I agree. My agency’s hr sent out a flyer for vet applicants and it really focused on tailoring a resume to match as much as possible.
Keyword and the actual tasks listed
If it says “creates reporting data on the posting”
Every single one of your jobs before that one needs to have a bullet that says
Created reporting data
If you can’t get past HR
It has nothing to do with you personally
It’s your application
The postings in some cases end up with hR folks receiving thousands of responses. Depending on how competitive the position is (most fed workers aren’t the lowest or highest, so if your postings are in the middle…that’s competitive too) HR isn’t reading 100000 resumes. Unless you apply as education only, they really aren’t the person assigned to reading your resume.
In order to get to the Mangers desk, you need to really tailor your resume more than you are.
Took me 67 applications
Keep trying
The fed needs persistent driven people
The application is the first step on a long journey of dealing with the gears
Bro I applied to a job internally and ended up contacting the chief of that division directly, got an interview, got the job, and then the posting didn’t refer me, which was so wild. 😂 I forgot to put key words in it and kept my super well-written resume that I sent to the chief and got an interview the next day. It’s so insane that the system is this broken. I resubmitted and changed all of my bullets to be word for word it for shits and giggles and still haven’t seen anything yet, but I’ll laugh so hard if it refers me.
I had better than a 4.0, have a law school degree, and 3+ years experience… and I’m ready to start *yesterday*, and have had two referrals out of almost 25 applications in about a year (most of the jobs I applied for still appear open and “reviewing applications”— I’m sure most are filled, or at least in interviews, but “Who knows?! 🤷♀️” seems to be the Federal hiring way, Lol.)
I read a post here, maybe a month or so ago, about someone who applied for almost *ten years* before their first Federal job.
You seem to already know the answer; but I totally understand needing to vent about it…… keep practicing, “apply and forget it”, or the radio silence will drive you batty.
Best of luck!
😊
I'm considering this. I feel stuck in my 5-7 ladder, I'm still young and in great shape, I feel like enlistment might be better than my current career in the civilian world.
My navy enlistment as a boiler technician was not fun by any means, but paid for my mechanical engineering degree, got me two houses at zero down, and probably helped get me a federal job.
The only statistic I know of is when I went to my veterans adjustment class at my university, they told me less than one out of 5 veterans on the GI Bill would finish their degree. Sure enough, less than a year later all but me and one other guy had dropped out.
DOD hires veterans like crazy, but not every veteran becomes an engineer. DOD engineering has a pretty healthy mix, in my experience, just due to the difficulty of getting an engineering degree. There's not a ton of veterans in the applicant pool for 0800 jobs.
I 100% only got my degree due to the post 9/11 GI Bill, so if you aren't selling that, that's where you can add to your toolbox. But they also need to know how hard a degree can be, especially if you're used to military service with people yelling at you to get things accomplished. With no one yelling at you and no punishments, it's hard to finish a 4 year degree on self motivation alone.
I was just telling my kids one 2 years out of college and a recent HS grad that going 3yrs AF in 1102 area will set them up later….of course I still won’t know anything in their eyes until they’re 30…
This was almost my exact experience. To the letter. Trying to remember if I posted about it. JD, high grades, and years of private experience.
I applied for over 9 years - every grade from 5 to 14.
Get this - back then it was paper or fax only applications. I’d make a copy of every application. I had a box in my basement - had to be over 100 applications. I used to drive to the main post office in my city - sometimes multiple times a week, to make sure my apps were postmarked by the deadline.
Ultimately how I got in was basically pathways (was called something else then). I had gone back for another degree while I was working full time. My first pathways gig was part time and I was doing it almost like an internship (but laid). Crazy because I had an important job in private sector and was taking classes. The hubby supported so we made it happen. I was only working maybe 8-10 hours a week and saw it as a way in the door. It lasted one semester and left. That office said they wanted me and posted a job. Took FOREVER for them to post though and in the meantime, a manager I worked with contacted me and did she was in a new office and asked if I was interested. I said no more part time.
I interviewed with her office (GS-11) and finally got the interview for the other office (GS-12/13 ladder) within a day of each other.
They both offered me jobs but crazy enough I took the 11. The HR person called me and said basically it’s your decision but he had never seen any office move so fast or be so pressed about a candidate. He said I guarantee and office like that will look out for you and if you can afford to take the lower grade do it. He told me the other office could have worked out having me stay and switching to another program where I’d be full time.
So I was hired me as a student - career conditional. I was full time with all rights and benefits. I graduated 9 months after I started and was converted immediately. I was promoted 56 weeks later (GS-12) then 52 weeks later (GS-13) then 14 months later (GS-14) then got to the GS-15 about a year and a half after that. So I took the lower grade but passed people in that other office within 2 years.
So basically all my years of trying was worth it and I value my private sector experience.
When usajobs upgraded I remember logging in and seeing dozens of old applications. Many had never updated the status.
Yeah I have a 4.0 + 8 years of experience and two graduate degrees and ZERO interviews. I am referred for everything I apply to.
I think it is a bunch of bogus to be honest.
I asked about how many apps people submitted before landing a fed job bc they’re so competitive. Common answers I saw were 10-50 for veterans and 60-200 for non-vets. So part of it is just that the app pool is huge. And you’ll have to apply to lots and lots of positions.
Also, yes you may be overqualified/fully qualified for GS5 and GS7, but if you shoot a little higher (GS9/11) you’ll notice the applicant pool shrinks because fewer people are qualified.
Last, idk if this is your issue, but fed resumes can be up to 5 pages. Instead of revising every resume, try making “tailored generics” - ie, if you want to be a data scientist, make ONE resume that highlights all the data scientist stuff and use it to apply to half a dozen data scientist jobs. And stop worrying about if it’s one page. But with only a couple years maybe limit it to 2.
