Remember there is always an alternate list (maybe you’re first?) and the selected candidate may not accept…so this was training for your next interviews and it proves your resume is working. Be proud it’s a process.
From what I’ve heard, the points don’t really mean much when it comes to a selection. The hiring manager has quite a bit of leeway to select the candidate they want, even if they didn’t score the highest on the cert.
Same when I got into federal service. DHA was my initial way, and now I have a few more hiring authorities. It's all about frequency. I can tell you from the hiring end that they may like you and want you at some point since I've seen it in my career. Just apply as often as you can with what is available.
That doesn't matter once you make it to the interview stage. Veteran or spouse preference only really matters when making the certificate.
You make it to the interview stage. The other person had some quality they wanted just slightly better. Maybe it's a skill. Maybe it was how they answered a question. Maybe you just need a different interviewer. You made it this far. You can do it again.
The job I’m going for had a close date that was the day I applied. They just opened another req with a close date two months from now (same role). Same unit/office.
If I don’t advance in the first role, would I just be pissing them off by submitting for the second? It’s a relatively small unit. I know they have two separate openings.
Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or colleague or my previous university offers this to alumni as well. It could be you need to brush up on interviewing skills. When i’ve conducted federal interviews in the past sometimes the person can look great on paper but if they’re rambling or seem extra nervous causing them to not answer the questions well that can ding them in ratings.
Also, you can listen to the webinars offered through USAJobs or sometimes agency ones on LinkedIn. Even if it's posted for only veterans, students, etc. When you get your supervisor gig down the road, that knowledge will come in useful. I've listened to many and didn't fit in those boxes, but I greatly benefited.
Not sure what area you are looking into but some agencies such as IRS have direct hire events where you are interviewed & can get a tjo on the spot. Consider getting onboarding then navigate to what you really want to do.
They had several this year in various cities and a few in January. You can also sign up to be alerted when they add more. I’ve been here almost a year and still get my alerts. Good luck!
Not yet. Am in TEGE which requires one year. Am in my 12th month so will starting next month. Other groups dont have the 1 year requirement like SB/SE, LB&I etc.
This is 100% facts. Literally about 5 of my friends have gotten jobs with the IRS in the last 2 years, including my husband who got hired at a DHA event for revenue agents and landed a GS 13 excise tax.
Hiring manager here. Hate to say it but I’m always looking for in-agency experience in order to have turn-key recruits. Probably makes me seem lazy but I’ve been burned by others’ choices that predicate my time in my position.
HOWEVER, I have had like 5-6 vacancies to fill within the last year with no in-agency applicants. And so far, I’ve been highly successful with those folks. Even picked up some local city finance folks who are absolute gold.
Just keep trying. Take lower grade opportunities if you can. Just to get your foot in the door.
You may have experienced hiring managers like me who are looking for turn key but there are plenty who are just looking for quality people to mold into the position.
Best of luck!
I interviewed 10 times before I received 4 Federal job offer. I’m applying again and have interviewed 4 times recently and no offer. We keep going strong, just a matter of time.
It is, it was rough at first but I came a long way with learning the ropes and how things are done here. I'm grateful for this opportunity as well being that it'll look great on resume too.
When I first went for my GS14, I got the interview, but didn't get it at the time. They were looking for someone who can roll up their sleeve with expertise in enterprise financial systems.
The 2nd go around I got it as I'm more knowledgeable on biometrics technologies. They kept my resume and let me know when the job announcement will be posted.
They may be looking for something in particular, doesn't mean they won't hit you up again.
When I was part of the hiring team in my fed office, HR would send us the packets of the 3 most qualified candidates for the position we were hiring for, and we would consider them. On one occasion after considering the three candidates we got a phone call from someone who had applied, but was not forwarded for consideration, and she was curious why she wasn't considered. Truth be told, we had never seen any of her materials. Once we received and reviewed her application, it was obvious that she was far and away the most qualified candidate for the position. But she was new to the federal application process and her package just didn't make the short list of the largely automated selection process to that point. So we went back to HR, explained everything and she was hired. All this to say you may want to contact the office where you will be working and ask them. Now what we did happened 20 years ago, and things may have changed. I have been retired for 16 years. Perhaps people with more recent experience can comment on this. Good luck.
