Does anyone have any good advice on how to obtain a GS position with the army?

SSG Gordon Hill — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 10:44:16 -0500

Applied to several position need advice on how to handle the interview

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 11:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 11:02:46 -0500

Do apologize for this rant. I was a GS employee prior to coming back into the military.

Study the position description. Ensure you know the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) of the position and have it in your resume. Know your audience from the interview panel and try and relate. Throw examples of what you’ve done with what’s on the job announcement. Study the job announcement and your resume prior to stepping into the interview. Have 5 references available just in case they ask. Stay calm and don’t rant. Straight to the answer and don’t beat around the bush. Always ask questions when they offer you the time to ask. This’ll show interest in the position. Use numbers when quantifying your accomplishments or tasks.

Good luck

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 9 at 2020 11:08 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 11:08:35 -0500

What SGT Private RallyPoint Member said is correct. I was a DAC hiring manager. Always looked for the resumes that met the job requirements I had laid out. Message me if you want a longer explanation of my experience.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 9 at 2020 1:27 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:27:23 -0500

I was a senior Fed hiring manager for a long time. Think of it as having to skate the short and long program well. They are two very different things. The resume is what gets you to an interview. You just don't know where in the short program stack you sit. The interview may have questions about your experience, etc. but they already know that. The interviewer or board is trying to determine if you can communicate well orally and in writing. They're trying to verify if you actually wrote the resume vs. a ghost writer. They are trying to figure out if you'll be a good fit for the team. There's a difference between a candidate who only can differentiate between black and white vs. grey areas. They are trying to figure out if you're self sustainable or high maintenance.
There's plenty of urban myth out there about getting Fed jobs. Bottom line, just like commercial sector, you have to show how the outfit will be better with you than the others in the bucket.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 2:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 14:47:54 -0500

From everyone I know who is a GS now, you get a degree, you start at a low entry level job and transfer your way up over the years.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 10 at 2020 8:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 20:30:57 -0500

Network. Find hiring authorities.