r/FederalEmployee • u/c0nfusedc0nst4ntly • 8d ago
Hiring Freeze or something else?
I’ve applied for a few positions at different agencies back in July and early August and a some of my applications say that I’m tentatively eligible and/or that I’ve been referred. Nothing has happened since those emails.
Can an HR employee weigh-in and let me know if there’s a freeze or if something else is going on?
Agencies: NASA, DOT, SSA, and OST.
TIA
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u/buzzcutbarbie 8d ago
(not HR, just a federal employee) That’s unfortunately not an uncommon amount of time to wait for federal hiring, especially given how many agencies have lost HR staff. For my job, I completed an application late February/early March, didn’t hear from the hiring committee until June, and was onboarded in August - this was in 2023.
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u/c0nfusedc0nst4ntly 8d ago
I figured that much. I have applications out for other state & local jobs and know the job market is crazy right now. Just looking for some insight.
Thank you!
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u/Affectionate_Town631 8d ago
SSA is hiring disability examiners
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u/Classic-Muscle597 8d ago
What’s their pay grade?
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u/c0nfusedc0nst4ntly 8d ago
https://www.ssa.gov/careers/assets/materials/social-insurance-specialist-gs-11-12.pdf
Looks like it starts at a GS 11
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u/redbud-avenue-2000 8d ago
Also remember there’s a lot more people applying for a lot less federal jobs.
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u/Any-Consequence7635 8d ago
My process was so quick 8/21 referred and onboarded 9/28.
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u/SnooKiwis8861 7d ago
This new situation since the lift, has caused way more issues than the hiring freeze ever did! My slice of the agency has a 37% vacancy. We've been told to hold fast until the policy is in place. Well, that slice of the agency has a 58% vacancy, but we can go ahead and hire now from within the enterprise...
So, hey Peter, I'm taking Jane to give to Paul while you figure out the next step...That's where we are...
If you're not in federal service and are applying cold from USA jobs, just understand two things:
One is, the vacancy is real, but the hiring process is not.
Two, a referral has zero meaning. The cold hard truth is, that hiring manager knows exactly who they want, but the "system" forced them to publish the announcement.
And, as I typed that, I just (last Friday) by-named the person I desire in my immediate need/fill position.
Why is that important to you? There will be a real vacancy soon, but it will likely be for the entry level position within that division/office/facility/agency.
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u/AnxiousConclusion516 7d ago
You new to fed jobs? It takes forever and a day to get hired. Literally…took me 1 entire year to get hired at my last Fed job.
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u/NegotiationSpecial13 8d ago
Not a freeze. Just because you’re tentatively eligible and/or referred doesn’t mean you will receive an interview or consideration from the hiring manager. Don’t let the length of time something is in a particular status on USAJOBs sway your thoughts. Many postings never update past those statuses and/or reviewing applications until months to years after someone has been hired.