Applied online, and about 2.5 months later I received an email stating that I met the qualifications, and to go online and schedule the Technical/Mechanical Test - Field II (TMT-F II) .
I took the test today, and it was a separate testing company giving the test. I was taken into a closed room with only one computer. You are allowed to take a calculator, but you have to leave everything else behind. It's a timed test with 50 questions, and 50 minutes to answer. There is no clock in the room, or on the computer. I failed because I still had the last few questions to answer when the time ran out. Bummer.
Important: Wear a watch, and keep one in your pocket. If they take your wrist watch, then you'll have a spare in your pocket to keep track of the time. Answer the easy questions first, then go back to the longer ones. When you take the test, confirm that it is better to get a question wrong versus leaving it blank?
The questions involved basic electricity, a few gear questions/which one rotated faster, which direction 3 connecting gears turned, color code 25-pair wire, basic electricity, show you a diagram and ask a series of questions regarding the diagram (water flowing through pipes, where it would get clogged), spatial type questions, and some simple word math problems. (There were no STAR questions like how did you handle a mad customer, what would you do if your co-workers were goofing off...)
If you fail, you get a really nice Failure Diploma (LOL for real??), and you can take the test again in 6 months. But I'll just apply for another position that doesn't require the TMT-F II test.
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I spoke with some AT&T technicians, and this job isn't that great, it's just ok. It will get you by, until you find something else, but it's no career. The bad news is that it doesn't pay that great, it's super hard to get promoted or advance/move to another position, and for some reason the union doesn't support the Wire Technicians like they do the other positions, yet they take your dues. You work in all types of weather and work hard, yet AT&T thinks wire technicians are the bottom of the barrel? It's a time-driven job with scoldings and performance warnings (sometimes unfair) to add to the stress. The good news is the overtime adds to the paycheck, the training is good, they supply all the equipment, and don't try to charge you for anything like the occasional lost or broken tool.
Several technicians suggested applying for other AT&T positions instead. They said that most positions, even customer service and sales, pay better and it's a vast improvement in working conditions. I'll keep my eye out for equal paying positions, and apply for those instead.
