any one work for the government?

[JOHNGALT99]

any one work for the government?

I am currently living in washington dc area and just about finished with my masters in international relations ( dec 2004). I have a BS in international studies. Does any one have any advice for getting gov jobs? I am interested in some of the intel agencies as well as FBI and DEA.

Would love to get some advice or hear about your positive or negative experience working for the gov and maybe send you my resume to pass on?

thanks,

 

[ryzmah]

I think it helps to actually talk to the recruiter rather than just submitting a resume online , and if you know someone who works for an agency, see if they have a recommendation process. We do where I work - it helps get a foot in the door and improves your chances of being interviewed.

Positives: I like being in a position where I feel my work actually makes a difference. The people are great, and there's a lot of job security and good benefits.

Negatives: Pay is lower than what you can get as a consultant (though gov't exp. can help with getting a related consulting job). Work process can get held up by bureaucracy - same as a big corporation.

 

[JOHNGALT99]

thanks ryzmah,
alot of the recruiter have been telling us at job fairs that they cannot take resumes any longer and we must apply online

 

[Kilgor]

From what I've seen as a Contractor working for the Government for 15 years. If you do get a government job you can count on never getting fired It's so difficult to get rid of someone it's easier to just move them to a new job and the benefits are good. Who you know and asskissing will get you more promotions than skill or performance. Expect others to take credit for your work while you take the blame for the mistakes. And if you're a Contactor never trust a Government worker. I would have nothing to do with the Government but in this area if you want to make any money thats where you have to go. I've only worked for one Agency others might be different.

 

[notfred]

I work for the government, all I did was reply to a job listing with a resume.

 

[JOHNGALT99]

notfred what kind of work do you do?

 

[oniq]

DEA? :thumbsdown:

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: JOHNGALT99
notfred what kind of work do you do?

Web development/database/automation/general computer stuff for the USGS. Mostly I develop web applications to help other people here get thier jobs doine faster.

 

[Codewiz]

". And if you're a Contactor never trust a Government worker. I would have nothing to do with the Government but in this area if you want to make any money thats where you have to go. I've only worked for one Agency others might be different. "

WOW the distrust of govt guys I work at a command that is on another pay band. Our promotions are supposed to be based on performance. I don't think I would like the GS so I am glad that I am not on it.

At my command we have about 2-3 contractors to every 1 government employee. I work with contractors on a daily basis and we have a pretty good relationship. It is pretty much like everything else in life. There are sh*tty contractors and sh*tty gov't employees. The difference is that it is difficult to fire the gov't. They just don't get promotions at my command.

 

[JOHNGALT99]

how about the DIA? , any one work or have worked with them? I applied online and would love to work there

 

[Ogg]

Text

Im a federal contractor. Love my job and would like to be a fed but hasnt happened yet

 

[JOHNGALT99]

yeah i applied online for a bunch from there

I heard it is so much easier to get a job if you can get a recuiter your paper resume

what kind of contract work do you do ogg?

 

[TwoMix]

Hey dude I just grad and got a gov't job. Its easier if you can do an internship first. I looked at FBI/DEA/US postal agent, i didn't like the fact that they can relocate you anytime. Also complete the application early, the process takes a while. FBI was very selective and a foreign lang would really help your chances. DEA/Postal agent both seemed like they were eager to take in new hires.

 

[Ogg]

I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: Ogg
I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

good luck with that. From the time my g/f was told she was going to get hired to getting her clearance to finally getting a start date was about a year and a half with the NGA. She loves it there now though. Gov't just really drags the hiring process out.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Ogg
I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

Cool. I did a bunch of GIS work for the USDA when I was in college. I miss that job, man.

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: Ogg
I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

good luck.
i work for county government for another week.
i have taken a new job as a GIS tech in the engineering dept of a large city in TX.
start on the 16th, im pretty excited.

 

[Drekce]

I work for the Government (DoD). I got my job as an internship while in college. I get Good pay (Computer Engineer), have great benefits, am in an interesting job and travel somewhat frequently (once a month or so).

 

[Ogg]

Originally posted by: gistech1978

Originally posted by: Ogg
I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

good luck.
i work for county government for another week.
i have taken a new job as a GIS tech in the engineering dept of a large city in TX.
start on the 16th, im pretty excited.

Aaah glad you finally found another job! :beer:
Not gonna tell us where?


Werk just move back to Baton Rouge and maybe you could be a map monkey like me!!!

 

[JOHNGALT99]

NGA does some cool stuf

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: Ogg

Originally posted by: gistech1978

Originally posted by: Ogg
I havent sent out a paper resume in years.......

Im a map monkey for a bunch of ecologists and biologists

I have also recently applied for a position with the NGA as a geospatial intelligence analyst
Would be lots o fun I think. Probably take about a year to get it as Id need a top secret clearance, etc..

good luck.
i work for county government for another week.
i have taken a new job as a GIS tech in the engineering dept of a large city in TX.
start on the 16th, im pretty excited.

Aaah glad you finally found another job! :beer:
Not gonna tell us where?


Werk just move back to Baton Rouge and maybe you could be a map monkey like me!!!

mesquite, texas

 

[Ogg]

Originally posted by: gistech1978



mesquite, texas

:thumbsup: Nice...

 

[mchammer187]

i work for the government around DC but you need an engineering degree

we are having a job fair and today is the last day to sign up if anyone is interested
right now we are only hiring EE, CE, and CS majors who have taken at least calc 3 and they might require differential equations

i posted in the Networking thread for the unemployed but here it is:

USPTO to Hold Job Fair at new Alexandria Headquarters

The USPTO?s Office of Human Resources (OHR) will hold an on-site job fair August 5th and 6th in the Jefferson Building at the new Alexandria headquarters. The fair is designed to help the agency reach its hiring goals for patent examiners.

All USPTO employees are urged to help spread the word about the fair to friends and family members who may be qualified applicants. This job fair is geared towards patent examiners with a BS or advanced degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Candidates with degrees in Computer Science must have 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have been in any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. Applicants must also have effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to succeed in a production environment.

The deadline for scheduling an interview for the job fair is July 30, 2004. Interested parties may call 1-800-642-5670, M-F, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm to schedule an interview. They should also send a copy of their resume and transcript to JobFair@uspto.gov, or fax the information to 703-305-9864 prior to calling the interview scheduling line.