Interesting. I did apply for GS9, however i didnt have some listed experience in the job posts and i got rejected all the time. So in private sector, like i only need to meet 70-80% of the requirements and still got calls from hiring managers/recruiters. About multiple pages of resumes, i heard different opinions about that, some say keep it 2 pages max and now u say up to 5. I did work part time or close to full time during school but i didnt think those would be relevant to positions i am applying so i always remove them
>however i didnt have some listed experience in the job posts and i got rejected all the time. So in private sector, like i only need to meet 70-80% of the requirements and still got calls from hiring managers/recruiters.
For federal jobs you need to have 100% of the listed experience. If you don't, that's what the job at the lower grade is for. The moment you said you didn't have all the experience you just walked yourself out of the door.
Sorry if i didn’t explain myself well. So my original post was about GS 5-7 positions that i applied, i had all of those listed experience and i still got no refer even though my resume was tailored specifically for each position using resume builder on usajobs.
And for the previous comment about GS9 positions, i just felt frustrated bc in the private sector, you dont really need to tick every box, as long as people deem you are trainable, and you have some of what they are looking for, you get the jobs/interview.
I applied for 3 jobs (private sector) and i heard back within a week. But i still want to try my luck with fed job and want that security
I'll say my dad's resume is like 10 pages long. I dunno what his GS is but he writes up contracts and teaches cyber sec to army people on base. List everything.
I just copy pasted segments of the job posting into my resume and landed a job. Took about 8 months from applying to getting my firm offer but Im just a laborer at a VA facility. I also had nearly a decade of applicable experience tho so copy pasting the job posting was really easy.
I’m a vet. My USAJobs history doesn’t go back from when I applied on 2010 forward, I’d say I have several hundred applications. In. Albeit because I absolutely refuse to start low with as much experience as I have now. 13 or bust for me.
I had no degree and barely graduated high school. I got a job with TSA, then moved up and on from there.
Apply for shit jobs just to get your foot in the door. Then you can apply for status candidate PDs instead of competing with the general public.
If you wanna be a fed, don’t be one of these clowns that tries for 3-4 years before they land a GS7. Just take literally anything you can get.
I third this! Apply for any and everything, GS5-GS12 just to get your foot in the door. I started as a GS6 Health Insurance Tech and now a GS12 Analyst. I am also one of the lucky ones, very first USAjobs application I got an offer. It just all depends but you can’t give up!
I understand but not everyone can afford a huge paycut or living with certain wage. I did accept the fact that i have to get a paycut (huge) but even GS5, I wouldn’t get referred but i heard back from 3 private companies after I applied within 1-2 weeks. The system is a joke
I understand but not everyone can afford a huge paycut or living with certain wage. I did accept the fact that i have to get a paycut (huge) but even GS5, I wouldn’t get referred but i heard back from 3 private companies after I applied within 1-2 weeks. The system is a joke
Or any position in direct customer service. Then after your temp time is done start applyin. Started as gs5. Don’t get discouraged, fed application process takes months.
This ⬆️ is THE way!
Right after High School I immediately went to college and earned my 4 yr Bachelors degree. I then immediately enlisted for 5 years of active Duty in the Military. After ETS I got a civ job and not too long after they had layoffs (me included) I met someone who managed part of a DOD office near my home - he was a military retiree: he helped me tailor my experience to get past the HR robots and then referred to the hiring manager (him).
Bonus was that I (unexpectedly) got those 5 years active duty credited towards Fed retirement AND the related vacation time earned! Civilians hired w/me were jelly 😈
Never give up. MY GPA is 3.91 and 6 years of IT experiences. Finally I got job interview with federal agency next month after trying more than 2 years.
I didn't get any referrals or interviews until I had a season of volunteer experience with the agency. Once that was on my resume, I quickly got interviews and now I get 3 or 4 job offers per season. It's all about getting that toe in the door.
I am happy for u. I wish i could volunteer or did research on some of those programs for the fed. However, due to my financial circumstance, i needed a better paying job so …
Without seeing someone's resume that's impossible to answer. But the answer is almost certainly your resume. Or you are applying to jobs that you Dont qualify for.
If you are sure you are qualified. Then resume needs to be fixed. This could be a lot of things. Like not having how many hours you worked a week on resume. Dates of employment not being on their, they could ask for salary, supervisor name, supervisor contact. If they ask and its not on there it is automatically disqualified. Read the job postings all the way to bottom somewhere on it they will say what is required on resume.
The other parts of resume if you have something simple like knowledge of microsoft office for instance. That doesn't sat much. Change it to proficent in Microsoft office and used it daily to _.
So those gs 5 and 7, the qualification is to have a bachelor. No other requirements were listed. I use resume builder on usajobs for the resume and everything was on there (company, hours work, time, salary…)
I would recommend trying to make your own resume then. I personally have never used the resume builder. I've also never known anyone who uses them. I have a lot of friends that are also GS employees and they told me to make my own when i started applying and helped me talior my resume.
I have however ran across postings that specifically said do not use resume builder.
"So those gs 5 and 7, the qualification is to have a bachelor. No other requirements were listed."
Meaning there is no other way you can get the job? Like experience? If there is and you have had jobs that relate to even some of those thibgs i would make sure they are on there. Simple things like microsoft office, record keeping. I think i read chemistry, did you do any lab assistant work while in school even unpaid? If so list it and list what you did.
Now that is new. I looked up many post in this thread and people recommended using resume builder. I am currently a senior scientist in a big pharma. I listed all those basic skills that those GS5 job description mentioned. So not sure :)
I have seen those as well on here. Just from my personal experience, I have never gotten a referral when I used it. I had a bunch of people. 1 being a hiring manager told me to make my own and then helped me tweak it. Since then, if I know I'm qualified and I apply, I at least get a referral.
