Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 48
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

Federal Employees Say Hiring Process Doesn't Work Well

Hiring Process

Accountant
DFAS
Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:31 AM

Post Reply

Our agency also used the outstanding scholar program and hires college grads. What a waste. Most of them believe they are too educated for most work. They may be book smart, but to not have a clue when it comes to Govt. Accounting and don't want to learn. They believe that because of their a degree, the Govt owes them a gravy job with a high salary. Most are not willing to actually work to earn it.

Re: Hiring Process

Accountant
DFAS
Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:38 AM
I agree with the comments on some of the grads coming on board, however, there are also a few good ones in the bunch. Again, it's the lengthy hiring practice - several months after one is interviewed, the best and brightest have gone on to brighter pastures in the private sector unwilling to wait any longer for a gov. job.

Re: Hiring Process

ENGINEER
DOD
Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:06 AM
I agree with some of the comments.
One thing I do not agree, is that ALL of the new hirees are almost guranteed a promotion. So, once they are in the door, as a GS-07 in less than 2 years they can reach to GS-11. While all of us still stuck in lower paid position doing all of work as well as training for them while they move up. I can understand that the govt needs younger people, but hey what about us that have dedicated our life work for the good ole USA ? Oh yeah, there's a freeze on that.. most of them want college educated people, not those who have experience or less than a college degree ..Most of us at our age do not want to quit a "secure" federal job. So, it's really a no-win situation.

Re: Hiring Process

Accounting Technician
DFAS
Sat Aug 9, 2008 10:30 PM
I have been trying to get into the LIM program and I keep getting pushed aside. I have my degree with a 3.59 overall GPA but others have been picked and I know one of them is not the smartest. I am beginning to think that even though I may bust my you know what it still is not going to get me anywhere.

Hiring and promotional processes

Equal Opportunity Specialist
USDOL
Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:40 AM

Post Reply

We would all like to think that everyone has a fair chance at being hired and then being promoted-this is not the case as my short ten years of service is a testament. The process of hiring and promoting indidviuals is still replete w/racism, genderism, favoritism, intimidation, cronyism and a lack of accountability-all the things that make an organization below mediore and just plain bad.

hiring process is corrupt

union rep
SSA
Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:48 AM

Post Reply

Where's the reporting on the epidemic of cronyism and nepotism in federal hiring? The hiring process in my agency rivals the cronyism and nepotism of Third World countries...! There are whole nuclear families on the payroll here, all related to management. Where's the MSPB and OSC when we need them to get us out of this ethics-free zone?

Hiring Process

Human Resources Specialist
USDA
Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:55 AM

Post Reply

I agree, in part, with many of the responders. I agree that proficiency in speaking English is essential. I agree that we should have ONE portal for anyone wanting to apply for Federal employment. I resent the suggestion that the Veterans Preference Law should be modified. Abuse of the VPL alreadey exists and to modify it would only expand the opportunity for abuse. I found interesting one commenters suggestion that the process was "complicated" for the "best and brightest" in applying for employment. hummm... And, as far as testing goes, you can not rely on testing alone. As already pointed out, some test better than others yet they may lack motivation and initiative. Besides, we tried that before only to have it challenged as being discriminatory against minorities. How come we don't pursue "older workers" like we do the younger generation. With older workers living longer and wanting to work, plus they bring skill, knowledge, and ability to the table, why do we seem to neglect them? In closing, perhaps with the consolidation of HR into only 5-agencies improvement in our processes and timeliness may improve. I do believer that where ever you can utilize technology to automate process and procedures, we should do it...so staffing, classification, and much of ER (health, life, TSP, retirement, etc.) should be automated.

Re: Hiring Process

Budget Analyst
DoD
Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:00 PM
I agree with Human Resources Specialist, USDA. There are a lot of bright, creative, dependable government employees, who helped keep the government afloat all these years. Some were unable to attend college and attain degrees because of finances, and perhaps personal situations. Not everyone is suited for college. Doesn't mean they have not been dedicated, high performing employees. I am totally fed up with the overused "best and brightest" BS...

Also, the tuition reimbursement program should be more equitable. A previous article indicated more young people are attracted to government jobs. Think about it! If you could come into the government, earn more money, get better leave benefits than current employees, and have your student loans paid off with only a 3-year commitment (and OPM wants to do away with this), wouldn't you be more attracted to the government? Also, there aren't a lot of jobs laying around waiting for the "best and brightest" or anyone else. So, why not the government?

