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McCoy Pauley
Mar 2, 2006
Gonna eat so many goddamn crumpets.
If you're qualified to be a patent examiner, so far as I know the USPTO is hiring new classes of examiners semi-regularly, even in these times of fiscal unpleasantness. And I know the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board is actively looking for administrative judges.

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Bizarro Watt
May 30, 2010

My responsibility is to follow the Scriptures which call upon us to occupy the land until Jesus returns.
What's the outlook for someone with an M.S. that joins a science agency (USGS, NOAA, etc.) as a biologist/physical scientist/etc. (GS-9)? Would there be room for advancement in some capacity, or can they expect to be stuck in that position for a long time?

®
Nov 20, 2002

Cross-posting this from the "entry-level job" thread, as that hasn't garnered any responses and the thread seems to be dead in general. This thread is probably a little more appropriate anyway, since it's not quite an entry-level job for me. The organization mentioned below is a government agency (a laboratory, but the position is an accountant position).

I finished school a few months ago, and have applied for several "real" jobs since then, without much luck. I've just recently found the first opening at an organization that I would really want to work for, doing a job that I really want to do.

I haven't been an active job-searcher in almost 9 years now (I've had two jobs in that time, but the second job was a straight offer, so no sort of active job-searching was required), and it seems that in the interim, the majority of companies have switched to the same stock software suite of online application software. It's the same everywhere I go... create an account, upload a resume and cover letter, answer a bunch of questions and then wait to hear back. I've followed this same process on several websites, only to see my application status go from "resume received" to "position filled". Those were all better jobs than I have now, but nothing was particularly special about them, they were kind of "take it or leave it" jobs... meaning, sure, I'd love to work there, but pretty much anything else would be just as good too.

Since this most recent job that I've applied for is one that I really want, I'm wondering what the general consensus on following-up is on an application for this type of application process. As far as I can tell, they don't have any contact information for the hiring staff available publicly, and the idea is supposed to be that you to monitor your application status through your account on the website, leaving it fully out of your hands. Right now, my resume is still at "resume received" status (and has been since my application this past Wednesday), is there anything I can do to convey my enthusiasm for this position and push my resume to the top of the figurative pile? Or am I destined to just sit and wait, at the mercy of the hiring staff?

sbaldrick
Jul 19, 2006
Driven by Hate

Bizarro Watt posted:

What's the outlook for someone with an M.S. that joins a science agency (USGS, NOAA, etc.) as a biologist/physical scientist/etc. (GS-9)? Would there be room for advancement in some capacity, or can they expect to be stuck in that position for a long time?

As someone who works with science agencies outside the US government (but with another government) they can all eat a dick about hiring or doing any work at the moment. That said we are hiring and will get you a visa if you want one.

Feed Me A Cat
Jun 18, 2012

BodyMassageMachine posted:

I've been applying to various positions in the NY/NJ/eastern PA area now for about 4-5 months, with little to no success (little being at least getting a confirmation email regarding my application's submission).

That's a good summary of my experience for the past year and change now. The cancellation or "too many vets, sorry" e-mails are the worst because your state of mind swings from "Oh boy, USAJOBS e-mail" to :negative: in a matter of seconds. In any case, be patient and expect to get notifications for jobs you don't even remember applying for.

Dr. Quarex
Apr 18, 2003

I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA
I guess this is a good sort of Murphy's Law rebound for my posted lament from a few days ago, as I got my second-ever "oh, we actually might be interested in you" e-mail today.

Granted, it is for a job in Vermont that is only guaranteed for a 13-month term and would probably not pay enough to make the cross-country relocation even worth it in the long run, but hey; possible immigration officer job!

Otten
Oct 9, 2004

Quarex posted:

I guess this is a good sort of Murphy's Law rebound for my posted lament from a few days ago, as I got my second-ever "oh, we actually might be interested in you" e-mail today.

Granted, it is for a job in Vermont that is only guaranteed for a 13-month term and would probably not pay enough to make the cross-country relocation even worth it in the long run, but hey; possible immigration officer job!

Most ISOs coming in at the service centers are being converted to permanent (from what I've seen). I wouldn't be super scared of the probationary status. Also the pay sucks for only the first couple years . . . Good luck!

t a s t e
Sep 6, 2010

Quarex posted:

I guess this is a good sort of Murphy's Law rebound for my posted lament from a few days ago, as I got my second-ever "oh, we actually might be interested in you" e-mail today.

