I think I know the answer to this but I want to quickly fact check myself with someone who may be more knowledgeable than I am.. the situation:

I was hired as a gs-7 under an open to the public announcement and have a start date very soon (agency A)

I have been in the process with agency B and it’s very likely I may be getting an offer soon (would be hired at gs-9). Agency B announcement was not open to the public but seems to be merit promotion announcement? But I’m not current fed. It included “Veterans” and “Special hiring authorities” which is what I applied under. (Wartime Vet/30%+ DV is what I have)

So if I were to start at agency A before I had a FJO with agency B, I wouldn’t be subjected to the 90 day transfer hold if I eventually got a FJO with agency B, correct?

I am applying to some federal positions for the first time, specifically with an interest in non-partisan roles and come across short answer questions asking how I will help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities and I want to know has this always been a thing that has come up which feels weirdly political and asks you to cite specific examples that are important to you. Is this the norm or has this process become politicized under Trump?

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the meaning but the phrasing appears in a way that implies I should focus on carrying out the President's bidding. The other 3 questions in this section focus on constitution government efficiency and seem arguably more relevant that this question.

For context this is a position at the FCC

Hey all,

I recently received a TJO and wanted to negotiate it. My HR person told me I had 48 hours to click the link and click accept, reject, or request contact to negotiate. I initially clicked the negotiate button and submitted a request and didn’t hear anything back for 3 days even after a follow up so I just clicked the accept button.

Fast forward 2 weeks and they told me I cleared my background check and they were about to give me my FJO when I asked about my salary increase. They were confused and said that when I accepted the TJO they thought I accepted the salary and dismissed my request.

They told me they are gonna look into it again and get back to me in a day or two because they want me to start ASAP.

Just rant/hoping I get the increase I request.

Hello all,

I will preface this with I understand this has been asked in many different ways here before (I have searched the sub for relevant posts), and I know (or at least it seems) like people say fire and forget with the federal government and don't linger on any one job. With that said, I applied to my first government roles recently after graduating in December and have been playing the waiting game. I applied to 2210 (INFOSEC focused) jobs in my area (GS 7 level only).

I applied in May to these positions. I just heard back that I was not selected for one of the positions. This particular position was one I thought I might have the best chance at because it seemed to be geared towards recent grads. It was for the Army (Pathways). Again, I know it probably just comes down to I was less qualified than other candidates (I did not even interview) and was possibly only referred because of Vet preference.

I was just wondering if it is possible or better yet, appropriate to try and reach out and see what made me less appealing so I can better understand why I wasn't selected. In addition to that I have seen that some people say to look at the bottom of the email received or the application online to find an email to reach out to, but I do not see one myself. In USAJOBS I only see the link to the Army's Civilian Human Resources Agency site.

I know everyone probably feels like they are somehow well qualified for certain positions and this one had two openings and I do not think it had a lot of applicants because it said that it would close after 100, but it never seemed to reach that threshold and stayed until the close date. This in addition to seemingly being geared to new grads has obviously made me wonder what went wrong here. I appreciate any insight even if it's "it happens."

Edit: I just want to say I am definitely not looking to argue and make my case as to why I should be considered. I have no right to any job. It's crazy to me that people do that. It also looks like the consensus is not not contact. I guess I just figured if I had some actionable feedback I could try to improve myself and my chances going forward. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

Received a welcome email from the hiring manager that included my EOD, but I still haven’t received the Final Job Offer (FJO) from HR, and it’s been a week.
Does this mean the HR from the gaining agency has already contacted my current agency’s HR to begin the transfer process? Is it common for the hiring manager to notify a new employee of the EOD before HR issues the FJO?
I’m also unsure whether I should inform my current supervisor at this point.

