When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" consists of two characters, one representing danger and the other representing opportunity. - John F. Kennedy
Since junior high, I've known a lot about how people are chosen for civil service profession because of my mother, who is a dedicated civil servant. She taught me to respect her profession a lot. Growing up, I saw how much my community admired civil servants, which made me want to work in public service too.
In 2013, with a degree in English Literature and my parents' support, I took the state exam for civil service at several ministries. I didn't pass on my first try, so I spent two years job hunting before going back to school for my postgraduate studies. While studying, I balanced part-time jobs and remained determined to try again.
After finishing my master's degree and getting a full-time lecturer position at a private university, my financial situation improved, but my enthusiasm for the civil service exams decreased.
Surprisingly, as my interest in the exams went down, my chances seemed to improve. When I applied for the Ministry of Education and Culture, I felt I had nothing to lose. Passing would have been great, but I was okay if I didn't since I still had my job. Even though this might sound confident, that's how I saw it. Unfortunately, I didn't make it again. This time, I felt both disappointed and deeply ashamed because deep down, I still really wanted that opportunity.
A year after my last attempt with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the government offered another similar opportunity. Before signing up, I decided to change my approach. This time, I aimed to be more strategic. Instead of picking highly competitive positions in big cities and relying on luck, I chose roles with better chances of success, even if they were in less popular locations.
This change in mindset was important because before, I only focused on passing the exam without proper preparation. This time, even with millions of other applicants, the exam felt different. I struggled with negative thoughts, wondering if I could succeed. I realized the importance of learning and improving, no matter how hard it seemed. Even though I was exhausted from working day and night, I pushed myself to practice questions.
It wasn't an ideal situation, but I told myself I would accept failure gracefully if it happened. I wouldn't complain, even if I wondered why others succeeded while I didn't. And the result? I didn't meet the Basic Proficiency Test criteria again. My feelings were similar to past disappointments; passing the Civil Servants Candidates selection seemed impossible.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurred. After failing the Basic Proficiency Test and not hearing more about the selection process that year, it was revealed that the top three candidates were eligible for the Aptitude Test. I was ecstatic and incredulous. It was a rare second chance for those who had seemingly failed. Despite the limited time, I diligently prepared for the Aptitude Test.
I want to express my sincere gratitude, though I feel a mix of pride and embarrassment saying it directly. So, I'll take this chance to thank my only brother, who generously drove me to the test site despite not having a backup driver. I also appreciate his patience during the exam, despite some complaints when I struggled to stay awake as our car was caught in a rainstorm in the middle of the night.
Shortly after the government announced the Aptitude Test, the exam committee for the campus I applied to created a WhatsApp group. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was already a member of the group. It was reassuring to know the committee had tried to invite hundreds of us.
The group acted as the main communication channel between the committee and potential examinees, sharing details about the timing, location, and procedures of the exam. It also provided information about nearby accommodation options and the best ways to reach the exam venue, which was particularly useful for those traveling from outside Mandailing Natal.
I received crucial information about the exam: it would last three days, including psychological tests, interviews, and practical tasks, all completed sequentially. Along with following the dress code of a white shirt, black skirt, and headscarf, I had to remember to bring my original Identity and Examination Card and any other necessary items specific to the position I applied for. This included the Semester Learning Plan, Teaching Materials for the subject I applied for, and a comprehensive portfolio with supporting documents such as Teaching Decrees, training certificates, and printed published scientific papers, if applicable.
The Ministry of Religion's Aptitude Test system was consistent across all formations, with variations only in the Work Practice Test depending on the specific position.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST ON DAY ONE
The Psychological Test in this phase seemed easier than in the Basic Ability Test, but it still posed a challenge if we focused only on it. The evaluation tool used was the EPPS (Edward Personal Preference Schedule), which delves into our personalities. The first section didn't involve conventional questions; instead, it presented statements, and for each statement, we had to choose Yes or No.
Our choices in this section reflected our individuality, motivations, goals, and needs. There were no right or wrong answers, but the personality traits inferred from our choices would be used to assess our suitability for the position.
The second section comprised typical psychological test questions covering numerical, logical, verbal, spatial, and pictorial aspects. Fortunately, these problems seemed less daunting than those in the Basic Proficiency Test. We had to answer about 150 questions within a generous time frame of 3 hours. While this might seem like a lot of time, it was important to proceed carefully, as the exam involved manually completing a Computer Answer Sheet and several repeated statements.
