What's the youngest GS 13,14,15, or SES you know? (credit, job openings)

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Grsz11

Is there an advantage to having an advanced degree? I know basically all applicants for a competitive position have roughly the same experience, so is a graduate degree a boost?

I have a Masters degree and it really didn't do much for me. I started off as a GS 9 instead of a GS 7, but that's about it. If you really think about it, I could have just went straight to work as a GS 7 and ended up as a GS 11 in the time that it took me to finish my Masters degree. I think it is something that managers admire but I really think with the government, at least in my field (IT), it's all about experience. If you have experience you will move up. I had a co-worker at my last job, who graduated undergrad the year before I did and within 4 to 5 years he became a GS 13. I think experience means much more than an advanced degree.

[ChristineVA]

I agree that it's all about experience. I do hiring and it absolutely does not matter to me if a person has their master's. I'm more concerned about their experience.

I do think it become important in order to get to the SES level.

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by Grsz11

Is there an advantage to having an advanced degree? I know basically all applicants for a competitive position have roughly the same experience, so is a graduate degree a boost?

It can be. My job (in the IT series) was an 11-12-13, and I was hired in as a 12 based on my master's degree.

[luv2write79]

How likely is it for someone with over ten years of experience in his or her field to get hired in at the GS-12 level (without connections or knowing anyone who works in the government) having never worked for the government? I'm applying for a writer/editor position for which I'm completely qualified but trying not to get my hopes up given the amount of competition I'm probably facing.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by luv2write79

How likely is it for someone with over ten years of experience in his or her field to get hired in at the GS-12 level (without connections or knowing anyone who works in the government) having never worked for the government? I'm applying for a writer/editor position for which I'm completely qualified but trying not to get my hopes up given the amount of competition I'm probably facing.

Did it myself, so it can be done!

[luv2write79]

Great! Thanks, Carlingtonian!

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Did it myself, so it can be done!

Yep, me too... with no connections and only four years of post-Masters experience. But I worked for a small independent agency, which may have helped my chances - and this was back in 2002, before my agency joined up with USAJOBS. The process had KSAs and ratings, but there was more control by the hiring department

[luv2write79]

Sounds like you had the right ingredients! I work for a small company full time and as a contractor for a large company, but the competition's stiff in these parts! :-)

[BarqCider]

for us non government folks, can someone explain what these levels represent in the private sector?

ie gs5= new guy in the NOC, etc.

[ChristineVA]

Where I work:

GS-13 is an experience worker bee.
GS-14 is generally a first-line manager, branch manager; however, you can be non-supervisory if you are highly skilled (engineering/IT, etc).
GS-15 is usually a division director and a second line supervisor. Situated between the GS-14 and the SES.