has anyone ever applied for a job from usajobs and got it?

[Semidevil]

If you are fresh out of college, obviously you want a decent job. If I go to usajobs and search for the federal jobs in the U.S, it looks like there are 2 kinds of jobs: the ones that no college graduate would want( i,e assitant, janitor, etc etc), and the ones that you think you are qualified for (business analyst, economist, engineer, etc etc).

However, looking into the requirements, all of these jobs require multiple years of experience, which if you are a college grad, you might not have that.

I'm starting to feel that it is near impossible to get a federal job, unless you have experience in the private sector first.

Dont they have any 'entry level' federal jobs? Or should I apply anyways even if I dont meet all the qualifications.

 

[nageov3t]

I applied for a couple during my senior year of college... never got so much as an acknowledgment that my resume was received, much less a call back.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
If you are fresh out of college, obviously you want a decent job. If I go to usajobs and search for the federal jobs in the U.S, it looks like there are 2 kinds of jobs: the ones that no college graduate would want( i,e assitant, janitor, etc etc), and the ones that you think you are qualified for (business analyst, economist, engineer, etc etc).

However, looking into the requirements, all of these jobs require multiple years of experience, which if you are a college grad, you might not have that.

I'm starting to feel that it is near impossible to get a federal job, unless you have experience in the private sector first.

Dont they have any 'entry level' federal jobs? Or should I apply anyways even if I dont meet all the qualifications.

uh..qualifications on federal jobs are very explicit and required.

if you're looking at a generic entry level job, look at a GS-5 level. (this accepts any 4 year degree)

if you're looking at an entry level job in a field you have a degree in, look at GS-7 level. (this accepts a 4 year degree in your field, or some additional training, as required by the job. for example, if i wanted to do an accounting job, i'd need to have taken 24 semester credits of accounting with my 4 year degree. i only took 8, so i cant apply for an accounting job at GS-7 level. but i can at GS-5 level.)


in my case, while i cant apply for GS-511's (auditors...start at min as GS-7)but i can be a contract specialist, which is also GS-7, and accepts my degree as being in the same field.

 

[makken]

applied for a position through there a while back, wasn't too fond of the method.

Didn't hear anything for about a month after the final filing date closed, then got a letter from the agency itself saying I didn't meet the minimum qualifications.

Have you tried state and local level?

 

[dbk]

entry level jobs are at studentjobs.gov as well

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: dbk
entry level jobs are at studentjobs.gov as well

only difference between that and usajobs is studentjobs is working with a much smaller portfolio. learn to filter results by pay grade, and you'll do okay.

 

[Aimster]

I applied I didn't get the job.
I am a contractor for the federal govt.
The two other contractors and 1 from upstairs got the job. They were there for a year,

It appears you need to be a GS-9 for 1 year to qualify for the GS-11 position.

They won't take fresh out of college kids for GS-11.
Also everything is computerized. Copy it word for word what they want. If the computer doesn't say u are qualified for the job then nobody at HR sees it.

 

[Tiamat]

Yes, I applied for the US patent and trademark office. But, I had also applied to 20 other federal positions and never heard from them.

 

[TwiceOver]

Applied for the local power distribution office, got an interview and about two months later a letter stating that though I was qualified they had chosen another candidate.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Applied for the local power distribution office, got an interview and about two months later a letter stating that though I was qualified they had chosen another candidate.

My brother got a job from USAjobs.com he not works for TSA, he has just recently applied and was accepted to a job at customs from the website as well.

The key is to get preference points, either though already having a government job, or having been in the military.

 

[sohcrates]

got my current job through usajobs. but i already had a goverment job. so i guess that doesn't help you much...

 

[Linflas]

I've lived in the DC area my whole life and have never been able to figure out exactly the correct steps to successfully land a Federal job without knowing someone already working there to help you get through the process. I think it is kind of an entry test to determine if you are actually temperamentally suitable to work for the Feds.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: SMOGZINN

The key is to get preference points, either though already having a government job, or having been in the military.

I worked 2 summers with my local government, got pretty good performance reviews, and still can't so much as score an interview. I did piss off my division's HR Manager by not disclosing before I was hired that I needed 2 weeks off to take a required course in college. Meh, I gave them a month's notice and got an extended contract to finish everything. Woops...

 

[brunell8]

The postings on usajobs should indicate how much work experience can waived if you have a degree. Your best bet is to look at something around the GS6/7 level as a starting point. You won't get anything higher than that without having a military background. I'm retired Navy, and it still took me a year and a half to even get an interview. First interview I got though, I got the job, and that's where I'm at now. After you have one year experience as a 7, you can apply for a 9 position, and so on. You can probably go from a 6 to a 7 with less than one year, but of course you have to get that 6 position first. Just don't aim too high as I mentioned at the beginning, and you'll get in eventually. It just takes some time.

 

[dbk]

hows the interview process in a gov't job? Pretty standard behavioral questions?

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: dbk
hows the interview process in a gov't job? Pretty standard behavioral questions?

Depends on the department. Generally they do a basic security check on you after your resume as deemed eligible for the position. They phone interview, and based on that, the decide to move on to the next level.

For me, it stopped at the phone interview, the hiring manager went directly to HR and 2 weeks later I got a verbal offer from the HR. I don't know if my experience is atypical so take it with a grain of salt.

Yes, standard character analysis questions in addition to technical questions.

 

[Babbles]

I have applied for some jobs thru USAJobs. . . it has so far seemed to be a black hole for my application. I have over nine years of experience so I have been applying for a few 'higher' positions and not getting feedback is a little frustrating.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Babbles
I have applied for some jobs thru USAJobs. . . it has so far seemed to be a black hole for my application. I have over nine years of experience so I have been applying for a few 'higher' positions and not getting feedback is a little frustrating.

Call the HR number that is listed at the end of the listing. They are more than happy to check your application status and tell you what they are hearing from the hiring managers.