Getting Into The Fed Gov't (how much, promotional, employment) - City-Data Forum

sarcastic_but_lovable · 06-04-2008, 03:37 PM

I Want In So Badly. I Mean Is It All About Who You Know. I Recently Applied For Several Positions An While I Realize Gov't Jobs Take A Bit Longer The Whole Process Of Waiting Until The Announcement Closes And So On And So Forth, I'm Extremely Imptaient. Its Not Even Like I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket, I'm Applying Here There And Everywhere So Its Not One Position, But I Hope I Hear Something And That Something Is Something Positive And Soon...

DCNative · 06-04-2008, 10:00 PM

Good luck getting in.

Try some federal internships first... at least getting your foot in the door and make some contacts.

I tried to get a gov't job for 18 months... no dice. So I said **** them, I'll go to private sector. Got a job there within 4 months.

Sometimes it takes up to THREE years for them to hire an employee.... it's absolutely horrible. I'd encourage you to consider the private sector.

Jaded · 06-04-2008, 10:29 PM

It's tough to get in, but if that's what you want, I say stick with it. Make a list of specific skills you have to offer and narrow your search with them. Start by looking at positions that may appear to be less desirable, but will allow you to get your foot in the door.

My husband started out as a Naval Base Police Officer (non-military), and is now working for DHS. That was 14 years and many pay grades ago. Once you are "in" you can make your own way so to speak...you may have to give up salary in the short term, but the gov't pay scale and promotional ladder is much more defined than most private sector jobs, so after a few years, you may actually double or triple your initial salary.

Good luck!

Jaded · 06-04-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igetno

It seems to me that it would be more benificially over the course of your employment long term to come in at a lower pay rate but on a higher grade level - is that acurate?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlv311

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say, but if you mean that it's more beneficial to accept a job with promotion potential (e.g., GS-12) even if you are hired as a GS-7 or GS-9, you are correct. Once you are in, you don't need to compete again to be promoted in your career ladder.

These are examples of what I mean by "getting your foot in the door." They were posted on the Gov't Pay Scale thread on this board.

mlv311 · 06-05-2008, 07:18 AM

If you really want it, keep trying, but you have to develop patience. Even in a best case scenario where you are made an offer, you still have to wait for a security clearance, which depending on the agency, can take a LONG time.

Make sure you are applying for jobs for which you qualify. If you don't meet the minimum qualifications, your application is not even rated (let alone ranked or forwarded to the selecting official).

It's not impossible to get hired. I know many people who were hired from the outside without knowing anyone (announcements opened to all sources), but I also know some who couldn't wait until the clearance process was completed (even though they accepted the job offer). When people have been unemployed, I've advised them to take a temp job while waiting. GL!

vanyali · 06-05-2008, 08:08 AM

My mom worked as an administrative judge for an agency of the Federal Government for something over 20 years. When she was looking for work out of law school, she sent (or, rather, my dad sent for her) tons and tons and tons of applications and resumes everywhere. They got piles of rejection letters.

Finally she got an interview with an agency, got hired, started work, and a couple of months later she got another rejection letter -- FROM THE SAME AGENCY THAT JUST HIRED HER! So she threw it in the can and went back to work. Moral of this story, if you want a moral, is: don't let it get you down. Just keep applying, and eventually something will come through.

fsucesar · 06-05-2008, 12:33 PM

What is your background? engineering, business, economics...etc? I just got a job at the patent office...if your an engineer...i would def recommend applying there because they are attempting to hire 1k engineers every year, not to mention they are prolly the highest paying gov job...

Tifr1 · 06-05-2008, 12:43 PM

I would guess it depends, like anywhere else on how much demand there is for your particular skills. Where I just got hired, they are hiring a ton of people, but you need at least a Masters degree I believe. I didn't know anyone in DC nor anyone in the organization.

I was actually surprised at how quick the government has been about the whole process, but i didn't apply for a job with a closing date, I applied to a job applicant pool that is open 12 months a year so perhaps that goes quicker.

pshinspections · 06-05-2008, 12:50 PM

Congratulations on your decision to get in with the only employer not subject to domestic recession, depression or war.

Get a permanent private-sector job while applying for the jobs you really want. Strap in, it's going to take awhile. But once in, you will be glad.

fsucesar · 06-05-2008, 12:55 PM

yea i wouldnt put all my eggs in one basket...apply for private and gov jobs...and take the one you get first and then keep applying for the gov ones that you would like. I had a few internships under my belt and i finish my masters this summer...maybe hit up grad school and apply again...it would help improve your chances over people with just an undergrad degree...