Re: Boomers Retiring

It is unfortunate that more of the VA employees are not retiring after 30+ years of service. In the cases I have observed, these employees stay, because of an entitlement attitude and the knowledge they do not have the training for the jobs they occupy. Having 30+ years of civil service does not necessarily reflect capabilites or good job performance. The VA is in desperate need of skilled management, and employees willing to accept the old VA way is no longer working or appropiate. VA should be guided into an agency with less bureaucracy and employees who truely understand the value of caring for our veterans.

Re: Boomers Retiring

Not suprising because I was told that VA does not have to oblige by OPM rule.

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

I guessed we have not "network" with the right person for that right position.

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

One of the reasons HR offices don't provide PDs to candidates is that often the contents are parroted back in the candidates' KSAs. You don't need the PD to write to KSAs. Your experience, education, and training are what are important. If you don't understand what the KSAs are trying to get to, you probably don't have the background to be a successful candidate.

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

I'm with you bitter! Looking around my agency it's not what you know that gets you ahead, it's who you know, what minority group these individuals are in (I didn't think the government had hiring quotas), and how fast you can kiss someone's butt.

Yes, I too am bitter. After 30+ years of Federal service I'm seeing us old timers in my agency being pushed out. They are doing everything in their power to make us miserable so we will leave.

The newbies, who think they know everything, are dumb as dirt and have absolutely no common sense. Book knowledge will only get you so far.

So, as I make plans to leave, the stuff in my head will remain there as not one soul is asking me to share it! I hope the government of the future survives!

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

Actually, some agencies have Position Descriptions online (probably intranet for employees only) in what is sometimes called a "PD Library."

I am not convinced by the comment that people use them for preparing their job applications because if you extend that to everyone, then all the applicantions would look quite the same.

The author is correct. Find ways to stand out in your present job. That means, do something that makes a difference, and write about it on your resume.

You should be able to describe what you did today (this week, month, or year) that made a difference in specific terms. If you can not identify any special projects or accomplishments, you won't stand out and you don't deserve to be promoted.

It takes creativity and marketing to position yourself for advancement. When all things are equal, "networking" is how most people get jobs. People have to know who you are and what you can do to help them in order for them to have confidence in you and hire you

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

I agree, one doesn't need the exact PDs to apply, but Somewhere must have a more amiable HR office or hiring official. I agree more with the theory of the who-knows than the what knows. Experience, awards, graduate degree, and even outstanding scholar status doesn’t mean a thing if you haven’t had your nose deeply buried somewhere or your DNA results don’t match that of the upper-echelon. Of course it’s the same in the private sector, and often times worse, but come on, who are we fooling thinking the federal service is any different or that cronyism or nepotism is not alive and well in civil service…get real! Berry, you have your work cut out for you when all along promotions have been based on other than the best interest of the agencies they represent.

Re: Requesting PDs from HR?!?!?!?

The truth is if you are not a member of a minority, female, a member of an elite group, young and highly educated, you don't really stand a chance in getting promoted above a basic level. Advanced promotions are for the few, not for an older white male or the under educated young white male...Oops, did that slip out? In the culture of political correctness, that is a big "No No", but the truth is the truth. The US government of today is just as discriminating as it has always been. The only difference is that it has shifted who it is discriminating against. What happened to the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.? "People are not judged by the color of their skin, but by their content of their character". Look at all the staged photos which broadcast "diversity" and "inclusiveness". Do you ever wonder who was skipped over? Was a less qualified person promoted for the sake of political correctness? Sadly, how little we have really changed.

Re: Upward Mobility

I thought the VA was unique when we experienced the practice that you mentioned. The agency wants employee to perform but when there is an opportunity for promotion, those opportunity was deny or make unavailable by excuse. And the agency wondered why the morale is low?