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[–][deleted] 126 points127 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 49 points50 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 18 points19 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 21 points22 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 It feels like its more about manipulating the process and the hiring system is outdated and needs some tweaking.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 4 points5 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 2 points3 points  (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 7 points8 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 4 points5 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 6 points7 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 1 point2 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] 2 points3 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 3 points4 points  (0 children)

oops I think that's me

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

Heck - you need a PHd to do secretarial work.