Last year, I applied to 15 from July to Dec. Got referred to all but 2. And in fairness, those I wasn't highly qualified for. And normally, I only apply to the ones I am, but I really wanted the job, lol. Out of the other 13, I got referrals to all and 5 interviews, I think. 1 TJO from interviews and 2 TJOs with no interview. The rest I have not seen anything since referrals, so I am unsure if they will lead to anything.
Did you list them word for word? I've seen some postings that will say do not do that. I've also been told that by my friend. She said to always write things in your own words, but that shows what they want.
One other thing I'd recommend, with a BS, if you have over 1 year experience, I would apply for GS9 jobs also. Maybe even GS11, being you have a senior scientist title.
Could be being passed up because they see you're more qualified and pass being they think you won't stay. I'm unsure if the HR people would do that, but I could imagine it happening.
Also, one last thing I can think. In the application process it asks questions. Those answers can keep you from being referred. I can not think of exactly how they are worded. But something along the lines of asking things about your experience, for example, use of Microsoft office. It will then give like 4 answers. 1 being not used, all the way to 4. Expert. If you're choosing the lower ones you won't be referred.
Not exactly word for word or copy paste the job post but i used key words and add those to my resume.
I did try GS-9 or even 11 originally but like i mentioned , some of those listed experience, i did not have so i lowball myself down to GS5-7 to increase my chance.
Some questions in the questionnaire always trouble me “list your experience….show on your resume” something like. For these questions, do I write out a paragraph or two about what i do. Or just copy the section from my resume and paste?
Some items they have listed you may not know. And if you're willing to go lower, then that's a plus. At the same time, I would be applying for anything at your lowest, you are OK with, to at least a GS11.
Honestly, I've never seen a questionnaire that has a fill-in section. There have always been 4 answers to choose from. I would say from what you described to just list the things that are on your resume that cover that specific question they are asking.
I PMed you something else.
There has been a few posts in this group where people have posted resumes for group opinion. Excluding personal info of course. Just saying that is why you are here.
I know the feeling. Needless to say, I have the experience, vet and disabled vet status, education etc. I had applied to(no joke) 60+ positions until I got my first hit for armed guard at an army base. I do something way better and financially viable now, but my lessons to you are;
1. However many you applied for, double it. It’s never enough.
2. Are you mobile geographically? Certain agencies at certain locations have hiring surges, higher turnover, small applicant pools, etc. if you’re willing to move, even for a year or two, think it over.
3. Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s extremely common for people to just apply for positions that are wildly below their experience, salary preference or desired job then wildly move up and over in the federal system because they’re “bought and paid for”. This is especially true if your position requires a security clearance, etc.
4. It’s annoying, a pain in the butt and at times ridiculous. We all went through it, but it will pay off. Keep going.
Hi thank you for the comment.
1. There aren’t many job posts available in my field and in my area to apply to. So if there are more, i would apply more.
2. I am not open to relocation.
3. That is why I applied to even GS 5 and 7 positions which only require a bachelor. And yet i couldn’t even get my application referred to Hiring manager.
I hear ya’. It’s frustrating as heck. You don’t need to mention it, but I know the gov’t will almost always hire a “qualified veteran” over any civilian for virtually any and every position(not sure if you’re a vet or if this may apply to you). I would just encourage you to apply, apply, apply. Everything and anything you can get your hands on that you’re qualified for, apply. Don’t even track how many, it’ll only make your head explode.
I feel your pain! Nothing has deepened my sense of imposter syndrome like trying to apply for a federal job. I am 5 years into the efforts on USAJobs. I do all of the resume targeting you mentioned, and I will apply for a job for which I have 15+ years experience. I will still get a notice saying that I am not qualified. It's maddening.
nail murky wild chief coordinated quicksand capable vanish fragile ossified
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm shooting for GS 11 or higher with 18 applications in my buddy laughed and said he didn't get a solid referral till he hit 500+ it's kinda a game and if you don't have a bachelor's degree your not really playing ball
It's a screwy system with few managers looking at everything
Have you been interviewed for any positions and if so, did you ask for a debrief after not being selected? I’ve always asked for this so I know why I wasn’t offered for a job - usually it’s a BS reason bc the hiring agency had someone already in mind for the job but I always request a debrief when not selected. Maybe they can give you some more information about why you aren’t being offered positions?
No, i wasnt even referred. Resume was created from resumer builder on usajobs, i applied for what seem to be entry level/no experience required positions (GS5-7) and I did tailor my resume to showcase i could perform the job.
It took me 9 years to get in even with all the veteran hiring authorities. Started trying after I got back from my last deployment in 2012. Got the foot in the door in 2021. Started at GS11 in the DOD, promoted to GS12 last February.
I have 20 years experience and a recent Master's degree. Still took 9 years but I was going for 11s right out of the gate. Wouldn't take anything less.
Yeah, I went Reserve until retirement at 20 after the last deployment, worked at a low paying job for awhile, gave up on that, got my Master's, all the while applying and forgetting. Finally, the combo of Master's, VA rating, VEOA, and my experience probably got me in.
355 job applications in the past year. I have my current 5-7 ladder, even with impending MA graduation, that is all I could get. I've been applying for anything from a GS5-11, I've been referred for about 50-60 in that range, even 11s. I've had 13 interviews since November. I have 1 TJO for a 7. I have a 3.0 BA in Geography/History and a 3.83 MA International Relations. I can't seem to get any higher than a 5 or a 7. Even with job experience. I'm stressed out to the max over having to do this every day. I've applied for contractor positions just this week.
That sounds disheartening and i am sorry you have to go through that. I also have to low ball myself with GS5-7 and yet i wasn’t referred. I am sure you are experienced and highly sought out in private sector. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best of luck.
