Follow-up to an 'Eligible - Application Referred to Selecting Official' Notice? (interview, applications)

[gossamercascade]

Hello all,

I received notice today that an application on the U.S. government's official "USAJobs" portal had a status change. My new status is 'Eligible - Application Referred to Selecting Official.' This position is being filled through an alternate selection process outside the traditional competitive civil service (AD series, not GS series).

I have read on this forum and elsewhere that the likelihood of getting an interview after such a notice can vary widely by agency. I won't get my hopes up too much; however, I would love to get this job. I seem to be getting mixed messages about whether or not it is appropriate to "follow-up" with the contact official listed on the official notification page.

Should I make a personal phone call about my application? If so, at what stage (is now appropriate?) and what, really, should I ask? I've seen indications it is either critically important or very bad for your application to follow up at this stage, so I am not sure how to parse this conflicting data.

Can any HR officials or federal workers help me out?

(For reference, I do not have veteran's preference, I applied to the job two months ago, the job officially closed a week ago and it is a research-oriented position.)

[YaFace]

All that means is that your resume is sitting on the selecting official's desk. Could be there with hundreds of others ( depending on how many people applied/were referred) Your next step is to be called for an interview, or wait on a non selection letter (if they send one out) give it some time before calling, they will call you if interested.

[fishbrains]

Having been the selecting official, this means that I have just received between 6 and 160 applications. I will need a few days to go through them and decide who I want to interview. Bly a small number will make the cut.

If you were to contact me, it would be a mark against you, but not a fatal one if your résumé was really strong. YMMV.

[theoldnorthstate]

Our last opening had 1200 applicants and from that 600 were referred to the selecting official. Then a board was set up to winnow the 600 down to 6-10. Then selecting official interviewed them and selected.

So I wouldn't call for another couple of weeks. still steps to go and no need to tick anyone off yet.

[gossamercascade]

Thanks all! I got worried when I saw advice to call on another thread, but it sounds like I should just sit tight and wait to be contacted.

[Nell Plotts]

Keep in mind that if there is any qualified veterans in the pool they 'block' the roster.