Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

Someone at your organization needs to ask OPM to review the factors considered for an entry level position in your announcements. I doubt that minimum requirements for qualification for the position require an ability "to apply federal rules and regulations to pending personnel actions while under fire in the confines of a submarine."

Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

Well, the job is at VBA, so some of the questions are really targeted towards Veteran's and people who have been police officers or worked in the rescue industry. What is wrong with the other questions? I do agree that most GS-5 and 7's probably have not started their own "business" for example.

Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

Well, I am nearing the end of my career. Several of my friends will have to continue working because they did not work for the government, they went into private industry. Most of them are without a pension/retirement after having worked for 25-30 years. Yes, I would encourage people to work for the government (even though it is quite a hassle getting a foot in the door) - they will appreciate it at retirement time (even though FERS is less than CSRS, it is something). At least they would have something at retirement time!

Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

It's all just nuts -- to be a Human Resource Spec. they want to know if you've had a play or novel published?

Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

To: Program Analyst-OPM The job being filled is a GS 5/7 HR Spec. It is not reserved for a Vet at VA any more than it should be reserved for a farmer at AG. The Agency needs the best person (potentially) for the job-period. Some of the experiences asked for may be relevent re "ability to independently solve problems, "knowledge of team building techniques" or "skill in written communication," but those are the knowledges, skills and abilities (KSAOs) that would place one candidate ahead of another. The announcement should give open invitations for descriptions of any and all life experiences that demonstate these KSAOs. Hopefully, that was the intent of the examples described in the original post and they are not the sole possible examples of evidence of having the KSAOs that would be considered.

Re: I wouldn't put them through the agony

"The job being filled is a GS 5/7 HR Spec. It is not reserved for a Vet at VA any more than it should be reserved for a farmer at AG."

I know that...I said it seems to "target" Veterans and others in the related fields.

Which is why I agree with you that they need to contact someone about it.

Re: Government Jobs

My husband is in the same situation. He's been trying for 5 years to get into government jobs. He is 40, and has worked as a manager for 5 years, only to be told he is not qualified to do Accounts Receivable Assistant work (GS-5).

Still, the benefits of federal service are not to be overlooked. I wish your son the best of luck in his career, but can he move to another state? That's just one federal benefit private sector employees envy.

Re: Government Jobs

Nothing wrong with working for the City of NY. I still collect a relative's pension for the rest of my life! They have/had excellent benefits. Salaries doubled very well. Your son should be fine. They even place folks in a job they can do even if they don't qualify according to HR's task list.

Re: Government Jobs

It won’t matter what GPA your son or daughter graduate with, it won’t matter what their degree is in or how many they have. What will matter is if they have a family member or friend on the inside. I have never seen nepotism as bad as it is now. When I hired on with the government you could not work for, with or even in the same proximity as a family member. We now have family members not only working in the same building or same squadron, but for each other. You want a job with the Federal Government? Get a relative or friend to get you in because that’s the only way you will get one. If you have the backing and there is no position available at the time one will be created for you. Happens all the time.

Re: Government Jobs

No kiddin'! When I went into Civil Service a loong time ago, I took an exam and had to place highly. There was direct hire authority so I carefully considered the places I wanted to work and left them a (gosh I forgot the form name.) I had to avoid a whole collection of activities because of my father. It got easier once I married and changed my last name. But even then, I remember the shock on one boss's face when she saw a whole group of senior-type leaders stop at her junior tech's desk because they recognized me in passing. (They had no business at all with me or my division, that was the point.) That actually worked against me, though, as she hated the group my father worked with. But, I never got a job where my family name was known.

Now, our summer hires were the offspring of people in favor in the code, (hard to say anything negative when necessary because you must work with the parent after summer is over.) Married couples in same chain, so many relatives.

Re: Government Jobs

The "buddy" system is all over the US Government system. Women and minorities will always be in disadvantage against the better jobs....

Re: Government Jobs

While I'm not agreeing there is a good ole boy system as some claim, I would counter that there is no such system in the private sector? Give me a break! Tell me with a straight face that private sector employment is based entirely on merit alone. I've been around far too long to believe that one.

Re: Government Jobs

Maybe it's just the DoD, because at my agency I don't see any discrimination against women at all (and yes, I am a woman).

I also see very little of people bringing in their "buddies." The people who get promotions are the people who get along with their bosses, but in most cases that's because they do the best work and are generally agreeable people. That doesn't mean you can't disagree and have an appropriate debate with your supervisor, but if you spend all of your time complaining, when are you getting work done?

When we hire from the outside, we truly hire from the outside and seriously consider all candidates. We do have a tough time finding qualified engineering candidates, particularly at the entry level, which I'm sure has to do with the hiring process, the perceived low pay (starting pay is very low, but it gets competitive within a few years), and lack of real recruiting. I don't think a referral bonus would help much, but money to recruit on college campuses would

Re: Government Jobs

Engineer, I too do not believe there is the so-called buddy system with the implied, "I don't know anything, but I got my job because of my friend, relative, etc." Granted, there are selections made with the candidate being known by the selecting official, but that's because he/she is the best qualified. I think the phantom "buddy system" refrain comes from the sour grapes group. Blame someone else for your non-selection instead of the fact that your resume is less than adequate, your interviewing techniques are non-existent, and your overall attitude needs refinement. It really gets old after a while. I have been in govt, DoD, for over 30 yrs and will gladly deny such blanket discrimination exists.

Re: Government Jobs

"Women and minorities will always be in disadvantage against the better jobs...."

This is not true in my agency. Actually, white males and females are pretty much cut out of the picture due to a full swing of the pendelum and quotas for hiring. What happened to equal opportunity for all???

While I understand that there are pockets of problems, hiring in the Federal government should not be dictated by hiring quotas or other non-merit issues. To get the best and brightest, you must hire the person who is the best qualified for the job regardless of who or what they are.