Re: Hiring Process

USDA Specialist
USDA
Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:17 PM
I'm not surprised you would like to "modify" the Veterans Preference. I haven't met anyone at USDA that thinks having served in uniform should count. Statistically USDA is far behind any other agency of the same size in hiring Vets. I pray that you lose your job so your dicrimative ways will go away.

Re: Hiring Process

RDS
USDA
Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:54 PM
Our office had to hire a vet because this person was a vet and blocked the register. It has been a nightmare. This person clearly is not qualified for the job as they represented themselves on their application. We continue to "clean up" behind this person and "fix" things. This person spends alot of time on the phone to their spouse and on the computer looking at the weather, news and webMD. This person has also "worked" for several different agencies. Just because someone served in uniform does not make them qualified for every job.

Re: Hiring Process

ENGINEER
DOD
Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:10 AM
bravo to budget analyst-
couldn't have said it better !!

Re: Hiring Process

IT Specialist
DFAS
Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:09 AM
People act like it is impossible to remove a non-performing employee. It is not impossible - it takes work - so managers/supervisors need to stop being lazy - document and go through the process - it can be done - vets and minorities are not exempt from performance standards! Stop whinning and go through the process - your whinning is equivalent to those very people you think should be working!

Federal Hiring Process

IT Specilist
EEOC
Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:03 AM

Post Reply

I guess the Federal Hiring Process is just as messed up as the private sector's, huh?

Re: Federal Hiring Process

HR Spc
DOT
Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:36 AM
Amen! Private companies wrote the book on cronyism and favoritism. But then, we do have an administration that, like its predecessors, wants the government to run more like private business. . .Or do they want private business to run the government?

Re: Federal Hiring Process

DFAS
DFAS
Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:51 AM
Exactly right, the government has the same hiring issues as the private sector. I have a family member who does a lot of hiring in the private sector, and has no formula for success. Some people are great at interviews, but do not meet expectations. Some people have greate resumes, but still do not cut it. Hiring is a gamble because it is about people, all that can be done is improve the odds. Hiring people with a great education or a high GPA may improve the odds a little, but no one really knows for sure until they are hired.

outstanding scholar speaks out

Software application specialist
navsup
Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:20 AM

Post Reply

"In addition, our agency has hired several outstanding scholars and they leave a lot to be desired. The four individualas in my agency lack initiative and drive and common sense. " the above comment needs a response. I was hired under that programs a number of years ago and my first 3 years in federal service were horrible. I was toild constanly to keep my mouth shut and not make waves. Any attempt I made at innovation or originality were met with ridicule and a ton of we do not do it that way mentality. Now I have lost my interest in making it a better place and I am just here for the paycheck until I get a master's and get the heck out of here.

Re: outstanding scholar speaks out

IT Specialist
DFAS
Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:16 AM
23 years ago I came to the government as a GS-3. I looked at those "old-timers" around me and thought "losers" - how can you be content to stay a GS-3 for 30 years. I had wonderful ideas and went about changing some things against public opinion and policy - it was hard and no recognition whatsoever. I was just passed from one agency to another. Now 23 years later, GS-11, I'm glad I was at least true to myself - did things to make my work environment better - not much recognition along the way - in fact have been removed from service twice! I'm tired now and really don't care that much about innovation - that's what I saw in the faces of those "old-timers" all those years ago - now I understand how they could be a GS-3 for 30 years! All the life sucked out of them. In the end I'm just as tired as they were - all I want to do is retire! If they would do away with that penalty - I'd be out the door in a minute. If they really want younger and more intelligent workers - then they can do away with the penalty that holds most of us hostage!

Hiring/Promotion/Testing

Management Assistant
Treasury
Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:26 AM

Post Reply

It would be right and good if government hired and promoted fairly. I have over thirty years in the government and I have seen it all. People working in departments with years of experience are denied promotion within their own department. These people get good evaluations and awards but are not promoted. Instead the department hiring officials go outside of the agency or department and hire someone who does not have the experience or qualification. People who get promoted in many cases get it because they lick up to management. Racism, favoritism, buddy system, gender, age, sexism, and licking up to management all plays a part when it comes to promoting someone in my department. Testing does not determine if someone is qualified over someone who has experience. I wish government will be fair when it comes to hiring and promoting. When I say fair, I mean hiring and promoting people based on experience, education and knowledge.

Total Comments: 48
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.