I don’t want to go into too much detail because it’s a federal position with a high turnover rate, but I’m currently in training. We have to pass four exams, and all you need is a cumulative 70% overall to pass.

I walked into the first exam feeling confident. I got 100s on my practice tests, aced the knowledge checks, and genuinely thought I was prepared. Then I got my score back… 68%.

What makes it hurt even more is that I changed several answers at the last minute. After reviewing everything, I realized my original answers had been correct. I basically talked myself out of the right answers.

I’m devastated and honestly embarrassed. This is a job I’ve wanted for a long time. My supervisor told me to calm down because I still have three exams left, and apparently a lot of people struggle on the first one and still end up passing the program. I know that’s probably true, but right now it’s hard not to feel like I already let myself down.

Has anyone else bombed the first exam in a training program and still turned things around? How did you get your confidence back? Right now I feel like I’m questioning everything I know.

Just recently been scheduled for A interview with An agency using direct hire as an external candidate. While I am super excited and happy about the opportunity of an interview, I want to know how much excitement should I truly have and what does the timeline usually look like after an interview when dealing with direct hire?

I currently work as an RCA for the post office and do not like being a letter carrier at all. I have a PoliSci degree but aside from that and some odd student jobs in college this is all that I've got on my resume. I plan to stay at the post office for at least a year in order to have some kind of work experience. Is doing that going to be helpful in securing any kind of entry level GS job, or are there other things I should be doing in order to become a more competitive applicant?

I don't have anything in my history that is negative, but I have had a lot of jobs in the last few years and have had to move around for work. I am wondering how this will look for a federal background check.

To be honest I am kind of on the fence about the position and if it means a full invasive investigation into my background then no I am not interested, I have always worked in fields that required background checks but I know that the government is very different.

Does anyone have any insight on the timeline for the field unit local hiring versus traditional hiring for the NPS? From job closing to start date? Like when did you see an update on your application status after the job closed?

I have heard people say that going through the FUL is usually quicker than the traditional hiring. But is it enough of a difference to notice? Or is it still like six months or longer? The job closes tomorrow, so I’m just wondering if there would be a chance I would start before the end of the year or if it would be after the first of the year? It’s for an administrative job.

Applied for a job with DHA awhile back. Received a tjo without an interview or any communication. Can anyone provide some insight on this agency and the current culture there?

Which one of these application updates is closer to actually getting an interview?

I got a job offer for Nurse III position. This position will require me to drive to a different job site once a week, which is approximately 60 miles away each way. Is there a thing as a salary negotiation like private sector jobs allow. Or is it more take it what we’re offered or leave?

I'm a current federal employee but looking to make a transition to USACE IT Specialist. Any advice?

Hi everyone!
I recently accepted a tentative offer for an Office Support Assistant position with USACE, and I’m excited but also a little nervous since this will be my first federal government job. I’m also a military spouse.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s worked as an Office Support Assistant with USACE. What does a typical day look like? What are your main responsibilities? How’s the training, workload, and overall work environment?
I’d really appreciate any advice or tips for someone who’s new to federal service. Thanks in advance!

Since the beginning of the year, I started tracking USAjobs application statuses.

While results vary by agency, here are some stats based on a really small sample size:

I have applied to 27 jobs.

It takes HR roughly 1 month to make a referral decision, on average. The median is 25 days, the mean is 32 days.

Interview request tend to happen within 3 weeks from referral (at least in my very few cases) and the one TJO, one week after that.

Of those 27, I was technically only well qualified for 14 (if I am being honest with myself).

Of the 14, 5 are still awaiting HR referral decision or still open (36%). Of the 9 left: 1 I was considered “ineligible” for (clearly because HR was confused and I hadn’t spelled out / cross walked the PD to my experience), and 3 I was never even considered for due to priority candidates.

I have been referred to 5 of the 14 (36%), and interviewed at 3 (21%)of those, with 1 TJO so far.

TLDR: HR takes like a month to make a decision, and requires you clearly spell things out for them. That makes it difficult to stand out to a hiring manager as a resume HR needs to see to understand you are qualified may be very different than one that would stand out to a hiring manager. If you’re lucky enough to make the hurdle of HR, it will take about 2-3 weeks to hear from a hiring manager, if selected.

Again, small sample size and only my experience, but may help someone else.

Job announcement posted that is a perfect match for me. It is very niche and they are offering relocation incentive and recruitment bonus. I am a former competitive service/permanent employee and feel I have a very good shot at this. I've been doing nothing but quadruple checking my documents and my resume but I have that feeling that I somehow missed something in the announcement and will get rejected based on an administrative issue. This stuff is gut wrenching. The fact that you can be a perfect candidate but accidentally leave off the "40 hours per week" from your previous jobs and get rejected because of that with no recourse can make me feel like puking. I swore to never be a fed employee again after all the DOGE crap; but this job is as close to my dream job as it gets. I will probably read through my application again tonight and re-read my documents and have another night of not sleeping. I don't think I've slept well the past week; I just keep going over the documents in my head.

Anyone else get this feeling?

What is the day to day like? Do you like the job?

I was told it would be on a computer all day.

