Hello,

Seven months ago, I applied to the Entry-level Program with the Defense Intelligence Agency, as a collector, analyst, or operations personnel. Two months later, I received an e-mail that says the following:

"Your resume was reviewed by our Agency entry-level hiring board, and your qualifications are of interest to us. The hiring board may forward your resume to a selecting official at any time during the upcoming year as positions that match your qualifications arise. Your application will also be retained in our resume database for one year for further review by selecting officials. During this period, you may be contacted by selecting officials to discuss specific position requirements.

If you are selected for a position, you will receive a conditional offer from our Office for Human Resources. You are encouraged to reapply to this vacancy if your applicant data, work experience or education qualifications change."

I updated my profile to include some changes to my skills and experience and received another letter:

"Thank you for your application for employment with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Your resume was reviewed by our agency hiring board. Although we were unable to match your qualifications against currently available positions, your background and qualifications continue to be of interest to us. Your application will be retained in our resume database for one year in the event of an appropriate requirement for your background and skills."

I am not sure what the bureaucratic meaning of these e-mails, but I've heard two differing opinions. A) Nice resume, but don't call us, we'll call you; and B) you're in the system, now you have to break through HR and become known amongst the hiring agents.

Without bragging, I feel as though I do have a rather impressive resume for being just one year out of college. I am currently employed by the US Department of State, but really wanting to transition into the intelligence community, either as a collector (preferably) or analyst.

I really feel like that agency wants to initiate the hiring process, but I feel like I'm caught up in the federal HR-WEB.

I'd really like to get the opinion of someone who works for DIA on how to get the attention of the hiring managers. I really feel as though I need to bypass HR entirely, but need tips on doing so in a way that isn't too forward but gains their attention and interest.

I live in New Orleans so going in and requesting an interview isn't practical. I have the number to their staffing division, but don't want to make them feel as though I am trying to circumvent the process.

If you have any tips, please respond to this post or e-mail me at: joeljwarne@aol.com.

Thank you in advance,

JW

To put it simple... it seems you got your answer. Call HR and ask them about the status of your application.

Networking is the key to this agency (and many others). I would tap into your current network to see if they know anyone there and start from the inside. It's MUCH easier to get in that way.