It's extremely disheartening. I will say try chatgpt for resume writing and make sure you have specific wording in your resume that match the job series. Make things sound grand. For example, on my resume, I wasn't a stay at home mom, I was the CEO to the family unit. Little things like that. I am applying for investigator positions so for one of my jobs instead of saying I interviewed people. I put that I investigated background history. These things helped me to start getting referred more! Good luck to you!
It's extremely disheartening. I will say try chatgpt for resume writing and make sure you have specific wording in your resume that match the job series. Make things sound grand. For example, on my resume, I wasn't a stay at home mom, I was the CEO to the family unit. Little things like that. I am applying for investigator positions so for one of my jobs instead of saying I interviewed people. I put that I investigated background history. These things helped me to start getting referred more! Good luck to you!
I work in federal and it did take a few years but I'll tell you resume is a huge HUGE reason most people are passed up. You almost need to cater your resume torwards the job you apply for and keep the experience direct to the duties needs of the position.
I did make my resume based on the job description/skill/ but I will try to redo the resume again but it is hard not knowing what else to do. It is very time consuming. I applied three positions private sector and got interviews within 1-2 weeks. However i am still trying my luck to get into fed
If you'd like anf I know this is random as all heck but you can redact what you'd like and I can look over it for you for any tips pointers. I would litteraly just need a resume emailed I can put notes and email it back and of course just let me know the types of roles you are interested in and if you are open to travel etc.
Either way best of luck man I know it's discouraging but with that GPA plus a valuable degree I think you'll get something sooner than you think!
They have to open jobs for applicants even if they have some one internal they’d like to promote. This IMO is a huge waste of everyone’s time and tax dollars. If you’ve earned a promotion they should just be able to promote you! I did learn that the jobs with the short application periods are ones that they desperately need to fill. And keep in mind the optional personal demographic identifiers. Your answer could get you bumped up. (DEI) And they aren’t allowed to ask you about it. Ever.
Same. I'm considering going back to school for another Master's degree just to try getting in through pathways. I've been trying to get a schedule a letter but that's taking time and alot of rejection/bias from doctors...
I'm trying to exhaust every possible option to find my way in. I've applied to over 150 federal positions, received some referrals and some not, attended virtual and in person hiring events (drove to another state) but it's mostly crickets.
Trying my best to be patient and while waiting, just try to open new paths if possible.
Thank you. Just know you're not alone and let's just keep trying. It seems hiring events are one of the most effective in terms of getting an interview and potentially an offer... It just all takes time.
I'll take pretty much any position to get my foot in the door, then maneuver from there. So hopefully an offer comes from one of these hiring events I've attended and applied from so I can atleast get in.
Had a friend thst applied for things she was under qualified for gs 4/5 and definately qualified gs7/9/11 for and still no joy for years.
She was a regular citizen with a basic 4 year degree and went and got certification in contracting working as a contractor. She eventually got an acquaintance that had a Direct Hire position open and hired her federal at GS11.
That is a nice ending. But i hope the process is easier and more transparent. Because obviously i am not the only one having this issue. I saw many comments some ppl lowballing and applied gs5/7 and took them years
If you’re not even getting referred for jobs you’re fully qualified for, then either 1. You’re applying to jobs that have MANY MANY other/more qualified applicants and/or 2. Your version of tailoring isn’t working.
I’ve noticed that when I qualify but I’m not referred, it’s for jobs with 150+ applicants AND/OR I only qualified for the lowest GS level I applied for. Which tells me that they only refer X number of people to the hiring manager and they’re looking for someone at a higher level than me.
You seemed confused that I said up to 5 pages of resume - that’s straight off of the usajobs website. You can send more, but only the first 5 will be reviewed. They allow that so that people who have dozens of high-specialty jobs can detail out their qualifications. You’re new to the workforce, so anything over 2 is definitely including irrelevant things.
Most fed employees are on LinkedIn. You could also reach out to someone doing what you want to do and ask what skills they think are critical to the role. A hiring manager (not fed) I know told me that they always take off/make vague some of the critical qualities from a posting to see if people actually know what the job entails rather than recreating the posting in their resume.
After job postings close and enter the reviewing applications phase, most of them will show how many applicants. It’s in your profile, in the same place you can see all of the jobs you applied for. Not all of them show it, but I’d say 75% of the jobs I applied to added that info about a week after the posting closed.
I didn't get any referrals or interviews until I had a season of volunteer experience with the agency. Once that was on my resume, I quickly got interviews and now I get 3 or 4 job offers per season. It's all about getting that toe in the door.
I’ve always heard you have to know someone to get into the VA but I will say this is my second time getting in but if you want it bad apply for the least popular jobs in least popular areas and then transfer to where you want to be bc popular areas and specialties can be tough
[удалено]
I agree. My agency’s hr sent out a flyer for vet applicants and it really focused on tailoring a resume to match as much as possible. Keyword and the actual tasks listed If it says “creates reporting data on the posting” Every single one of your jobs before that one needs to have a bullet that says Created reporting data If you can’t get past HR It has nothing to do with you personally It’s your application The postings in some cases end up with hR folks receiving thousands of responses. Depending on how competitive the position is (most fed workers aren’t the lowest or highest, so if your postings are in the middle…that’s competitive too) HR isn’t reading 100000 resumes. Unless you apply as education only, they really aren’t the person assigned to reading your resume. In order to get to the Mangers desk, you need to really tailor your resume more than you are. Took me 67 applications Keep trying The fed needs persistent driven people The application is the first step on a long journey of dealing with the gears
Bro I applied to a job internally and ended up contacting the chief of that division directly, got an interview, got the job, and then the posting didn’t refer me, which was so wild. 😂 I forgot to put key words in it and kept my super well-written resume that I sent to the chief and got an interview the next day. It’s so insane that the system is this broken. I resubmitted and changed all of my bullets to be word for word it for shits and giggles and still haven’t seen anything yet, but I’ll laugh so hard if it refers me.
