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I have applied for probably 20+ and I have never heard a thing. As mentioned, you are graded on a points system. If you havent been in the service recently, you dont stand a chance. Most require you to know computer systems and programs that you would only have experience with only if you have served and used these programs, or already work there.
I've had a couple of interviews, no idea of the reasoning why I didn't get selected. Agencies have different ways of doing vet preference. Some set it up to where vet preference is added to whatever score a person has on the hiring register, so you'll have a lot of people with 100+ points. Places that do that basically set it up to where non-vets need not apply, because the best they can do is 100 points.
What's frustrating is the state jobs where I'm at all use that same system.
Other agencies have a system where everyone is considered the same through the early stages of the hiring process, but a vet will be hired over a non-vet if both make it to the final round of selections.
In general, getting a federal job depends on being able to move, finding the right agency, and often in being able to apply for positions where you might have less competition [like in an unpopular location], although that last part is a pretty tall order these days.
1. Be a veteran
2. Be a disabled veteran.
3. Be in a field in high demand.
I have a federal job. It is a numbers game, be willing to move across the country, at your own expense, for less pay than the job you currently have. Once you are in the club, then you have the chance to move around, get a better job. It can happen if you want.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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I'm in the Balt/DC area and live in a neighborhood of mostly fed workers. Just thinking off the top of my head...I can't think of a single one who is NOT a veteran. Come to think of it, all of them are transplants, too. Maybe a coincidence, but I don't think so.
They seem always out of reach. I currently serve in the Army Reserves as an officer and have been in the Army for ten years now. I have applied to over 30 jobs, tailored my resume, and always been willing to go where the job was. I even try applying for jobs that require you to be in the Reserves to cut out the disabled vets and retirees from my competition.
From what I've gathered it's more about who you know then just filling out an application on USAJobs.com or the CPOL website (now at armycivlianservice.com). I was mobilized at Ft Knox in 2008 and while there I learned that HRC was moving there. A GS 11 stated plain and clear that I would need to let her know when I applied otherwise my application would get "lost in the sauce" because like everything, it's not what you know, but who you know. I still believed what everyone else said, you just tailor your resume and if you qualify you'll get it so I just applied for the jobs on the CPOL site and never called her. I now work as a retail manager-in-training where I hope to take over my own store by this September and get back to making a decent wage in the civilian world.
For those who think having a veteran's preference gets you in like Flynn, you are mistaken.
It depends on your field. If you are an Engineer or Programmer it is not as hard than if you are looking for a general office or science position.
In Science, particularly Biology and Chemistry the private sector has been so terrible to them that everyone is applying for Fed jobs. I have gotten results emails indicating you were found eligible but over 1000 people applied. I have been trying for years.
I have applied for probably 20+ and I have never heard a thing. As mentioned, you are graded on a points system. If you havent been in the service recently, you dont stand a chance. Most require you to know computer systems and programs that you would only have experience with only if you have served and used these programs, or already work there.
Well you stand a chance if you know someone on the inside even if you haven't had service.
I've had a couple of interviews, no idea of the reasoning why I didn't get selected. Agencies have different ways of doing vet preference. Some set it up to where vet preference is added to whatever score a person has on the hiring register, so you'll have a lot of people with 100+ points. Places that do that basically set it up to where non-vets need not apply, because the best they can do is 100 points.
What's frustrating is the state jobs where I'm at all use that same system.
Other agencies have a system where everyone is considered the same through the early stages of the hiring process, but a vet will be hired over a non-vet if both make it to the final round of selections.
In general, getting a federal job depends on being able to move, finding the right agency, and often in being able to apply for positions where you might have less competition [like in an unpopular location], although that last part is a pretty tall order these days.
It is all but impossible for non-preference applicants to get hired from external (public) vacancy announcements because of the new category ranking system. The old numerical scoring system was hard enough, because like you said, 10-point preference applicants could score in the low 90s and still be referred over non-preference applicants who scored a perfect 100.
But now with the new category ranking system it is even more of an advantage for preference applicants. The ranking system is divided up into three separate categories: qualified (scores ranging from 70-79), well-qualified (scores ranging from 80-89), and best qualified (scores ranging from 90-100). This new category ranking system still gives you a numerical NOR (Notice of Results) score, but it also incorporates the "float" option for preference applicants. What this means is that all a 10-point preference applicant has to do is score an 80, which would place them in the bottom of the well-qualified category, and they will automatically float to the top of the best qualified category. So as long as the 10-point preference applicant scores an 80 or higher, they will float above all other applicants, and be placed at the very top of the best qualified category.
To add to this, each preference applicant MUST receive consideration before all other non-preference applicants. This means that even if the 10-point preference applicant scores an 80, but is far less qualified than a non-preference applicant who scores a perfect 100, then that 10-point applicant scoring an 80 still must receive consideration first. If there are enough preference applicants in the applicant pool, then the cert list will be filled with only preference applicants, and no non-preference applicants (even if they score perfect 100s) will receive consideration (this is similar to how under the old numerical ranking system, cutoff scores would be set in excess of 100 so no non-preference applicants would be referred).
This is why you see so many external cert lists made up of ONLY preference applicants. Don't forget that to add to the traditional 5-10 point vet preferences, there is also spousal preference (for spouses of veterans), and maternal preference (for mothers of veterans). Most applicants are not aware of these additional preferences they have to compete against for federal jobs. This is why it is all but impossible for a non-preference applicant to get hired for a federal job externally anymore.
I took a term position for 1-year and during the year - I applied for hundreds of fed jobs- got about 5 interviews with no luck.
It is who you know and not what you know. My position is about to end. I worked for 11 years in local county government in the burbs of Northern Virginia, here it was worse than a third world country, every aunt and uncle worked together - it was like Andy Griffith. No joke - most of the workers were concerned with what kind of car you drove or your ethic background. Sad to say -but times are tough in 2012. I have 2-masters degrees and tons of experience - but when favoritism and nepotism are rampant - you don't stand a chance.
I don't begrudge anyone their military service. But I sure don't think veterans should get any more preference than anyone else.
I was told no matter high high I scored if I was up against a vet I wouldn't get it. In fact the vet can SCORE LOWER than me, and STILL get the job because of the vet points. THAT is crap.
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