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