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1. I heard people have to take tests for many gov't jobs, well before even applying. It determines pay level, what you are applicable for, etc. Is that all gov't jobs? Or is that just a few select areas like Foreign Service, Postal Dept, etc. If anyone could clear that one up.
2. I also heard once you send in an application, it's still a long wait before you'd actually be hired for it. How long is that wait for, typically?
1) Civil Service exams are largely a thing of the past. Like you said, there are speciality jobs that still probably do them, but they are not common anymore.
2) Depends, but prepare to wait. And wait. And wait. My first federal job was a temp student job and that still was a 3-4 month process from applying to starting. My current position was completely internal and still took about 4 months from applying to starting. So in my experience, 4 months is average but I know people who waited upwards of 6 months to start work.
What kind of job are you looking for and which agencies are you focusing on?
1) Civil Service exams are largely a thing of the past. Like you said, there are speciality jobs that still probably do them, but they are not common anymore.
2) Depends, but prepare to wait. And wait. And wait. My first federal job was a temp student job and that still was a 3-4 month process from applying to starting. My current position was completely internal and still took about 4 months from applying to starting. So in my experience, 4 months is average but I know people who waited upwards of 6 months to start work.
What kind of job are you looking for and which agencies are you focusing on?
Can't give you a rep point until I spread it around again.
No specific job yet, but more of a general inquiry.
The federal job that I have took about 4 months from application to start date. Before I even got the job, I had been applying for a year and a half from the outside without any preference or status.
What type of job are you looking for? (Engineering, IT, Accounting) If you are Engineering or Computer Science the US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA usually hire bulks of ppl b/c of the huge backlog of patents that they have. Their process of hiring is totally different from the rest of the govt and they will hire you very quickly (a month or so process like a normal job). Their pay rate is also higher as well.This was my first Engineering job right out of school and they offer the same great benefits as other govt jobs. Good luck with everything
Foreign Service wait time is generally shorter than it used to be, but a successful applicant will still spend several months to a year from starting the application process to having a job. A complicated security clearance process could delay things considerably. Entry for Foreign Service Officers is essentially exam-based. Most specialists will also have testing, but there's also an emphasis on experience and practical skills. Keep in mind that it is pretty common for FSO candidates to take the Foreign Service Exam more than once before they pass. Since you can only take the exam once each year, this would mean a multi-year process.
1. I heard people have to take tests for many gov't jobs, well before even applying. It determines pay level, what you are applicable for, etc. Is that all gov't jobs? Or is that just a few select areas like Foreign Service, Postal Dept, etc. If anyone could clear that one up.
Tests are only for select areas like the ones you mentioned. Your pay is usually determined by your education and experience.
2. I also heard once you send in an application, it's still a long wait before you'd actually be hired for it. How long is that wait for, typically?
It took me five months from application to start date. I applied to many openings over a two year period before I landed the job that I have. I am transferring from one federal job to another. I was offered the job at the end of February and I still do not have a start date for my new job. My advice is to be patient, apply for more than one job, and apply to more than one agency.
Never had a gov't job, but it took my best friend 6 months from the time she applied to the time she started working. Loves it though, so for her, it was well worth the wait
It took two months from application to start date for my current job. I applied to about 30 jobs in the few years before that and only ever heard back (rejection) from 3 or 4 (one four years after I applied, it was quite out of the blue). I was qualified for all of them, bu most government job openings are reserved for someone. My experience with th one I got was abnormal. Several friends had a year or two between application and starting (the very long ones are for high level security experience).
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Can get help