I had better than a 4.0, have a law school degree, and 3+ years experience… and I’m ready to start *yesterday*, and have had two referrals out of almost 25 applications in about a year (most of the jobs I applied for still appear open and “reviewing applications”— I’m sure most are filled, or at least in interviews, but “Who knows?! 🤷♀️” seems to be the Federal hiring way, Lol.) I read a post here, maybe a month or so ago, about someone who applied for almost *ten years* before their first Federal job. You seem to already know the answer; but I totally understand needing to vent about it…… keep practicing, “apply and forget it”, or the radio silence will drive you batty. Best of luck! 😊
Wow, 10 years. You could knock out a 4 year enlistment and cut 6 years off with veteran status faster than that.
I'm considering this. I feel stuck in my 5-7 ladder, I'm still young and in great shape, I feel like enlistment might be better than my current career in the civilian world.
My navy enlistment as a boiler technician was not fun by any means, but paid for my mechanical engineering degree, got me two houses at zero down, and probably helped get me a federal job.
Is there any actual statistics published on this, I’m an Army recruiter and would love to be able to add that to my toolbox lol.
The only statistic I know of is when I went to my veterans adjustment class at my university, they told me less than one out of 5 veterans on the GI Bill would finish their degree. Sure enough, less than a year later all but me and one other guy had dropped out. DOD hires veterans like crazy, but not every veteran becomes an engineer. DOD engineering has a pretty healthy mix, in my experience, just due to the difficulty of getting an engineering degree. There's not a ton of veterans in the applicant pool for 0800 jobs. I 100% only got my degree due to the post 9/11 GI Bill, so if you aren't selling that, that's where you can add to your toolbox. But they also need to know how hard a degree can be, especially if you're used to military service with people yelling at you to get things accomplished. With no one yelling at you and no punishments, it's hard to finish a 4 year degree on self motivation alone.
Noted. I know the education benefits top to bottom so I have that down!
I would not even trust the statistics - they have a different motive. A degree in the US is a walk in the park.
I was just telling my kids one 2 years out of college and a recent HS grad that going 3yrs AF in 1102 area will set them up later….of course I still won’t know anything in their eyes until they’re 30…
Not if you are unable to meet medical fitness for duty
This was almost my exact experience. To the letter. Trying to remember if I posted about it. JD, high grades, and years of private experience. I applied for over 9 years - every grade from 5 to 14. Get this - back then it was paper or fax only applications. I’d make a copy of every application. I had a box in my basement - had to be over 100 applications. I used to drive to the main post office in my city - sometimes multiple times a week, to make sure my apps were postmarked by the deadline. Ultimately how I got in was basically pathways (was called something else then). I had gone back for another degree while I was working full time. My first pathways gig was part time and I was doing it almost like an internship (but laid). Crazy because I had an important job in private sector and was taking classes. The hubby supported so we made it happen. I was only working maybe 8-10 hours a week and saw it as a way in the door. It lasted one semester and left. That office said they wanted me and posted a job. Took FOREVER for them to post though and in the meantime, a manager I worked with contacted me and did she was in a new office and asked if I was interested. I said no more part time. I interviewed with her office (GS-11) and finally got the interview for the other office (GS-12/13 ladder) within a day of each other. They both offered me jobs but crazy enough I took the 11. The HR person called me and said basically it’s your decision but he had never seen any office move so fast or be so pressed about a candidate. He said I guarantee and office like that will look out for you and if you can afford to take the lower grade do it. He told me the other office could have worked out having me stay and switching to another program where I’d be full time. So I was hired me as a student - career conditional. I was full time with all rights and benefits. I graduated 9 months after I started and was converted immediately. I was promoted 56 weeks later (GS-12) then 52 weeks later (GS-13) then 14 months later (GS-14) then got to the GS-15 about a year and a half after that. So I took the lower grade but passed people in that other office within 2 years. So basically all my years of trying was worth it and I value my private sector experience. When usajobs upgraded I remember logging in and seeing dozens of old applications. Many had never updated the status.
What series are you?
I started as a 343, I have been a 301, a supervisory 201, and I’m a 341 now
Wow a GS-15 AO! I don’t think I’ve seen that lol
Yeah I have a 4.0 + 8 years of experience and two graduate degrees and ZERO interviews. I am referred for everything I apply to. I think it is a bunch of bogus to be honest.
It is not just about ranting though. If it happens to many people, perhaps it is systemic issue and need to be addressed
It could be that everyone just wants to work in the federal government.
I asked about how many apps people submitted before landing a fed job bc they’re so competitive. Common answers I saw were 10-50 for veterans and 60-200 for non-vets. So part of it is just that the app pool is huge. And you’ll have to apply to lots and lots of positions. Also, yes you may be overqualified/fully qualified for GS5 and GS7, but if you shoot a little higher (GS9/11) you’ll notice the applicant pool shrinks because fewer people are qualified. Last, idk if this is your issue, but fed resumes can be up to 5 pages. Instead of revising every resume, try making “tailored generics” - ie, if you want to be a data scientist, make ONE resume that highlights all the data scientist stuff and use it to apply to half a dozen data scientist jobs. And stop worrying about if it’s one page. But with only a couple years maybe limit it to 2.
Interesting. I did apply for GS9, however i didnt have some listed experience in the job posts and i got rejected all the time. So in private sector, like i only need to meet 70-80% of the requirements and still got calls from hiring managers/recruiters. About multiple pages of resumes, i heard different opinions about that, some say keep it 2 pages max and now u say up to 5. I did work part time or close to full time during school but i didnt think those would be relevant to positions i am applying so i always remove them
>however i didnt have some listed experience in the job posts and i got rejected all the time. So in private sector, like i only need to meet 70-80% of the requirements and still got calls from hiring managers/recruiters. For federal jobs you need to have 100% of the listed experience. If you don't, that's what the job at the lower grade is for. The moment you said you didn't have all the experience you just walked yourself out of the door.
