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Oh god how I hate USAjobs. And the entire hiring process for the government. But damned if I don't keep trying. Gonna watch this thread closely. What can be a good career to start out as and to look for if you plan on sticking with an agency? Is it possible to start as an office assistant or a janitor and work your way up from there? Edit: Any particular way or method for filling out the KSAs? Should I keep it brief and concise if I can or try to fill it out and hit as many keywords as possible? Edit Edit: And if I don't have even one of the KSAs involving really specialized experience should I not apply at all, or should I try to do a brief reading on the subject and read more on the subject if I ever get a response? Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 22:41 on Jul 5, 2010 |
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Jul 5, 2010 22:02
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Grand Fromage posted:What are good agencies to look at for research/analyst jobs? I got the obvious ones: State, DoD, DIA, CIA, NSA. So far I haven't gotten any responses so I'm looking for more to try. I'm curious myself, if there is one that is at least hiring more than others. Every interview or fair I've gone to since I moved were only interviewing to collect applications and resumes for who knows when? Edit: To clarify leaning more towards international affairs, and hopefully something that would allow me to use my Russian.
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Jul 6, 2010 23:04
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SWATJester posted:Might want to try State, especially Foreign Service. Russian would give you a nice boost, IIRC it's a critical needs language or some category that gives you a higher tier of bonus points. Yeah I took the FSOT back in November, but I am guessing that my lack of any work experience kinda killed it for me. Also tried to go with the Diplomacy track so the curve was already set fairly high. Or maybe I just sucked at it, though I thought I did very well.
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Jul 7, 2010 01:42
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Here's a related question. How often will private contractors front the funds for security clearances for employees? I imagine not often, if ever.
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Jul 11, 2010 06:21
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CherryCola posted:Just so you know, the State Department is accepting applications for its career entry program from today until the 17th! Hey thanks for this. Would've missed it if not for you. I long since got off the State listserv after months of receiving job announcements for senior positions and got tired of the spam. Unfortunately I will have to apply for the Foreign Affairs position. Maybe we could hold a Foggy Bottom goonmeet  ?Short notice but any DC area goons might be interested in attending a federal job fair tomorrow from 2PM-7PM. Just heard about this and have been preparing since. http://makingthedifference.org/federaljobs/careerfair.shtml#maximize VVV Yeah that is why I moved up here. I'm still unemployed but much better prospects than if I stayed in South Carolina. More interviews at least. Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 22:27 on Jul 13, 2010 |
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Jul 13, 2010 22:20
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Skandiaavity posted:Eh? You're going too? ( I suggest everyone goes.. ) Of course. Edit: It actually starts at 3PM. Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 16:24 on Jul 14, 2010 |
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Jul 14, 2010 15:31
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I just noticed a couple errors in my resume. Unfortunately I've already printed out like 15 copies and I am low on ink. Think I should reprint them just to fix the error, or do you think one error is going to kill me? Also let me know if you guys want to plan grabbing a bite or beer afterwards. Aim name is in my profile.
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Jul 14, 2010 16:39
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Here's another question. Do all federal resumes require social security numbers and narratives? I could understand the need for some agencies, but most of those agencies won;'t be taking resumes at this thing.
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Jul 14, 2010 17:21
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Somewhat glad I went. Was nice seeing agencies that weren't supposed to take resumes took mine (though nothing is to stop them from tossing them after we left). Although hope that isn't the case, got some good vibes from some of the people working the stalls. Hope some of them are friends with the HR people. BTW the State Dept. seminar was useless if any of you are po'ed that you couldn't get in. If you know what USAjobs is, and State.gov and have read the FSOT thread, you know all that they had to say.
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Jul 15, 2010 01:32
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I applied to a job back in September and didn't hear back until May. It would be a good idea to start applying now, I wouldn't expect an actual human being to actually see your application for at least 6 months.
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Jul 15, 2010 17:31
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Is anyone familiar with the ILR language test at all? I'm scheduled to take it in a week and for this position I have to get a 3/3, which I have no clue what that is. But if it is complete fluency then I am hosed.
