Federal performance rating "Exceeds fully successful" - problem?

[Anonymous]

Is it a problem to apply for a federal job with a most-recent performance rating of "Exceeds Fully Successful" (4/5) a problem? My agency's top rating (5/5) is "Outstanding" so this is one level below that. I believe my next rating will be outstanding, but it hasn't been filed yet. This "Exceeds" rating was my first non-"Outstanding" and it felt like a disappointment. Will others see it as a problem?

[Anonymous]

Probably not a problem. And - do you have a way to change it now? I wouldn't worry about things you can't change.

[Anonymous]

Fed manager for 7 years - I have never asked to see past performance reviews when hiring. Different agencies and offices have different cultures on ratings. Some are all 5s and some never give 5s. I’m assessing skill off what you tell me, your resume, and what your references tell me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fed manager for 7 years - I have never asked to see past performance reviews when hiring. Different agencies and offices have different cultures on ratings. Some are all 5s and some never give 5s. I’m assessing skill off what you tell me, your resume, and what your references tell me.

I have. One time we had candidates who seemed good, their writing samples were fine, but their reviews were shockingly bad. Like near failing on work quality and production.

That said a 4 versus a 5 wouldn’t phase me. I’m talking 2s and 3s at an agency that rates up to 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fed manager for 7 years - I have never asked to see past performance reviews when hiring. Different agencies and offices have different cultures on ratings. Some are all 5s and some never give 5s. I’m assessing skill off what you tell me, your resume, and what your references tell me.

I have. One time we had candidates who seemed good, their writing samples were fine, but their reviews were shockingly bad. Like near failing on work quality and production.

That said a 4 versus a 5 wouldn’t phase me. I’m talking 2s and 3s at an agency that rates up to 5.

Even if the agency rates up to 5, those managers might not. And the people you’re interviewing might be leaving their current job because they have terrible managers.

I worked for 16 years at the same agency. I got all Outstandings until I transferred to a new group, where the managers gave me a Satisfactory! I transferred out and got an Outstanding on the next review. Sometimes reviews say more about the reviewer.

[Anonymous]

Our office only gives 4 as the highest.

[Anonymous]

No. Wouldn’t matter to me. A lot of managers don’t give 5s out like candy.

My best employee had a 3/5 and their manager said they were putting them on a pip. Which is crazy to me because this person is so unbelievably good. I think it was a personality issue.

[Anonymous]

As other have said, different agencies rate differently. At my agency it’s very hard to consistently get top ratings across the board.

[Anonymous]

It wouldn't bother me either, but I do reference checks on all new hires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fed manager for 7 years - I have never asked to see past performance reviews when hiring. Different agencies and offices have different cultures on ratings. Some are all 5s and some never give 5s. I’m assessing skill off what you tell me, your resume, and what your references tell me.

I have. One time we had candidates who seemed good, their writing samples were fine, but their reviews were shockingly bad. Like near failing on work quality and production.

That said a 4 versus a 5 wouldn’t phase me. I’m talking 2s and 3s at an agency that rates up to 5.

Even if the agency rates up to 5, those managers might not. And the people you’re interviewing might be leaving their current job because they have terrible managers.

I worked for 16 years at the same agency. I got all Outstandings until I transferred to a new group, where the managers gave me a Satisfactory! I transferred out and got an Outstanding on the next review. Sometimes reviews say more about the reviewer.

Fair, and I once hired someone in a similar situation who continues to be one of my best performers. But for the other folks, i knew enough about the other agency to know they did in fact give out 4s and 5s frequently, so 2s and 3s were truly bad. And the written evals matched with details. To me it’s similar to a reference check. You read between the lines.