job hunting advice: should I get a federal job?
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Anonymous
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I'm a current sahm and former elementary school teacher. I've been home for 11 years. My youngest will be in kindergarten next year and I'm thinking about going back to work, partly because we really could use the money, I really miss working but also my marriage sucks and if I end up divorced, I will be a pauper supporting 3 kids on a teachers salary. I will have more custody b/c of the teacher schedule, esp in the summer but also because dh travels about 8 weeks a year for his job but I don't know if that would make up for the terrible pay.
I could just try to go back to good ole public school job. But for some reason I was thinking that I might want to get a federal job: better benefits and retirement. Any advice or ideas? I'm 45 if that matters. |
Anonymous
| A federal job doing what??? You know that they don't just hand them out, right? You have to be qualified. What are you qualified to do? |
Anonymous
Well I was assuming I'd be entry level at whatever I applied for. What is a fresh out of school history major qualified to do? |
Anonymous
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wrong question. not should you get a federal job? but COULD you get a federal job?
you might want to do a little more research. getting a federal job is incredibly hard. it's frankly insulting that you think you could just decide you want one and get one. unless you have some great connections -- and even then -- it's difficult to get your foot in the door. |
Anonymous
| Why don't you get a job as an investment banker? I hear the pay is great! |
Anonymous
it's a different world now, friend. |
Anonymous
How about a doctor? I hear they're hiring. |
Anonymous
| No need to be so snarky, pps. |
Anonymous
| Teachers are among those who receive the lowest SAT scores. |
Anonymous
| It's hard not to be snarky...It's like she's stuck in 1970. To the OP: the job market, if you haven't noticed, is DISMAL. It's unlike anything in our lifetime. And the idea that you think you can just waltz in and say give me a job without any qualifications is almost funny. You were a teacher -- maybe Obama can appoint you to be Educ. Secy. |
Anonymous
| OP, very gently, I think you should start with some volunteer work and if you are interested in federal employment, check out USAJOBS and see what you qualify for. I can tell you as a federal manager that we receive hundreds and even thousands of resumes for entry level positions. This is the fiercest job market in decades. I think you are going to have a very, very hard time re-entering the market after eleven years away. Perhaps getting more education? A masters? |
Anonymous
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I love my federal job and would certainly recommend fed jobs, especially for people with families. That said-the federal hiring process is brutal. Everyone wants a secure job right now, so the number of applications is overwhelming. Virtually everyone we hire, even for entry level jobs, has a Masters and internships or other related work experience. Even our interns are usually grad students or recent graduates from grad school. Not that we have had any ability to hire lately!
The only offices I know of in our agency that have problems holding on to people (and therefore might have openings) is the office that does all the grant paperwork. |
Anonymous
| OP, please come back and tell everyone that if getting a federal job is so easy, you'll just go into the nonprofit sector. |
Anonymous
Job Title irector of Operating Budgets
Department epartment Of Transportation
Agency:Federal Aviation Administration Job Announcement Number:EXE-ATO-12-2-22967 SALARY RANGE: $121,300.00 to $170,600.00 / Per Year OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 to Friday, November 25, 2011 SERIES & GRADE: EV-0340-02 POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Permanent DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy(s) - Washington DCView Map WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: U.S. Citizens - All Sources JOB SUMMARY: The Next Generation of Flight is Underway - and you can be part of it! We need you and your fresh ideas to shape the air transportation system of tomorrow, and the way America flies. Come be a part of the new generation in aviation, an industry that is absolutely critical to this nation's economy and security. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is a fundamental transformation of our nation's airspace system. It uses 21st century technologies to meet future demands, avoid gridlock in the sky and on the runways, further improve safety, and protect the environment. For more information on NextGen, watch this brief introduction : NextGen Introduction About the FAA Employment Information Business Component: Office of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Finance Sample of Duties: The Director of Operating Budgets directs the operating budget function within the Office of Budget under the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Financial Servi... (see Duties tab for more duties) Salary will be set within the range based on qualifications, experience and equivalent peer salaries in the organization. Locality pay will be added to the base, not to exceed the current statutory pay cap of $179,700. No Permanent Change of Station (PCS) payments are authorized. KEY REQUIREMENTS U.S. Citizen Pre-employment drug screening may be performed Financial Disclosure must be filed within 30 days of beginning employment Applications must be received by the closing date Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance DUTIES: Back to top The Director of Operating Budgets directs the operating budget function within the Office of Budget under the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Financial Services/Chief Financial Officer. The executive provides direction and leadership to the various lines of business within the FAA responsible for delivering financial services to the customer. Services provided, which are broad in scope and critical in nature, include the delivery of operating budget and financial management products and services for the agency. The incumbent manages the day-to-day operations involving