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Jul 15, 2010 23:17
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Speaking, ILR3 Probably listening since it is an oral exam over a telephone. That actually makes much more sense. I thought it was 3/3 as in 3 out of 3 levels. Thought it was odd that they would use two separate scales for the test. Well if that is the case I just might have a fighting chance.
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Jul 16, 2010 00:15
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Just got done scanning my transcripts for this. I'm applying for the Foreign Affairs Specialist (yeah right) and the Passport Specialist (maybe?). I figure I'll put down Detroit for the latter; hopefully it'll increase the odds since presumably it's the worst place on the list. Doing the same thing. And including a position that I think I am already being considered for. I received an e-mail about still being considered for a PP Specialist a long time ago, but haven't heard a thing since.
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Jul 16, 2010 21:42
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Ramms+ein posted:Are you guys applying to multiple Passport locations? Would it hurt to apply to a couple locations with essentially the same letter? It's hard enough to come up with substantial and interesting content as to why I am interested in being a Passport Specialist as it is, let alone writing a unique on for each location. Also, is it even worth bothering to apply as a Foreign Affairs Specialist without an MA or above? I did have a govt. scholarship and I do speak Arabic but I have no relevant work experience or anything above a BA. I was sort of wondering the same thing with regard to the locations, but honestly I can't imagine that they expect letters to be different for every location as long as you list the different location. And for the Foreign Affairs question, why not apply?
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Jul 17, 2010 03:59
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Well sent the application materials. Concerned that my scanned transcript might not make it for whatever reason. Hoping for the best, but not expecting to hear from these people until the end of times.
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Jul 17, 2010 18:37
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Here is a related question. It is for a contractor in an overseas embassy. I was in the process for an immigration assistant position, but apparently I did so appallingly bad that I scored a 1/5 on the ILR.( I can only attribute this to being nervous as all hell, I could barely think.) But they want to continue my employment as a custodian at the embassy (which strangely makes 100 more than the immigration assistant). So my question is this, should I do it anyway? Edit: Apparently it is a TS clearance. I think I should soldier on. Edit 2: Basically the salary is pretty much the same as the previous job I was hoping to get, a few thousand over over the host country's average PPP, with tax exemption and free housing and utilities. Anyone have an opinion? VVV That seems a little off. I am obviously not in government but I have had a full-scope poly and background investigation done on me and I was told lying is the worst you could do. Generally unless you were a pothead and sold and grew a lot of pot they don't care. If they were isolated occurrences, and haven't done it for at least a year or two I don't think they would care, although they would probably investigate the occurrences further to make sure you aren't shortchanging or anything. Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 20:09 on Jul 22, 2010 |
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Jul 22, 2010 19:02
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I do, those phone language tests are kinda bogus wrt your actual language ability Don't see an e-mail. Besides don't I have your AIM name, from the DC goon meet thread? So whats the opinion, is the job I do for the clearance more important, or the clearance? Also just checked, apparently it is a two year contract. Even if it is for a TS I am debating whether I could stand being a janitor for two years. Or perhaps I should be thinking more in terms of language practice, experience, and the TS rather than what I would be doing for money.
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Jul 22, 2010 21:31
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I can still see why they do them though; face-to-face interviews or anything more comprehensive would be prohibitively expensive.
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I wonder. Might be filling out one of these shortly, but this concerns those dreaded foreign contacts. Couple things come to mind that might hurt me: 1. Kinda had a romantic interest in this girl, though nothing came of it. Still sort of friends, but nothing more. 2. Been talking to a lot of foreigners through a language exchange program, and if I get that Moscow job, might even meet a few of them. I checked the SF-86 and really it only tells you to list people you are involved with (with affection, obligation, or influence). Don't think any of these qualify, though I am sure I will end up at least mentioning them through the process. Anyway, how much of an issue would these be?
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Jul 23, 2010 06:02
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Not entirely sure what you mean by that, if you were talking to me TCD. From what the form says, neither of those cases really seem to fit. Better safe than sorry, I will find someone to talk to regarding any questions I have on the form, if I am approved for investigation. Otherwise I will bring it up with the investigator.
