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Thanks both. It turns out she's likely able to stay covered by the University for one more year (she's part time USGS until she finishes the PhD in May) for like $300/semester, so we're going to do that for now and then I'll switch to her Federal insurance once she goes full time.
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Aug 26, 2015 13:53
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Today I got a message that after review of my application, I am qualified for the position. I get a notice of results (NOR) letter like so:Fed posted:Spec Code: 001 Then this is followed up a few hours later Fed posted:We have carefully reviewed your application and determined that you are not eligible/qualified for this position for the following reason: Thing is, I submitted all of the forms specified in the announcement. All it asked for was my resume (though USAJobs) and completing the questionnaire, which I did. Also, the application was designated "complete," not "incomplete," well before closing, and only now is being classified as incomplete. This isn't the first application that I've had rejected because I supposedly didn't submit all the required forms when I actually did, but it is the first time through USAJobs. Is there any point in trying to contact them to figure it out? I've also been referred for several very similar jobs with similar if not identical document requirements, so I have no idea why they bounced this one. e. I suppose it's possible that they reviewed my qualifications and decided that they weren't supported enough by my resume (there are some specific KSA that I don't really have, though I have something analogous), but wouldn't they just say "not referred/unqualified," rather than IFM? Phil Moscowitz fucked around with this message at 16:55 on Aug 26, 2015 |
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Aug 26, 2015 16:52
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It is worth contacting, even if just so you know what to do next time. A similar issue with documentation occurred a month ago, and I emailed asking for clarification, they found it was an error on their end.
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Aug 26, 2015 19:33
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So it is common for an agency hiring you to not contact you for a month at a time? I was given a verbal intent-to-hire message in early July, saying that they would contact me later after the paperwork on the back end was finished. But after contacting them every couple of weeks to ask if there were any updates, I haven't heard from that at all a week after my last email. Should I just assume the opportunity fell through for some reason and stop trying to plan around getting an offer? I already started sending out resumes again after the third week of no-progress so I'm not entirely boned.
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Aug 26, 2015 20:08
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I think it was 6 weeks between my tentative offer and my actual entrance on duty date; granted that was a written tentative offer, but overall a month does not sound unreasonable to me. Well, unreasonable in this context.
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Aug 27, 2015 00:37
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Phil Moscowitz posted:Today I got a message that after review of my application, I am qualified for the position. I get a notice of results (NOR) letter like so: I know some agencies (mine does this all the time) have a nasty habit of putting in USA Jobs that the only document required is a resume. But then inside they have an attached document or link that then asks for something else, often college/grad transcripts. Thus when you submit the package to USA Jobs it sees it as complete because they only told USA Jobs to look for a resume. But when it gets to their system or HR people they see it as incomplete because they had some line somewhere not easily viewable that asked for a transcript or something else.
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Aug 27, 2015 14:18
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Slaan posted:So it is common for an agency hiring you to not contact you for a month at a time? The first time I got an offer for a Federal job I was told due to funding issues they could not hire me immediately and they would call me "soon" to arrange the official offer and a start date. "Soon" was 10 months later. I had gotten a different Fed job in the interim, even though I was not targeting Fed jobs specifically, kind of just a coincidence. So no need to assume the worst, but also no reason not too keep applying elsewhere.
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Aug 27, 2015 14:23
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That's almost exactly what they told me by phone. So, I was guessing that their funding fell through or some other such problem. It would be nice for them to say so, though. At this point I'll keep my eye out for it, but assume it's not coming in any useful time frame. Worst part is that doing this took up 3 months of my non competitive eligibility 
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Aug 27, 2015 14:31
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Slaan posted:That's almost exactly what they told me by phone. So, I was guessing that their funding fell through or some other such problem. It would be nice for them to say so, though. At this point I'll keep my eye out for it, but assume it's not coming in any useful time frame. I got impatient and called my boss-to-be and she isn't sure why they didn't contact me last week with an offer. But I'm going to feel uneasy until I get something in writing. You could consider calling to ask for an update if it's been a month already. They made the tentative offer more than two months ago, and I stopped applying to jobs at that point. My RPCV NCE is up this month, so if this doesn't work out I'll be less than thrilled.