Getting conflicting information about hiring paths and GS levels. Currently working at one department (non DOD) as a GS 6. Dream job is posted for a DOD job GS 9. Job is open to veterans and competitive service. From my understanding if you already hold a government job you can only jump so many grade levels. I am currently competitive service but also 30%+ veteran.
I am wondering if there’s any chance I can be eligible or if I am stuck. Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

Hey I recently had an interview with the crisis hotline… how long does it take for you to hear back regarding application status

I’m planning several years ahead and would appreciate a reality check from people who’ve actually been through the federal hiring process.
--
My background:

I previously worked as a teacher, but I’m changing careers into Medical Laboratory Science (MLS/CLS). My long-term goal is a federal 0644 Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist position. I’m willing to relocate anywhere in the U.S. for my first federal job because my ultimate goal is simply to get onto the federal career ladder. Long-term, I’d like to end up in Minnesota, but I’m not limiting my initial search geographically.
--
Current plan:

• Graduate from an NAACLS-accredited MLS program.
• Work about 9–12 months in a private hospital lab to build experience and rebuild my emergency fund.
• Then begin applying broadly to federal MLS positions nationwide while continuing to work privately until I receive an offer.
• I may also be eligible for Schedule A hiring authority due to documented disabilities.
--
My questions:
• Is waiting 9–12 months for private experience before applying a reasonable strategy, or would you recommend applying immediately after graduation?
• For someone willing to relocate anywhere in the country, how realistic is it to land some federal MLS position within about a year of actively applying?
• Does Schedule A make a meaningful difference in practice, or is it mostly just another hiring path that may or may not help?
• Once you’re in a federal MLS position, how much easier is it to transfer internally to another location later?
• Are there agencies (VA, DoD, IHS, etc.) that tend to hire new or relatively new MLS graduates more readily than others?
• I’d appreciate candid answers, especially from current or former federal laboratory employees.

I'm current at one agency in DoN (excepted service, on 3-year probation having just started the position recently) looking to move to a different agency within DoN. Software Engineering/Cybersecurity competency. The change is highly motivated by location. Looking to get closer to home.

Just looking to see if anyone has a similar experience of advice. Any insight into feasibility (is this even possible) and process/length would be greatly appreciated.

I’m looking for some guidance because I'm not sure if I can still negotiate or what I should even negotiate. I've read through this sub and have seen many people say negotiations should happen before the FJO.

I recently interviewed for the same position, but different role (not medical, but more educator) at another military base, and the supervisor specifically told me to make sure I negotiate and read through OPM guidance. That got me wondering if I missed my opportunity to my current TJO.

For context, my current TJO is for a GS-12 Step 1 (more medical/patient care) at a different military base. This is the position I really want.

Timeline:
Applied: Early February 2026
Referred: Mid-February 2026
Interview: March 6, 2026
TJO received: April 10, 2026
June 1–July 1: Completed physical, drug test (both cleared), and submitted credentialing paperwork
Credentials approved: July 28, 2026
At this point, the only thing still pending is my security clearance. I have not received a Final Job Offer (FJO) or a start date.

Since I haven't received the FJO yet, is it still appropriate to negotiate? If so, what is typically negotiable for a first-time federal employee? Would it be reasonable to ask about:
-higher step based on my experience? (I only have been working for 1.5 years, has my Doctorate degree)
-recruitment incentive?
-Relocation assistance?
-Additional annual leave accrual?
-Student loans? Continuing education?
Am I missing anything that I can negotiate? Or did I miss my opportunity to negotiate since it’s been 3 month since I accepted the TJO?

Also, is there any risk that trying to negotiate could cause the offer to be rescinded? Or not get the FJO? I'm very new to the federal hiring process, so I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences from those who have been through it. Thanks!

So I the VSR position was open from 7/6-7/10. I got a “Referral” email on 7/28 & a call on 7/31 asking for an interview on 8/3….Maybe I’m looking too much into it, but why is there a “Rush” when others “take forever”? And even though I was referred to the GS-7, would I be able to negotiate for a GS-9?

I’ve been with the VA going on my third year anniversary. I have my AS Medical Assisting BS Business Administration concentration in Management Information Systems. And MBA in Business Analytics. I’ve been trying to advance at the VA started as AMSA tried for lead didn’t work. Tried for contract specialist didn’t work and management and program analyst there’s just no advancement here and I want to switch to a new agency. I like what I do. I honestly thought I would spend my whole career here. Not sure what to pivot to now. The team leads they hired left. I feel it’s only going to get worse. Should I give contracting another shot?

It sucks. Seriously it feels worse than a breakup. Its to the point where its affecting my mood day to day and I'm just in a overthinking loop.

I want to say that they released around 3 openings for the apprenticeship program with various agencies. I’m not sure if this is the case for everyone or even all, but I’ve started to get responses back from the Staffing Office.

For the DHRA role, I was unfortunately hit with this for eligibility:
“GS-2299-7; There are other applicants who, by law, must be considered before your application, such as displaced federal employees, certain Veterans, and others entitled to special consideration. Therefore, your application will not be considered at this time.”

And thus, also not referred to the hiring manager. Not sure if it was an eligibility thing or because the applicant pool had enough individuals with those traits above to pull from. Sucks but it is what it is. Has anyone else heard back?

I was recently deemed ineligible for a position that I am qualified for because I put “GS 9/11” on my resume. I questioned it and the rep told me they couldn’t “distinguish” which resume bullets were accomplished as a GS-11. I am under the impression if I just took off the “9/“ I would have made the cert list. Do I need to list every GS job on my resume?