Yes, in the last six months but also a vet with 5 point pref.

Our agency is on a hiring freeze right now and I'm sure we're not the only ones. Might explain the slim pickins out there now.

Anonymous wrote:Very hard now because of sequestration and the fact that there is a huge effort again to hire vets only. If your black, that will help too. White? Not so much.

Well this is a not a true statement. More lies floating around DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:Very hard now because of sequestration and the fact that there is a huge effort again to hire vets only. If your black, that will help too. White? Not so much.

the vets issue is a real one, depending on the job/agency/manager, but I think the racial one is BS

Yes. Good luck OP

Very hard now because of sequestration and the fact that there is a huge effort again to hire vets only. If your black, that will help too. White? Not so much.

I think getting your resume through the electronic filter is more important than knowing some one. All the managers I've known who were hiring just wanted good applicants but HR mostly sent them duds. HR had limited options because good candidates didn't know how to get their resume through the auto filter - there are seminars you can attend on how to tailor your resume to USAjobs.

This is OP, and this is all reassuring! You hear so much about needing to know people...

I suspect I am well-qualified but after having received those "qualified but not among the best qualified" messages I'm trying not to get my hopes up for a job that seems great for me.

Yes.

Anonymous wrote:I knew someone.

But I have known people who applied and heard back 1 1/2 years later, so it happens.

Managers keep resumes in their drawers too, and then go through them when they get the ok to hire, so it's good to meet with somebody in management for an informational interview and give them your resume.

this happened to me (back when R's were illegally only hiring R's-- eventually that stopped, they went back to my resume and I got hired)

Yup! Applied through usajobs and got an interview. Didn't actually get the position first time around, but fed boss called a few months later when another position opened. I found it easier than getting a foot in the door with some contractors. Keep trying - you'll get a bite. Good luck!

I knew someone.

But I have known people who applied and heard back 1 1/2 years later, so it happens.

Managers keep resumes in their drawers too, and then go through them when they get the ok to hire, so it's good to meet with somebody in management for an informational interview and give them your resume.

Yep.

Yes.

Have been applying to a few suitable Fed jobs here and there, and just finished application of one that seems an excellent fit.

As far as I know I don't have any ties (even secondary) with folks in the Fed agency I'm looking to get into, so I'm wondering if I even have a remote chance. Anybody ever get offered or even asked to interview for a Fed job without knowing someone and calling in that favor?