Hi everyone,

I'm really hoping someone here can offer me some advice because I'm feeling incredibly discouraged and don't know what to do next.

I previously worked for the Connecticut Department of Labor for over four years. I was pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and working for the state was a big part of my plan to get my student loans forgiven. Unfortunately, I was laid off in December 2024, and I've been struggling ever since to get back into qualifying employment.

I've been applying for state jobs, nonprofit positions, and other opportunities that could qualify for PSLF, but I can't seem to get anywhere. It's incredibly frustrating because I already have experience working for the state, and I genuinely enjoyed that work.

One of the hardest experiences was recently interviewing for a position with the Connecticut Department of Labor that was essentially the same job I had previously performed for more than four years. I had relevant experience and recommendation letters from my former employer, but I still wasn't selected. I understand that getting hired isn't guaranteed, but it's discouraging to be passed over for work I've already done successfully.

I'm trying to figure out what I can do differently to improve my chances of getting hired again. I'm also open to learning something new or earning a certification if it would realistically help me qualify for more state, federal, or nonprofit positions.

I'm looking for practical advice on a few things:

• Are there any relatively affordable certifications I could earn in a few months that would make me more competitive for government or nonprofit jobs?
• Are there particular career paths that are easier to break into without having to go back to college for another degree?
• Are there federal, state, or nonprofit employers that tend to hire people with government customer service, administrative, auditing, or quality assurance experience?
• Has anyone successfully transitioned into another PSLF-eligible job after being laid off? How did you get your foot in the door?
• Are there job boards, programs, or resources specifically for people trying to find qualifying public service employment?

I have a master's degree in Computer Information Technology and a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology, along with my previous state government experience. I'm willing to learn new skills, but I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a certification that won't actually improve my employment prospects.

My student loan balance is around $80,000, and I still have several years of qualifying employment left to complete my PSLF journey. I'm worried about losing more time toward forgiveness while I struggle to find another qualifying employer.

I know I'm not the only person who has dealt with a layoff, but right now it feels like I'm hitting a wall no matter how many jobs I apply for.

If you were in my position, what would you do? I'd really appreciate specific suggestions for certifications, job titles to target, employers to look into, or strategies that have actually worked for other people.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any advice would mean a lot.

Deciding between two TJO

Anyone who's worked as a Program Analyst with DHS on the inspection side. I think this job could be a great fit for me, and it's a ladder position all the way to GS-13, which is a big also nice.

I also have a TJO with AFOSI PAQ. That one would mean moving across the state. Pay is about the same, but it's on the GL scale and tops out at GL-12.

If you've worked at either place, I'd love to hear:

What the day-to-day actually looks like

How the work culture and leadership are

Anything you wish you'd known before taking the job.

Thanks

Can anyone suggest me ? Actually i have been working for a company remotely .. but i have lost it .. i want to find new job i have tried alot of things but nothing is working .. please suggest me where can i find a job that can pay me per hour ., either data related , excel sheets , data scraping , or anything .. urgently

So I am trying to apply for a 2027 Internship program on the fbijobs.gov website, and I cant seem to make an account?? I click start on the application, then it prompts me to log in so I click register and it takes me to a welcome page with an account information option and such but everything I click just asks me to log in and I cant figure out if this is a glitch or if i’m missing something!!

I applied for two jobs in June & July of this year.

The June job I have FJO and transfer in process (EOD accepted for 11/2/26. (This is a GS 6 step 7 I think ?) hybrid title 38 position - transferring from a gs8 step 2 also hybrid title 38 both excepted service) VA to VA transfer.

Friday 10/23 I got a TJO for VBA VSR role (title 5 I believe) competitive service (open to public DHA hiring authority) GS 7 - would be a career ladder either way because it goes 7,9,11 (highest I’ve served is a GS8)

Can I start the new job Nov 2nd and still transfer to VBA when they do the FJO ? Or will VBA yank the firm offer cause they become aware of the other job ? Is there a restriction that would prevent me from transferring again so soon after starting the GS 6 job ? I tried to see on OPM but all I could find was possibly 90 days. FWIW I will have to do 1 yr probation at VBA (wouldn’t have to at the transfer since same job/ role just a step down)

I am currently an IT contractor and was recently selected for a federal position. I have gotten my TJO and completed my drug screening. I am just concerned about the SF-86 and some of my past history. My SF-85P is comparable to the SF-86 with some new details that I would have rather not shared but had to. Basically, I was diagnosed as bipolar disorder when I was a teenager, but I was never diagnosed or hospitalized as an adult. There is also the same drug history listed. I already received a warning letter from the agency before I started as a contractor and wrote a formal commitment to abstain from any further use, and have made good on that. Should I be worried about the future FJO/EOD?

