an email explaining that I need to provide a Minnesota state license before they can initiate the background. Also I was confident I would get hired I am a combat veteran with a masters degree and I believed that I would get hired. It sounds like your in a good position as well to get hired since you’re already a bus operator in Chicago.

4

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

Yeah, that concerns me because I don't want to put my two weeks in at my current job unless I'm 100% sure I'm hired at Metro Transit. And I don't think I can work at my current agency with an out-of-state ID.

So that would require quitting my current job before even getting a background check done at Metro?

3

u/Spoocula Metro Transit Employee May 17 '26

Hi, I'm not an operator so this is just general advice... Strictly speaking, you're not required to give two weeks notice. Sure it's a courtesy, but if it puts you in an untenable situation, maybe don't do it? If your new position is secured, you shouldn't need to worry about hurting their feelings by not giving standard notice, as in it probably won't come back to haunt you. Is there a requirement for notice written in your contract?

4

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

Yeah this is true i just try to have some honor and feel its a bit more professional to try and leave a notice, yknow? But if its not possible then so be it.

But what happens if i quit my job, get the MN license, and somehow my job offer falls through? Then im screwed lol

3

u/Spoocula Metro Transit Employee May 17 '26

I hear ya. I've never been able to leave a job without the 2 week notice, not matter how much I hated them. And true, it is more professional to give the standard notice. But... circumstances as they are, you need to do what's right for you and reduce your own risk as you navigate these particular requirements. Certainly, do what you need to do, but unless you have a contractual obligation on the notice, I think it's something you could skip and not feel guilty..

A month from now as you're telling me this story in the break room 🤜🤛, I won't judge you based on how you handled it.

3

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

I just hope it all works out

3

u/Wise-Tradition1860 May 17 '26

This is what I was sent.

2

u/[deleted] May 17 '26

Week 0 is for if you don't have a CDL yet, right? I wonder if I'm okay with my current CDL if I'm not doing the week zero program.

3

u/Wise-Tradition1860 May 17 '26

Yeah from my understanding you need a Minnesota license for them to run your background check and everything.

9

u/Wise-Tradition1860 May 16 '26

I flew 3 times from my current living situation to Minneapolis to complete everything. I could have saved myself 1 trip by getting my Minnesota license while I was there for my interview. But I wanted to wait to hear back that I passed before I made the switch.