Any Federal Government Employees (ers) out there?

[AKA2D '91]

I am very interested in a career with the Fed Gov't (shucks, I'd have today off ). Anyway, I've applied and the last response I received (last week) said that I was ineligible because my years of experience did not justify a grade of 11 or 12. I'm qualified, so HIRE ME! I'll take a lower grade.

It was suggested that I apply at the GS 9 level. If you are a FG employee, what would you suggest? How did you become employed with the Federal Government?

[Gina1201]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I am very interested in a career with the Fed Gov't (shucks, I'd have today off ). Anyway, I've applied and the last response I received (last week) said that I was ineligible because my years of experience did not justify a grade of 11 or 12. I'm qualified, so HIRE ME! I'll take a lower grade.

It was suggested that I apply at the GS 9 level. If you are a FG employee, what would you suggest? How did you become employed with the Federal Government?

2D, I would suggest that you try to apply at the GS 9 level. I got my government job through school. I've had it since June 2001. It's a part-time position (since I'm in school), but the good thing is that when I am done with school I will already be in the Fed. job system and will be able to transfer to a better job in the location that I want (the Md/DC area). I started as a GS 3 and have gone up to a GS 5 this past summer. The reason that I suggested applying at the GS 9 level is because once you are a government employee it is easier to move up the career track. This is because some jobs are available only to those people who are currently governement workers. It might depend from dept. to dept. also. I initially worked in the Dept. of Treasury and now work in the Dept. of Homeland Security. If you haven't decided on a specific job you can check out http://www.usajobs.gov. They have all of the current job listings that are open to the public. If you have any others questions feel free to PM me.

[AKA2D '91]

I live there (usajobs...) ALL DAY...EVERYDAY!

Thanks for the tip. I'll state GS-9 on my apps.
I'm willing to relocate, but not overseas.

[Senusret I]

I agree with Gina wholeheartedly.

I also had a government job when I was in college, but I left about a year before I graduated. The experience definitely could have transferred to a better job, but where I was, I didn't see much room for advancement. Plus, my interests were changing.

But had I known, I would have stayed there, just for the money and the stability.

[darling1]

consider finding a placement agency or headhunter that specializes in government contracts/placement. that was how i got my position years ago with the federal government. this is a backdoor way of getting in, but you may have some luck in building a repoir with key people to get you in the door. i was able to bypass alot of the 'red tape' when i went from temporary enployee to full time staff.

sunseret, i am with you. i rolled out and should have stayed for the stability. lord know my school would have been paid for. well as they say, "when you are child you think and act like a child"

aka2d-GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[sayhi2tinee]

Soror

I am a longtime federal employee (10 years this year) so I know all too well about the frustrating process of trying to get into the government.

USAjobs is a great place to start to find out where the jobs are but the hiring process is SO painfully slow. I know -- I've been looking for the last 2 years and 50 applications and 3 interviews later, I'm still in the same place

If you've got a Master's degree, you should look into the Presidential Management Intern Program and the Federal Career Intern Program. These are great opportunities for getting your foot into the government.

sayhi2tinee

[AKA2D '91]

Thanks Soror!

[sayhi2tinee]

You're welcome. Please feel free to e-mail me if there's anything I can help you with