INTERVIEWS ON DAY TWO
This marked my first interview experience, and without anyone nearby to ask for advice, I turned to Google. I looked up potential questions and found suggestions that the interviewer might ask about our familiarity with the institution we were applying to. I assumed this meant I'd be asked about the campus where I sought employment. While waiting, I overheard other participants speculating about being quizzed on the code of ethics for civil servants and lecturers, so I decided to look that up too.
As it turned out, our speculations were off. The questions were different from typical interview questions. The interviewer read from a list that seemed to come with set answers. Before starting the Q&A session, I was asked to introduce myself.
A few questions stood out to me. For instance, I was asked what I would do if a community of a different faith requested a permit to build their place of worship. Another question was about how I would vote if a presidential candidate from another religion was running. There was also a hypothetical situation where my boss scheduled me to leave town while my ailing parents urgently needed me.
My friends and I, who had formed small groups due to our repeated proximity, concluded that the interview assessed our commitment to the country while respecting our religious beliefs. The questions highlighted a civil servant's responsibilities while safeguarding associated rights.
The takeaway was that, regardless of the sensitivity of the questions, our responses should align with the foundational principles of our state, namely Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. For example, when asked about granting permission to build a place of worship, we were expected to prioritize our official duties according to the law, irrespective of our personal beliefs.
MICROTEACHING ON DAY THREE
After my introduction, I had approximately 15 minutes to present the course material I would be teaching if I were to pass the interview. In addition to assessing our teaching capabilities, the examiner also inquired about our proficiency in foreign languages and our expertise in the latest technologies we had mastered.
After my introduction, I had approximately 15 minutes to present the course material I would be teaching if I were to pass the interview. In addition to assessing our teaching capabilities, the examiner also inquired about our proficiency in foreign languages and our expertise in the latest technologies we had mastered.
Drawing from my personal experience, I'd like to offer some advice to anyone facing a similar situation:
- Begin by seeking guidance from Allah, the Most Merciful God, and pray for the best possible results.
- When applying for a teaching or lecturing position, choose the material you are most proficient in within the subject area. It doesn't have to be lengthy; focus on presenting something you truly understand.
- If you are applying for a job in a new location, consider arriving at the destination at least one day before the exam. This allows you to calculate the distance to your exam venue and ensure you are well-prepared.
- Don't settle for mediocre white shirts; ensure your attire reflects professionalism.
- Complete all required documents well before the exam day to avoid unnecessary stress caused by time constraints.
- Remember to consider psychological tests that may appear straightforward. Remember, this is your final stage and opportunity to make an impression.
- Avoid passing judgment on fellow applicants whom you may see as competitors. Refrain from belittling or intimidating others; instead, focus on your preparation.
- Embrace the process and enjoy the journey, knowing that hard work consistently pays off, whereas dreams can remain elusive.
- Finally, be prepared to handle various outcomes, as sometimes, despite our prayers, God's response may take a different path.
My first encounter with the Aptitude Test gave me a new perspective, showing that a Civil Servant position was within reach. It no longer seemed like an insurmountable challenge. So, did the outcomes align with my efforts and prayers? The answer is both no and yes.
The year 2018 ended with the disappointing news that I and many other participants had not succeeded. It was a profound disappointment. I questioned whether all my efforts were in vain. What was the point of long journeys and spending a lot on exam-related accommodation, only to fail? Instead of admitting defeat, I buried the experience, pretending it never happened. But such experiences often resurface when we least expect them, as if they were always remembered.
In mid-March 2019, while still involved in the selection process, a friend informed me that we had passed the Phase II category. I sought confirmation from other friends to ensure the accuracy of this news and whether it had been officially communicated by the Ministry of Religion. The response was unanimous: we had indeed succeeded.
How did it feel? I was elated but tried not to show my joy excessively. After experiencing failure twice and then achieving success, I decided to temper my emotions. Even when hospital staff, while verifying my certificate of physical and mental health, asked if I was one of the successful candidates, it didn't bother me. Instead, I found it amusing, as the reality of my success still felt surreal and hard to fully grasp.
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