I Took the 911 Test

This is similar to what the 911 place looks like inside. So many screens!
@AliCanary (4954)
July 26, 2026 10:10am CST
I haven't had any luck so far in gaining employment, but the county seems to be interested. Back when I still had unemployment insurance (this would have been January or February), I was applying to all sorts of jobs. Since I had been burned by a corporation that laid me off to save money, I wanted a government job. They don't pay as well, but they are extremely stable, and I wanted something I could retire from. They always have good benefits, too, so we wouldn't have to worry about health insurance. I applied to various administrative roles, which I would have preferred, but I also applied to be a 911 dispatcher. Since my hip is making it hard to walk, I figure a job where you sit all day is pretty undemanding physically. What I'm worried about is how demanding it is mentally. But I applied, and they seem interested. So after taking and passing a typing test, they wanted me to take a pre-employment test, which I did this past Tuesday. It was a computer test designed to assess your personality and judgment to see if you would be right for the job. The lady said she wouldn't be able to tell us that day if we passed, but I finished first, and when she walked me out, she told me I passed. She looked very pleased! I'm not sure whether to be happy or not, lol. Still hoping that recruiting company comes up with something for me, Anyway, the employment process is very, very slow with the government, so I might end up working several temp jobs by the time I'm actually through the whole process.
13 people like this
12 responses
@teamfreak16 (47753)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Jul
I've heard that can be a stressful job.
3 people like this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
26 Jul
Yes, and that is why I feel very ambivalent about it. Some people have said they've gotten PTSD from that job.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (47753)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Jul
@AliCanary - Oh I bet. I didn't even like working in call centers. I couldn't imagine.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
26 Jul
@teamfreak16 talking on the phone is one of my least favorite things, so I feel ya. But...I could literally hear someone getting killed. Then again, I could also save people's lives, which is potentially much more likely to happen. Honestly, it's a bit heavy, either way
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (179139)
• United States
27 Jul
I'm really hoping you have good luck this time.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (179139)
• United States
28 Jul
@AliCanary You're very welcome. Uhm... since your hip makes it difficult to walk, have you talked to a doctor about getting some type of disability? Missouri, where I live, started paying Pretty to take care of me when I can't see. Pretty earns enough from that to pay all our bills with some money left over each month. (I can't remember if I've told you this or not but I have hyperthyroidism that makes my eyes swell closed a lot of the time so I can't see to do normal stuff around the house. Pretty brings me food when I can't make it myself. (I'm the cook here.) She's supposed to wash the dishes but rarely does. She does sweep and vacuum the floors and mops. She also cleans the bathroom and vacuums my bedroom carpet for me. Since I make no money, Missouri pays for any medical help I need, gives me SNAP benefits and other things to help me cope. Since Pretty is my full-time carer, I'm her "job" and they pay her a little more than minimum wage. She gets 28 hours a week and is paid weekly. She also gets SNAP benefits and medical insurance paid by Missouri. You MIGHT be eligible for something like that, too. Missouri refuses to give me disability but that's okay... As long as we have a comfortable living, we don't really need me making money, too.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
27 Jul
Thank you! Me, too :)
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
28 Jul
@DaddyEvil I considered that. I *can* walk, just not well. I do have a disabled placard for my car so I can park closer to buildings, but it's a temporary placard. My hip problem could be "cured" with a replacement, but my doctor won't do it until I lose weight, but it's much harder to lose weight since I can't move around very well. So I don't know if I'm qualified or not. I could definitely still do a remote job or a sedentary job like 911, so I imagine I wouldn't qualify. I've read about your health troubles, and I'm so sorry. Not be able to see must be terribly frustrating, and the pain involved makes things so much worse. I'm very surprised they won't give you disability for that.
1 person likes this
@kareng (83388)
• United States
27 Jul
Having retired from state government, I can tell you that if the agency wants you, you will get in fast. It could happen in a day, a couple of days or a week.
1 person likes this
@kareng (83388)
• United States
28 Jul
@AliCanary I've seen in in multiple agencies/departments, it does happen.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
27 Jul
Oh, not for this. There is a wildly involved, multi-step process. But I don't mind if they take their time - that will give me more of a chance to find something less potentially traumatizing!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (130841)
• United States
26 Jul
Congratulations! I know you don’t have it yet but that’s great! I don’t know how many times over the years I’ve heard my dad tell people to try to get on with the government. Their benefits are very good, and they don’t get laid off very often (with the exception of when Elon Musk is involved). I know you’d do great at that job, but I hope you get something you really like.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
26 Jul
Thanks! I love to help people, but I'm kind of sensitive, and I'm afraid I might get too stressed. Maybe it would be okay. My husband said I should go ahead and try, and I can always quit if it's too rough. I really should be a librarian or something, lol
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (130841)
• United States
26 Jul
@AliCanary that’s true. If you give it a fair shot, and it gets you down too much you can always start again.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
26 Jul
@AmbiePam yes, and they do pay for training, so that's something.
@Wrexxo (9361)
•
26 Jul
I sincerely hope you get this job. You have really tried. I pray you get it. Since you passed the exam, there shouldn't be any issue
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
27 Jul
@Wrexxo well, stress can really harm your health, and I'm old enough to be worried about that. But yes, that level of scrutiny is pretty typical for a government job.
1 person likes this
@Wrexxo (9361)
•
26 Jul
@AliCanary that's a lot. I'm pretty sure the job is worth the stress, nothing good comes easy though
1 person likes this
@Jehanne (2255)
• Philippines
29 Jul
Goodluck with the job. The photo seems so interesting with a lot of monitors.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
29 Jul
It is a very interesting room. Each monitor has different points of reference, and then there's a station with a radio, too. Unfortunately, the room has to be kept VERY cold because of all the computers. I was wearing long sleeves but was extremely cold, and I was only in there for a little over an hour.
1 person likes this
@Jehanne (2255)
• Philippines
30 Jul
@AliCanary yes, it is. Reminds me of our main office in the HQ.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (213543)
• United States
26 Jul
I hope you find the job you want and get hired.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
26 Jul
Thank you! I'll keep looking. My husband wants to retire, and he deserves to!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (88744)
• United States
28 Jul
That's one job I don't know that I could handle emotionally. I listen to police scanners, and frequently they'll talk about 911 hearing violence or screaming or threats in the background. But I pray you get a good government job.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
28 Jul
Yes, I know there's a chance I'll literally hear someone getting murdered, and it's a terrible feeling, but I need to try not to stress myself in advance, if you know what I mean. But it's a really important job and SOMEBODY needs to do it.
1 person likes this
• West Haven, Connecticut
29 Jul
A 911 dispatcher position certainly isn't physically demanding, but you're right that it's mentally and emotionally demanding. It takes someone who can stay calm, think clearly under pressure, and communicate effectively during emergencies. The personality and judgment assessment is designed to identify those qualities, so passing it suggests you have the traits they're looking for.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
30 Jul
I would agree, but it's based on what I said about myself, so I hope I didn't end up gaming the test. I know what they're looking for, but I did try to answer honestly.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22554)
• United States
28 Jul
I couldn't do that job. It's very stressful.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
28 Jul
I agree, and I definitely don't feel excited about it. It's paid training, at least. My husband says it's okay if I need to quit.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (125809)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Jul
I hope that you can land your dream job.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (125809)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Jul
@AliCanary You are welcome.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4954)
•
27 Jul
Thanks, George!
1 person likes this
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
27 Jul
I hope that the job you want opens up. My mother did 911 operater when I was younger. I dont remember a lot about it but I do know that its a very stressful job. Do you watch the show 911?