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Aug 27, 2015 14:52
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e_wraith posted:I know some agencies (mine does this all the time) have a nasty habit of putting in USA Jobs that the only document required is a resume. But then inside they have an attached document or link that then asks for something else, often college/grad transcripts. Thus when you submit the package to USA Jobs it sees it as complete because they only told USA Jobs to look for a resume. But when it gets to their system or HR people they see it as incomplete because they had some line somewhere not easily viewable that asked for a transcript or something else. Yep, this was it. Despite there being a section that says "Required Documents" that only lists the resume/questionnaire, buried in the listing nowhere near the "required documents" is a paragraph that says I need to submit a copy of my bar card or printout from the state bar showing my license is active. Pretty dumb considering all you have to do is search my name in the bar database, but there it is and it's on me for not seeing that paragraph (and I routinely submit proof of good standing for other jobs when it's listed). Lesson learned.
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Aug 27, 2015 15:29
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Doctor Bovine posted:I got impatient and called my boss-to-be and she isn't sure why they didn't contact me last week with an offer. But I'm going to feel uneasy until I get something in writing. You could consider calling to ask for an update if it's been a month already. I called up my place just now. And they said a new manager that came in this month stopped all new hires. So now I'm waiting on a four jobs I applied to last week and five more this week. I'm hoping the job I had an informational interview with last week goes through. They told me to apply to USAJOBs already, so I'm hoping. 
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Aug 27, 2015 21:32
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So I have a temp seasonal gig with the BLM now, and I'm putting in my applications for other similar positions. About 24 hours after I put in an app for one of those continually open recruitment postings, I get an email saying my application lacks supporting documentation. The only thing they could be talking about (I think) is the SF-50. Do I have to provide an SF-50 even though I'm not applying for a merit job posting?
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Aug 28, 2015 03:23
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Phil Moscowitz posted:Yep, this was it. Despite there being a section that says "Required Documents" that only lists the resume/questionnaire, buried in the listing nowhere near the "required documents" is a paragraph that says I need to submit a copy of my bar card or printout from the state bar showing my license is active. Pretty dumb considering all you have to do is search my name in the bar database, but there it is and it's on me for not seeing that paragraph (and I routinely submit proof of good standing for other jobs when it's listed). Federal HR computers are even lazier than Federal employees, so that is a step too far for them.
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Aug 28, 2015 03:27
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The position that I have been waiting to be posted for 4 months is going to be posted shortly. It will only be open for 5 days. Hopefully I'll be highly qualified - it should be right down my alley in terms of specialty.
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Aug 28, 2015 18:30
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Just realized the position is a two year position in the Pathways program. Has anyone has experience with that program/after the two years is up? It says "upon completion of program appointees may be non-competitively converted to a term or permenant position without further competition." Would I run the risk of being employed for two years and then finding myself out of work? edit: on the off chance I got hired
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Sep 1, 2015 15:52
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Everything's a risk, but unless you're a turd Pathways appointments are likely to result in a conversion at the end of your two years. It's not guaranteed, but the whole point of the program is to pull recent grads into the Federal Service, which isn't accomplished by cutting them loose when their appointment ends. Just don't be a total dipshit and put some effort into your performance.
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Sep 1, 2015 16:12
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Good to know. Thanks
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Sep 1, 2015 17:03
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I mean what's the downside? Sure you are out of a job in two years if, for some reason, it doesn't convert (budget/performance) but you had a decent job for two years which will help you in finding something new.
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Sep 1, 2015 17:16
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Goodpancakes posted:I mean what's the downside? Sure you are out of a job in two years if, for some reason, it doesn't convert (budget/performance) but you had a decent job for two years which will help you in finding something new. Main problem is that if I was hired for the position I'd take a pay cut of ~7k for the hope that after a few years my grade would put me above that. Some cba planning to be done!
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Sep 1, 2015 17:54
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So what's happening when I apply for a position,I meet the requirements, and then proceed to do very well on the KSAs but my application is "not forwarded to the selecting offical"?
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Sep 4, 2015 17:45
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Depends. Sometimes they only take the first 50 candidates who meet the qualifications. Or you didn't make the BQ list. Or a lot of veterans applied. Or they chose to not hire anyone. Basically there's no way to know.
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Sep 4, 2015 19:10
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TheMadMilkman posted:There's no harm in calling them and countering with what your total pay was. Be ready to show proof, and also be ready for them to tell you no. Thanks, TMM and thread. I did this, they counter offered, and I accepted.
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Sep 4, 2015 23:21
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Congrats!
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Sep 4, 2015 23:51
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Welcome to the circle, jerk!
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Sep 5, 2015 02:04
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In the running for Asylum Officer at USCIS Arlington. Currently a CBPO, ready to try something else but I am not sure if it's worth the pay cut. Any AO's on board here?
