moving for a new fed job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The flip side of that is as a fed hiring manager, I would not give anyone (especially those that are highly marketable) too much leeway. During those months, what prevents the candidate from getting a better deal elsewhere and backing out on me?

What's to stop them from doing that once they start? For highly marketable people, the government is never going to compete on salary alone. It's the other things like flexibility and a good work environment. Starting out by giving someone 6 weeks to move from out of town is likely going to make them think a little harder when that better offer comes along.
Having a highly marketable candidate is a reason to be more accommodating. Because they likely have other options. And especially since government hiring is so drawn out and inflexible. They jumped through all these hoops and waited months for an offer and you tell them they have to drop their life and report in 4 weeks. Sure fire way to have resentment from day one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The flip side of that is as a fed hiring manager, I would not give anyone (especially those that are highly marketable) too much leeway. During those months, what prevents the candidate from getting a better deal elsewhere and backing out on me?

What's to stop them from doing that once they start? For highly marketable people, the government is never going to compete on salary alone. It's the other things like flexibility and a good work environment. Starting out by giving someone 6 weeks to move from out of town is likely going to make them think a little harder when that better offer comes along.
Having a highly marketable candidate is a reason to be more accommodating. Because they likely have other options. And especially since government hiring is so drawn out and inflexible. They jumped through all these hoops and waited months for an offer and you tell them they have to drop their life and report in 4 weeks. Sure fire way to have resentment from day one.

I'm PP that was only given 4 weeks for a cross country move. I think the hiring manager above has a good point, likely what might have been going on in my case. Also, from application to interview to offer was under 2 months - lightning speed for the gov't, I know. It's a specialized role and I also had other offers in that same agency that they knew of, and another from a different agency they didn't know about. They wanted me to commit rather than risk losing me elsewhere. It may be unusual but can happen in federal hiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The flip side of that is as a fed hiring manager, I would not give anyone (especially those that are highly marketable) too much leeway. During those months, what prevents the candidate from getting a better deal elsewhere and backing out on me?

What's to stop them from doing that once they start? For highly marketable people, the government is never going to compete on salary alone. It's the other things like flexibility and a good work environment. Starting out by giving someone 6 weeks to move from out of town is likely going to make them think a little harder when that better offer comes along.
Having a highly marketable candidate is a reason to be more accommodating. Because they likely have other options. And especially since government hiring is so drawn out and inflexible. They jumped through all these hoops and waited months for an offer and you tell them they have to drop their life and report in 4 weeks. Sure fire way to have resentment from day one.

I'm PP that was only given 4 weeks for a cross country move. I think the hiring manager above has a good point, likely what might have been going on in my case. Also, from application to interview to offer was under 2 months - lightning speed for the gov't, I know. It's a specialized role and I also had other offers in that same agency that they knew of, and another from a different agency they didn't know about. They wanted me to commit rather than risk losing me elsewhere. It may be unusual but can happen in federal hiring.

All I'm saying is forcing someone to lock themselves in by rushing a start date might work in the short run, but it will backfire in the long run. Better to let them evaluate options and come in being comfortable with the decision than trying to rush them. Because if you do rush them they will always be wondering and looking. Better to give an extra month or two up front than be searching for a replacement in a year.