Re: Getting a Federal Job

Perhaps we should just make it even harder so we don't have to hire anyone? The question should be do we want to hire the best people possible who can do the most for our country or do we want to hire future bureaucrats who are willing to take the huge time and effort to figure out the process because no one else will hire them?

Re: Getting a Federal Job

I couldn't disagree more. The current process is already giving us underqualified hires. All one has to do is answer "yes" to the appropriate questions online. The selection officer(s) have to take one's word because there's no way to prove otherwise until one is in the job and floundering.
An easier application system would not draw a greater number of under-qualified people than now, but it would give a larger applicant base from which to hire.

Re: Getting a Federal Job

It's absurd to think that by making the application process even more difficult to navigate it will produce qualified employees. The 'bureaucracy' is perpetuated and maintainted by those who think that and don't attempt to change an inefficient time consuming costly process. In my opinion it only hinders qualified applicants.

Re: Overlooked downside

In many jobs, the federal jobs are far superior in pay, benefits and job security than anything else available. In fact, in some jobs, and in some areas, we overpay people. In some technical areas, we do not pay enough to get the best people. With an average federal salary of over $60000 per year (80,000+ in DC), it is hard to convince most people that we are vastly underpaid and overworked.

Re: Overlooked downside

I agree to the statement it really depends on the field you are looking into. Like accounting. The Federal Government pays very well in this area. Junior Accountants would love to get a Fed accounting job. Senior accountants are more equally paid, but the difference is too small for someone to leave.

But, my area the Information Systems field is different. Due to the pay caps on the grade levels we cannot hire experienced I/S people. So, contractor companies are used heavy and federal jobs are unfilled and eliminated. I/S federal employees work side by side with contractors who are compensated better. On the average 10 to 20 percent or more. Then also the federal management likes the contractor flexibilty. Hire and Fire when ever you can and the contract allows.

Re: Overlooked downside

Where does a writer think that accountants in the government are paid well? Big 4 firms pay more to start than the govermment. I deal with CPA's, most of who make much more than I do. I examine small businesses for the correct tax liability. My vacation benefit is better. My sick leave may be better, but they have paid disability benefits, while my sick leave is my disability benefit. I pay about 30% of my medical insurance. The insurance is okay, but getting worse.

Re: getting a federal job

It's a supervisors responsibility to check references and verify the person's experience, etc. Supervisors need to do their jobs, make sure they check the references on people they are looking at hiring, and don't take just the word of the references the candidate has given. They should call former supervisors and then ask if they know others who might be able to provide feedback. Since the HR community does not make the selections, it is the supervisor who needs to do the homework - they are in fact doing the hiring.

Re: getting a federal job

Remember to take the total of the references into consideration. We have one manager that gives unsolicited negative references if she hears of employees trying to transfer to another agency.

Re: New Hirees

I couldn't agree more. As a female veteran I have over thirty years combined service. You don't see female veterans getting anywhere is DLA.