How to get a job at Federal Government Jobs.

Do you work at Federal Government Jobs? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I am trying to get a job in government as well, as it seems to be a growing sector. When I did a Google search here were some good guides and resources:

www.govcentral.com/benefits/articles/70-ten-steps-to-getting-a-government-job

www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/employ/govtjob/fedjob.pdf

USAJobs.gov is also a great place to poke around and apply. Good luck!

Good luck buddy. That nepotism and taking care of their own is entirely true. You have about as much chance of getting a good paying government job as you do of winning the Powerball jackpot i believe.
I have tried at least a dozen times for one type of position. I kept striking out over and over. All I received was a form letter. I bagan to believe that there must be something that is wrong or rigged with their hiring selection process. I finally found out from some good sources that i was right all along. It is rigged! There is favoritism and preference for their own kind who are already in the system and looking for a new position or new location. when an announcement comes up that is suitable they say it is open to all civilains and such. But it just aint so my friend!

It's sad but true, I applied for a position within a government agentcy that I was way-more than qualified, and ran into the same nonsense that everyone else gets the old "thanks but no thanks" form letter. However, I have a niece that was working at a rent-a-car lot a few months ago, and is now working for an Air Force Base in Illinois in communications!.....Oh, did I for get to mention that her father is a retired Air Force Officer! And made a couple of phone calls and there you go, she got the job!

Swaine I completely understand your concerns as I have the same concerns and have experienced a very tough road since I left the Navy in 2007. I have applied for a great deal of federal positions only to be turned away. I have scored extremely well and the VA has told me on more than one occasion that I interviwed extremely well. I've been told that my education is the problem (having too much), but this is simply a cop out. How can a veteran have too much and who are they to decide that if I have a masters degree I can't have a GS-5 position in fear of leaving for a more competitive position. This philosophy is the problem with the VA.

How right you all are! I have my master's degree, have worked in defense contracting and private industry for more than 10 years and yet I keep getting turned down. I can't tell you how angry I get when I see someone with half the work ethic, no education, and terrible work experience get a rewarding government job. It frustrates me to no end. It's not what you know, but who you know.

There's no law out there that says you have to reveal all of your experience and education to get a job. The way the federal hiring is its to your detrement to have an education.

There is no falsifying your application u simply didn't reveal all of yor qualifications. The only person u hurt is ypurself because it makes u less competitive.

From my experience the Fed hiring process is completely rigged. They are required by law to post jobs but only hire from within except for a few new grad jobs and some very senior level exec positions. Its clear from the IT job qualifications statements that they have no intention of hiring from the general population. They write the requirements with absolute specificity for "demonstrated experience using" some stupid off the shelf application that they use or with some particular DOD planning methodology and KSAs. Clearly nobody in the private sector has ever heard of the stuff. You are really wasting your time trying to get a Fed job. Your odds are Indeed as good at winning the lottery. Just forget about it.

You really think so?

jagman298 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania said: You really think so?

yeah - no kidding. I heard they had a tour guide job open at the Air and Space Museum. Neil Armstrong applied for it. The affirmatively hired personnel lady reviewed his resume and didn't have a clue who he was. He got back on his application status "Your resume was not referred for this position because you were not among the most qualified candidates"

You are so right. So many of the public-offered jobs have KSAs related to experience serving as a "COR" or "COTR" which is VERY VERY specific to federal government jobs. Unless you are, or were a federal employee, you never served as a COR/COTR.

jr100 in Buffalo, New York said: From my experience the Fed hiring process is completely rigged. They are required by law to post jobs but only hire from within except for a few new grad jobs and some very senior level exec positions. Its clear from the IT job qualifications statements that they have no intention of hiring from the general population. They write the requirements with absolute specificity for "demonstrated experience using" some stupid off the shelf application that they use or with some particular DOD planning methodology and KSAs. Clearly nobody in the private sector has ever heard of the stuff. You are really wasting your time trying to get a Fed job. Your odds are Indeed as good at winning the lottery. Just forget about it.

