Same time I applied at the Post Office.
I was told "minorities" HAD to be hired first, WITHOUT taking the Civil Service exams; and if any positions were then unfilled, I could compete via exam.
In fact, the minorities got extra preference if they were (or claimed to be) illiterate.
Same time my wife applied for a job, and was told they had to give hiring preference to minorities. Flat told her that she was not Hispanic, black, etc, then asked her if she belonged to any other minority. She told them, "Yes; short, blonde, college educated, white Irish Catholic female; they don't make very many smaller minorities!" Naturally, she was told that didn't count.
Same time it was called "racist" to complain about such racist policies.
I find that illiterate thing very hard to believe.