Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 15:36     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
How long it takes to get hired, from the date you submitted your application to get the official notice of hiring?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 15:30     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to be able to back up your answers but I think that you have to be generous to yourself if you want to make the cert. Also, the questionaire just for HR to weed out. The answers are not seen by the hiring manager.


Now THAT is really helpful information!!! I always assumed the hiring mgr would have those questions there and you'd kind of have to "prove" that you were an expert since that's what you specifically chose. I personally wouldn't answer the ad for one I couldn't backup, but it'd be much easier to sell your skills and experience if they don't have those exact questions in front of them and approach it saying "Well you put that you were an Expert at _____. Tell us how," rather than "Tell us how you have used X and Y skills and in what experiences.", and so on.


I was sent copies of all the applicants answers to the questions for the position we just filled (internal). That said, they were basically a non-factor because everyone gives themselves the top score for everything.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 15:26     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
For people who got hired, did you apply by yourself all through the whole process, or someone from inside the agency help you get in?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 14:34     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Are ALL federal jobs posted on usajobs.gov? Does any federal agency post any openings at their own website?


Not all positions are required to be posted on USA Jobs. I know that lawyer positions are not required (though many are). You can often find more positions available on the individual agency's website.



Thanks. I will check their own individual website for jobs too.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 14:15     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:Are ALL federal jobs posted on usajobs.gov? Does any federal agency post any openings at their own website?


Not all positions are required to be posted on USA Jobs. I know that lawyer positions are not required (though many are). You can often find more positions available on the individual agency's website.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 14:14     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
More food for thought OP - I just finished reading Lean In and there's a statistic in there that says men apply for jobs if they have about 40% of the criteria listed and women if they have about 80% of the criteria (am ballparking the numbers because can't remember exactly). Women tend to underestimate themselves substantially in relation to their peers whereas men overestimate. Take that into account and don't hesitate to rate yourself highly on those things.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 14:05     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Are ALL federal jobs posted on usajobs.gov? Does any federal agency post any openings at their own website?
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 13:54     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to be able to back up your answers but I think that you have to be generous to yourself if you want to make the cert. Also, the questionaire just for HR to weed out. The answers are not seen by the hiring manager.


Now THAT is really helpful information!!! I always assumed the hiring mgr would have those questions there and you'd kind of have to "prove" that you were an expert since that's what you specifically chose. I personally wouldn't answer the ad for one I couldn't backup, but it'd be much easier to sell your skills and experience if they don't have those exact questions in front of them and approach it saying "Well you put that you were an Expert at _____. Tell us how," rather than "Tell us how you have used X and Y skills and in what experiences.", and so on.


This isn't surprising. Know someone who has poor communication skills but got a job that required excellent communication skills.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 12:49     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You have to be able to back up your answers but I think that you have to be generous to yourself if you want to make the cert. Also, the questionaire just for HR to weed out. The answers are not seen by the hiring manager.


Now THAT is really helpful information!!! I always assumed the hiring mgr would have those questions there and you'd kind of have to "prove" that you were an expert since that's what you specifically chose. I personally wouldn't answer the ad for one I couldn't backup, but it'd be much easier to sell your skills and experience if they don't have those exact questions in front of them and approach it saying "Well you put that you were an Expert at _____. Tell us how," rather than "Tell us how you have used X and Y skills and in what experiences.", and so on.


Yes, the hiring manager is likely not so keen on the questions (which may or may not match the job...). The only time I've seen a problem was where the person really didn't have the skills and got on the cert list. The hiring manager then tried to get to the bottom of it. But, again, this was an egregious situation.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 12:16     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Anonymous wrote:You have to be able to back up your answers but I think that you have to be generous to yourself if you want to make the cert. Also, the questionaire just for HR to weed out. The answers are not seen by the hiring manager.


Now THAT is really helpful information!!! I always assumed the hiring mgr would have those questions there and you'd kind of have to "prove" that you were an expert since that's what you specifically chose. I personally wouldn't answer the ad for one I couldn't backup, but it'd be much easier to sell your skills and experience if they don't have those exact questions in front of them and approach it saying "Well you put that you were an Expert at _____. Tell us how," rather than "Tell us how you have used X and Y skills and in what experiences.", and so on.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 10:16     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
You have to be able to back up your answers but I think that you have to be generous to yourself if you want to make the cert. Also, the questionaire just for HR to weed out. The answers are not seen by the hiring manager.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2013 09:42     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Gah, good to know though, thanks OP. I've not once been referred so that is most certainly the first reason why! And to think I had said to my husband, I even put "Expert" for 5 of the questions! Guess I'll have to play it hard and fast with what I interpret as "expert"...
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2013 21:05     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
I've read that too. You shouldn't bother to apply unless you can answer expert on almost every question.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2013 18:37     Subject: Re:Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
Damn. But thanks for sharing OP, it's good to know how applicants are selected. That shuts out a lot of people and I guess you shouldn't bother applying if can't make that 90% cut off.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2013 18:34     Subject: Tips and Tricks for Federal Job Application Webinar - 1 thing I learned
A while back someone posted a link for info about how to apply to federal jobs. I listened to the webinar earlier this week and it was not very useful for me, mostly because the examples were so far afield from my experience (lots of emphasis on veterans...which is good, but not relevant to me).

The only thing I learned what that you have to score a 90% on the questionnaire to get referred. For instance, if there are 20 questions, you have to be able to mark E for 18 questions and D for the other two.