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From the people I have spoken to, pre-selection does take place. It's usually for entry-level positions like
GS-5 and GS-7 positions. Also, they have to advertise the job vacancy regardless. Some postings will even indicate that only agency employees can apply. Internal candidate have to apply for the vacancy whether or not they're promotable.
I assure you, there is no "pre-selection" for some rank and file gs7 position. You are really thinking too high of this stuff, and believing everything negative about it just because you have not gotten hired.
If and when there is pre-selection, they do not need to advertise for it, and it is at a much higher GS level, usually management starting at gs13. Your gs7 level is not important enough to jump thorough hoops to fill.
No, internal candidates do not have to apply for positions if they do not want to, there is no requirement to do so.
For my two interviews with the DEA, I was told that I may be overqualified for the positions. It seemed as though they only interviewed me only for formality reasons.
Also, I have contacted the VA for job search assistance, but they were not helpful. They mainly focus on resume drafting and cover letter writing and some job search(not any meaningful positions though). I have only been applying for entry level jobs and my intent is to get my foot-in the door. I think that that's a rule of thumb for both private and public sector jobs.
I really think that I need to know someone to land a federal position.
I assure you, you are not "over qualified". They did not interview you for formality reasons; reality is you were not the most qualified, no need to puff your chest out and create some BS in your head to explain why you did not get the position.
As others have said, apply apply and apply. Apply for jobs that you think you're overqualified for. Be willing to move anywhere. That means anywhere on planet earth. Keep applying. Sooner or later, you'll get lucky. Then, once you are a federal employee, you can either move up in your current location, or transfer elsewhere. The key is to get that first job.
And learn how to write KSAs, if required.
Sometimes there are federal contractors where one can get security clearance. Being a vet and the degree should help quite a bit but I would also add the resume helps and federal jobs are different. In many ways they combine a resume and a job applicaiton. I'd recommend the book How to Land a Top Paying Federal Job. I'm not saying you'll get one by reading the book but it does have some practical applications especially in contacting others.
Does the job you want have some type of employee association? If so then ask to talk to some people in the form of advice.
It's not about any job. It's about a job that fits.
Your veteran status will get you a 10 point jump. With that plus your degree, you should have no problems getting referred into 5's and 7's. 9's would be iffier, but possible based on your experience.
You just need an interview and maybe you'll wear down someone on the HR team assigned to the agency.
Thanks for the advice. Many of the people I have spoke to mentioned proper ways to approach the KSAs. I have not applied for a DEA Special Agent position. I know that I'm not qualified for that position. But I did interview for entry-level DEA positions. I interviewed for a clerk typist GS-5 position and a Office Automation GS-7.
I just recently applied for a Passport Specialist position with the US Department of State in DC. It's for a GS-5 and GS-7 position. I hope to hear something from them.
Everyone and their mom is a veteran nowadays, so you don't really have an advantage anymore. Add that to the fact that everyone knows the racket government workers have going on, they are all either trying to apply or protest and write their congressmen to make some dramatic changes.
Americans aren't going to sit back and suffer being unemployed, underemployed, and underpaid while the government workers get their high pay, many days offs, great benefits, pensions and everything else on the tax payers' dime! You might be better off learning a trade or even go into retail or the service industry. There is nothing wrong with doing some good honest work.
I assure you, there is no "pre-selection" for some rank and file gs7 position. You are really thinking too high of this stuff, and believing everything negative about it just because you have not gotten hired.
If and when there is pre-selection, they do not need to advertise for it, and it is at a much higher GS level, usually management starting at gs13. Your gs7 level is not important enough to jump thorough hoops to fill.
Exactly right. Pre-selection isn't possible for low-level positions that many people would qualify for; pre-selection is only possible for positions (almost always higher-level positions) that require specialized experience that only one applicant is likely to have.
For example, an agency may currently employ a contract developer that designed a mission critical software application for the agency. The agency may want to hire this individual on a permanent basis to support the application. This individual may be the only person on the planet with the knowledge to effectively support the application. To effectively "pre-select" this person, the agency would (if HR allows) include knowledge of the application as part of the specialized experience requirement in the job announcement. Although the agency would still have to review and evaluate every applicant, only one person would have the specialized experience required by the position. In this example, if the desired candidate did not make the cert, the agency would likely cancel and re-advertise the position to give the contractor another shot.
Thanks for the advice. Many of the people I have spoke to mentioned proper ways to approach the KSAs. I have not applied for a DEA Special Agent position. I know that I'm not qualified for that position. But I did interview for entry-level DEA positions. I interviewed for a clerk typist GS-5 position and a Office Automation GS-7.
I just recently applied for a Passport Specialist position with the US Department of State in DC. It's for a GS-5 and GS-7 position. I hope to hear something from them.
Keep in mind that the "sexy" positions at the DEA, FBI, Department of State, etc., are likely to have many hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants. If you want to get your foot in the door with the federal government, then you really need to focus on the less "sexy" positions in less desirable areas. This is especially true for non-veterans seeking an entry level position.
Exactly right. Pre-selection isn't possible for low-level positions that many people would qualify for; pre-selection is only possible for positions (almost always higher-level positions) that require specialized experience that only one applicant is likely to have.
From my experience, I have met individuals who were government contractors prior to becoming a full time federal worker. And, they would tell me that their experience working with the agency and knowing the supervisors allowed them to get the position. Most federal agencies like the DEA,FBI, and ATF have field offices outside of the headquarters in the DC area. In those field offices, they work in small groups and everyone gets to know each other real easily. Federal contractors work together with federal employees. Often, a supervisor will recommend contractors or low level GS-4 and GS-5 workers to the HR manager for GS-7 positions. So, in a way, to me, that is a method of pre-selection when they are already referred without going through the screening process.
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