Re: interesting

The fact that you are a "supervisory" IT specialist means that you were selected for something, at some point. Nobody is born a supervisor. While I obviously don't know the circumstances of each time you were passed over, there may have been things that were out of your ability to control. You are to be respected for your willingness to improve your social skills instead of wallowing in self-pity and victimization.

Re: interesting

Actually, when I was passed over, and was told the competition was keen, what I do not have was "VA supervisor" experience. While the position was a Technical Lead, my experience as a supervisor providing defense contract to the DoD does not count as supervisory because it was not VA. This is not self-pity or vitimization, this is a case of not kissing the right behind.

Before I came to work for the government, my friends and coworkers wondered why I decided to take a federal job? They said I was too energetic to become a fat and lazy federal employee. Now from the inside I can tell you that federal employee are not lazy, most seemed to be that way because the wind was knocked out of their sail and they are tired of trying.

Re: interesting

Computer Spec, a couple of things: while having direct supervisory experience with VA is not the most important attribute, it does mean something. There are many nuances & quirks about VA that don't apply to DoD (& vice-versa) & if you're going to supervise, it helps greatly to know the lay of the land of the agency & specific organization. It's more than a matter of kissing the right behind. Also, & not to criticize, it's interesting that you refer to yourself as a "Computer Specialist" when the position has been retitled "I.T. Specialist" for several years now - no big thing, maybe, but for someone aspiring to a supervisory role, presumably in the IT/Computer world, something that a selecting official might wonder about.

Re: interesting

While the title maybe officially change to IT Specialist. Our position title is still "Computer Specialist" for all official paper work. After spending the last 13+ years at the VA, I am convinced that kissing the right behind is the ticket to promotion. Sometime I wondered why I came to work for the federal government, I should have stayed with defense contracting. Oh, I remembered, my goal was to become a fat and lazy federal employee, or I was tired of trying because I was told that "you are with the VA now, throw common sense out of the window?".

Re: interesting

Computer Specialist, with your cynical attitude, I can see why you've been passed over. It's bound to come across in interviews and in everyday contacts. I was a supervisor for some of my career and the riskiest, most important decision most supervisors make is hiring people - especially those who will themselves be leading or supervising others. You don't want some loser with a bad attitude which would infect the entire workforce, no matter how technically qualified they might be. Since you have such a low opinion of VA - which may be justified, I don't know - why don't you leave and go someplace where you'll be happier?

Re: interesting

My Retired - CSRS, exit strategy is being work on.

Re: Boomers Retiring from Federal Jobs Could Equal Opp

You have that old government ENTITLEMENT attitude. Sorry for your life, but that should not guarantee you a lifetime position in an agency. When I write OLD, I am not referring to your age, it is the attitude.