has anyone ever applied for a federal job?

[Blue_Tires]

like the kind listed on usajobs.com???

I've been applying to these jobs on and off for a couple of years with no success...does anyone have any tips/pointers on how to make my application stand up from the rest?

and can someone please explain the GS-scale to me?

[PittPoliSci]

1. does the post office count?

i wanted to be a remote coding specialist. meaning i type labels.

[Blue_Tires]

2. to be specific

i was talking about writing/editing/PR jobs, which are in my field, and what i have been applying for in the past, for the most part

[Momgonepostal]

6. That's what I do

Did they not hire you?

[PittPoliSci]

7. i think it ran a little late and i couldn't get the job.

It was a full-time position, and I had tried to apply for it in April, by the time I managed to take my test it was July, and by the time I got my results, it was early August. I had 3 weeks left until I started back with school, so I never really pursued it seriously. I'm going to try again for something over Christmas.

[Momgonepostal]

8. Where I am they do hiring between about July and Sept...

primarily. Christmas is hugely busy, but it slows down in Jan. Most of the positions at my REC site are PT, Temp.

[kick-ass-bob]

3. Yes, I have and I interviewed.

But the position lost funding - thanks GWB!

Make your application mirror the job listing duties as much as you can, and they usually want you to have experience at the GS level one below what they are posting.

GS levels are basically pay grades that are based on the expertise needed for that job. So more involved/advanced jobs have higher GS levels - like 12 or 13. Entry level ones (for interns, for example) are like GS 7 (or thereabouts).

[MountainLaurel]

4. Use the terms they do

In your KSAs. Each one is electronically scanned, and you get points for using certain language that is requested in the job description.

[Blue_Tires]

18. what kind of language are you talking about?

that could be the trick

[MountainLaurel]

21. the terms they use in the position description

Words like managed, coordinated, developed, programmed, documentation, deliverables. Another example: If they use "information center" instead of library, use information center even if you worked in a library. If they mention specific software, say specifically in the KSA that you can use that app.

[Blue_Tires]

22. interesting...

thanks, i'll give it a try

[lpbk2713]

5. I enlisted in the Navy a few years back.

And I was their property for four years. But I guess that doesn't count.

[fudge stripe cookays]

9. Had one for eight years.

Are they still using SF-171 forms to apply? If so, you probably want to fill one out if you haven't. That used to be standard for pretty much any government job. Then they'd have you fill out a KSA sheet to go with it for any special skills they wanted you to have. Have you taken the civil service test? That used to be standard too. They have them from time to time at a central location, and you get your results a month or so later.

Kick-ass-bob and mountain laurel are right. Make your application match the job description as closely as possible, and you will gain points.

Use lots of ACTION VERBS in your app. Such as

"ORGANIZED" the entire department's filing system...
"TAUGHT" other employees the new phone system
"SUPERVISED" the call center's digital capabilities.

The government likes buzzwords, so give them to them. They manage to make you sound important without actually saying anything. (organized, quantified, supervised, digital, programming, functional, etc. Add this crap in places where you want to sound more important).

The grade system is a ranking for your job. Most clerical work is from about a 3-5, mid levels are 6s and 7s, executive jobs are like 10s and 12s. It just tells you what types of KSAs (knowledges, skills and abilities) they want to you have for the job, and how much you will get paid.

The STEP levels within the grades are a way of saying how much seniority you have in the job. When you first start in it, you'll be a step 1, and as you stay in it and excel, you'll be given "step increases" every year or so. If you are a Grade 5, step 11, you'll theoretically be making more than a Grade 6, step 1, because you've been in your job longer. It's a graduated system.

Hope this helps! It's got its good things and its bad things, (just like any job), but having the federal holidays off is nice. PM me if you have any other questions. I worked for the IRS for quite awhile. It's changed a lot since I left in '98, but it's basically the same.

FSC

[Blue_Tires]

19. i had been doing all my applications online

thank you for the advice

[Catchawave]

10. Guys....

You need to get yourselves in a "foot in the door" position for Fed jobs. Then go from there. "Trust Me"

[Catchawave]

11. Try here:

http://www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html

[Catchawave]

12. and here:

http://www.fema.gov/career/index.jsp

[Catchawave]

13. here too:

http://www.jobsfed.com/

[Catchawave]

15. Also here;

http://www.hrsjobs.com/html/subscribe.htm


This is not difficult sweetie, Fed jobs are out there, you might have to move beyond DU to find one :)

[Blue_Tires]

20. thanks

I've had no trouble finding them; getting hired for them is a different story

[HEyHEY]

14. Does prison detail count?

[Catchawave]

16. Depends on the prison ....

city..state..fed? Salary definitely depends on level :)

[HEyHEY]

17. Fed, I was only making a buck an hour though