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Jul 24, 2010 05:17
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Got an email for thr passport specialist job. Got back to dc and I'm without power at the house. So much for filling out that questionnaire.
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Jul 26, 2010 03:09
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OMG JC a Bomb! posted:Dear god, USAJobs is bound and determined to keep me from applying to anything. 90% of the positions in my area seem to require you to join the Army Reserves, and every single one of them redirects you to another website where you have to enter your information again and make another account. Not that this is particularly unusual in the exciting world of online employment applications. I've simply sent an unofficial electronic transcript. If they are interested in you, then you might want to order an official. If I had to order a transcript for each and every job I've applied to on USAJobs I would be out at least $1000 dollars.
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Jul 29, 2010 01:20
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OMG JC a Bomb! posted:Yeah, that's what I thought. I submitted a paper application once with a sealed transcript, but didn't get any response. Where's the best place to put an unofficial transcript on your profile? I didn't see any specific field for anything beyond what school you went to, but I may have missed something. Some applications you can upload them. But on USAjobs just go to saved documents and upload them.
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Jul 29, 2010 03:46
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Sirotan posted:Has anyone filled out the questionnaires for the CEP yet? How long did it take you and what kind of questions did they ask? It was pretty straight forward. Mostly about your experiences like "Do you have working experience on projects taking upwards of six months" or "Have you ever led a team on a short term project" and other stuff.
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Aug 3, 2010 02:06
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I wonder if this is why the CEP had us e-mail everything and said not to upload any documents to ApplicationManager. Did they say that? I uploaded mine and the application looks fine. Should I remove the documents just in case?
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Aug 3, 2010 05:46
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Gawain The Blind posted:Years ago when I applied for the first time for an IRS gig, I answered these questions as honestly as possible, thinking there might be some kind of aptitude test or something later on. Nope. What actually happens is that the hiring list is made from the top X applicants, where X is how many positions they need to fill. Then your self-evaluation proficiency scores are used to create your initial ranking score. Then they never ever look at those ever again. Most of the people I initially trained with and started working with just answered the maximum (5) for each answer. Most of them didn't bother reading the questions. And here I was being honest on those things. Silly me.
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Aug 4, 2010 01:37
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Silent Nature posted:I just recently finally got a job offer with the Federal Government, which the position will be in Downtown DC. 200+ applications, 7 interviews, and 2 years on USAJOBS finally landed me one job offer that I only need to get my life started! Lucky bastard! Congrats! South Carolina is the pits. Care to give any details about who the job is with or what it is?
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Aug 14, 2010 06:55
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Homie S posted:Crosspost from the State/FSO thread. I got that e-mail too and I am waiting to hear from someone in the DS about the application and all that. Perhaps knowing what it is before I start might give me a better chance of getting scored well enough to get a call.
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Aug 17, 2010 21:56
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Well I finished the online assessment for DS special agent. Apparently I passed but I still need to wait to see if I am "competitive" for the next step. Oh I hope so. Apparently I know some people as friends of a friend of a friend in DS, hopefully I'll get the chance to talk to them and hear a little more about the job. Edit: What is it with the State department and these ridiculous HR, managerial jargon questions? Answers could be a mix between common sense and just "maximizing your dimensions" or "pushing the envelope". Kind of like a mix between watching Top Gun and The Office. Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 05:17 on Aug 19, 2010 |
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Aug 19, 2010 05:03
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Omits-Bagels posted:I think the DSS position sounds really interesting. Although I would bet that they hire mostly former military/law enforcement even though they state that they accept people from all backgrounds. Pretty much, like any other federal job. Luckily for the DS questionnaire I answered each question by thinking "What would Jack Bauer do?"
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Aug 20, 2010 06:02
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Got this gem from the NNSA today! "It was a pleasure meeting you at a recent career event. Thank you for expressing an interest in employment opportunities with the National Nuclear Security Administration(NNSA). We are excited to share more information with you regarding our employment opportunities. We would like to invite you to attend a virtual presentation on September 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm EST. The presentation will cover information about the NNSA's global critical mission and both career entry level and internship programs; and upcoming opportunities that may be of interest to you. This presentation will also offer you the opportunity to engage with us through a new interactive medium; our 3-D virtual island in Second Life!" So... Second life goon meet?
