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Thanks, everyone, for all your input! Now, as far as being able to actually apply for these type of jobs, I keep seeing (don't want to name websites) that I have to join (membership fee) some sort of program. Does anyone have experience with this? The fee seems reasonable enough ($39 for one year), it appears to be some sort of resume-writing service, and the ads say that it's the only way to apply - apparently I can't just track down the name/address on my own of the jobs I'm interested in. Any thoughts/experience with these services? Again, thanks very much! Aloha!
I have not worked for the federal government for a long time, but when I did I worked in many areas of Human Resources: staffing, job classification and compensation, employee relations, etc.
There is another side to federal staffing in addition to the job postings -- many positions are posted with little or no intent of filling them. Posting a job as "open" helps assure that an aggregate number of positions will continue to be funded in future budgets. There is always a little back-room juggling where "open positions" are prioritized as to when they can (or will) be filled for cost reasons, because every time someone is hired, a pile of money (and benefits) dribbles out of the year's budgeted funds. So there's often the appearance of many jobs available when only a few are being actively considered for immediate staffing.
As for the fee-required services, it's hard to say which might and which might not really have any pull. (In theory, of course, there is no "pull" within the federal system.) Because of the way federal jobs are classified (OPM's word for how a position's duties and responsibilities are described) and compensated (the G-scale for pay grades), a well-written and position-specific resume can be critical. In the staffing office, a specialist sits down with the open job's description and a stack of resumes and (after sifting off the chaff of totally unqualified candidates), begins assigning points on a scale for how closely a candidate's experience matches the position's requirements.
In theory, the candidates with the top number of points are either called for interviews or (I believe this is "legal") passed along to the office in which they would be working for review prior to interviews. The system is supposed to ensure fairness and minimize interference and favoritism. Thus, a resume that is specifically targeted to echo the language of the (public) job description can get attention that a generic resume might not. I am assuming that some of these for-pay services claim to be experts at this.
Gem girl I agree with PacificFlights and whynot in terms of the the hiring process within the federal government. The most qualified (highest rated) candidates for a specific job are the ones who are supposed to be handed to the department head for interviews. So if you apply for a job and meet the requirements listed then you should have a good chance at having an interview. I have applied to numerous jobs in Hawaii already for the federal government and they have been for clerical jobs and some that I am 100% qualified for but have not heard back in regards to these positions. I am assuming that there were other candidates that met the same qualifications as I did but they would rather hire the individual who lives on the island as opposed to someone who lives 6,000 miles away. In regards to my husband, he has a specific trade being a plumber and was obviously the most qualified candidate for the position and he got really lucky. Don't forget it takes forever for you to hear back from them when you apply for a position. I do find it strange about the fees they are asking and I honestly would not pay any fees to apply for jobs. There are a few websites you can find where you dont have to pay a fee to apply for jobs.
By the way we just moved back from San Diego last May and now will be moving to Hawaii. We haven't moved there yet we are waiting for his background and security clearance to go through before we relocate, its been a few months already. May I ask the reason for your relocation? Are the jobs in San Diego extremely hard to get now? Best of luck.
Thank you for the further info, PacificFlights and whynot (and Jenie!) - really great to have these details. I really "fret" over my resume and cover letters, and try very hard to match key phrases, etc., and tailor the resume to the job I'm applying for - every little bit does help!
Jenie, we live in North County San Diego, and like a lot of people, have just had that "Hawaiian Dream" forever. Our neighbors went for it (on the B.I.) and it's turned out well. But we're still (relatively) young and need to have our ducks in a row - and anything I can do to get a job soon would be such a mental relief, as you can imagine. Things seem to be picking up here as far as hiring goes, but my company just came off a 'one furlough day a week' plan that affected us all since last February. Really looking forward to brighter days! :-) Send me a PM if you like!
Aloha and thanks again, everyone!
Other then getting a DoD or state civilian job, you could also look at being a government contractor. Though I have read in the news that Obama is trying to cut the DoD budget by reducing contracts, positions still exists.
A govt. contractor is a civilian, who will work on a military installation or in a military facility on island, amongst DoD civilians and Active Duty personnel. The pay is competitive, and there are a lot of large corporations involved in government contract bidding (do some googleing –or- PM me and I can name a few). Most of these corporations treat their employee’s well benefit wise. Additionally, if you can get your foot in the door and impress your DoD civilian counterpart or manager, you can get a significant amount of help showing up on the top of the list for a DoD civilian position that opens up.
Downside to being a contractor is the lack of job security.
I am not sure what site you are talking about that requires a fee, but all Army jobs are posted on cpol.army.mil and most federal jobs are posted on usajobs.org, neither cost anything for you to join and you have to input your resume, no cover letters here, and you can apply right there. I am a current GS employee and have applied for quite a few jobs and have been told that in DAC postitions they prefer you to be a spouse (Since we get Military Spouse Preference) so that way they can rotate people through. Just what I heard, I would apply and see what you get good luck!
Do not pay for the ability to apply for govt jobs. They are all posted on www.usajobs.gov at no charge.
I was recently hired from the mainland for a GS-14 federal govt job in Hawaii (Honolulu) - we are moving in August. I had NO connections there, so it absolutely is possible. However, my skills are very specific and require an advanced degree. Nonetheless, it definitely is possible!! I say you should go for it!! You will never know if you don't try!! Good luck!!
Sinky: any tips on the application process? I currently work for a city government, and am interested applying for federal positions when I move to Oahu this fall.
Leah - Try to find a position in the federal government that is closely related to what you currently do in city government.
Then track the language in the vacancy announcement as much as possible in your resume and get someone qualified to review your resume - it should have absolutely no spelling and no typographical errors - check and doublecheck it before submission.
If your job is not hired through an automated system (such as Resumix), then you may be able to include letters of recommendation and other helpful supplemental documents, such as certificates, professional licenses, etc.
Be willing to take a lower position in your field to get hired in such a desirable location as Oahu (you can move up later).
Get an idea of what the fed govt jobs are looking for, and try to get some of that experience in your current job (for example, ask your current boss to give you some additional duties so you can get the relevant experience).
Keep applying and don't give up!! I have been trying to move somewhere amazing for the past 3 years - I tried for fed govt jobs in Italy, and various other locations in Europe, and also in California, and Hawaii....this job was originally offered to someone else. 4 months later, the hiring official called and asked if I was still interested b/c the person who was offered the job could not accept it (maybe there was a security clerance problem? who knows!) Anway, keep your dream alive by working towards your goal every day!! Don't get discouraged. If you are really crazy but serious about this, you could even accept a fed govt position in another city (such as DC, where fed jobs are plenty) and then try to transfer later. It is much easier to get a fed govt job if you are already in the system (like me - for example, I am already a fed in a different city). Best wishes!
And incidentally; never pay a website to view state of federal jobs; they have their own websites. You just have to search to find. I believe the real ones will have an ending web address with blah blah.org (anybody?).
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