the Operations Appropriation and other one-year appropriations; directs the establishment of policies, standards, and procedures for the formulation and execution of FAA operating budgets; develops standardized pricing models to be used by FAA organizations in both formulating and executing operating budgets; develops and maintains processes for approval and monitoring of hiring and spending plans for organizational budgets. He/she will also lead and integrate the budget planning process for all organizational units/projects/programs under his/her control and project both long-term and short-term future needs; collaborate with Capital Budgets staff to determine budgetary impacts of the capital investments on the operating budgets; and develop long-term projections of operating budget needs. The incumbent will also serve as the focal point for all FAA organizations concerning Operations budget and financial management matters. He/she will meet with Congressional staff, GAO, OIG, OMB, and OST on matters regarding financial operations and will respond to FAA OST, OMB, and Congressional inquiries and hearings pertaining to operating budgetary issues. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top Applicants must meet the necessary Leadership and Technical requirements listed above. U.S. Citizen Pre-employment drug screening may be performed Financial Disclosure must be filed within 30 days of beginning employment Applications must be received by the closing date Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: In addition to submitting a resume, applicants should address each of the leadership and technical requirements individually, describing work accomplishments that relate to each requirement. Leadership requirements reflect the FAA Executive Success Profile, which describes the behaviors and characteristics required of all FAA executives. Refer to the Executive Success Profile for examples of competencies that are associated with each leadership dimension. It is important that you describe actual accomplishments, rather than discussing your philosophy of the leadership dimensions. You are encouraged to use the "Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR)" model to address the requirements. If you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) or an FAA Executive System (FAES) appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES or FAES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM, you only need to submit a resume and narrative statement covering each of the Technical Requirements listed below. You do not need to submit a narrative on the Leadership Requirements. SES CDP graduates should submit a copy of their CDP program certification with their package. Leadership Requirements 1. Achieving Operational Results: Provide examples of ways you have exercised leadership to deliver significant results. Explain how you established goals, assessed outcomes, and improved products and services. Indicate how you identified and met customers' requirements and addressed the needs of stakeholders. Include examples of complex problems you solved or difficult obstacles that you overcame as a leader. Your description should include (1) the size and complexity of organizations you have led, (2) the scope of programs you have managed, and (3) the impact of your results on customers and other stakeholders. 2. Leading People: Describe the size of the organization and number and types of positions you have managed. Discuss ways that you have established and maintained positive work environments and prevented or eliminated discrimination or harassment. Describe ways that you have mentored and developed employees and built individual and team performance. Discuss how you have established and led teams to deliver products and services. Include in your description experience in leading others in a matrix environment across organizations. 3. Building Relationships: Describe (1) the types of individuals with whom you routinely collaborate; and (2) the purpose and outcomes of the communication. Discuss your experience in communicating and cooperating with others to achieve goals. Provide examples of how you have built relationships to achieve consensus and how you were able to obtain the cooperation of others with competing priorities and perspectives. Describe how you effectively communicate information within and outside of your organization. 4. Leading Strategic Change: Describe examples of strategic changes that you led for your organization; describe the entities that the change affected (agency, industry, organizational components). Discuss obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them to the benefit of the agency. Include in your description ways that you applied long-range vision, developed strategies, and applied innovative ideas and techniques. Technical Requirements 1. Demonstrated experience managing a budget staff responsible for large-scale operating budgets. 2. Demonstrated experience leading the development and integration of a budget planning process for an organization. 3. Demonstrated progressive experience in formulating and executing (building and managing) complex operating budgets. BENEFITS: Back to top FAA Employees enjoy competitive salaries and standard Federal employment benefits: Health Insurance: Employees may enroll in one of several health plans offered to Federal employees. Life Insurance: Low-cost term group life insurance is available. Holidays and Leave: Executives and senior professionals/chief scientists are paid for 10 Federal holidays and earn 13 days of sick leave and 26 days of annual leave each year. Retirement: Employees new to Federal Service are enrolled in a three-tier system that includes Social Security, a basic pension plan, and the Thrift Savings Plan (the Federal government's version of 401k). OTHER INFORMATION: Travel may be required. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Direct deposit of pay is required. |
Anonymous
| Another issue, OP, is that unless you're applying for a legal job (as an attorney only), or some Other excepted service position requiring a professional degree, then you'll have to compete with veterans and other merit appointment. Basically, this means that you won't even make it through initial screening process. PPs are correct: you asked the wrong question. |