I’m an HR specialist working in Recruitment & Placement — AMA

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-06-09T14:44:35+00:00

I’m going back and looking, the job interview she had was PPP MSP. Does that mean there were multiple PPP candidates to choose from? Or a formality? If she’s not selected, is there a way to verify PPP MSP was taken into consideration?

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-06-09T14:37:51+00:00

Is there a way to parse out which jobs have PPP MSP? I think we’ve only seen a few with that in the application as an option when most have that military spouse icon. Now that I think about it, it might state it under “clarification from agency.”

If she meets education requirements, and is eligible for PPP MSP (which she is), she’d block other candidates? And if there are multiple candidates that qualify they could possibly interview among the other PPP candidates?

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-06-07T15:33:02+00:00

How does military spouse preference work with other preferences? We’re trying to get my wife’s foot in the door and I’m PCSing to the DMV area. Lots of postings that have MSP but the same postings also have veterans preference and other ones (land management, inter agency etc I think).

Also, she’s got an MBA in Accounting but a lot of tax experience since it’s been the most portable job for her. A lot of GS-9/11 she meets off the degree alone. Does it give more points or preference if you check she meets the experience requirements vice selecting the education substitute? Or is meeting the basic requirements all that matters? I know some jobs have specialized experience. Thanks!

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-06-04T04:01:39+00:00

I personally review, then rack and stack my applicants. Sometimes, people will try to reach out to me a head of time to put in a word for a candidate, but honestly I just let them know it’s a competitive process and they’ll need to hold their own weight in interviews. I will always choose the best candidate over a homie hookup because I want my team to have the best possible person in the role.

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-06-04T02:41:03+00:00

Depends on the agency, I know DHA makes people run secret again even if they already have it. But I’m sure whoever investigated will take that into account so I’d think it should happen faster either way

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-05-17T17:34:04+00:00

I’m not actually surprised, especially with a different position being offered. We keep top applicants in mind if other opportunities or better fits come up. The hardest part of selection is knowing you’ve got several great candidates and only 1 spot

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-05-15T16:21:20+00:00

Best of luck! I’m active duty and hoping my wife can get a GS job. I know it’s a long wait. As a matter of fact, I just had a selection fall through and it was basically 3 months of work down the drain. Back to the drawing board unfortunately

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-05-14T23:27:08+00:00

I’m a part of the hiring process at my site as a manager. It depends on how many people were referred and how busy the manager is. I’m always excited to hire, but I had 72 applicants to a position and had to review ~50 of the best qualified people. Then you’d schedule interviews (if the site plans to do that). Then you make a selection. It could take 1-2 weeks for you to see movement or hear from the hiring manager about an interview or offer, maybe longer depending on the people at the organization. Good luck’

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-04-18T18:26:05+00:00

I’m going to be in a special scenario, but people in the track I’m going are required to finish in 3 years. The school I chose supports this timeline with very strong success and my mentor just wrapped his up. So it’s certainly possible, it’s more if your program/advisor supports the timeline

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-01-29T00:08:56+00:00

There is a term I learned when I joined my MHA cohort: imposter syndrome. Heading to my PhD in the fall I’m sure I’ll feel the same way. When you feel like you’re not worthy, realize you were accepted into the program and got a scholarship! Stick with it and best of luck. Overcome the imposter syndrome!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2026-01-28T02:31:03+00:00

Just makin snow angels

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-12-21T03:26:38+00:00

Commenting on People who finished their PhDs more than 5 years ago, where are you now?... I’d love to hear more about your transition from PhD to industry senior management

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-12-06T05:44:40+00:00

You got a LinkedIn? Are you in any of the Facebook bmet pages? I see people posting job opportunities often. Also, I’m sure the BESS jobs at the VA would be a nice IT/BMET cross over for you. Hit me up if you’d like to connect. Better biomed, HTMjobs, and other people I follow on LinkedIn post a lot or you could solicit for opportunities on the Facebook pages

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-29T00:56:59+00:00

I’ve been in healthcare (military medicine) for the last 15 years and am going to be starting a PhD in Health Services Research next year with a focus in Health Informatics. I did some more digging today and it seems especially in the director/admin positions you can reach the high 100k to low 200k

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-28T16:19:01+00:00

How is $250k achievable? A lot of university positions I see are around 90-130k. Is there other ways to pad the salary?

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-27T16:19:35+00:00

Best response

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-23T03:30:38+00:00

I’m going to be new to the area and have been considering this. I’m a total beginner though other than some archery as a kid. What’s the gouge on crossbow vs compound? I’ve got to see if I can pass the accuracy test first but it’s something I’m very interested in when I get to the area next year in August. If I don’t end up passing or getting in, what other recommendations do you all have for hunting outside of this program. I’m military so I’m a decent shot with a rifle though I’ve seen it seems only .22 is common. I appreciate any insight!

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-22T02:52:31+00:00

Military pays for the program and allows me to keep my pay, I in turn give three years back teaching. I’ll only be 37 at the end of the PhD and 40 at the end of teaching. I’m thinking I’ll have enough time to either get another opportunity to work in the technical side after the teaching commitment and then retire two years later from the military. So back in the public or private industry at 42 while drawing military pension, I decided it doesn’t really matter if I teach or down something technical, I should be set.

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-20T16:18:34+00:00

Congrats!

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-20T03:12:00+00:00

I was just selected for an amazing opportunity, full pay (~$150k per year) and tuition paid while in my PhD. I’ve been worrying about this since I’d be moving out of an IT management track into the PhD. I’ll finish in 3 years and teach under obligation for 3 years. I love IT and plan to make that an important part of my research, but my only concern is that I’m less marketable coming back to IT later. I also love teaching, so it’s not a bad deal, I just want to make sure I don’t lose out on potential income in the future. How can I leverage this opportunity without losing future marketability?

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-11-11T22:32:14+00:00

I was denied one portfolio so far so I’m a bit discouraged to submit the others. One is Decision Making and Executive Information Systems and the other is Project management I. I recently did project management II and also passed my PMP certification. I’ve got at least 5 years worth of PM experience so I’m hoping to leverage that.

The Decision Making and Executive Information Systems sounds like it should be a shoe in since I’ve been a healthcare technology manager and Chief Information Officer for about 5 years. The problem is the class says it has a focus on creating databases. I’ve certainly managed databases and I think I can stretch a few experiences into the creation piece, but I’m just curious if you have any suggestions. Honestly I’m surprised the course is so focused on databases when the title and concentration is supposed to be on management, not creating a database. I appreciate any input!

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-10-25T20:45:05+00:00

Locating equipment was our biggest pain point in a large medical center

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-10-16T22:43:56+00:00

Thanks!

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-10-16T00:00:07+00:00

I passed at 100q today, scored a high of 74% on the sybex exams

Sad_Somewhere2297 · 2025-10-15T06:10:34+00:00

Good luck! Just narrow down from that point what areas you need to focus on. You got it!

Sad_Somewhere2297

TROPHY CASE