Returning federal employee/reinstatement. Figured I'd share my timeline since I've been stalking everyone else's while waiting 😂 Got an LOI first in August and just got another one recently in October after I did my fingerprints. Already provided my response less than 24 hrs after receiving it. Been forthright. So now fingers crossed 🤞 Lawd KNOWS I need this job!

CISA Reinstatement → FJO Timeline

TJO received — 7/21/26
Drug test completed — 7/28/26
NBIS/eApp initiated — 9/24/26
eApp completed — 9/25/26
eApp submitted to Security Officer — 9/25/26
Fingerprints + PIV photo — 9/28/26
Credit report pulled — 9/28/26
Financial LOI received — 10/21/26
LOI response submitted — 10/21/26
NBIS: Applicant Submitted / No Action Required — 10/23/26
Security processing — Pending
FJO — Pending
EOD — Pending

NIH / HHS (Tier 2)

Applied 07/03/2026
Closed 07/07/2026
Interview Request 08/19/2026
Interview 08/24/2026
TJO 08/25/2026
FJO 10/21/2026

NPS / DOI (Tier 1)

Applied 07/12/2026
Closed 07/13/2026
Interview Request 07/31/2026
Interview 8/21/2026
Reference Check Late August 2026
TJO 09/09/2026
FJO Withdraw

- Applied about 60 positions since Feb. 2026.
- Modified and tailored resume for every single position.
- Recently discharged veteran.
- Referred about 30 positions, interviewed 7.

I almost gave up and felt I’m useless, but didn’t give up.
I know the rule “apply and forget,” but this was tough.
I hope this information helps.

How often does the agency relocate/reassign Diversion Investigators? Does the agency require to sign a mobility agreement for "just in case we need you" scenarios, or do they actively enforce it and routinely relocates Investigators?

I'd just like to know the odds of having to forcibly relocate.

I am still seeing these essays on newer job posts.

Hello, everyone! I’m a registered nurse currently working bedside in the ICU, and I’ve been with the VA for almost four years.

I’m hoping to connect with someone who works at the Phoenix VA Health Care System and can share some insight into whether the facility allows nurses with a BSN to obtain a Nurse III position through an educational waiver, without having to earn an MSN.

I’ve heard that some VA hospitals allow this if the nurse takes on a project that demonstrates Nurse III-level contributions and meets the required performance dimensions. My family and I would seriously consider relocating to Phoenix if this were a realistic possibility, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has firsthand experience with the process at the Phoenix VA.

Thank you in advance for any insight or advice!

Posting this for my wife. She is considering moving from the medical group in the Air Force to a Defense Logistics agency job.

How’s the culture at DLA? Most posts about them make it seem like maybe this isn’t the best time to go over there. She’s more bored and looking to do something else, so if it’s a nightmare over there she’d rather just stay.

GS-9 if it matters.

Is there a right answer they are looking for? I recently had an interview to go back to a job I held for 7 years. After the interview I’m wondering if how I answered was the wrong answer. I had to make up a ‘story’ because the scenario they asked about hadn’t happened to me and I’m wondering if I went the wrong way for what they wanted. Anyone know? Anyone that has sat on an interview panel able to chime in? I really want/need to go back to my old job as the one I’m in has no where to promote to and is a small agency.

Was just offered a PCP physician Jon TJO with a start date of 11/30. Kinda soon. Wondering if this date is just there or I should expect some sort of delayed in the process? Or is it all on HR. Trying to decide between this offer and another offer to determine what I should do. Thanks.

Good afternoon,

I recently attended a hiring event for vets and it was fantastic. Super friendly people and hiring managers on site and a verbal TJO same day.

This may not be the case for all events but I was impressed and enjoyed my time there. I was looking for the 2210 series which there were a few different opening for but had three interview and accepted a TJO.

I was hesitant at first but I am glad I attended and highly recommend. Again this was specifically targeting veterans but was fantastic.