The new website for civilian Army positions is www.armycivilianservices.com

I recently applied for a federal position at the VA hospital as a medical supply technician. I served in the military for 20 years and held jobs in medical, supply, and as a lab technician. I also am a disabled vet with a rating of 30% or more. I was turned down for the position because I have too much education after being told that I was one of the best qualified candidates and that I would be hired. I turned down a job offering twice as much as this job offered. I feel I was turned down because of either my age or my disability. Can anyone give me any advice on if I have a legitimate reason to file a grievance?

The minute they got rid of the Civil Service Test, the cronyism and corruption fired up. I know I am wasting my time, but I keep applying. Do not ever offer more on your application if they don't ask for it.

I was just hired into the Dept. of the Navy Inter program with in contracts. I applied the first time and was not selected because of a transcript issue. Two weeks later the same job came up and I applied…..flew out to D.C and landed the job.
First of all my advice is to NEVER do phone interviews. The government doesn’t like to hire over the phone, even though they offer it to people who live a long distance. I flew from California to D.C. they knew I wanted the job.
Secondly, put in for jobs were there are multiple positions. The first time I put in for this position at Pax River there was 42 positions, the second time there were 6 positions available. If there is only one job and 30 people it’s not surprising that your chances will be smaller.
Third make sure you look at the self-assessment carefully and give yourself credit for a few things. If you don’t have certain leadership experiences see which ones you can get for example…”have you received a letter of appreciation at work” was one question….If you are doing a good job at work; ask your boss for a letter.
Forth, when you put in your application at U.S.A Jobs…there is a number at the right hand corner. This person is there to help you through the process and make sure you have not forgotten nor need help; call ask questions. If I had not called the first time I would have never known that there was an issue with my GPA…which turned out to be a single transcript from Fullerton College back in 1988 which was missing; even though I have a 4.0 GPA…Everything Matters.
Finally, I did not know the person who in Pennsylvania reviewed my application and deemed it qualified. I also did not know the H.R rep in Pax’s River who called and set up the interview. I also did not know anyone on the board who interviewed me, and finally, I did not know the person who called and said you’re hired!
I hope this helps, Good luck everyone!
Rick

It is almost impossible to get a job with the feds. They will hire people that are under qualified or as temporary employees through recruiting firms, and then convert them to permanent government employees. Then many of them get in "government" mode, slow, lazy and down right rude; but they never get fired. If you are overqualified for the position, forget about it; and it is even worse if you don't have an inside connection.

i don't bother any longer applying to govt jobs. never get a response!

i would love to know internally how hr works there.

There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government. First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government. First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Let it rip!

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: The is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

So we are all interested Cee, can you advise please?

C'mon Cee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Well, what is it?

Host said: Do you work at Federal Government Jobs? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I do not work at Federal Government Jobs
I found the website by internet.
I would very much like to work for Federal Government Jobs. I have
heard great things about working for the Government.

Go to usajobs.gov complete a profile and create a job agent.

DEB1975 in Fairfield, Ohio said: It's sad but true, I applied for a position within a government agentcy that I was way-more than qualified, and ran into the same nonsense that everyone else gets the old "thanks but no thanks" form letter. However, I have a niece that was working at a rent-a-car lot a few months ago, and is now working for an Air Force Base in Illinois in communications !.....Oh, did I for get to mention that her father is a retired Air Force Officer! And made a couple of phone calls and there you go, she got the job!

Boy does that sound familier.. I work on a AF base and I see that all the time. I'm a government contractor and I'm a photographer. We photograph retirements all the time. Whats so amazing that a person will retire one day and then come in a couple of weeks as a government civilian doing the same job. I've tried several times in appling for Visual information specialist job and not even get a form letter. I did 5 years and change years in the AF and a Desert Storm vet to boot and with a BFA degree in photo and graphic design. But I see some slick folks out there jumping from job to job with little or no effort. I feel like I'm bogged down in mud. Whats so sad in my situation is that I'm rapidily approuching 50 years old and reality of never getting a retirement is becoming very real. I know they help there own,, cause I frequently ask, "Whats the secret in getting in"? I get the same BS answer.. "Go To USA Jobs". When I hear that, I know that they blowning smoke up my behind and they have know intent on helping me out and telling me how it works. I recently found out today, a gal that worked year a few years ago re-enlisted back into AF Guard and now I heard from another co-worker that she landed a GS job over at some tenant unit here on base. I know she has no education and she is very political. "follow your dreams"?...Hmmm.. not unless you know someone in higher power you can't.

