How can you get Government jobs? It's crazy (employee, secretary, collect)

[nfceast]

For starters having a stable job since the hiring process for a government job is very long. I wouldn't recommend anyone applying for a government job if you are unemployed.

[MAcapulco]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

My only guess is you have to know someone who can get you in. Ive applied for countless jobs and Im more than qualified for with years of experience in , Im a veteran and have a bachelors degree AND Have had my resume redone by people at employment agencies. . Never hear a thing or get some automated response back of "you were considered for an interview for the position but not among the highest few considered for the position or an interview" I find that hard to believe considering my years of experience and qualifications for what they were asking for, and I apply for the job in an area where you can BARELY find anyone with a college education and with that type of experience along with being a military veteran. And no one from outside the area would actually consider moving to the area Im in.

Thus is the "American way" today. Knowing someone is 10000000x more important than actually being qualified for a position.

Or these are just BOGUS job openings (as I have read in the past through COUNTLESS reports) and they are go unfilled.


At one time they may have been legitimate job openings for people qualified for these openings, but Im not even convinced they are legitimate openings now.

Maybe its for the better though as I hear Trump is going to be cleaning house in the Federal job area and trimming a bunch of fat off the books

Maybe THAT is why the Liberals hate him.

I know someone, grossly overweight, obese.. And where do they work? Boston Medical Center.

And we get mad when we New Yorkers call ya out on the "It's Who You Know..."

[bullandre]

Originally Posted by Sportfan1

Dorian, you make a valid point that its all about who you know these days and I agree with that. My professional connections are not strong, but I always thought that was the case...Trashpanda tho says knowing someone won't get you in the door. Which is true? I'm just oblivious about these things. Having a friend or relative can instantly get you the government gig (where you have no experience and just your bachelors) versus someone who has much more experience?

Tnff, I totally agree with you and I read/studied Poli Sci - Law and Society because I liked writing essays on theory, existentialism etc (did some philosophy too) as I thought it made someone a well rounded individual (conversationally etc., at the call center I'm at now I asked someone what's the capital of California and they quickly said DC before saying "San Clemente" [no joke]) and able to think analytically while being diplomatic because that's what my major taught me - only to realize after graduating that I should have just READ on my spare time and studied a hard science instead since Liberal Arts degrees are WORTHLESS PERIOD (my experience).

I want to apply to the FBI for Special Agent, CIA, become a Diplomat, Foreign Affairs specialist, SOMETHING that makes me travel, for heaven's sake dude, and an endeavor that I can love doing to help the world, ANYTHING but this call center job where I'm supremely overqualified (only HS diploma was required on the job posting).

I have strong database skills, fast typing skills, knowledge of the MS Office Suite (PowerPoint Visio Excel), I know about my political science topics that I did research on such as Prospect Theory/Game Theory, Nuclear Non proliferaiton, International Politics etc (not sure if this counts more theoretical knowledge), etc.

It would definitely be entry level government agencies so I can grow from there I'm happy to start in the lower echelon of things of course, but how on earth can I escape this deplorable customer service health insurance job? I didn't get my Bachelor's for nothing

You should have pushed harder in college for meaningful internships, club membership or volunteer work. Any fool can get a bachelors or any degree for that matter. Ask yourself: What differentiates me from other candidates? Do you have or are you currently pursuing any professional licenses? Do you speak any foreign languages? Have you mastered any specialized software (Oracle modules, ACL etc.)?

I really don't know what's out there for someone with your degree but I would forget the FBI, CIA or foreign service.

Going to grad school might help but the key is getting relevant work experience before you graduate. I would encourage you to apply to everything (State, Federal and private jobs). If nothing pans out, take the GMAT and aim for a decently ranked program.

All the best.

[Sportfan1]

I'm actually trilingual, Spanish being one of them, but none aside from English are "functionally native," so yes to answer your Q, and I haven't yet with specialized software, sounds interesting for sure but I doubt an ad-hoc approach to learning Oracle/SAP will suddenly open new jobs without having the industry/employed experience behind it. It's more about the relevant and professional work experience alluded to earlier that would work with these agencies

[trashpanda]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread from people who do not work in these agencies. I disagree that knowing someone is the magic bullet because even a small department like this one is a massive machine of bureaucracy where hiring involves as chain of people from various offices. To get hired, you have to know how the hiring process works and what the interviewers (aka department) are looking for. People with no overseas experience and right out of college do get in to the Foreign Service, but overall the more life and work experience you have, the better.

I see a lot of discussion about entry level at FBI, and while I do not have any experience with them, their "entry level" is really more mid-career - They want someone with life experience.

Most don't appear to want people straight out of college, unless it's through their internship programs.

[Checkered24]

For a federal job, knowing someone is no silver bullet. The federal hiring system has so many layers and procedures of how and who to hire, it would be a huge feat to just place your buddy into a position.


The first step is really to find out in detail what the position you want entails, and requires. Then write a "resume" that hits all the key points and key words when you apply thru usajobs. This will get you the best score from the initial computer analysis of your application package. You want as high of a score as possible, since only the top scores are going to be advanced to the next level. You are also competing against veterans who get extra preference points, so you need to make up your lack of those preference points by nailing the application process. There is a lot on the net on how to craft an application and resume for federal jobs to get you started.


After that, you generally would advance to the interview process. This is where a more traditional "sell yourself" will be your best friend. Polish your interview and interpersonal skills. Be ready to answer all the cookie cutter stuff, and drop in your own experience and personal stories around them.

[MLSFan]

For a federal job, knowing someone is no silver bullet. The federal hiring system has so many layers and procedures of how and who to hire, it would be a huge feat to just place your buddy into a position.

the benefit to knowing someone is not that they can get them the interview, it is that they already been through the system, and know what to look for when doing the application. It is that if they are in the same role, they can provide a reference that the manager already knows and "values". To know how to write up a KSA...

[Eevee17]

Originally Posted by fishbrains

Boomers include people born as late as 1964, which makes them only 52. Do you really expect them to retire that young?

Honestly, yes, if they're in a career where they've maxed out their pension and are just costing for social security. Retire and work part time. I don't plan to die at my desk or work until 65 myself.

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by Sportfan1

I want to apply to the FBI for Special Agent, CIA, become a Diplomat, Foreign Affairs specialist, SOMETHING that makes me travel, for heaven's sake dude, and an endeavor that I can love doing to help the world, ANYTHING but this call center job where I'm supremely overqualified (only HS diploma was required on the job posting).

I have strong database skills, fast typing skills, knowledge of the MS Office Suite (PowerPoint Visio Excel), I know about my political science topics that I did research on such as Prospect Theory/Game Theory, Nuclear Non proliferaiton, International Politics etc (not sure if this counts more theoretical knowledge), etc.

I don't think any one mentioned it yet, but are you fluent in another language ? That would help a lot. As a matter of fact if I was fluent in another language and looking for Govt work I would put that at the top of my resume. Even ahead of my education.

There's a great need for people who are fluent in foreign languages even for lesser known/used languages like Korean, Polish, Tagalog. There is of course still a need for the more common foreign languages too like, Spanish, French, Mandarin.

If by some miracle you are fluent in Arabic, the Govt will probably hire you immediately.

I wouldn't restrict my search for Fed Govt jobs only. Search for state Govt and/or city Govt too.

[CGab]

1. It's who you know.
2. Being a minority helps
3. A degree is the CORRECT field
4. An advanced degree
5. Experience