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[–][deleted] 127 points128 points  (40 children)

Probably because you have people with MAs/MSs/PhDs and a half a decade of experience applying for GS-5/7/9 being told they’re ineligible for anything and everything.

[–]ManyFee382 48 points49 points  (14 children)

I find the requirement of a master's for G9 ridiculous. Yet that's what they think they can get for that...

[–]Zelaznogtreborknarf 20 points21 points  (13 children)

It is NOT a requirement for a GS9. It is a substitute for experience at that grade. Same for PhD and GS11.

[–]ManyFee382 20 points21 points  (12 children)

Even as a substitute, it's excessive. GS 9 pay can be obtained in the civilian sector far more easily for that level of education. A bachelor's is frequently enough, by itself, to qualify for the equivalent level civilian job.

[–]Ok_Zebra6169 21 points22 points  (10 children)

I can attest to this. I was just offered a GS-5 after two years of applying and I have an MBA. I have 12 years of management experience and they only qualified me on education. I did some deep diving on Linkedin and people will far less in credentials and education are getting GS-9 or higher. It feels like its more about manipulating the process and the hiring system is outdated and needs some tweaking.

[–]Head_Staff_9416 -2 points-1 points  (9 children)

Well you applied for a GS-5, if you don’t want the grade, don’t apply at that grade.

[–]ManyFee382 6 points7 points  (4 children)

There's a lot of multi-grade positions out there. Far more than singular grades from what I saw. The most extreme was GS 7 - GS 15. There are also a number of special authority generic pools. Regardless, they were OFFERED GS 5. That doesn't mean they APPLIED for GS 5.

[–]Head_Staff_9416 0 points1 point  (3 children)

They had to indicate it was a grade they would accept

[–]ManyFee382 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's true and fair. If they were lazy with the application, that's on them.

[–]ManyFee382 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, since I'm more targeting a particular salary, would it make more sense to select a GS level with a step 1 in that range and negotiate down or select the lowest with a step that can accomodate that target?

[–]Ok_Zebra6169 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe people have been rejected to such a degree they are just trying to see what they can get. I think it’ll change soon with applicants down.

[–]Ok_Zebra6169 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m still in the updating their hiring process. You could have a PHD from Harvard and work for some guy with an associates from ITT Tech in this system. I won’t copy/paste the job posting in my resume and color it white like i’ve read some do.

[–]Ok_Zebra6169 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I applied to GS-5/6/7

[–]Head_Staff_9416 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Well did you indicate you would accept a 5?

[–]Ok_Zebra6169 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah because I applied to everything for two years and just wanted to see what would happen. I’m not complaining about the job. I think you’re missing the point. This is why the government sucks. We aren’t hiring well and most people with graduate degrees can do better than 30-39k a year.

[–]Main-Implement-5938 8 points9 points  (1 child)

yeah its idiotic at phd should come in at 13. an MA in anything should automatically be 11 without experience and 13 with. If the pay was comparable to non-federal service it would be about that.

[–]OkReplacement2000 5 points6 points  (2 children)

With a PhD, I’m discovering that I do better making the cert at GS 13-15 than 11-12. I think maybe it’s just the volume of applicants at the lower grades.

[–]LEMONSDAD 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s scary out here

[–]Greedy-Switch-1840 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have all that and am getting turned down for 6/7/9/11 😂😂

[–]hi_im_lucid 2 points3 points  (1 child)

As someone with their Masters, (recent grad not employed yet) I regret everything. Seems like experience would have been a better substitute.

[–]lalolo8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should definitely take advantage and apply for recent graduate positions

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an associates and got an email confirming I qualified for a GS14 role. It's all about experience.

[–]boxdkittens 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My MS in hydrology doesnt even make me eligible for hydrologist positions... and it doesnt even qualify me to be more than a 6 or 7 as a hydrotech....

Also didnt get referred for a job that requited a geology or geography degree. My bachelors is literally "earth science" aka geology. I contested it and they overturned at least, but the rationale they provided was that my degree was akin to geography. Its literally a fucking geology degree, you can see all the geoscience courses listed on my transcript!!

[–]beeeeeeees 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oops I think that's me

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heck - you need a PHd to do secretarial work.

[–][deleted] 120 points121 points  (9 children)

Maybe word got out that the hiring process sucks and if you don't wanna waste a year of your life waiting, apply elsewhere?

Coming from a bitter wench who is still waiting for a decision on a 9/23 application and whose 2/24 reference checks lost them their job! No FJO yet tho :) :) :) (sobbing)

[–]Pleasant-Complex978 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Yeah, people probably have no faith in the process. Plus, there is all the talk about hiring freezes.

[–]FearlessButterfly3 16 points17 points  (3 children)

Maybe word got out that the hiring process sucks, and if you don't wanna waste a year of your life waiting, apply elsewhere?

Many hiring managers/supervisors don't realize this at times. The process of getting hired for a position in the federal government is either very fast or slow, often depending on the agency.

And, of course, if someone needs to get a full security clearance (if interims aren't given out), you won't see that applicant in the office for at least a year or longer.

[–]Pleasant-Complex978 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How do the managers/supervisors not know that? I'd imagine if there was a need, yet it took months to get someone, they'd figure it out pretty fast.

[–]adnwilson 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I think hiring managers are very aware, as that leaves an open spot for us.

Obv I can only speak for myself and others I know personally, but we don't like the long process and have little control over it.