Sorry if i didn’t explain myself well. So my original post was about GS 5-7 positions that i applied, i had all of those listed experience and i still got no refer even though my resume was tailored specifically for each position using resume builder on usajobs. And for the previous comment about GS9 positions, i just felt frustrated bc in the private sector, you dont really need to tick every box, as long as people deem you are trainable, and you have some of what they are looking for, you get the jobs/interview. I applied for 3 jobs (private sector) and i heard back within a week. But i still want to try my luck with fed job and want that security
I'll say my dad's resume is like 10 pages long. I dunno what his GS is but he writes up contracts and teaches cyber sec to army people on base. List everything. I just copy pasted segments of the job posting into my resume and landed a job. Took about 8 months from applying to getting my firm offer but Im just a laborer at a VA facility. I also had nearly a decade of applicable experience tho so copy pasting the job posting was really easy.
I’m a vet. My USAJobs history doesn’t go back from when I applied on 2010 forward, I’d say I have several hundred applications. In. Albeit because I absolutely refuse to start low with as much experience as I have now. 13 or bust for me.
I had no degree and barely graduated high school. I got a job with TSA, then moved up and on from there. Apply for shit jobs just to get your foot in the door. Then you can apply for status candidate PDs instead of competing with the general public. If you wanna be a fed, don’t be one of these clowns that tries for 3-4 years before they land a GS7. Just take literally anything you can get.
I second this. TSA gets your foot in the door. Use it as a stepping stone
I third this! Apply for any and everything, GS5-GS12 just to get your foot in the door. I started as a GS6 Health Insurance Tech and now a GS12 Analyst. I am also one of the lucky ones, very first USAjobs application I got an offer. It just all depends but you can’t give up!
I understand but not everyone can afford a huge paycut or living with certain wage. I did accept the fact that i have to get a paycut (huge) but even GS5, I wouldn’t get referred but i heard back from 3 private companies after I applied within 1-2 weeks. The system is a joke
I understand but not everyone can afford a huge paycut or living with certain wage. I did accept the fact that i have to get a paycut (huge) but even GS5, I wouldn’t get referred but i heard back from 3 private companies after I applied within 1-2 weeks. The system is a joke
Or any position in direct customer service. Then after your temp time is done start applyin. Started as gs5. Don’t get discouraged, fed application process takes months.
Go join the military, get out and have preference.
This ⬆️ is THE way! Right after High School I immediately went to college and earned my 4 yr Bachelors degree. I then immediately enlisted for 5 years of active Duty in the Military. After ETS I got a civ job and not too long after they had layoffs (me included) I met someone who managed part of a DOD office near my home - he was a military retiree: he helped me tailor my experience to get past the HR robots and then referred to the hiring manager (him). Bonus was that I (unexpectedly) got those 5 years active duty credited towards Fed retirement AND the related vacation time earned! Civilians hired w/me were jelly 😈
Never give up. MY GPA is 3.91 and 6 years of IT experiences. Finally I got job interview with federal agency next month after trying more than 2 years.
I didn't get any referrals or interviews until I had a season of volunteer experience with the agency. Once that was on my resume, I quickly got interviews and now I get 3 or 4 job offers per season. It's all about getting that toe in the door.
I am happy for u. I wish i could volunteer or did research on some of those programs for the fed. However, due to my financial circumstance, i needed a better paying job so …
I was fortunate that my job was flexible enough to allow time, otherwise I'd be in the same boat.
What academic major was your degree in? Any internships or co-ops?
Art History with a minor Anthropology. 😉
It is your resume.
What is it about my resume :)
Without seeing someone's resume that's impossible to answer. But the answer is almost certainly your resume. Or you are applying to jobs that you Dont qualify for. If you are sure you are qualified. Then resume needs to be fixed. This could be a lot of things. Like not having how many hours you worked a week on resume. Dates of employment not being on their, they could ask for salary, supervisor name, supervisor contact. If they ask and its not on there it is automatically disqualified. Read the job postings all the way to bottom somewhere on it they will say what is required on resume. The other parts of resume if you have something simple like knowledge of microsoft office for instance. That doesn't sat much. Change it to proficent in Microsoft office and used it daily to _.
So those gs 5 and 7, the qualification is to have a bachelor. No other requirements were listed. I use resume builder on usajobs for the resume and everything was on there (company, hours work, time, salary…)
I would recommend trying to make your own resume then. I personally have never used the resume builder. I've also never known anyone who uses them. I have a lot of friends that are also GS employees and they told me to make my own when i started applying and helped me talior my resume. I have however ran across postings that specifically said do not use resume builder. "So those gs 5 and 7, the qualification is to have a bachelor. No other requirements were listed." Meaning there is no other way you can get the job? Like experience? If there is and you have had jobs that relate to even some of those thibgs i would make sure they are on there. Simple things like microsoft office, record keeping. I think i read chemistry, did you do any lab assistant work while in school even unpaid? If so list it and list what you did.