TB

Todd,

I do think there is a lot of nepotism in regards to getting a fed job. Not everyone of course, but I think people would be surprised by how much.

When I go to the One-Stop career center I kid you not 99 percent of the DOL and County employees were friends with someone there before they got the job.

Good Luck Todd

ToddB in Montgomery, Alabama said: Boy does that sound familier.. I work on a AF base and I see that all the time. I'm a government contractor and I'm a photographer. We photograph retirements all the time. Whats so amazing that a person will retire one day and then come in a couple of weeks as a government civilian doing the same job. I've tried several times in appling for Visual information specialist job and not even get a form letter. I did 5 years and change years in the AF and a Desert Storm vet to boot and with a BFA degree in photo and graphic design. But I see some slick folks out there jumping from job to job with little or no effort. I feel like I'm bogged down in mud. Whats so sad in my situation is that I'm rapidily approuching 50 years old and reality of never getting a retirement is becoming very real. I know they help there own,, cause I frequently ask, "Whats the secret in getting in"? I get the same BS answer.. "Go To USA Jobs". When I hear that, I know that they blowning smoke up my behind and they have know intent on helping me out and telling me how it works. I recently found out today, a gal that worked year a few years ago re-enlisted back into AF Guard and now I heard from another co-worker that she landed a GS job over at some tenant unit here on base. I know she has no education and she is very political. "follow your dreams"?...Hmmm.. not unless you know someone in higher power you can't.

TB

TB I feel your pain. I have learned a few things in my 3 years of trying and failing. I talked to a hiring manager at Fort Knox, when you apply for a position you have to write a resume based on the KSA's and look for key words in the job duties and try to use them in your resume. Resumes for the gov. should be pages long not bullet points. If you even scratched your fanny in a particular way that matches the skills required, list it in your resume. Try to use dates for every skill used or acquired.

Also understand that most of these jobs are written and posted for people already working in that position and they have no real intention of hiring an outside candidate. No one on the outside has all the skills or policy or software training they want. They post these positions to comply with Federal EEOC requirements and cull applications, so they can say we tried to be fair and equal, but no one met the requirements so we had no choice but to hire from inside.

i wouldn't apply to a fed job unless i was currently working and i had time to blow/waste

The two jobs I did apply for that offered on the job training or extensive training were both cancelled. What a bunch of BS. I guess I am trying to relate the process today to my dad getting a job with the DOA some 40 years ago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and took the civil service test. He scored high enough to have a choice of careers and spent 6 month in Texas training for a job in System Supply Analyst and then being assigned as a GS 7 in Kentucky. This to me seems more fair, but like most civilian jobs no one wants to waste time training anyone. You better come out of the box already assembled and ready to start on day one with all the knowledge and experience of someone who's been working there 5 or more years.

A friend of mine works for the federal government, he says most of the hiring is done within, you have to try to get some sucky clerical or call taker type job with the social security admin or IRS, then move from there.

Jobs I don't waste my time applying to:

1)FEDERAL JOBS - never called

2)Colleges - they want so many reqs

3)Sales Positions at Publicly Traded Companies - to much stress

4)County level jobs - layoffs sooner or later

5)Federal Jobs - never called and never will be

Joe Gagill in Monticello, New York said: Alright, no one can posts on this thread UNTIL someone answers the question, "How do you get a Federal job." Alright.

YourMaryKayLady - What kind of answer is that? We all know that's where you go to fill out the application.

We want to know the inside scoop, is it a rigged process? And how does the application system work?

Cee, where are you honey? If you are a Federal worker you would have all the time in the world to answer this.

Yes it is a rigid process... they check out everything you write down and everything else. Making sure you are who you say you are. A lot of identity theft makes the investigation longer.

Your Mary Kay Lady in Las Vegas, Nevada said: Yes it is a rigid process... they check out everything you write down and everything else. Making sure you are who you say you are. A lot of identity theft makes the investigation longer.

I asked if it was a rigged process?

You came back and stated, "Yes it is a rigid process."

Can someone shed light on how the federal application process works???

