Just wondering where to start! Any help would be appreciated

The army civilian site is CPOL (google it)
The navy civilian site is DONHR
For others check USA Jobs. These 3 are all free.
DO not pay a site for a list of gov't jobs.

expect it to take some time-on average it takes 8 to 13 months to get hired for a federal job ( they are no longer "gs" jobs-the fed has gone to the NSPS system). The resume search relies heavily on key words so be prepared to edit your electronic resume for every job you sumbit for.

Not all have migrated to NSPS--our base is still GS.

Also contact the HR department of your local base. Sometimes they have recruitments at local colleges and universities. They can let you know if they have these and when they might be.

Good luck--took me 4 years to crack the code here.

True about NSPS ^ , half of us have crossed over, and the other half have yet to do it. This NSPS is too much work.

Applying for gov jobs is very cumbersome but don't give up. I have been applying for gov jobs for years with no success but I am determined to "crack the code".

I use USA JOBS

USAJOBS is a good website because it does incorporate all the other different government websites (Army/CPOL, AF, Navy, Local State jobs, etc). Be prepared to sit and enter your resume multiple times (can be very time consuming), and altering it multiple times. When writing out your resume to answer a certain vacancy announcement, try and use simple words/phrases; for example, instead of "coordinated multiple telephonic inquiries," use "routinely answered phone." A lot of the key words that are entered into and picked up by Resumix are usually in the actual position description, so try and follow that example.

If you have any sort of preferences, be sure to use them. If you are near a base/post, make an appointment with the Civilian Personnel Office and discuss what sort of options you have. Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised to know you do have some sort of preference, who knows unless you try? A

Also, be prepared for job announcements to process for months at a time. There will be times you'll get response emails saying "Sorry, this job announcement has been filled," and you'll have forgotten you even applied to that job about 9 months ago. Lots of hurry up and wait, just like the military.

It took me 3.5 years to get a "foot-in-the-door" GS05 job. I gave up my govt contractor job that had more responsibility, better pay, but no potential for promotion (I was already at "the top"). The potential for promotion and even lateral moves are pretty good once you're "in the system," so even if you apply and are offered a job you don't necessarily want, as long as you are "in" you will be able to maneuver better. I've known people who have skipped grades (starting as a GS05 and being a GS09) in less than 2 years. Unfortunately for me, we haven't stayed put in 1 place for longer than 1 year, so I've yet to start climbing.

Good luck to you! Don't give up, don't get discouraged, and be persistent!

"Foot in the door" is very true. I work with a procurement specialist (GS11) who started out as a GS 01 cashier in the commissary. Granted it took years to get to the 11, but she kept moving up, doing more and more and got promoted.

Currently the Navy (at least) is hiring tons of interns. It's a 7-9-11 program (or 5-7-9-11 if you don't have as good grades) but they are looking for college graduates, so it's good to get your education, too.

The CPOL system is the worst employment system I have ever dealt with! The jobs I have qualified for I never get reffered and when the employers post these positions they usually have someone in line to fill them. I have been trying for over a year with set back after set back I have the experience the background and to top it all the position I am seeking pays nearly 20,000 less than what I made as a civilian well city government! Isn't that sad I mean I am a former Police Officer and can not seem to get hired anywhere.....

I didnt have any luck with GS positions until I came to Ft. Drum..I have been called for two jobs but they were temp and I had to start at a level 1 since i have never worked for the govt, so I turned them down..even if I have a degree they only wanted to start me as a 4 step 1..so keep tryying

I'm in the same boat as well. I've been trying to "crack the code" to get in the GS system. I'm hoping with the new announcement that spouses will get the same preference as veterans that there will be more opportunities for all of us. I will do anything to lose the current job I have now because it was supposed to be temp-to-permanent but it hasn't turned out that way.

Don't give up... you might want to try temping while you wait... it may not be very fulfilling (my temp job isn't) but you earn a pay check.

I am a veteran and a spouse, neither has helped me.

All you can do is keep trying.

Can you please tell me where you heard about the new announcement regarding spouses getting the same preference as veterans? I hadn't heard that.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by emjem24:
I'm in the same boat as well. I've been trying to "crack the code" to get in the GS system. I'm hoping with the new announcement that spouses will get the same preference as veterans that there will be more opportunities for all of us. I will do anything to lose the current job I have now because it was supposed to be temp-to-permanent but it hasn't turned out that way.

Don't give up... you might want to try temping while you wait... it may not be very fulfilling (my temp job isn't) but you earn a pay check.

quote:

Originally posted by yammers:
Can you please tell me where you heard about the new announcement regarding spouses getting the same preference as veterans? I hadn't heard that.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by emjem24:
I'm in the same boat as well. I've been trying to "crack the code" to get in the GS system. I'm hoping with the new announcement that spouses will get the same preference as veterans that there will be more opportunities for all of us.

I haven't heard of that either. IMHO, I don't think spouses should get the same preference as Veterans. They EARNED the right to have special preferences.

Even with veteran's preference do you know how hard it is to get in??

My husband- 23 years in the Navy, retired as a Master Chief (E-9), 30% disability, has his MBA and was working for a defense contractor but really wanted to work for the Navy.

Could not even get his resume considered or even accepted for consideration.

In the meantime the base was hiring graduates out of college with no work experience, hand over fist.

Finally, I had enough and called EEO asking why a disabled veteran couldn't even get his resume looked at. She told me to send it to her.

In two weeks he had interviews left and right and accepted a position doing the same job he retired out of almost two years ago.

If they do that to vets, do we wonder why spouses can't get a foot in the door? It's so incestuous at my base I sometimes think I'm in the movie "Deliverance" waiting for someone to tell me to squeel like a pig.

Also - we have two positions open at my work. However, they are not going to advertise it because they know who they want for the job.

It is hard to get in, but once you are in you are golden.

quote:

It is hard to get in, but once you are in you are golden.

^^This is exactly why I accepted my foot-in-the-door GS-05 job.

Now I just need to be able to stay put in 1 place for longer than a year so I can climb the ladder.

What frustrates me is that I apply for GS11 or NF-4 jobs, but all I get in answer is a lousy "referred but not selected." GRR! What does it take to get selected around here??

I also get some of the "not referred because you do not meet the guidelines outlined in the OPM" or something... Someone told me that's the standard answer if a resume is overqualified. Wha--?? I'll still take the job! I applied, didn't I?

There is some move afoot to remove the time in grade qualifications. This doesn't remove required experience, but in your situation, it would allow you to advance quicker based on your experience.

For me, this wouldn't immediately be helpful at present (I have DAWIA requirements to meet), but would help tremendously in the future. If I'm going to hit the ground running and produce quality product at a level higher than those around me, I'd better get the chance to compete for the promotions!

I got an e-mail on my AKO. All 5 of the government jobs I applied for I was NOT selected. It really urks me how much time I put into applying for those jobs. Some of those jobs had an application of about 21 pages long! Took me all day for one application!!!!!

Just keep trying. And trying. And trying.

I did eventually get hired, and have been working as a GS civilian now for a couple of years... but I am in the system and still getting those 'referred but not selected' responses along with everyone else.

Keep on trying.