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I have seen a couple of federal jobs I’d be interested in doing with similar pay scales I make now (e.g. I qualify as I already work in the public sector, and I’m not looking above my level).
I have a health condition or two that while easily manageable and I frankly don’t see myself as a disabled individual, actually qualifies as a Schedule A disability. A good friend of mine who works for the state department recommended to me that I go through this process and have this on my USAJobs profile, as qualifying under Schedule A would actually give me the same benefits for federal hiring as a veteran in the sense that the USAJobs bot would be superceded and an actual human would have to review my application. At that point I could be considered qualified or not, but it at least passes the system, and I have a higher chance of being selected for interviews.
For clarification, health condition does not mean mobility issues only. It also includes depression, endocrine dysfunction, GI issues like celiacs, lisp and other speech impairment, past history of cancer, ADD, and many more. You also have the option to select it being not on the list or not even wanting to disclose the disability. So those of you who think you may even have a minor health condition in your eyes, can qualify for this and open more job opportunities to you as you can now apply as a disabled individual (many job postings are open for internal, disabled, veterans, peace corps only etc.) and ones that are open to the public you have a more competitive edge.
To the rest of those in here discussing the education and experience aspect. I think when checking “both” it means you must meet the minimum requirements of both education and experience. For example, you have a Masters degree and 20 years of related experience. The job is a GS-13. GS-13 application states a PhD level degree or equivalent (JD) as they all do. Experience says at least one year of GS-12 specialized experience, of which you have done. You can only check experience, as you do not have a PhD even though you overwhelmingly exceed the experience part. As a reminder to everyone here, Masters is required experience for a GS 7-9 and above usually requires a PhD to qualify on education. I think people tend to shoot above their value with federal government jobs based on pay when really they are valued at way less pay in the public sector. It’s the ultimate downside to government work. I can double my pay in the private sector with my field, it’s not like a 20k difference anymore the pay gap is a lot bigger now than it was in the 80s.
I think when checking “both” it means you must meet the minimum requirements of both education and experience.
I don't believe that's correct.
The option for "checking both" actually says within the question itself that the candidate does not individually have either the experience or education.
It says something like "I do not have the necessary minimal qualifying experience mentioned in "A" above, nor the minimal qualifying education mentioned in "B" above, BUT I do have education and experience which combined meet the minimum qualification requirements.
What I've been trying to get a definitive answer about is this to check -- education or experience -- IF you have MORE than the qualifying minimum of BOTH. Do you pick I have more than the minimum for education, OR do you check I have more than the minimum for experience. I've been told here to pick the one that puts him or her in the best light. But what's the criteria for know which that is?
If the minimum is a B.A. and the candidate has an M.A., ...AND if the minimum is one year of experience and the candidate has 20 years....that candidate has more than the minimum of BOTH education and experience. Sooo which does the candidate pick?
You yourself say “pick the one that puts you in the best light.” And that is my question: which one……education or experience……puts a candidate with more than the minimum qualifications in the best light?
Or perhaps I should ask YOU if YOU have more than the minimum education and experience required, which would you pick: education or experience, to qualify YOU for the position? What would you recommend a family member pick: education or experience?
Also being very knowledgeable about these things, why do you think it is not explained in the questionnaire itself? Wouldn’t that be more fair and transparent?
If I have the education, I pick education. For the basic question it doesn't matter if you have more, it's do you have the required amount. Combination of education and experience lets you add them together. Think of it this way. You have a $5 bill and 8 quarters. You need $6 for a burger and the sign says exact change only. You don't have enough dollars or quarters to make $6. But you give them the $5 and 4 quarters and they're happy.
You're really overthinking this and making it way harder than it is. All you're doing is which of the three lets you meet the minimum requirement. Nothing more. You keep focusing on "extra credit" for having more than the minimum. That's not the goal at this point in the process.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prickly Pear
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. I think people tend to shoot above their value with federal government jobs based on pay when really they are valued at way less pay in the public sector. It’s the ultimate downside to government work. I can double my pay in the private sector with my field, it’s not like a 20k difference anymore the pay gap is a lot bigger now than it was in the 80s.
That is right and where a lot of people shoot themselves in the foot. They try to line up their pay and apply for jobs way over their qualification level. What I tell folks is subtract $20K to $30K from what you're making now (depending on the job market and where you are in the country) and that's the typical GS level equivalent.
The option for "checking both" actually says within the question itself that the candidate does not individually have either the experience or education.
It says something like "I do not have the necessary minimal qualifying experience mentioned in "A" above, nor the minimal qualifying education mentioned in "B" above, BUT I do have education and experience which combined meet the minimum qualification requirements.
What I've been trying to get a definitive answer about is this to check -- education or experience -- IF you have MORE than the qualifying minimum of BOTH. Do you pick I have more than the minimum for education, OR do you check I have more than the minimum for experience. I've been told here to pick the one that puts him or her in the best light. But what's the criteria for know which that is?
If the minimum is a B.A. and the candidate has an M.A., ...AND if the minimum is one year of experience and the candidate has 20 years....that candidate has more than the minimum of BOTH education and experience. Sooo which does the candidate pick?