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Sep 7, 2015 02:05
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So I'm going to be starting as a new federal employee in roughly one month, assuming background investigation etc. go according to the hiring office's predictions. Is there anything I should be aware of in general terms about how federal benefits/retirement/medical etc. work going on? I'm assuming that there are HR people or OPM employees whose job it is to explain these programs to employees but, if they are about as competent as their state equivalents, I'm not entirely sure I trust them. I plan to stay with this agency my entire career, and since I'm in my early thirties that's likely to be another 30 or so years, so I'd like to make sure that I'm starting on as sound a footing as possible. Specifically, there appears to be an utterly boggling number of options for health plans, and I don't have any real idea how to compare one with the other. My previous employer (a state agency) had a grand total of two, and bizarrely enough paid essentially 100% of the costs rather than the feds' 75%, not that I'm complaining. Also, does anyone know of a good discussion forum for federal employees in general? I'm aware of federal soup but it seems really dead compared to the sheer number of current and aspiring federal employees, so I'm assuming the bulk of discussion has been moved elsewhere?
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Sep 7, 2015 22:23
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kys posted:In the running for Asylum Officer at USCIS Arlington. Currently a CBPO, ready to try something else but I am not sure if it's worth the pay cut. Any AO's on board here? Asylum Officer is also, according to the learn-about-other-directorates lunch meeting we had earlier this year, one of the primary paths you would want to take if you had any interest in being a Refugee Officer someday, because that is the only other job doing fairly similar work in the immigration world. So if that sounds intriguing, then you definitely should go for it. prussian advisor posted:Also, does anyone know of a good discussion forum for federal employees in general? I'm aware of federal soup but it seems really dead compared to the sheer number of current and aspiring federal employees, so I'm assuming the bulk of discussion has been moved elsewhere?
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Sep 7, 2015 23:07
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prussian advisor posted:So I'm going to be starting as a new federal employee in roughly one month, assuming background investigation etc. go according to the hiring office's predictions. Is there anything I should be aware of in general terms about how federal benefits/retirement/medical etc. work going on? When you come on board with your agency you ought to be provided with SF-2817 to elect FEGLI (life insurance) coverage. Be aware that once you hit 60 days after your appointment you can no longer change your FEGLI easily. Open seasons are not common. If I had realized that I'd have maxed everything on day one because it's really cheap. Put at least 5% in TSP. That will maximize the government contribution. Even if it's not something you care about with respect to retirement it's still free money. Also don't just let your TSP balance sit in the default G fund if you're young. Or do I guess. I'm not a financial planner. Tsp.gov will explain all that. FEHB (health insurance) can be changed every year during open season or when you lave a Qualifying Life Event such as marriage or birth/adoption of a child. The instructions on SF-2809 give more details and can be obtained through opm.gov (no link - phone posting).
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Sep 7, 2015 23:30
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Loucks posted:When you come on board with your agency you ought to be provided with SF-2817 to elect FEGLI (life insurance) coverage. Be aware that once you hit 60 days after your appointment you can no longer change your FEGLI easily. Open seasons are not common. If I had realized that I'd have maxed everything on day one because it's really cheap. I'm going to be maxing out my TSP contributions at 14% (for 19% total contributions with government matching I believe) to drive down my income levels for public service loan forgiveness/income-based repayment reasons. I don't really plan to opt into the life insurance as I don't really have any dependents who would be suitable beneficiaries; I'm tentatively assuming that there's no actual 'investment vehicle' options for FEGLI ala a "whole life" policy? Which plan do you use for FEHB/do you like it?
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Sep 8, 2015 00:19
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prussian advisor posted:I'm going to be maxing out my TSP contributions at 14% (for 19% total contributions with government matching I believe) to drive down my income levels for public service loan forgiveness/income-based repayment reasons. I don't really plan to opt into the life insurance as I don't really have any dependents who would be suitable beneficiaries; I'm tentatively assuming that there's no actual 'investment vehicle' options for FEGLI ala a "whole life" policy? High five max TSP for PSLF benefits, buddy. That's a ridiculous starting salary if 14% is maxing your contribution. Or is that just the max you feel comfortable putting in? The plan I use probably isn't available for you but lots of people like Blue Cross Blue Shield, hard to go wrong with them.