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Aug 28, 2010 05:24
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Pompous Rhombus posted:So, who's down for a flying penis raid? Pretty much my reaction to it. The only response from that damned thing. I am incredibly tempted to do this. Or to simply reply and ask if I could just ask for the information about the entry-level programs in an e-mail.
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Aug 31, 2010 06:36
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Omits-Bagels posted:Did everyone else pretty much click "yes" for each response on those CEP questionnaires? I didn't because I didn't find out that that was what you had to do until later in the thread, so I am likely hosed. BTW has anyone ever volunteered for the Police Dept.? That is what I am in the process of doing right now. Wonder if it would just be a matter of making them fresh coffee or what. Edit: Saw Pompous' quote. Did I write that and put it through babelfish 50 times? Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 01:37 on Sep 1, 2010 |
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Aug 31, 2010 16:41
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Gilyon posted:I hate usajobs so much. It seems like every single job that's not janitorial either requires you to have a masters degree, or have already worked for the federal government before. Can't work for the government if you don't have a government job, can't have a government job if you don't work for the government. Best catch there is.
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Sep 1, 2010 19:45
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Question: I can get into a volunteer position with a County PD. They basically want to conduct a background investigation that will take many months. I don't want to make them conduct the investigation since I will basically be taking whatever is thrown at me before I get to start volunteering for them. Basically I hate being an rear end in a top hat, wouldn't want them to waste their time but who knows if anything will even happen by the time I get to start with them.
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Sep 3, 2010 02:02
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Tyro posted:Are you talking about the Arlington Investigative Internship? If so go for it because it'd be some loving great experience. No, Prince George's County in Maryland. Honestly I am sure that their budget is limited, but as far as the "gently caress you got mine" mentality I want to be able to prove that I am worth a drat to somebody. Basically the guy said that at this point it wouldnt begin until early 2011. I don't know if I will be here or not. On the one hand, if it came to where I needed the experience, it'd be great, but if I didn't, I don't want to be an rear end in a top hat.
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Sep 3, 2010 05:52
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Haven't received my scores back. But since I was being honest with the occupational questionnaire, I am sure I am screwed. Oh wells.
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Sep 4, 2010 04:58
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Kinda off topic since it is a contractor job but is anyone familiar with a company called USIS? Have an interview coming up and I have been hearing some bad stuff about them after some google searching. Wondering if I am walking into something that wouldn't be the stepping stone I was hoping for.
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Sep 10, 2010 05:33
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Tyro posted:A good friend from college worked as a USIS investigator for a year or two before becoming a cop. What do you wnat to know? They aren't particularly well paid but the hours didn't sound too bad and he got a car. Meh, that was what I thought the job was that I was being interviewed for this morning. Left disappointed. Though I don't suppose they would be most likely give away a clearance since they tend to half rear end them just for the sake of a buck> Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 08:17 on Sep 11, 2010 |
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Sep 11, 2010 08:15
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CherryCola posted:Nope, I have South Asia regional expertise and I guess I convinced them that I am a super fast learner and super smart and awesome. The voicemail specifically said that they want to offer me a position with the agency, so they must have liked something!! Maybe you can help me out, I haven't been able to submit a thing on their application page and they never return my calls. When you are filling out the education history, I try to type parts of my university's name, the whole thing but it just can't find it. Who'da thunk that no universities start with "University of..."  Also do you have a Master's Degree or a B.A.?
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Sep 15, 2010 23:20
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CherryCola posted:Oh here's another big questions. So the security clearance process can take from like 6 months to a year. I'm about to interview for another really jawesome position which is a yearlong contract. If I get this job, would I be able to just tell the NGA to take their time and not put me on assignment until the year is up? If the contract requires a clearance I think that you can only have one background investigation for a clearance at a time. Not sure though.
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Sep 17, 2010 20:45
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