Anonymous wrote:When I look on USAJOBS there is often a range say 12/13/14 for hiring and then “promotion potential” is usually the top of that range. But sometimes I do see a listing where there isn’t a range and the “promotion potential” is a higher grade (say listed at 12 but potential to 14).

I’ve always assumed that means the career ladder is 12/13/14 but you will be hired at 12 and it will take at least a year to move up to 13 etc. Is that not right?

a 12/13/14 position means you can come in either 12 or 13 or 14. If you hired as 12/13, you can move up to 14 at some point.

if not range (a 12), that means they will bring you in as a 12.

When I look on USAJOBS there is often a range say 12/13/14 for hiring and then “promotion potential” is usually the top of that range. But sometimes I do see a listing where there isn’t a range and the “promotion potential” is a higher grade (say listed at 12 but potential to 14).

I’ve always assumed that means the career ladder is 12/13/14 but you will be hired at 12 and it will take at least a year to move up to 13 etc. Is that not right?

Anonymous wrote:A 13/14/15 ladder is pretty rare. Interested to know the job series.

-Fed HR

My non-supervisory attorney position.

A 13/14/15 ladder is pretty rare. Interested to know the job series.

-Fed HR

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s posted as a 13 with full promotion potential to GS-15, they are only looking to fill it at GS-13 and would not offer you a 14. You would likely be eligible for a promotion to GS-14 after 1 year and then GS-15 a year after that.

If it is advertised as GS-13/14/15 then they are open to filling it at any one of those grades and you can indicate which grade you are willing to accept.

neither is the case with op. it's posted as a 13, period.

I think some job postings (at least mine) list what's the ladder (i.e., 13/14/15). Not saying they're hiring OP at a 13 but there's the possibility she could end up a 15 several years in. But OP sure seems overconfident that the job is already at hand when they haven't even applied for it.

Anonymous wrote:If it’s posted as a 13 with full promotion potential to GS-15, they are only looking to fill it at GS-13 and would not offer you a 14. You would likely be eligible for a promotion to GS-14 after 1 year and then GS-15 a year after that.

If it is advertised as GS-13/14/15 then they are open to filling it at any one of those grades and you can indicate which grade you are willing to accept.

neither is the case with op. it's posted as a 13, period.

If it’s posted as a 13 with full promotion potential to GS-15, they are only looking to fill it at GS-13 and would not offer you a 14. You would likely be eligible for a promotion to GS-14 after 1 year and then GS-15 a year after that.

If it is advertised as GS-13/14/15 then they are open to filling it at any one of those grades and you can indicate which grade you are willing to accept.

Anonymous wrote:It’s only posted as a 13 but I think the ladder is to 15.

Thanks for the advice.

Serious question. What makes you think that?

It’s only posted as a 13 but I think the ladder is to 15.

Thanks for the advice.

As someone who is in the position hiring people, I can tell you that the biggest mistake is to not apply to all the grades that are advertised. If it's a 13/14, you should apply to both. Here's why: with veteran preference, your application may be blocked at a 14 but not at a 13. Even if you are qualified, the hiring people are only shown qualified veterans within each grade. However, there may be no veterans in the lower grade, so if you make the cert, the hiring officials will see you and can hire you at the higher grade. Everyone, always apply to all.

Anonymous wrote:You are over thinking it and giving this too much of your energy. If you are at all familiar with the federal hiring process, you know that the chances of being called in for an interview are remote, regardless of how qualified you think you are for the job. Worry about salary once you get an offer and the negotiations begin. From personal experience, if they really like and want to hire you, they are able to offer you any grade within the ladder of the position. But, you have to cross the biggest barrier first and actually get an interview.

+1. Just apply.

On the application you can normally mark what grade you want.

You are over thinking it and giving this too much of your energy. If you are at all familiar with the federal hiring process, you know that the chances of being called in for an interview are remote, regardless of how qualified you think you are for the job. Worry about salary once you get an offer and the negotiations begin. From personal experience, if they really like and want to hire you, they are able to offer you any grade within the ladder of the position. But, you have to cross the biggest barrier first and actually get an interview.

Very confusing post. I have no idea what you are describing. Are you a Fed now? If so, what grade are you? What do you mean "seems to have promotion potential to 15"? Is it posted as a 13/14/15? or just as a 13?

but seems to have promotion potential to 15, is there any point in applying if I probably only want it coming in as a 14?

IMNSHO I think I'd be perfect for the job (perhaps even overqualified) but it would a step back salary-wise which I could swallow at 14/10 but would be harder at 13/10.

Am I wasting everyone's time to apply, or would it be worth applying even if just to meet people and learn about the agency, and maybe next opening they will consider offering a 14 or I will be more desperate to leave my current job?

(Of course I recognize I might not get very far in the process, whether because they view me as overqualified or I am overestimating my suitability, but then I've just wasted my time, which isn't really a problem).