I understand where you come from with that mentality. I guess i am one of the fortunate ones. After 18 months of unemployment and it running out, and having served for 8 years in the U.S Army as a Combat Medic in OIF/OEF Tours, I finally caught a break. I got an email from the Cincinnati VAMC hiring regional director Brian Grubb informing me that since I was a combat veteran with medical training and experience that there was a GS-7 position for 53,000/year job as a intermediate care technician open that he wanted me to be hired in and is walking me thru the process to get me hired on..
All I can say is I completely understand where everyone here comes from with that and yes they do favor prior military service and federal position experience. I am saddened with the history and problems with our economy and hope it improves. Best of luck to all whom are still on the job hunt

I'm sorry to this but a GS 7 doesn't make 53,000 a year you should check OPM's website.

jagman298 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania said: I'm sorry to this but a GS 7 doesn't make 53,000 a year you should check OPM's website.

So we can assume from reading your statement that Carl is a big fat liar.

No but you can check out OPM's website the pay scale is right there.

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

PRETTY PLEASE LET KNOW HOW

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Cee,

Since full-time govt employees only work 4 hours a day, put down your coffee and donut tomorrow and tell us how we can get a sweet gig like you have.

Host said: Do you work at Federal Government Jobs? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

For Army civilian jobs and for federal job openings visit

www.armycivilianservices.com/

Host said: Do you work at Federal Government Jobs? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

For Army civilian jobs and for federal job openings visit

www.armycivilianservices.com/

job hunter666 in seaside, California said: For Army civilian jobs and for federal job openings visit

www.armycivilianservices.com/

Again you dummy, people on this specific forum want to know what is the secret to getting a federal govt job. We all know where to go to apply. But why does it seem that qualified people are not called? Is it nepotism, veterans only, etc. etc, etc, etc.

Can anyone out there shed light on this???

jagman298 in Red Lion, Pennsylvania said: I'm sorry to this but a GS 7 doesn't make 53,000 a year you should check OPM's website.

Jagman,
Part of the problem is your misinformation--it is absolutely possible to make 50k a year as a GS7--there is whats called a step system within each level. As a new hire--you have the ability and advantage to negotiate the Step # so that you don't have to wait years to move up to the next level...If you do your research properly you will find the GS Level and the different Step rates--at the high end of the GS7 level you will make 50.

lisajal04@cheerful.com in Schertz, Texas said: Jagman,
Part of the problem is your misinformation--it is absolutely possible to make 50k a year as a GS7--there is whats called a step system within each level. As a new hire--you have the ability and advantage to negotiate the Step # so that you don't have to wait years to move up to the next level...If you do your research properly you will find the GS Level and the different Step rates--at the high end of the GS7 level you will make 50.

Can you tell us how to get a federal job? Do you need to know someone inside? How prevalent is friends being hired?

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Hi Cee, how can I get in touch with you? I'd like more info about this please!
Thanks!

ForzaNapoli in Fairfax, Virginia said: Hi Cee, how can I get in touch with you? I'd like more info about this please!
Thanks!

That num nut doesn't use Indeed any longer. With how many thousands of fed workers out there and not one can comment on how to get hired.

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

Hi Cee,
I want more info.

iMac

Cee in Germantown, Maryland said: There is a strategy in getting hired for the federal government . First you must understand how the system works and how your application is ranked. Let me know if you want more info. I have been a government employee for 26 years, and I have worked in the civilian personnel office for the government. I know how it works.

I've been in the systemn for 6 years and have tried to move around to get higher GS levels. I've been at my current command for 4 years, ALL my co-workers (including the AO) quit. I can gaurantee that when the GS-7 opens they WILL NOT hire from within even though the job is rightfully mine. I have been putting in for jobs from West to East coast AND overseas and I get "not among the top qaulified." I bet if I was a Free Mason then it might be different but since I am a woman who has never been in the military I get squat! I don't think people truly understand the way it works in the Gov. system (including me). My female friend gets job offers left and right. She went from a GS-3 to a GS 7 within 2 years by bouncing around and gets GS-9 job offers. No education and yet I'm 1 year from my BA and I get nothing. I can say it makes no rhyme or reason how they choose.