Can you get a fed job...

[Anonymous]

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).

You got the first job before it became crazy competitive. After sequester and with military and military spouse priority it is a challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Like what?

[Anonymous]

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).

You got the first job before it became crazy competitive. After sequester and with military and military spouse priority it is a challenge.

I didn't know there was this!

[Anonymous]

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

Same here in 2011

[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).

You got the first job before it became crazy competitive. After sequester and with military and military spouse priority it is a challenge.

I didn't know there was this!

Mothers of vets can also get preferences.

[Anonymous]

OP it's possible your spouse hasn't had luck because Program Managers are readily available. It's not filling a niche need like engineers or specialists or cybersecurity.

[Anonymous]

if you are an attorney you don't have to worry about vets b/c attorney positions are classified as "excepted service." that said, the fed hiring process can be drawn out and long and then there are always budgetary constraints (sequestration, etc.).

when I got hired by my current agency it took 10 months from when I first interviewed (hiring was frozen in between) and when I came on board. frustrating but you have to just realize it's not always about who's qualified or not. there's a certain measure of luck/timing and you just have to have a healthy attitude about the whole thing, otherwise you'll drive yourself nuts.