THE INTERVIEW/HIRING PROCESS Every agency has different hiring practices Essay-style questions (KSA essays) have been eliminated, allowing applicants to rely on résumés and cover letters or complete simple, straightforward applications There is an 80 day hiring model from posting to offer; which will include notifying applicants on USAJOBS Web site at key stages of the application process Preference may be given based on veteran status, law enforcement or interagency experience Once an applicant receives a job offer a basic background check of the individual’s criminal and credit histories is performed A more extensive clearance investigation takes place after the offer has been made. About 90% of background investigations are undertaken by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
INTERNET RESOURCES www.makingthedifference.org: Student centered website with information on federal opportunities www.fedscope.opm.gov: Federal employee database www.USAjobs.gov: See which agencies have job openings in your area www.StudentJobs.gov: Wide range of employment opportunities for students within the federal government, whether in high school, college or grad school! www.calltoserve.org: Use the directory of Agency Contacts and talk to Call to Serve member agencies through Partnership Connect www.calltoserve.org/toolkit: Teaches students how to navigate the federal hiring process and allows you to make presentations to others www.feb.gov: Contact your region’s Federal Executive Board to ask for agencies in your area www.opm.gov/hiringreform/pathways: More information about hiring reform www.ourpublicservice.org/OPS/: Partnership for Public Service website http://data.bestplacestowork.org: Reviews and ranks the best places to work in the federal government www.OPM.gov/HiringReform: Learn more about federal reform Partnership for Public Service Facebook Fan Page Career descriptions gathered from http://www.bls.gov/OCO/: Bureau of Labor Statistics-Occupational Outlook Handbook http://online.onetcenter.org/: Online occupational network database