Can you get a fed job...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did. It took me hundreds of applications and nine months - but I applied and finally got in at a grade 9. Since then, I have worked my way up to a 14.

What type of job/agency?

Initially, it was an admin specialist position, then I moved to a loan specialist position and now, a program manager position.
It is with USDA. I didn't know anyone before I got hired (I didn't have an 'in') and with my most recent position- it is in a different area all together and I had no contacts in that area. I had the experience they were looking for and I had a great attitude (believe it or not, from what I have heard, it was my upbeat attitude that put me over the top.) It was one of the first jobs I have applied for outside of the group I am in (there was little to no promotion potential within the group).

This must have been a few years ago.

It was 2009 - when the unemployment rate skyrocketed and everyone was applying for Fed jobs.

Thought so. It's like like that anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did. It took me hundreds of applications and nine months - but I applied and finally got in at a grade 9. Since then, I have worked my way up to a 14.

What type of job/agency?

Initially, it was an admin specialist position, then I moved to a loan specialist position and now, a program manager position.
It is with USDA. I didn't know anyone before I got hired (I didn't have an 'in') and with my most recent position- it is in a different area all together and I had no contacts in that area. I had the experience they were looking for and I had a great attitude (believe it or not, from what I have heard, it was my upbeat attitude that put me over the top.) It was one of the first jobs I have applied for outside of the group I am in (there was little to no promotion potential within the group).

This must have been a few years ago.

It was 2009 - when the unemployment rate skyrocketed and everyone was applying for Fed jobs.

Thought so. It's like like that anymore.

Hmmm....the group I was with just hired two people. Neither was military and neither had prior government experience. All within the past year.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is possible. I was hired without knowing anyone at the agency, applied via usajobs.gov.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did. It took me hundreds of applications and nine months - but I applied and finally got in at a grade 9. Since then, I have worked my way up to a 14.

What type of job/agency?

Initially, it was an admin specialist position, then I moved to a loan specialist position and now, a program manager position.
It is with USDA. I didn't know anyone before I got hired (I didn't have an 'in') and with my most recent position- it is in a different area all together and I had no contacts in that area. I had the experience they were looking for and I had a great attitude (believe it or not, from what I have heard, it was my upbeat attitude that put me over the top.) It was one of the first jobs I have applied for outside of the group I am in (there was little to no promotion potential within the group).

This must have been a few years ago.

It was 2009 - when the unemployment rate skyrocketed and everyone was applying for Fed jobs.

Thought so. It's like like that anymore.

PS That is the kind of attitude that would most likely keep you from getting a position. It is possible and I happen to know my old group will be posting my old job soon (plus several others).

[Anonymous]

I can only say that my agency is ONLY hiring Vets and those with disabilities right now. I am also seeing a LOT of postings online for RECENT graduates.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm talking about someone mid-career making $100+k in the private sector. My DH works as a PMP for a federal contractor and would like to get out of the contract job and into the security of a federal position. I'm getting the impression that if he isn't a vet or disabled, he hasn't go much chance.

[Anonymous]

Your impression is correct, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren't already in the system, a Vet, or have some other preferential status?

in 2010, yes.

now, probably not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm talking about someone mid-career making $100+k in the private sector. My DH works as a PMP for a federal contractor and would like to get out of the contract job and into the security of a federal position. I'm getting the impression that if he isn't a vet or disabled, he hasn't go much chance.

Well, ok. There are a lot of PMPs in the government, so that alone won't do it. Though, if he's looking for a job with the agency he already works with, that's a better to chance because he knows how to work within their organization already.

But to answer to your general question, yes, we hire those from outside who are not vets. It just depends on the job and what's needed.

[Anonymous]

Probably not.

[Anonymous]

I did! And most of my coworkers. The person who said that you have to have a niche...yes, correct, you do. If you aren't getting referred, you may not be writing your resume properly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was recently offered a position....but turned it down. They gave me no credit for my 20 years of directly applicable research experience, and were treating me as I was right out of my PhD (GS13 step 1). But, I was offered a fed job.

What does getting credit mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only say that my agency is ONLY hiring Vets and those with disabilities right now. I am also seeing a LOT of postings online for RECENT graduates.

which agency? DH is retiring from the military soon and would like to stay in the federal government.

[Anonymous]

Foreign service? The application process is different than the positions on USAjobs, but most people come to the FS through another career, including a lot of ex military.

[Anonymous]

I got a federal job as a lawyer. I did have one year of prior federal service, but it was in another branch of government with no people in common. We also hired a couple of lawyers in the past couple of years who were not in the agency/no prior federal service. These are all $100k+ jobs. We did go through a period during which we could only hire from within the agency due to budgetary issues/sequestration.