Granted, it is for a job in Vermont that is only guaranteed for a 13-month term and would probably not pay enough to make the cross-country relocation even worth it in the long run, but hey; possible immigration officer job!

I'm traveling 500 miles to work a phone for 8 months :hfive:

VideoTapir
Oct 18, 2005

He'll tire eventually.

Otten posted:

Most ISOs coming in at the service centers are being converted to permanent (from what I've seen). I wouldn't be super scared of the probationary status. Also the pay sucks for only the first couple years . . . Good luck!

The probationary status makes having a nightmare boss 10x worse; it removes pretty much any recourse you may have against them for anything other than racial or gender discrimination. But from what I've seen the worst you're likely to end up with is an apathetic or oblivious one, so that's not that big a risk.

Manifest Dynasty
Feb 29, 2008
Term ISO's are NOT "converted" to permanent status. I only say that because there was a lot of confusion among my group of new hires when we started. You WILL have to apply for a position that is openly advertised to get a permanent position. The term can be extended to as long as 4 years . But they DO want to get you into a permanent position, and you will have experience in immigration when you apply. And you'll be through BASIC, which is month long immigration training course in Dallas that is expensive as hell for them, I'm sure. A LOT of people at my service center started as term employees.

Dr. Quarex
Apr 18, 2003

I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA
Tremendous Taste, you are a brave person, and I applaud you.

I would have probably done it in a heartbeat before I got married, but I actually am sort of sick of the fact that I already spend like 4 months on the other coast from my wife every year, I would rather not solidify that happening for another six months until she finishes her coursework in Seattle.

But! Thanks to you three, Otten, VideoTapir, and Manifest Dynasty. I feel like I have a better way to process the reality of this job at this point. I mean, if the job description is even remotely accurate it definitely sounds like something I would be good at (that is not often how I feel about any job, given that the skills of an academic do not often feel like they transfer well).

Otten
Oct 9, 2004

Okay, whoops, didn't mean to give out any misinformation! Sorry!

When I came in they were just converting people at the end of their terms and I didn't know that had changed. I do know we had a crop of people start last year and I have heard that at least of few of them are permanent now, I am not sure how that went down logistics-wise. I also know that management at my service center definitely wants to keep the new term officers unless they are not really doing well at all on an individual level.

Manifest Dynasty
Feb 29, 2008
Yeah, I think there is a strong push to get all the term employees who aren't terrible, but it's not an automatic type of process, from what I was told. I hear (this is through the rumor mill, so take it with a grain of salt) that it IS worked in your favor, because they use those really specific types of openings. The ones that you open up and immediately close again on USAjobs because all the questions make you think, "How would I ever have experience in this without already HAVING this job?"

t a s t e
Sep 6, 2010

Quarex posted:

Tremendous Taste, you are a brave person, and I applaud you.

I would have probably done it in a heartbeat before I got married, but I actually am sort of sick of the fact that I already spend like 4 months on the other coast from my wife every year, I would rather not solidify that happening for another six months until she finishes her coursework in Seattle.

Nah, I'm 22 and other than debt I have no real tangible obligations/unstretchable connections.

Vermont's beautiful, but I'm sure your wife is just as much. Good luck!

Womacks-JP-23
May 15, 2013

Apparently having an MBA doesn't make you qualified based on education for a budget analyst position. Strange.

FTL

grover
Jan 23, 2002

PEW PEW PEW
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:
:circlefap::circlefap::circlefap:

Womacks-JP-23 posted:

Apparently having an MBA doesn't make you qualified based on education for a budget analyst position. Strange.

FTL
If you didn't upload the transcript the right way, or other (seemingly insignificant) errors, it could kick it back automatically with this message. Also, the humans reviewing these documents can (and do) make mistakes. There should be a POC on the listing- call/email them and ask them why you were determined to lack the educational requirements.

Womacks-JP-23
May 15, 2013

Yea I'll check up with them on Monday morning.

JohnnyHildo
Jul 23, 2002

Womacks-JP-23 posted:

Apparently having an MBA doesn't make you qualified based on education for a budget analyst position. Strange.

FTL

What was the grade level of the position you were applying for? If the position was advertised at the GS-11 level or higher, you can't qualify based solely on education with a masters degree.

