How did you get your Fed job?

[Anonymous]

First, the only way you will get beyond the initial screening (which is pretty much always automated) is to answer any multiple choice question with the "best" answer. If you are hard on your self you will not get a perfect score and there will be plenty of people ahead of you that will knock you out.

Second, beyond the automated scoring the next review is typically done by someone in HR who is clueless about what the hiring official is actually looking for and/or doesn't have enough technical program knowledge to relate what's in the resume to what was in the job announcement... which is why it's important to include alot of the wording from the announcement as 10:41 already described.

Lastly and only then will your resume actually get passed on to the hiring official. Agencies have varying policies about who they "must" interview. For us external hires or internal lateral moves are left to the discretion of the hiring official. For internal merit promotions we have an "interview one interview them all policy". Whether they call or email to set up an interview is totally dependent on that person's preference (I always email, it's nice to have a record.)

As far as timeline, most Agencies have target time frames they strive to meet, however I suspect the shutdown threw a wrench into that big time. And we are doing a lot worse on meeting our time frames because every step in the process requires approval at the highest level which takes time. And a warning there, just because a job is posted, you are interviewed and they love you and really want to hire you they can still get shot down if Agency priorities or decision makers change. It's kind of a crap shoot right now given the current fiscal climate.

[Anonymous]

Contractor converted to a fed position. It is a temporary 5 year position, though. They are creating a permanent position, but I will have to compete for it on usajobs. Job description is being based on my job tasks and strengths.