Applying to federal jobs

[Economics_Nerd82]

I have been applying to jobs on USAJobs.gov.

Has anyone else done this? I am looking for some feed back on how quickly they get back to you anything you can think of about the process.

I am looking, obviously, for careers in the economics field. Somewhere in the G-9 or higher pay grade area.

Thanks

[JerseyBull06]

I have also been applying for jobs on USAJobs.gov but have just started. Honestly I think the time they take and the process would vary as each position may be with a different agency and although it's may be the same general process it will likely vary greatly between agencies. I know some of the positions have a time period they are posted for so I wouldn't expect to hear before the job closes. Also if you go to the MyUSAjobs tab any information they do post online is on there.

Are you a recent graduate? just curious. Good luck job hunting!

[USF_Grouper]

I spoke (very) briefly with the USPTO office when I was graduating in fall 2003.  I believe that was the website they asked me to use, but the guys at the career fair said it wasn't worth the effort and to call the hiring managers directly.  I have a Computer Engineering degree and the starting patent examiner salary was significantly below other offers in my field, plus the job seems like it would suck.  Anyway if that was the website I used it didn't work great for me.

Sorry, I know there are a lot of "ifs" in there.  As an aside, a lot of government engineering firms (Boeing, Raytheon, Harris, Lockheed Martin, etc) hire accountants like crazy.  Unfortunately unless we bring two sets of recruiters to the USF Career Fair it is hard to get resumes from you guys because we are over in the engineering sections.  Just another potential lead for you.

[Economics_Nerd82]

I graduated in May with my Masters in economics.

Took me two hours to fill out one application on there and I still have to print out three more applications and fax them in.

Seems like I am jumping through a hundred hoops...

[JerseyBull06]

That definately seems excessive. I guess it just depends on who you're applying with and the type of job you're applying for  :-\

I only applied to one job so far but the process was easy and very streamlined. Online application that was primarily uploading your resume from USAJobs.

It is the gov't though, so not surprised by the hundred hoops!

[WWMJD]

I graduated in May with my Masters in economics.

Took me two hours to fill out one application on there and I still have to print out three more applications and fax them in.

Seems like I am jumping through a hundred hoops...

If you want efficiency and expediency you are applying with the wrong organization my friend

[smazza]

cant imagine working for the government

but they need someone to teach them how to balance a budget

[WoolyBully]

I spent eight years as a Federale.

Three with the U.S. Department of Agriculture ('82-'85) and

five with the U. S. Department of State, Foreign Service ('85-'90).

Although the government has streamlined the process considerably

over the years (online applications), the overall federal hiring process

has not changed in philosophy (the behind the scenes methodology).

Have you considered - with a background in economics - sitting for the

Foreign Service Exam? http://www.foreignserviceexamprep.com/

Or you could go the specialist route, if you don't want to go the officer route:

http://www.careers.state.gov/specialist/which-specialization.html

The thing about the Federales is that is a slow, arduous process - and

nothing will ever change with that. Also, bear in mind that the civil service

guidelines for vacancy filling are such that, although a job may be advertised,

the truth is that the target candidate has already been identified and the

application review process is just to adhere to federal guidelines (i.e. you're

applying for a job that the hiring authority has already - for all intents and

purposes - filled). There are also several selective processes which could also

hinder your chances. As an example, preferred spouse program. This is often

found associated with military/DOD jobs - where spouses of active duty personnel

assigned to a given command are given preferential hiring consideration.

Depending on what you THINK you want to do for the Federales, it could

take an incredible amount of time.

As an example, just talking with a buddy of mine (LTCOL USARMY) who has an

opening in his analytical section at the Pentagon. He's holding three applicants

for one job. The reason, he's betting that there could be a problem with any

of their clearances (which throws you out completely) and they could get tired

of the wait, and  take another job. He's betting that only one can withstand

the wait and administrivia.

Bottom Line: if they want you, they WILL DEFINITELY give you a shout, but

you have to be willing to wait a long, long, time.

Personally: It took 18 months to get the USDA gig, and once I was in, it took

about 18 months to get the USDOS gig (Communications Officer).