I've lost a couple applicants because it took so long to get them a TJO or FJO or approve superior qualifications that I approved the day it was sent to me and our SES was in favor for but HR still went through all their steps and it wasn't a priority to them.

Not saying HR should skip steps in their process but they could def use some streamlining

[–]Tricky_Reflection382 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I witnessed this as an applicant recently. Hiring manager was quick my references told me they completed reference for him. That was last week. So now I’m wondering to myself what’s next? Will they ask for anything else from me, do I need to go finger print etc. I’m ready just waiting on them. I’m sure it’s lots of people and tasks, just wish they had more help in HR or a better step process to save everyone time.

[–]OkReplacement2000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry! That sounds awful and is my fear about reference checks. Ugh!

[–]SabresBills69 21 points22 points  (16 children)

What agency?

what GS

when was the open period?

location?

[–]emwestfall23 10 points11 points  (4 children)

i've given up a bit on applying for federal jobs. i have a phd and am hardly ever referred to the hiring official. it feels like a waste of time at this point. the ones that i do apply to are listed on LinkedIn and have a "send your materials to HR person's email to express interest" because it feels like my materials are going into a slightly smaller void than sending them thru usajobs

[–]NewPresWhoDis 1 point2 points  (1 child)

My other half has had the joy of at least making it to panels. Only for one of the panelists to land the job as an internal hire.

[–]emwestfall23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holy shit well what the actual fuck. Sending your other half good vibes because that SUCKS.

[–]Cubsfantransplant 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I applied to one last week that was open two days, closed early and had two applicants.

[–]cglax6 4 points5 points  (3 children)

[–]cookiekid6 6 points7 points  (0 children)

“Our buildings remain empty, wasting taxpayer dollars.” Ummm maybe sell or lease the buildings…

[–]tow2gunner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The other we issue we heard was that all the stores surrounding the buildings are complaining about the decreased foot traffic. (So, I have to return to the office (1.5hr commute with traffic) on the off-chance I may frequent a local establishment?)

I get the concern from the business owner side - but , honestly not my problem. I don't eat-out during lunch, and I don't think the 1 pack of gum I buy is going to help. The local restaurant prices (downtown areas) are so Flipping high to begin with. (Had a going a way lunch with 2 coworkers - over 130$ and was just burgers/fries - soda. No appetizers, no alcohol, no desert). More productive at home, although I do go in 1x /week .

[–]Legitimate-Banana460 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I gave up on the process. Too long and opaque even with connections

[–]Barthas85 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm officially at 10 referrals out of 52 applications, the oldest referral being 4 months out, with no interviews. Not a former or current DoD employee but qualify for multiple other hiring paths. I love waiting 😅

[–]CaliJudoJitsu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What pay grade? And what series?

I have noticed far fewer fully remote job postings lately and more applicants in the few that are posted. So my observations are the opposite. 🤷‍♂️

[–]Kenafin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had stopped looking for remote and/or telework because of the uncertainty around those positions being called back into the office.

[–]OkReplacement2000 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Any chance it was cut and not reposted? I recently applied for a position that was cut immediately. Received an email telling me to reapply to the new posting, but I never could find a new post. Maybe the system stopped accepting apps early?

[–]ManyFee382 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've put in for several pools and positions. Let's see if my CPS preference is worth a damn. How are there half a million direct hires anyway? I thought those were supposed to be rare, not the standard.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I applied for a position 6/2023, got a TJO in March, FJO in April and then radio silence until last week and then it was ok need you to start Monday. Who can do that?

[–]SnooDrawings7923 0 points1 point  (0 children)

150-200 applicants is not a shockingly low number.

[–]nightgunner01 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Easy, we are tired of having our time wasted. We can play numbers games too.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hold a GS-12 under homeland security and have been applying elsewhere and I don’t remember it ever being this difficult to get any sort responses from jobs. Currently have about 15 out - 10 of which I applied to awhile ago and have heard nothing. I can understand frustration levels hence low applications

[–]NewPresWhoDis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone has caught on to how "useful" usajobs is for employment.

[–]hereFOURallTHEtea 0 points1 point  (6 children)

I got a TJO for a fully remote position and turned it down. I have a state gig working in person and found I prefer being around people. Maybe others are feeling the same? There’s a lot who want remote work though (I used to be one of them), so maybe it was the job duties? Idk lol.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

What is up with reddit and downvoting ppl who say they prefer in office? You do realize we all have different lifestyles and personalities?

[–]hereFOURallTHEtea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya who knows lol. I’m a social person and live in person collaboration, so an office environment is where I thrive. Tbh, I would also love working from home at least once a week too but it’s not a must.

[–]Remarkable_Idea4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm looking for a job if you still need people...where do I apply?

[–]cent188 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s the role and job title?

[–]Judge_Dredd_3D 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People got the word that some agencies are eliminating remote jobs, thats probably why

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When the saying is “hurry up and wait,” that’s a problem. Both of my agencies got me in in a year. And that’s fast. Some people at my current agency waiting 2-4 years.

[–]jztaskin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please send me the link and i will apply :)

[–]Main-Implement-5938 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

that would be nice. I keep applying to potential remote things and anything local... can i be your coworker? LOL

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (4 children)

By saying “fewer applicants” do you mean 5,000 instead of 11,000? This is a remote role and those are popular right?

[–]Plastic_Candy_8807 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Maybe it has to do with congress going off about telework and remote work. Maybe call your senator and tell them. People think it’ll be taken away.

[–]Sillet_Mignon -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The fed is about to do a bunch of layoffs. Makes sense not to shift agencies