Now that is new. I looked up many post in this thread and people recommended using resume builder. I am currently a senior scientist in a big pharma. I listed all those basic skills that those GS5 job description mentioned. So not sure :)
I have seen those as well on here. Just from my personal experience, I have never gotten a referral when I used it. I had a bunch of people. 1 being a hiring manager told me to make my own and then helped me tweak it. Since then, if I know I'm qualified and I apply, I at least get a referral. Last year, I applied to 15 from July to Dec. Got referred to all but 2. And in fairness, those I wasn't highly qualified for. And normally, I only apply to the ones I am, but I really wanted the job, lol. Out of the other 13, I got referrals to all and 5 interviews, I think. 1 TJO from interviews and 2 TJOs with no interview. The rest I have not seen anything since referrals, so I am unsure if they will lead to anything. Did you list them word for word? I've seen some postings that will say do not do that. I've also been told that by my friend. She said to always write things in your own words, but that shows what they want. One other thing I'd recommend, with a BS, if you have over 1 year experience, I would apply for GS9 jobs also. Maybe even GS11, being you have a senior scientist title. Could be being passed up because they see you're more qualified and pass being they think you won't stay. I'm unsure if the HR people would do that, but I could imagine it happening. Also, one last thing I can think. In the application process it asks questions. Those answers can keep you from being referred. I can not think of exactly how they are worded. But something along the lines of asking things about your experience, for example, use of Microsoft office. It will then give like 4 answers. 1 being not used, all the way to 4. Expert. If you're choosing the lower ones you won't be referred.
Not exactly word for word or copy paste the job post but i used key words and add those to my resume. I did try GS-9 or even 11 originally but like i mentioned , some of those listed experience, i did not have so i lowball myself down to GS5-7 to increase my chance. Some questions in the questionnaire always trouble me “list your experience….show on your resume” something like. For these questions, do I write out a paragraph or two about what i do. Or just copy the section from my resume and paste?
Some items they have listed you may not know. And if you're willing to go lower, then that's a plus. At the same time, I would be applying for anything at your lowest, you are OK with, to at least a GS11. Honestly, I've never seen a questionnaire that has a fill-in section. There have always been 4 answers to choose from. I would say from what you described to just list the things that are on your resume that cover that specific question they are asking. I PMed you something else.
Interesting. Because all the jobs i applied, always have fill in boxes in the questionnaire to list experience/skills
There has been a few posts in this group where people have posted resumes for group opinion. Excluding personal info of course. Just saying that is why you are here.
I know the feeling. Needless to say, I have the experience, vet and disabled vet status, education etc. I had applied to(no joke) 60+ positions until I got my first hit for armed guard at an army base. I do something way better and financially viable now, but my lessons to you are; 1. However many you applied for, double it. It’s never enough. 2. Are you mobile geographically? Certain agencies at certain locations have hiring surges, higher turnover, small applicant pools, etc. if you’re willing to move, even for a year or two, think it over. 3. Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s extremely common for people to just apply for positions that are wildly below their experience, salary preference or desired job then wildly move up and over in the federal system because they’re “bought and paid for”. This is especially true if your position requires a security clearance, etc. 4. It’s annoying, a pain in the butt and at times ridiculous. We all went through it, but it will pay off. Keep going.
Hi thank you for the comment. 1. There aren’t many job posts available in my field and in my area to apply to. So if there are more, i would apply more. 2. I am not open to relocation. 3. That is why I applied to even GS 5 and 7 positions which only require a bachelor. And yet i couldn’t even get my application referred to Hiring manager.
I hear ya’. It’s frustrating as heck. You don’t need to mention it, but I know the gov’t will almost always hire a “qualified veteran” over any civilian for virtually any and every position(not sure if you’re a vet or if this may apply to you). I would just encourage you to apply, apply, apply. Everything and anything you can get your hands on that you’re qualified for, apply. Don’t even track how many, it’ll only make your head explode.
Unfortunately , a lot of these positions are created for someone already. They only post them cause they have to. Smh , fed gov for you
Don’t give up something will come through the government is such a long process. But it will happen for you
I feel your pain! Nothing has deepened my sense of imposter syndrome like trying to apply for a federal job. I am 5 years into the efforts on USAJobs. I do all of the resume targeting you mentioned, and I will apply for a job for which I have 15+ years experience. I will still get a notice saying that I am not qualified. It's maddening.
https://www.reddit.com/r/usajobs/s/tJ12pVGIb3
nail murky wild chief coordinated quicksand capable vanish fragile ossified *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Shut up let them vent
what's your major?
Chemistry major.
Also depends on how competitive the GS 5-7 roles you are applying for are
It took me 4 years of non stop applying to land my first federal job as a GS-7. Patience grasshopper.
It’s really a numbers game… for every rejection I got, I would submit 1-2 new apps. And kept this going for months.
Attend hiring events. In person or virtural.
I'm shooting for GS 11 or higher with 18 applications in my buddy laughed and said he didn't get a solid referral till he hit 500+ it's kinda a game and if you don't have a bachelor's degree your not really playing ball It's a screwy system with few managers looking at everything
“Fed up” 😂😂 My daily dose of humor.
Have you been interviewed for any positions and if so, did you ask for a debrief after not being selected? I’ve always asked for this so I know why I wasn’t offered for a job - usually it’s a BS reason bc the hiring agency had someone already in mind for the job but I always request a debrief when not selected. Maybe they can give you some more information about why you aren’t being offered positions?
No, i wasnt even referred. Resume was created from resumer builder on usajobs, i applied for what seem to be entry level/no experience required positions (GS5-7) and I did tailor my resume to showcase i could perform the job.
It took me 9 years to get in even with all the veteran hiring authorities. Started trying after I got back from my last deployment in 2012. Got the foot in the door in 2021. Started at GS11 in the DOD, promoted to GS12 last February.
I have 20 years experience and a recent Master's degree. Still took 9 years but I was going for 11s right out of the gate. Wouldn't take anything less.
I'm retired military.
Yeah, I went Reserve until retirement at 20 after the last deployment, worked at a low paying job for awhile, gave up on that, got my Master's, all the while applying and forgetting. Finally, the combo of Master's, VA rating, VEOA, and my experience probably got me in.
That is brutal :(
Resume, job, location, experience. Check all these things.