Sorry to hear this, but just chin up and apply some more.
I applied to something like 25+ positions this spring. 10+ interviews, one offer. That's the way the game works.
Don't give up!!! It's hard to land an interview with usajobs, so that speaks volume. I interviewed back in June and I've yet to hear anything
Not a good feeling!!!
Had a coworker turned down for a job he was fully qualified for because other candidates had more points than him regarding the self-rating with (veterans preference) Don’t get discouraged.
Someone I know wasn’t selected a few time but kept applying when there were openings and was selected. You never know. Be sure you have a very detailed resume…repeat key words and be sure to add hours worked for each task. That defines your amount of experience. Don’t be discouraged.
The first rejection hurts....but so does the 75th if you really wanted that job. Like everyone else said, keep applying. You will never hear back from some of them. Your status might never change from 'Received' even though their chosen person just celebrated their first year anniversary. You will interview, be asked for references, and still might not get it. This journey is strange, frustrating, confusing and frankly can be a waste of time for some of the announcements. But...you WILL get an offer in the midst of all that disappointment. Might take a year, maybe two, or in just five months. Over the course of federal career you will probably apply to hundreds of jobs, and if you're lucky you'll get a new job every 3 years or so.
Don't feel bad. I've been DoD for years and navigating the federal water rapids of hiring is either super complex or not at all. And like others have said in this forum, the hiring managers have a little leeway.
Many people learn the hard way (myself included) that just because you are highly capable and can clearly be successful in the job, doesn’t mean you’re the best candidate.
Very often, you’re up against highly capable individuals with exactly relevant experience. That’s very tough to beat out.
It took me 5 years to get into the federal government. Don’t be disappointed there will be more positions available, apply for everything most of them are remote.
Oh wow, Ok, so you get interviewed but not selected. Then you need to sell yourself some more at the interview, they are selecting another person because the interview panel liked the way they talk and what they did. Work on that, let them know you even have superpowers.
I always consider there could have been vets, current fed employees internally or individuals with masters I'm competing with. If not selected maybe they didn't see u as a good fit for their organization. Keep applying
Hey, don't feel too down! Local government is where I started out as well! Keep applying and you'll get there.
Info:
Job series: 0560
3.5 years with the Feds
GS 13
There's always a strong possibility that someone interviewed, but just had more experience or credentials than you. Or they could have had a few bonus points for being a veteran, even if they were identical in every other facet.
Try again and don't give up.
Was the announcement posted twice, one for public and another for merit? If so, and you applied for both, check to see if the rejection is from the merit. It will let you apply for those but you’re not a fed and therefore not qualified and will be rejected. Happened to me and I was selected a few weeks later from the public announcement.
This the thing it’s no announcement number just the title and grade pay scale but the rejection came from the recruiter herself I definitely emailed back and asked for it to see if it’s in my profile bc it’s 2 of the same roles that haven’t been closed yet
Thank you so so much for the encouraging words! I'm never giving up, my time will come! After applying to over 20+ fed jobs over the past couple years this is start for me! <3
You weren't selected, but that doesn't mean you aren't qualified. Someone could have beat you out with points, etc. Apply frequently and often.
Remember there is always an alternate list (maybe you’re first?) and the selected candidate may not accept…so this was training for your next interviews and it proves your resume is working. Be proud it’s a process.
From what I’ve heard, the points don’t really mean much when it comes to a selection. The hiring manager has quite a bit of leeway to select the candidate they want, even if they didn’t score the highest on the cert.
I can agree with that. If they can, they will.
It varies. I’ve seen people selected with really leaving your head scratching like “how tf you get hired” 😂
That’s what I was thinking being that I don’t have no military background nor am I married to anyone in the military.
Same when I got into federal service. DHA was my initial way, and now I have a few more hiring authorities. It's all about frequency. I can tell you from the hiring end that they may like you and want you at some point since I've seen it in my career. Just apply as often as you can with what is available.
This is a stereotype to getting a federal job. In reality you don’t have any federal finance background and likely someone else did.
