Trying to get a Government Job

Congrats on moving to the next stage...how is your interviewing skills?

I should be fine. I've done a few mock interviews before during school (around 3 or 4). On the job interviews I have been on I've killed it, but those were unfortunately commission only sales positions where I had to cold call. Plus it's easy to succeed in those interviews as all you have to do is smile, then tell them you're competitive but caring at the same time. So how I do in an actual interview for a regular finance type position remains to be seen. In the meantime I've been in contact with AccountTemps in an attempt to get some work experience.

I should be fine. I've done a few mock interviews before during school (around 3 or 4). On the job interviews I have been on I've killed it, but those were unfortunately commission only sales positions where I had to cold call. Plus it's easy to succeed in those interviews as all you have to do is smile, then tell them you're competitive but caring at the same time. So how I do in an actual interview for a regular finance type position remains to be seen. In the meantime I've been in contact with AccountTemps in an attempt to get some work experience.

Even though Im not a huge fan of the IRS, Good luck.

My first dress in a suite interview was with the federal reserve of richmond. I had to take a hand written 3 or 4 question timed essay test for the first hour. Then i sat in a room for about 2 hours while 4 people asked me questions in a rotating fashion. Then they graded my test in front of me and had me explain the logic in each of my answers.

I didn’t get offered the job, but I think it had more to do with the fact I hadn’t graduated yet and would be able to work for like 3 or 4 months, at least that’s what I like to tell myself. I still want to call and ask why. The experience though was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I crushed each interview thereafter.

I had an interview with GE a few years ago. Absolutely brutal. It was an all day affair, had to go room to room, first was a one on one interview, then with a group of 2, group of 3, and finally with a whole room full of people with everyone firing off questions.

Each interview was completely different too. Some people were really nice, some were complete a-holes. Some asked work related questions, and some were just totally off the wall. I was mentally exhausted afterwards. I didn't end up getting the job but honestly I'm glad. I figure if their interview process was that intense the job was probably no picnic either. It sure was an interesting process to go through though.

Congrats. I'm shocked they moved you to the next stage after using Dirtbag359 as your name.




The IRS is about the only place ADDING staff these days. Good for you...bad for the rest of us! :D

Federal workers earning double their private counterparts - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/income/2010-08-10-1Afedpay10_ST_N.htm)

Federal workers earning double their private counterparts - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/income/2010-08-10-1Afedpay10_ST_N.htm)

That story is a load. Or more accurately it is titled quite creatively. The data doesn't show that a person working for the gov't makes double what another person does in the private sector FOR THE SAME JOB. It says that gov't workers are paid more but does not account for why. Mostly it is because the Fed delegates out the lower level jobs to contractors now.

Looks like the Feds are getting more professionally driven organization and ever. And most of these people can work anywhere so I would imagine the feds have to compete for their services. Hell, TSA agents are now making well over 60K nevermine those working in the hill, justice department, energy, high military brass (looks like Dates is going to ax some generals), treasury, state (yeah, you want to be in Iraq or Congo in the middle of the monsoon season?). No wonder D.C. is teaming with yuppies.

Federal Government Employment Stats (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs041.htm)

Note which departments hardly have any people.

What TSA are making 60?. My brother would probably be pretty mad to find out he was making not even 40 while everyone else is making 60K. Where did you find that info?

That story is a load. Or more accurately it is titled quite creatively. The data doesn't show that a person working for the gov't makes double what another person does in the private sector FOR THE SAME JOB. It says that gov't workers are paid more but does not account for why. Mostly it is because the Fed delegates out the lower level jobs to contractors now.

What most people forget about and don't account for is the benefits people receive while working for the feds.

What TSA are making 60?. My brother would probably be pretty mad to find out he was making not even 40 while everyone else is making 60K. Where did you find that info?

Sorry, I didn't mean the imply the average salary was 60K. A friend of mine works for the TSA as Transportation Security Specialist (http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89695837&JobTitle=Transportation+Security+Specialist+-+SV-1801-H/I&sort=rv,-dtex&cn=&rad_units=miles&brd=3876&pp=50&jbf574=HSBC&vw=b&re=134&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&caller=basic.aspx&ss=0&AVSDM=2010-07-30+16:23:00)...he's pulling in 60K a few years ago but the max range for that position is $103,563 now so who knows what he's pulling now.