Suntory BOSS
Apr 17, 2006

Saw a job in Singapore, which bragged of housing and other benefits for stateside hire. Applied, got rejected because I'm not located in Singapore. What the gently caress, USAjobs?

Womacks-JP-23
May 15, 2013

JohnnyHildo posted:

What was the grade level of the position you were applying for? If the position was advertised at the GS-11 level or higher, you can't qualify based solely on education with a masters degree.

Just a 9

sixstringsamurai
May 20, 2005
Float away, little butterfly. Just flutter away. I got a gig in Vegas. And the wastelands ain't no place for kids.
I've got an interview with an FCI and another with an FCC (prisons, woo) anything I should expect? I'm expecting to need hard copies of my transcript, DD-214, and all the other paperwork associated with application. Figured I'd ask seeing as these are my first Govie interviews.

Beerdeer
Apr 25, 2006

Frank Herbert's Dude
9 used to be a Doctorate. 7 for Master's.

I came into USCIS under the old FCIP system, but it is true that they WANT to hire perms from terms. I hear that a lot from my supervisors. The NSC is really expanding too (allegedly) and they keep talking about a big staffing need.

sbaldrick
Jul 19, 2006
Driven by Hate

Beerdeer posted:

9 used to be a Doctorate. 7 for Master's.

I came into USCIS under the old FCIP system, but it is true that they WANT to hire perms from terms. I hear that a lot from my supervisors. The NSC is really expanding too (allegedly) and they keep talking about a big staffing need.

government agencies love to hire perms from terms because shockingly you don't have to train them at all.

Dr. Quarex
Apr 18, 2003

I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA
I have not had the chance to complain about this lately!

"Educational consideration for those with degrees demonstrating evidence of work with immigration policy"
OMG AWESOME THAT IS ME
"Question 1: Select your level of experience with presenting formal briefings to members of Congress"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME

I did get referred to the hiring official for that bizarre "Correspondence Management Specialist for Privacy Issues" job posting though. Clearly it is time to get my hopes up so I can be crushed!

Also, has anyone else taken an Immigration Service Officer "time to weed out the bad ones" online test? I am sure I am not supposed to reveal what it entailed but ... it was ... legitimately unusual. To me. "You have an hour to complete this test. THERE IS ONE QUESTION. Go."

Feed Me A Cat
Jun 18, 2012

Quarex posted:

Also, has anyone else taken an Immigration Service Officer "time to weed out the bad ones" online test? I am sure I am not supposed to reveal what it entailed but ... it was ... legitimately unusual. To me. "You have an hour to complete this test. THERE IS ONE QUESTION. Go."

Never got to that point, farthest I got with USCIS was an e-mail notifying I had X number of points based on my answers to the initial screening. Did the question actually need the full hour to answer?

Dr. Quarex
Apr 18, 2003

I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA

Feed Me A Cat posted:

Never got to that point, farthest I got with USCIS was an e-mail notifying I had X number of points based on my answers to the initial screening. Did the question actually need the full hour to answer?
Yeah I got a lot of those too, I think this was the tenth such job I had applied for and finally got through (maybe nobody wants to work in Vermont). The worst part about the test is that the question could, I suppose, require the whole hour to answer, but the problem is that they never specifically said there was only one question--I even looked back over the instructions, assuming I missed something, but it says "Continue through the assessment process until you receive notice that 'All necessary assessments have been completed'" which certainly suggests a multi-part test.

Now, they do offer you the chance to go back and re-do the essay after submitting it the first time, but I was terrified it was going to present me with a blank screen rather than a chance to edit what I wrote, so I just said "welp, good enough!"

Declan MacManus
Sep 1, 2011

damn i'm really in this bitch

Quarex posted:

I have not had the chance to complain about this lately!

"Educational consideration for those with degrees demonstrating evidence of work with immigration policy"
OMG AWESOME THAT IS ME
"Question 1: Select your level of experience with presenting formal briefings to members of Congress"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME

This is the case with a lot of these and you do get docked in terms of your qualified score, which I guess makes sense because experience is always more practical than education, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

Dr. Quarex
Apr 18, 2003

I'M A BIG DORK WHO POSTS TOO MUCH ABOUT CONVENTIONS LOOK AT THIS

TOVA TOVA TOVA

Declan MacManus posted:

This is the case with a lot of these and you do get docked in terms of your qualified score, which I guess makes sense because experience is always more practical than education, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating.
Yeah, it makes perfect sense for the most part--obviously they should want someone who has some general experience with the sorts of day-to-day difficulties of the position.