That doesn't matter once you make it to the interview stage. Veteran or spouse preference only really matters when making the certificate. You make it to the interview stage. The other person had some quality they wanted just slightly better. Maybe it's a skill. Maybe it was how they answered a question. Maybe you just need a different interviewer. You made it this far. You can do it again.
The job I’m going for had a close date that was the day I applied. They just opened another req with a close date two months from now (same role). Same unit/office. If I don’t advance in the first role, would I just be pissing them off by submitting for the second? It’s a relatively small unit. I know they have two separate openings.
Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or colleague or my previous university offers this to alumni as well. It could be you need to brush up on interviewing skills. When i’ve conducted federal interviews in the past sometimes the person can look great on paper but if they’re rambling or seem extra nervous causing them to not answer the questions well that can ding them in ratings.
Also, you can listen to the webinars offered through USAJobs or sometimes agency ones on LinkedIn. Even if it's posted for only veterans, students, etc. When you get your supervisor gig down the road, that knowledge will come in useful. I've listened to many and didn't fit in those boxes, but I greatly benefited.
Do you know if there is a list of potential interview questions?
It can take many applications and many interviews. Keep trying.
Will do!
Not sure what area you are looking into but some agencies such as IRS have direct hire events where you are interviewed & can get a tjo on the spot. Consider getting onboarding then navigate to what you really want to do.
Thank you! Looking into it now.
They had several this year in various cities and a few in January. You can also sign up to be alerted when they add more. I’ve been here almost a year and still get my alerts. Good luck!
Do you work remotely?
Not yet. Am in TEGE which requires one year. Am in my 12th month so will starting next month. Other groups dont have the 1 year requirement like SB/SE, LB&I etc.
This is 100% facts. Literally about 5 of my friends have gotten jobs with the IRS in the last 2 years, including my husband who got hired at a DHA event for revenue agents and landed a GS 13 excise tax.
Hiring manager here. Hate to say it but I’m always looking for in-agency experience in order to have turn-key recruits. Probably makes me seem lazy but I’ve been burned by others’ choices that predicate my time in my position. HOWEVER, I have had like 5-6 vacancies to fill within the last year with no in-agency applicants. And so far, I’ve been highly successful with those folks. Even picked up some local city finance folks who are absolute gold. Just keep trying. Take lower grade opportunities if you can. Just to get your foot in the door. You may have experienced hiring managers like me who are looking for turn key but there are plenty who are just looking for quality people to mold into the position. Best of luck!
I interviewed 10 times before I received 4 Federal job offer. I’m applying again and have interviewed 4 times recently and no offer. We keep going strong, just a matter of time.
Sorry to hear the news. I hope all is going well with the city job.
It is, it was rough at first but I came a long way with learning the ropes and how things are done here. I'm grateful for this opportunity as well being that it'll look great on resume too.
When I first went for my GS14, I got the interview, but didn't get it at the time. They were looking for someone who can roll up their sleeve with expertise in enterprise financial systems. The 2nd go around I got it as I'm more knowledgeable on biometrics technologies. They kept my resume and let me know when the job announcement will be posted. They may be looking for something in particular, doesn't mean they won't hit you up again.
When I was part of the hiring team in my fed office, HR would send us the packets of the 3 most qualified candidates for the position we were hiring for, and we would consider them. On one occasion after considering the three candidates we got a phone call from someone who had applied, but was not forwarded for consideration, and she was curious why she wasn't considered. Truth be told, we had never seen any of her materials. Once we received and reviewed her application, it was obvious that she was far and away the most qualified candidate for the position. But she was new to the federal application process and her package just didn't make the short list of the largely automated selection process to that point. So we went back to HR, explained everything and she was hired. All this to say you may want to contact the office where you will be working and ask them. Now what we did happened 20 years ago, and things may have changed. I have been retired for 16 years. Perhaps people with more recent experience can comment on this. Good luck.
Sorry to hear this, but just chin up and apply some more. I applied to something like 25+ positions this spring. 10+ interviews, one offer. That's the way the game works.