Then you qualify based on education. You meet the minimum. The HR specialist sees that you checked education, looks at your transcript. Check, goes into the review more closely pile.
Thanks. I do usually pick education. That's what I was finally willing to get someone to provide guidance about -- or an opinion, (if you'd rather I not say guidance)
Trust me, I know, gov't workers are sooo quick to be clear about their comments NOT being an actual recommendation. Just. in. case the other person wants to come back and say, "s/he told me to..." No. The gov't worker always is clear, "I never told you to do anything." One must always be clear about that.
But your info has been so helpful to many people I'm sure. So thanks again.!
Thanks. I do usually pick education. That's what I was finally willing to get someone to provide guidance about -- or an opinion, (if you'd rather I not say guidance)
Trust me, I know, gov't workers are sooo quick to be clear about their comments NOT being an actual recommendation. Just. in. case the other person wants to come back and say, "s/he told me to..." No. The gov't worker always is clear, "I never told you to do anything." One must always be clear about that.
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That's because we've all been burned. When you deal with the public, there are all kinds, many of whom are connected or think they are. They'll file FOIA requests that have no end because they just know there's an email or something out there that proves you personally discriminated against them. Or they write their Congressman which means we have to respond to a Congressional inquiry which are always an incredible pain in the butt. Or an EEO complaint. Or hire a lawyer and sue. Which, regardless of what the law says, always turns into "big, bad, mean government picking on poor little CindyLou Who. Nevermind that CindyLou Who owns a 500 person contracting firm that was highest bidder on a contract, and makes a nice campaign donation to her local Congressman every year.
If I have the education, I pick education. For the basic question it doesn't matter if you have more, it's do you have the required amount. Combination of education and experience lets you add them together. Think of it this way. You have a $5 bill and 8 quarters. You need $6 for a burger and the sign says exact change only. You don't have enough dollars or quarters to make $6. But you give them the $5 and 4 quarters and they're happy.
You're really overthinking this and making it way harder than it is. All you're doing is which of the three lets you meet the minimum requirement. Nothing more. You keep focusing on "extra credit" for having more than the minimum. That's not the goal at this point in the process.
That is right and where a lot of people shoot themselves in the foot. They try to line up their pay and apply for jobs way over their qualification level. What I tell folks is subtract $20K to $30K from what you're making now (depending on the job market and where you are in the country) and that's the typical GS level equivalent.
The pay gap is bigger I think the more expensive of a place you live in. The job I’m looking at is in a small town in Alabama (no, not ideal, but it’s a job I think I’d really like and then after a little bit I can move again after already being on the inside) and pays a couple grand more a year than my current job. However my current job is in a major city, this is small town Alabama. As a result I’ll have a lot more money in my pocket than what that couple extra grand would assume, because of COL differences alone. I’m willing to overlook it’s location in favor of opportunity, when I can make a lot more in the private sector in addition, so hopefully that means something to the agency. I don’t think very many people in their mid-20s would consider living in small town Alabama.
On the flip side I would much rather be in the feds living in a big city, hell even private sector and in a big city, however those GS scales are rigid and a GS-9 small town Alabama and a GS-9 in Dallas won’t have too much variation, even if Dallas has a COL adjustment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnff
That's because we've all been burned. When you deal with the public, there are all kinds, many of whom are connected or think they are. They'll file FOIA requests that have no end because they just know there's an email or something out there that proves you personally discriminated against them. Or they write their Congressman which means we have to respond to a Congressional inquiry which are always an incredible pain in the butt. Or an EEO complaint. Or hire a lawyer and sue. Which, regardless of what the law says, always turns into "big, bad, mean government picking on poor little CindyLou Who. Nevermind that CindyLou Who owns a 500 person contracting firm that was highest bidder on a contract, and makes a nice campaign donation to her local Congressman every year.
People always think the government is just free for the taking. Never mind that people never make the connection any money or time you take away from the government is your own tax money but whatever. My colleague once got in a car accident with her personal car while on the job (allowed in our Department). The car accident was not her fault, as deemed by the law. However, the other people found out she worked for the local government via insurance and tried to pursue our Department for damages, no joke. So that took extra time from us and my colleague.
I like my federal job.
Paid holidays, Annual leave and sick leave. And there is not near as much issue about hiring older workers. And much less chance of being laid off.
Whoever is looking at Federal Jobs should probably wait until AFTER Nov. 21 when the federal government budget runs out. This will likely be in the thick of the impeachment stuff, and knowing this president, I don’t see how he will sign a budget deal with the democrats impeaching him.
The last shutdown was historically bad, but only affected a small proportion of the federal government. This potential shutdown would affect ALL of the federal government, and could be historically long if the president has another one of his mental meltdowns. Several news sources yesterday indicated that the president is thinking of doing this.
Federal workers will be at the edge of their seats and will have to brace for potentially damming prospects....
For anyone looking for Federal Government jobs, I would not leave your current job until after this federal budget issue holds over.
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