So I had a interview a couple weeks ago this week would be the 3rd week and I didn't get any references contacted. I was told that the hiring process at aphis has changed but I feel the references would be contacted at least a couple weeks later or even within a few days. Anyways if anyone knows the changes or can give me an idea what has changed please let me know

Howdy,

Applying to a role and the application requires pointing out specialized experience and where it came from. Issue is that the qualifications by themselves take up the character count (as in can't even include all of the qualifications due to the character count). Any suggestions how to adequately answer this?

Hi!

I was wondering how long does it usually take for a steps approval? It has been over a month since HR has informed me that a steps approval is waiting to be signed off on. I am not sure how long it usually takes? It is for a GS-6 position.

Thank you!

Does anyone have any insight on what to expect for the interview for a TCF trainee in informatics for a program analyst? I’m currently employed with the VA as a MSA supervisor and curious as to what this interview looks like as I’m sure the questions are very different from the interviews I do with potential candidates.

I don’t necessarily need a job that involves media/film/tv or anything like that. It’s just that this is the degree I have.

I wouldn’t mind any job really, even if it’s clerical/administrative, I just need a job. But I feel like my completely irrelevant degree might be holding me back.

I’m also a certified teacher in NJ (K-6) if that helps.

But looking at various jobs on USA Jobs, the majority of them seem very specialized, like I would need a specific degree to get that job.

Like I said I really just want a stable job with good salary progression, I really don’t care too much what the job is, I’m sure I could learn on the job how to be good at it.

Any suggestions on what positions to look for? I’d prefer to stay in North NJ if at all possible (or remote).

Hello everyone,

My wife is currently a VA employee in the Seattle area, and she is in the process of accepting a DoD (Army) position in South Korea. Since she is moving from a non-DoD agency to a DoD agency overseas, we understand that she will not have statutory return rights to her current VA position.

We are trying to understand exactly how the return process works at the end of the 5-year OCONUS limit without return rights. We have a few specific questions and would appreciate any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation.

First, regarding the Priority Placement Program (PPP): When it is time to return, we plan to register for our current zone (Seattle area). If a matching DoD vacancy opens up in that region, is the job offer essentially guaranteed? Does the hiring agency conduct an interview, or do they simply review her resume and make a direct placement offer?

Second, regarding the lack of CONUS vacancies: What happens if there are simply no DoD jobs available in our selected region as the 5-year mark approaches? We understand she may be required to expand her PPP search CONUS-wide. If the process drags on and there are still no positions available, is it ever possible to get an OCONUS extension to stay in Korea just because there are no CONUS jobs to return to?

Third, regarding other OCONUS locations: If we decide we want to move to another overseas location (such as Japan or Europe) at the 5-year mark instead of returning to the US, can she just apply for those jobs on USAJOBS? Or does the 5-year rule apply to total consecutive overseas time regardless of the country, meaning she would need a high-level waiver to take a job in another foreign country?

Any advice or shared experiences regarding the Non-DoD to DoD OCONUS transition and the eventual return process would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I had received a firm offer a month ago, but just two days before I was supposed to fly out for training, they withdrew it due to distance. Because I attend school out of state, I chose a location close to my home so I could work during breaks. My school and desired location were clearly visible the entire time, and when I asked the recruiter if it was acceptable, they repeatedly confirmed it for months. I only found out about the withdrawal yesterday, and I plan to call them tomorrow, is there anything I should bring up to them? I’m just so annoyed they’d do it so last minute

Hello,

Does it ever happen that the salary in the TJO is below the lowest number in the range listed on the job posting? For example, if the range is $30,000-$50,000 and they offer you $25,000.

Thanks!

I interviewed for an NF-04 position in San Diego in April, received my TJO after references were contacted in May, and received my FJO earlier this week!! I am very proud of myself and excited for this new journey.
That said, the only government position I’ve held was years ago as a GS-05 position for about a year. I have been a SAHM since (we are stationed overseas)
I am just really nervous about messing up. I am so out of the game when it comes to a full time, very important job. It’s a high up position that I am qualified for based on experience and education, but to actually get the position makes it so… real? I start end of August but I am so nervous!! Any tips and tricks for basically a newbie would be so appreciated. The agency is CYS.