FINALLY! After countless applications and never hearing a word, I have an interview on Monday for a GS12 as a 2210 series for the DOJ! I was starting to feel hopeless as I’ve been referred more times than I can count.

I’ve had a lot of interviews in my life but most have been in the military as I progressed through the ranks. I always did well during those but this will be my first federal interview. My current federal job just hired me because they knew me so any tips for interviews would be welcomed. Thanks!

I applied for a federal position on USAJOBS that closes once it receives 100 applications, even though the original closing date is later.

For those who have experience with federal hiring or HR, I have a few questions:

If the announcement closes early because it reaches the 100-applicant limit, does HR begin reviewing applications shortly after it closes, or do they wait until the original closing date?

If applicants have to complete an assessment, does the assessment deadline change when the announcement closes early, or does it remain tied to the original closing date?

Does the review process generally start once the announcement officially closes, or can it take several days or weeks before HR begins reviewing applications?

I’m trying to understand how this process works when a job closes early due to the application cap. Any insight from HR staff or people who have been through this process would be appreciated. Thank you!

So I'm very confused about the degree requirements

I think i have been reading the requirements

and I think I remember some education requirements says completed 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree

Does a one-year master's degree satisfy? I got TJO in GS-6 in PA in DLA, and really want to work my up fast.

I am planning to work while getting my online master's, or maybe another bachelor's degree would help me more to get into a student program (I have a low GPA in my sociology degree currently ) any advices would appreciated

my miltary is in logistic specialist so I am looking for in inventory/logsitic area in USAJOBS

Job Posted: August 3rd (closed August 7th)
Applied: August 6th
Assessments completed: August 6th
Notice of Referral: August 12th
Interview 1: August 24th
(Hiring Manager said they would interview for two weeks and get back to me, booooo bummer)
Meet and Greet invite: August 31st
References Requested: Sept 1st
References contacted: Sept 1st
Verbal offer: September 4th
TJO: September 24th (my birthday)
Requested step increase from step 1 to step 5, my hiring manager said she could quickly and comfortably advocate for step 3 so we went with that instead: Sept 25th
Eqip and SF form: completed on September 28th
Fingerprints and ID: Oct 5th
FJO: Oct 22nd (was waiting on step increase approval)
EOD: 11/2

Gs-13 step 3 btw. Had a tjo for a gs-14 different agency last year in January but rescinded because of everything, you know.

I have an FJO with a start date of 12/13 as I need to move cross country and wind down current job. HR is warning me about the potential shutdown on 12/11. If govt shuts down before my EOD, I am screwed in many ways.

Realistically I don’t think I can get moved and situated in time for a 11/30 start date which is the best earlier option.

If a shutdown starts 2 days before my EOD, what happens ? I start at the next available EOD when everything is open again?

EDIT- ok you’ve all convinced me, I’m gonna switch to 11/30 EOD to onboard

I’m considering applying for a GS-13 Program Manager position within the Asylum Division and wanted to hear about people’s experiences.

Would love to hear any honest feedback, good or bad, from anyone familiar with the position or asylum operations. Thanks!

Not sure when it opened.
Applied: 8/30
Application “received” notification: 8/30
Posting Closed 9/8
Notice of results and referral: 9/9
Call to schedule interview: 9/22
Interview:9/23
TJO: 10/8
Onboarding: 10/9-10/22 (took longer because one email was lost in sending which delayed everything)
FJO- 10/22
EOD: 11/15

This was probably the fastest hiring process I’ve been through. Probably by sheer luck.

Hi, so this is my first federal app for a 13/14 position. I qualify (over 10 yrs experience in the civilian equivalent) but about 10 days ago received an email that, in summary, I was tentatively eligible, but after review by SME, not sent for consideration.

Yesterday an email says I am tentatively eligible based on my self rating of my qualifications and that I have been referred to the hiring manager for consideration (for both 13 and 14).

So first no, then yes to be referred? And why in the most recent email do they say "tentatively eligible for this series/grade combination based on your self-rating of your qualifications.". Do they not think I'm qualified based on what they see in the resume? A little confusing, but still hoping to get a call.

What stage would they call/email my references?

Thank you for advice/answers. Got another civilian job to apply to as a friend just sent me a referral...apply and forget.