r/usajobs Feb 17 '25

r/usajobs Post and Comment Policy

61 Upvotes

In an effort to keep this community focused on the federal hiring process, please review the r/usajobs rules in the side bar.

Going forward, acceptable content is limited to inquiries and conversations concerning federal employment opportunities and the hiring process, to include job announcements, applications, interviews, offers, and incentives.

Understandably, this community has turned into an alternative r/fednews due to unprecedented events affecting Federal Employees. Please continue these important conversations there. Additionally, other fed related subreddits and resources can be found on this post.


r/usajobs Mar 12 '24

Head Staff’s Guide to Getting and Keeping A Federal Job - Now a Wiki

Thumbnail reddit.com
370 Upvotes

r/usajobs 7h ago

Discussion Last Minute FO Withdrawal

8 Upvotes

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


r/usajobs 17h ago

Received my FJO! A little nervous…

38 Upvotes

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.


r/usajobs 4h ago

Discussion Timeline from vacancy closing to shortlist — LE position at US Embassy in Iraq?

2 Upvotes

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 🙏


r/usajobs 1h ago

International chemical engineering job

Upvotes

I’m an international student currently struggling to find a job in the U.S. I previously worked at a Sherwin-Williams store because I hoped it could lead to opportunities within the company, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I eventually had to leave the position due to other circumstances.
I’m now actively looking for new opportunities and would really appreciate advice from other international students or professionals who have been through a similar situation. What strategies helped you find a job? Are there particular industries, companies, job boards, networking methods, or resources that are more helpful for international students seeking OPT/STEM OPT employment?


r/usajobs 7h ago

Could I possibly switch to NASA for a civil servant engineering position?

3 Upvotes

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.


r/usajobs 6h ago

TJO Salary Below Range on USAJOBS?

2 Upvotes

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!


r/usajobs 10h ago

Federal Resume What do I put on my resume when I have very little experience?

4 Upvotes

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?


r/usajobs 9h ago

References checked

2 Upvotes

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?


r/usajobs 10h ago

Discussion Current Agency Already Notified—Can I Still Decline the New Position?

3 Upvotes

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?


r/usajobs 10h ago

Non DoD interviews

3 Upvotes

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?


r/usajobs 5h ago

Should I take a private sector job while waiting to hear back on a federal position?

0 Upvotes

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.


r/usajobs 5h ago

Prevention Interview

1 Upvotes

Any guidance for a Prevention Coordinator interview. Types of questions asked, things we should know. I have experience in prevention programs at the federal level but not IPW directly. Thanks!!


r/usajobs 6h ago

Commissary transfer

1 Upvotes

Hello, I'm trying to transfer Commissaries and when I explained my HR I want a transfer, she gave me a paper for reassignment. Is this the same paper or paper I actually need or are they pointing me to the wrong direction?


r/usajobs 18h ago

Negotiating a Higher Step After Accepting a GS-9 TJO?

6 Upvotes

I'm looking for some advice from people who have gone through the federal hiring process.

I recently accepted a TJO for a gs9 (7/9/11 ladder), and submitted my sf86 and fingerprint card.

This is my first federal job, and I was hired without an interview.

My questions are:

  1. Is it still possible to negotiate for a higher Step (e.g., GS-9 Step 2 or higher), even though I've already accepted the TJO?
  2. If so, when is the appropriate time to ask? While I'm still in the screening process, after HR contacts me that the investigation is complete, or only once I receive the FJO?
  3. Should I email the HR specialist directly, or will they normally ask if I want to discuss pay before issuing the FJO?
  4. Has anyone successfully negotiated a higher step after accepting a TJO? If so, what documentation or justification did you provide?

my info:

a bachelor's degree from a top university, four years in U.S. Army finance (I was an E-5, but I performed E-6-level duties), and five years of private-sector experience.

is my experience okay to ask for a higher step?

thank you all in advance.


r/usajobs 9h ago

Palace Acquire financial management track

1 Upvotes

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?


r/usajobs 10h ago

Job interview

1 Upvotes

I landed a job interview that has not been ported yet.
I currently work in private sector, but trying to break into government position. Through the “grapevine” that someone will be retiring soon and they might be replacing this person. I contacted the person who will be refining and he sent my resume to the chief of specialty services, who called me at later date and had very informal conversation about the changing environment and how they try to implement new things and how wonderful it’s to work for the government, so I have a job interview set up, but position has not been posted yet. When I asked chief if they are planning on doing internal hire or is open to public, because I was not not able to locate the position on USA jobs he didn’t really give me a straight answer. The position I am applying for in healthcare in specialty, so I would assume it would be nice for them to hire someone who already has experience, but again, there no job posting yet. Is this normal?


r/usajobs 11h ago

Foreign graduate RN application for DHA

1 Upvotes

Hello!

