Trying to get a Government Job

[BDBohnzie]

Dirtbag, Schneed has given you your keywords on what to search for on the job and company sites you're hitting up. Take advantage of this. Those short descriptions should give you an idea of what types of jobs you'll be looking at and what you'll be getting into.

From the looks of it, the USAJobs.gov site is much easier to navigate than when I was applying for jobs over 6 years ago. I did a query on jobs in Virginia that had to do with Accounting Budget and Finance, sorting by salary from smallest to largest, and there are many entry level opportunities in the NOVA area. So between those and the contractors websites to search on, you should have a good starting point.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

Dirtbag, Schneed has given you your keywords on what to search for on the job and company sites you're hitting up. Take advantage of this. Those short descriptions should give you an idea of what types of jobs you'll be looking at and what you'll be getting into.

From the looks of it, the USAJobs.gov site is much easier to navigate than when I was applying for jobs over 6 years ago. I did a query on jobs in Virginia that had to do with Accounting Budget and Finance, sorting by salary from smallest to largest, and there are many entry level opportunities in the NOVA area. So between those and the contractors websites to search on, you should have a good starting point.

Actually in a strange turn of events I might actually qualify for an accounting job with the government.

A. DEGREE: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree in accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 semester hours may include up to 6 semester hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")
OR

I've taken 18 hours of actual accounting courses and 6 hours of business law and hold a degree in business administration. If I am qualified this is crazy because I took the second law class on a whim early in my college career and until yesterday when I listed my grades I had forgotten that I passed Intermediate Accounting II. Unfortunately though a lot of the positions also want at least one year of experience.

I'm hoping that the demand for accountants is so high that I can at least get my foot in the door. Maybe even get money to go back to school and finish up my BS in Accounting. Though I might be getting ahead of myself. I think in any other school I would have a minor in accounting but at the story goes the accounting department was pissed off at IT students who were using their Accounting Information Systems minor and calling themselves accountants so they decided to eliminate the minor completely.

Also maybe you guys can help me with this (as if you haven't helped enough already) but here's a list of jobs I've applied for with status updates.

Budget Analyst
Job Announcement Number: PERM-OCR-560-9-BDGTANAL-DP
Pay Plan: GS-0560-09/09
Location: US-Throughout the Nation

Active Forest Service 6/17/2010 Minimum Qualification Requirements Met
more information...
USAJOBS - Search Jobs
By the way I don't think I qualify for this one as they're asking for experience or a masters yet somehow I meet the minimum qualifications.

Procurement Technician
Job Announcement Number: OCR-1106-567-PROC-ARRA-D
Pay Plan: GS-1106-07/05
Location: US-Throughout the Nation
USAJOBS - Search Jobs

Active Forest Service 6/15/2010 Multiple Grades/Status/Agencies – Minimum Qualifications Requirements Met

This one makes me want to run back to school and just take two more accounting courses as they're asking for 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 more hours in related courses like business law and and quant.
USAJOBS - Search Jobs

[Dirtbag59]

Thought I'd share my first taste of success with you guys. Again thanks to everyone thats helped, especially BD who's put up with my annoying private messages. Next step...well hopefully impressing the bureaucrats in the District.

NOTICE OF RESULTS
From:
"hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov" <hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov>
Add to Contacts
To: Dirtbag359
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Human Capital Office
Employment, Talent & Security
Ogden Employment Office
Delegated Examining Unit
hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov

DIRTBAG359
EXAMINATION TECH 0503-5
10OG2-SBX0075-503-05-LC
Rating: 87.94
Veterans Preference: NOT A VET

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Internal Revenue Service.

Your application for the above position was received and processed in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines. Based upon your application, we are pleased to inform you that you tentatively meet eligibility requirements for the occupation and grade level indicated.

You will be receiving correspondence via e-mail, postal mail, or by telephone, informing you of the next step in the application process. The process can take several weeks.

What to Expect Next:
Your qualifications will be verified and resumes will be sent to the selecting officials for review. You will be notified if additional information is needed.

Sincerely,
IRS Employment Team

[saden1]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Thought I'd share my first taste of success with you guys. Again thanks to everyone thats helped, especially BD who's put up with my annoying private messages. Next step...well hopefully impressing the bureaucrats in the District.

NOTICE OF RESULTS
From:
"hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov" <hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov>
Add to Contacts
To: Dirtbag359
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Human Capital Office
Employment, Talent & Security
Ogden Employment Office
Delegated Examining Unit
hco.ogden.ext2@irs.gov

DIRTBAG359
EXAMINATION TECH 0503-5
10OG2-SBX0075-503-05-LC
Rating: 87.94
Veterans Preference: NOT A VET

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Internal Revenue Service.

Your application for the above position was received and processed in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines. Based upon your application, we are pleased to inform you that you tentatively meet eligibility requirements for the occupation and grade level indicated.

You will be receiving correspondence via e-mail, postal mail, or by telephone, informing you of the next step in the application process. The process can take several weeks.

What to Expect Next:
Your qualifications will be verified and resumes will be sent to the selecting officials for review. You will be notified if additional information is needed.

Sincerely,
IRS Employment Team

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

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by saden1

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.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

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.

[mlmpetert]

Federal workers earning double their private counterparts - USATODAY.com

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

Federal workers earning double their private counterparts - USATODAY.com

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.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

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.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by firstdown

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

I joined the government 2 years ago and have worse benefits now. I pay more for health insurance and have worse coverage. I also got 10% into my 401k whether I put any in or not. I do make more money now, though. I also get to boss around my old bosses. That is a nice plus.