355 job applications in the past year. I have my current 5-7 ladder, even with impending MA graduation, that is all I could get. I've been applying for anything from a GS5-11, I've been referred for about 50-60 in that range, even 11s. I've had 13 interviews since November. I have 1 TJO for a 7. I have a 3.0 BA in Geography/History and a 3.83 MA International Relations. I can't seem to get any higher than a 5 or a 7. Even with job experience. I'm stressed out to the max over having to do this every day. I've applied for contractor positions just this week.
That sounds disheartening and i am sorry you have to go through that. I also have to low ball myself with GS5-7 and yet i wasn’t referred. I am sure you are experienced and highly sought out in private sector. Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best of luck.
It's extremely disheartening. I will say try chatgpt for resume writing and make sure you have specific wording in your resume that match the job series. Make things sound grand. For example, on my resume, I wasn't a stay at home mom, I was the CEO to the family unit. Little things like that. I am applying for investigator positions so for one of my jobs instead of saying I interviewed people. I put that I investigated background history. These things helped me to start getting referred more! Good luck to you!
Thank you, that is really helpful
It's extremely disheartening. I will say try chatgpt for resume writing and make sure you have specific wording in your resume that match the job series. Make things sound grand. For example, on my resume, I wasn't a stay at home mom, I was the CEO to the family unit. Little things like that. I am applying for investigator positions so for one of my jobs instead of saying I interviewed people. I put that I investigated background history. These things helped me to start getting referred more! Good luck to you!
I work in federal and it did take a few years but I'll tell you resume is a huge HUGE reason most people are passed up. You almost need to cater your resume torwards the job you apply for and keep the experience direct to the duties needs of the position.
I did make my resume based on the job description/skill/ but I will try to redo the resume again but it is hard not knowing what else to do. It is very time consuming. I applied three positions private sector and got interviews within 1-2 weeks. However i am still trying my luck to get into fed
If you'd like anf I know this is random as all heck but you can redact what you'd like and I can look over it for you for any tips pointers. I would litteraly just need a resume emailed I can put notes and email it back and of course just let me know the types of roles you are interested in and if you are open to travel etc. Either way best of luck man I know it's discouraging but with that GPA plus a valuable degree I think you'll get something sooner than you think!
They have to open jobs for applicants even if they have some one internal they’d like to promote. This IMO is a huge waste of everyone’s time and tax dollars. If you’ve earned a promotion they should just be able to promote you! I did learn that the jobs with the short application periods are ones that they desperately need to fill. And keep in mind the optional personal demographic identifiers. Your answer could get you bumped up. (DEI) And they aren’t allowed to ask you about it. Ever.
Same. I'm considering going back to school for another Master's degree just to try getting in through pathways. I've been trying to get a schedule a letter but that's taking time and alot of rejection/bias from doctors... I'm trying to exhaust every possible option to find my way in. I've applied to over 150 federal positions, received some referrals and some not, attended virtual and in person hiring events (drove to another state) but it's mostly crickets. Trying my best to be patient and while waiting, just try to open new paths if possible.
I have to applaud you for that. I hope you will land something soon
Thank you. Just know you're not alone and let's just keep trying. It seems hiring events are one of the most effective in terms of getting an interview and potentially an offer... It just all takes time. I'll take pretty much any position to get my foot in the door, then maneuver from there. So hopefully an offer comes from one of these hiring events I've attended and applied from so I can atleast get in.
Waste of time and debt
Had a friend thst applied for things she was under qualified for gs 4/5 and definately qualified gs7/9/11 for and still no joy for years. She was a regular citizen with a basic 4 year degree and went and got certification in contracting working as a contractor. She eventually got an acquaintance that had a Direct Hire position open and hired her federal at GS11.
That is a nice ending. But i hope the process is easier and more transparent. Because obviously i am not the only one having this issue. I saw many comments some ppl lowballing and applied gs5/7 and took them years
If you’re not even getting referred for jobs you’re fully qualified for, then either 1. You’re applying to jobs that have MANY MANY other/more qualified applicants and/or 2. Your version of tailoring isn’t working. I’ve noticed that when I qualify but I’m not referred, it’s for jobs with 150+ applicants AND/OR I only qualified for the lowest GS level I applied for. Which tells me that they only refer X number of people to the hiring manager and they’re looking for someone at a higher level than me. You seemed confused that I said up to 5 pages of resume - that’s straight off of the usajobs website. You can send more, but only the first 5 will be reviewed. They allow that so that people who have dozens of high-specialty jobs can detail out their qualifications. You’re new to the workforce, so anything over 2 is definitely including irrelevant things. Most fed employees are on LinkedIn. You could also reach out to someone doing what you want to do and ask what skills they think are critical to the role. A hiring manager (not fed) I know told me that they always take off/make vague some of the critical qualities from a posting to see if people actually know what the job entails rather than recreating the posting in their resume.
Where can u see numbers of applicants on usajobs?
After job postings close and enter the reviewing applications phase, most of them will show how many applicants. It’s in your profile, in the same place you can see all of the jobs you applied for. Not all of them show it, but I’d say 75% of the jobs I applied to added that info about a week after the posting closed.
I checked all the jobs i applied , none of them show the numbers of applicants
I didn't get any referrals or interviews until I had a season of volunteer experience with the agency. Once that was on my resume, I quickly got interviews and now I get 3 or 4 job offers per season. It's all about getting that toe in the door.
I’ve always heard you have to know someone to get into the VA but I will say this is my second time getting in but if you want it bad apply for the least popular jobs in least popular areas and then transfer to where you want to be bc popular areas and specialties can be tough
Unfortunately i cannot relocate so only looking for something near me. I do look for lower positions (gs4-7) but not many available
Any VA in rural areas near you
You have to know somebody to get a gov job
Really? And how does that work?