But ... there are plenty of postings that specifically do not allow education as a viable substitute. Why do they allow education as an alternative if they do not actually think it counts as an alternative? Perhaps there is a smiley that can help explain.

:shibewow:

Cardboard Fox
Feb 8, 2009

[Tentatively Excited]
I have a quick question about applications on USAJOBS. Last week I applied for an IT position with the Army Installation Management Command. This morning I got an email saying:

quote:

We have reviewed your application and found you qualified for the position listed above. Your name has been referred to the employing agency for consideration.

What's my next move here? Do I just wait for a phone call, or can I contact the person on my contact form about an interview? Usually with HR departments, you don't call to ask for a status to an application, but I don't know the procedure when dealing with the government.


VV Good to know. Thanks.

Cardboard Fox fucked around with this message at 17:01 on Nov 27, 2013

Stultus Maximus
Dec 21, 2009

USPOL May

Cardboard Fox posted:

I have a quick question about applications on USAJOBS. Last week I applied for an IT position with the Army Installation Management Command. This morning I got an email saying:


What's my next move here? Do I just wait for a phone call, or can I contact the person on my contact form about an interview? Usually with HR departments, you don't call to ask for a status to an application, but I don't know the procedure when dealing with the government.

What that means is that the automated resume screener didn't reject your application and an actual human will look at it. Calling is not useful at this stage.

Agean90
Jun 28, 2008


Feed Me A Cat posted:

That's a good summary of my experience for the past year and change now. The cancellation or "too many vets, sorry" e-mails are the worst because your state of mind swings from "Oh boy, USAJOBS e-mail" to :negative: in a matter of seconds. In any case, be patient and expect to get notifications for jobs you don't even remember applying for.

My favorites are "We looked at your resume, decided not to hire you, and gently caress it, were not refering you to anyone either. gently caress you"

Feed Me A Cat
Jun 18, 2012
Got an e-mail this morning that I'm scheduled for the Video-Based Test for the CBP position I applied to back in July :dance:

Yarrbossa
Mar 19, 2008
e: took out info for security reasons.

Yarrbossa fucked around with this message at 01:49 on Jun 13, 2014

pizzlemank
Sep 27, 2013
Someone I know said that he interviewed for a Federal position that offered no health insurance. Is he bullshitting or is this a thing happening now?

sullat
Jan 9, 2012
I was sent a conditional offer a few weeks ago; I did the onboarding stuff and the fingerprint scans last week. About how long before they come back with a firm offer? (Contact rep w/IRS)

Beerdeer
Apr 25, 2006

Frank Herbert's Dude

sullat posted:

I was sent a conditional offer a few weeks ago; I did the onboarding stuff and the fingerprint scans last week. About how long before they come back with a firm offer? (Contact rep w/IRS)

I suggest you take up a hobby to get your mind off the incalculable wait.



I have to do my background reinvestigation. 5 years of being completely vanilla and I still worry.

t a s t e
Sep 6, 2010

sullat posted:

I was sent a conditional offer a few weeks ago; I did the onboarding stuff and the fingerprint scans last week. About how long before they come back with a firm offer? (Contact rep w/IRS)

Pretty quickly in my experience, I got the conditional about a month ago and started this week

Delorence Fickle
Feb 21, 2011

pizzlemank posted:

Someone I know said that he interviewed for a Federal position that offered no health insurance. Is he bullshitting or is this a thing happening now?

According to OPM, it depends on where he works.

http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/reference-materials/reference/eligibility-for-health-benefits/#employexclude

Artificer
Apr 8, 2010

You're going to try ponies and you're. Going. To. LOVE. ME!!
I think I'm probably kind of starting out late, again, but I'm currently looking for a summer internship for a college junior. Are there any usajobs.gov jobs that wouldn't look all that good on a resume? I found some "volunteer" programs for the Government Accountability Office, but it's unpaid (which I don't really care about) and I'm not certain how attractive it would look on a resume.

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Xandu
Feb 19, 2006


It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am.
Depends, what do you want to do after college?

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