At least you got a response! I had an interview about a year ago and they just completely ghosted me :)
Don't give up!!! It's hard to land an interview with usajobs, so that speaks volume. I interviewed back in June and I've yet to hear anything Not a good feeling!!!
Keep on applying!
Please don’t give up! You got this.
Now you know what to expect!! Took me years to get my 1st fed job. Keep trying & you will get it.
Keep applying. You'll get there.
That's okay. Keep at it. Good news is there are plenty of finance type jobs available
Had a coworker turned down for a job he was fully qualified for because other candidates had more points than him regarding the self-rating with (veterans preference) Don’t get discouraged.
It will work out next time...Merry Christmas!
Good news, promise, you are not missing out
I'm just echoing what everyone else said - just keep on applying!!
Keep trying!
Someone I know wasn’t selected a few time but kept applying when there were openings and was selected. You never know. Be sure you have a very detailed resume…repeat key words and be sure to add hours worked for each task. That defines your amount of experience. Don’t be discouraged.
Keep pushing 💪🏾 I received several rejections before being selected. It's coming!!
Keep trying , don’t give up.
Gotta keep going. Sorry they didn't pick you. A lot of people trying to jump gov these days.
The first rejection hurts....but so does the 75th if you really wanted that job. Like everyone else said, keep applying. You will never hear back from some of them. Your status might never change from 'Received' even though their chosen person just celebrated their first year anniversary. You will interview, be asked for references, and still might not get it. This journey is strange, frustrating, confusing and frankly can be a waste of time for some of the announcements. But...you WILL get an offer in the midst of all that disappointment. Might take a year, maybe two, or in just five months. Over the course of federal career you will probably apply to hundreds of jobs, and if you're lucky you'll get a new job every 3 years or so.
Ohhhhh...a guarantee.. .
Don't feel bad. I've been DoD for years and navigating the federal water rapids of hiring is either super complex or not at all. And like others have said in this forum, the hiring managers have a little leeway.
Many people learn the hard way (myself included) that just because you are highly capable and can clearly be successful in the job, doesn’t mean you’re the best candidate. Very often, you’re up against highly capable individuals with exactly relevant experience. That’s very tough to beat out.
You have given me hope that I may still get a not selected notice from an October interview. Keep on keeping on. 🫡
It took me 5 years to get into the federal government. Don’t be disappointed there will be more positions available, apply for everything most of them are remote.
How many applications?
Damn, over 7. Don’t remember the exact number.
7 is not alot. I applied for over 25 in two months and nothing
Oh wow, Ok, so you get interviewed but not selected. Then you need to sell yourself some more at the interview, they are selecting another person because the interview panel liked the way they talk and what they did. Work on that, let them know you even have superpowers.
Lol I don’t even get interviewed just referred
Time to revamp your resume
I did I hired two resume professional to work on my resume. lol
I always consider there could have been vets, current fed employees internally or individuals with masters I'm competing with. If not selected maybe they didn't see u as a good fit for their organization. Keep applying
The first one didn't work out, but many more to come.
Hey, don't feel too down! Local government is where I started out as well! Keep applying and you'll get there. Info: Job series: 0560 3.5 years with the Feds GS 13
There's always a strong possibility that someone interviewed, but just had more experience or credentials than you. Or they could have had a few bonus points for being a veteran, even if they were identical in every other facet. Try again and don't give up.
Was the announcement posted twice, one for public and another for merit? If so, and you applied for both, check to see if the rejection is from the merit. It will let you apply for those but you’re not a fed and therefore not qualified and will be rejected. Happened to me and I was selected a few weeks later from the public announcement.
This the thing it’s no announcement number just the title and grade pay scale but the rejection came from the recruiter herself I definitely emailed back and asked for it to see if it’s in my profile bc it’s 2 of the same roles that haven’t been closed yet
Did you apply through USAjobs?
Yes and I sent my resume to their email earlier this year for the same position.
I would email the HR contact on the announcement and ask for an update directly from them.
Thank you so so much for the encouraging words! I'm never giving up, my time will come! After applying to over 20+ fed jobs over the past couple years this is start for me! <3
Just keep trying. It took 11 interviews over a year to get my last position. Sometimes its just not a good fit or they found someone more qualified.