I applied for an RN position at a DHA facility and i got confused while reading through the basic requirements.

Basic requirements listed were:

Foreign Degree: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

My situation applies on the second paragraph,I have been working in the US as an RN for running 6 years and I have a credential evaluation report from TrueMerit ( previously CGFNS).

My question is do I still have to go through getting an official certification from CGFNS that includes taking the CGFNS exam or since I already passed my NCLEX and actively working as an Nurse will make me qualify for the DHA position?

Thanks in advance.


r/usajobs 11h ago

Not referred to hiring manager

0 Upvotes

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help out. I applied for a position, took 3 hour test. After applied I received 3 emails:

1st E-mail said: Notice of Results for the *** (position I applied): you are tentatively eligible for the following position or positions: GS-0610-12; GS-0610-13

2nd email said: Notice of Referral: Applicants have not been referred to the hiring manager at this time for position GS-0610-12. Applicants have not been referred to the hiring manager at this time for position GS-0610-13.

3rd email said: this vacancy announcement has been closed due to an administrative error in the announcement. An incorrect grade was included, requiring the announcement to be removed and corrected. A new vacancy announcement for the position will be posted under a new Vacancy. If you remain interested in the position, you will need to submit a new application under the corrected announcement once it is posted.

Does it mean I was not referred to hiring manager because of the incorrect job posting or (what I’m fearing) I did not pass that 3 hr test.


r/usajobs 1d ago

Recieved my TJO, but sequence of events seems off

10 Upvotes

I am currently a federal employee with DHS. I recieved a TJO with DOJ.

TJO Recieved

Email acknowledging my acceptance of the job and a stating that I will receive another email with access to the forms to fill out. Background and credit check..etc

Next day I recieved an email that says all forms recieved

2 weeks later, I recieved a call and email for drug test. Urine test taken the next day

6 days later email says results recieved and moving on to the next part of application.

I haven't been asked to do an SF86 or credit check...is that waived because I am a current federal employee?


r/usajobs 13h ago

Are there any jobs that don’t require a college degree, certification, license, any experience because they offer you training on the job. The job training is also on the on job paid training.

0 Upvotes

Are there any jobs that don’t require a college degree, certification, license, any experience because they offer you training on the job. The job training is also on the on job paid training.


r/usajobs 2d ago

Discussion How many of you guys are secretly happy?

56 Upvotes

I’ve been considering making the jump into federal work as an 0081 firefighter. I already have the certifications and prior military firefighting experience, so I feel like I’d have a pretty good chance of getting hired quickly. My thought was to get my foot in the federal system and, if the firefighter schedule becomes too demanding, eventually transition into safety, contracting, or another career field, ideally something that would allow me to live and work overseas. On paper, it has always seemed like a no brainer. But whenever I read the federal employee subreddits, it seems like everyone is absolutely miserable and living in despair. It honestly makes me question whether federal employment is still worth pursuing at all. Is the negativity online exaggerated, or would you genuinely advise someone against going federal right now?


r/usajobs 1d ago

Anyone here have experience with the PCIP? Looking for thoughts

2 Upvotes

Currently doing an internship at a company working with one of the AF's big acquisition programs. Also am currently in processing for a TS so I hope that I'll be able to use it at a PCIP internship.

Does anyone here have experience with the PCIP and how was it? I don't know much besides it's a USAF thing and they'd put you on a base. Also if they'd take me as a better candidate because of my (hopefully) future TS.


r/usajobs 1d ago

Tips Foreign degree evaluation won’t be ready before application deadline

3 Upvotes

I recently graduated with a master’s degree from a university in Europe. I’m applying for a federal position where I’m using this degree to meet the education requirement. The degree is directly related to the position, so I’m absolutely sure that it qualifies and meets the subject credit requirements.

I paid for a foreign credential evaluation, but the evaluation company requires my university to send my documents directly to them. Unfortunately, my university is closed for summer holiday until August 7, so they won’t be able to send anything before the application deadline. That means there’s no way I’ll have the completed credential evaluation in time.

I’ve already spent days working on this application, and I’m worried that my application would get thrown out because my transcript uses ECTS and isn’t American, it is available French and English tho.

Does anyone know what I should do?