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Sep 8, 2015 00:25
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Tyro posted:High five max TSP for PSLF benefits, buddy. That's a ridiculous starting salary if 14% is maxing your contribution. Or is that just the max you feel comfortable putting in? I thought employee contributions were capped at 14%, and government matching capped at 4% (including the automatic 1% on top of that for a total of 5%?) Maybe I heard wrong, I'll swing over to tsp.gov to be sure. You wouldn't happen to be an attorney as well, would you? BC/BS PPO was my state option and I loved it, there were times where I was literally shocked (in a good way) at the scope of things they were willing to cover and the extent of the coverage. Hopefully the federal equivalent is just as good.
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Sep 8, 2015 01:06
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prussian advisor posted:I thought employee contributions were capped at 14%, and government matching capped at 4% (including the automatic 1% on top of that for a total of 5%?) Maybe I heard wrong, I'll swing over to tsp.gov to be sure. You wouldn't happen to be an attorney as well, would you? Not an attorney, no. Cap for TSP is $18K/year currently or roughly $693 per pay period. Matching is capped at 5% like you said. http://www.tsp.gov/planningtools/electivecontributions/electiveContributions.shtml
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Sep 8, 2015 02:39
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prussian advisor posted:I thought employee contributions were capped at 14%, and government matching capped at 4% (including the automatic 1% on top of that for a total of 5%?) Maybe I heard wrong, I'll swing over to tsp.gov to be sure. You wouldn't happen to be an attorney as well, would you? I can comment here (I'm on my dad's FEHBP BC/BS): BC/BS under Federal is amazing. You do, however, pay a lot in premiums. Those premiums, however? All worth it.
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Sep 8, 2015 18:00
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Rejected from 2/3 Postings. Let's see for the third goes - it's the one I was most qualified for of the ones I applied to.
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Sep 8, 2015 18:38
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I'm 0/51 so far with no interviews, so it could be worse
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Sep 8, 2015 22:44
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I am always intrigued by people who apply to, like, one job a month, rather than 5 jobs a day. I assume they have a much better grasp on their field/long-term goals than I do...or maybe they already have good jobs and are just curious? Hang in there Goodpancakes! I went 1.5/~250*  though I suppose in fairness a good 75 of those were before I had some people tear my résumé to shreds and start again.Of course...now I hear it is too long, and I should move all my unpaid experience to "other information." Fair enough, and I know they are supposed to ignore gaps in employment, particularly if you are in school, but I still feel like someone is going to say "seriously, nobody paid him to do anything from 2008-2011? Hmm..." *Well technically I never got an actual interview, but you know what I mean
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Sep 9, 2015 00:35
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My job offer finally came. However, it's 10k less than I was hoping for. I have a masters degree and six years of working experience. I did Peace Corps/grad school for the last few years and my last salary (for the NGO job I quit in 2011) was 36k. What are my options here? 'Congratulations! You have been tentatively selected for some random position with a government organization. You have been selected at the FP-7 (GS-7) grade level. This government organization's policy requires pay to be set at Step 1 unless documentation (e.g. last two pay statements) of recent salary history is higher. The documented higher salary (up to the maximum of your grade) could then be offered. Please provide me such documentation if it is available. The FP-7, Step 1 salary is $ 39,972.00 per annum.' Edit: The salary range for this job is ~39-58k Doctor Bovine fucked around with this message at 03:35 on Sep 9, 2015 |
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Sep 9, 2015 01:29
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Quarex posted:I am always intrigued by people who apply to, like, one job a month, rather than 5 jobs a day. I assume they have a much better grasp on their field/long-term goals than I do...or maybe they already have good jobs and are just curious? In my case, I have a good job but I would love to be employed by the agency I have been applying to.
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Sep 9, 2015 13:01
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Doctor Bovine posted:My job offer finally came. However, it's 10k less than I was hoping for. I have a masters degree and six years of working experience. I did Peace Corps/grad school for the last few years and my last salary (for the NGO job I quit in 2011) was 36k. What are my options here? Does your job have any sort of 7-9-11-12 track (or target some rank)? If so, yeah, you're stuck at low pay the first year but should advance quickly to the target grade. If it doesn't, then you're pretty much stuck; rank generally isn't negotiable outside of the advertised range.
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Sep 11, 2015 13:12
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Loucks posted:When you come on board with your agency you ought to be provided with SF-2817 to elect FEGLI (life insurance) coverage. Be aware that once you hit 60 days after your appointment you can no longer change your FEGLI easily. Open seasons are not common. If I had realized that I'd have maxed everything on day one because it's really cheap. I think this should be triple quoted. I forget what the statistic is but open season for FEGLI is really rare.
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Sep 14, 2015 21:01
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