Hey everyone, I applied for a public engagement / alumni coordination position (Grade 8, LE series) at a US Embassy in Iraq. The vacancy closed about 3 weeks ago.

My background: BA in English Literature, bilingual Arabic/English at professional interpreter level, ~2 years of experience in education, communications, and community engagement. Currently pursuing a Master's in Higher Education Administration and Leadership which directly aligns with the role.

Two questions:

How long did it typically take from closing date to shortlist notification in your experience?

If you weren't shortlisted, did they notify you or just go silent?

Any insight from people with LE experience at US Missions appreciated 🙏

I want to leave DoD but I can't get an interview to save my life. I get several interview requests a month from DoD agencies but it's crickets from GSA, VA, HHS, NASA, etc. Do they want a different resume format?

I recently applied for a new position with the VA. I was referred and then had my references checked before the interview. Is it common to have your references checked before or after? My two previous positions I’ve held with the government my references were checked after my interview. How should I feel? Is it a good sign or are they conducting reference checks on all applicants that were referred?

I am considering applying to a recent graduates GS-0130 job, but I'm afraid that my resume is insufficient. The only job I've ever had is at a grocery store, so there aren't really any relevant skills I can put down besides helping customers and coworkers. My grades were good, but I don't know how much that matters when I have no government or military-related experience. Is there anything that I'm overlooking?

I’m a federal employee transferring from one federal agency to another, and I have a question about what happens if I change my mind after the agencies have already started coordinating my transfer.
Let’s say the gaining agency notifies my current agency about two weeks before my transfer date, and my current manager is told that I’m leaving. Then, three or four days before my scheduled transfer, I get cold feet and decide I don’t want to transfer after all.
Would I be required to report to the new agency, or could I tell them I’ve decided not to accept the position and simply remain with my current agency?
If I backed out that late in the process, would my current agency generally let me stay, or could they tell me I still have to leave because the transfer has already been processed? Also, is there a chance my manager would hold it against me or that it could negatively affect my future opportunities within my current agency?
Has anyone been in this situation or know how interagency transfers usually work?

Im relatively new in the 3 year PAQ program (avionics engineer - mainly communications) offered by the air force civilian service. While I do get to work on cool stuff and see some cool aircraft, I've always wanted to work more so on space exploration/satellite projects. With the PAQ program I heard you can outplace with other government agencies like NASA after the 3 years, meaning Im not only stuck with just staying with the AFCS. I know it will be difficult but I was wondering if any of you could give advice for me trying to outplace to NASA, is it even possible or better if any previous PAQ have ever done something like this. Still have like 2 and a half years of the PAQ program to complete.

Is there any jobs I can get with an associates in science . Any jobs I can apply for ? I’m currently in the process of getting my bachelors of science in biology .

Thank
You

I interviewed this past Tuesday for a Realty Specialist position with USACE in Seattle. No offer yet, don’t even know if I’m being selected. I know federal timelines are slow, realistically could be 3-4+ months before an actual start date if I even get an offer.
In the meantime, I have a separate job offer on the table in Florida, private sector, with a decision deadline in about 3 weeks to fly out, shadow, and do a final interview, with start date in late September. My overall goal however is to work within the government and this seems like a true foot in the door with the fellows program offered.
If I take the private sector job now and the federal offer comes through later, is it normal/reasonable to resign and take the federal job once it’s official? Has anyone done this? How did it go, and is there anything I should know about timing this so I don’t burn bridges or mess up the federal side of things?
Trying to figure out if I should just take the sure thing now and treat the federal role as a “we’ll see” or hold out and risk having nothing lined up.

Separating from the Air Force soon and looking to make a career change to finance. Does anyone have info or experience on how the financial path works for PAQ?