Posted on Jun 16, 2015
How does one get non-selected for a Federal GOVT position that one has been doing for over half their military career?
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I just received a Notice of Results in my email for a Federal job that I applied for. In it, there is a sentence that reads "...you were not selected as most qualified for this position." What I find difficult to comprehend is how I am not the most qualified when I have been doing that for over half my career, and I have a letter of commendation from my career field's education branch toting my contributions to the education of my peers and my career field as a whole. It is beyond frustrating right now.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Transition
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 38
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One of things that I've been told by insiders in the Federal hiring system is that most of these positions that are announced (first have to be when a vacancy comes open), but in most cases there are incumbents (personnel already a step below) looking for upward movement. Even though the position has been announced and a lot of excellent candidates may apply there are individuals already in the system that have the inside track. I have applied for a number of executive federal jobs with a resume of actually being the President of two civilian companies and commanding two separate Brigades and I got no "looks' whatsoever. That's when I contacted some of my Federal friends to find out what was going on. They would deny ever telling me that people on the inside take care of people on the inside. This is just what I found out and I have no verification that this type of behavior exists. I quit applying and moved on.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Ed Ross thanks so much for the great insight - your information may be very helpful to young men and women transitioning out of the active duty military; and veterans and retirees looking for that next job. It can be very useful! There are a lot of job seekers out here on RP. Where were you back in 2006? LOL! A big thumbs up!
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MAJ Ray McCulloch
That has always been translated to me as, "You were not the person we had selected for the position before the opening was posted. IF we were to consider your application, we could not get 'our' guy in.
That has always been translated to me as, "You were not the person we had selected for the position before the opening was posted. IF we were to consider your application, we could not get 'our' guy in.
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MSG Brad Sand
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
I have made the mistake of actually learning various organizations hiring policies, especially when it came to Veteran Preferences, only to find that I was the only one that understood their policy. During one interview I even asked them what their thoughts were on the hiring practice...even referencing it for them when I got the deer in the headlights look. According the their policy, I should have automatically been selected for the position IF I met the minimum qualifications...which I can only assume I did if I was being interviewed? I can only assume another veteran was also being interviewed...and if you believe this I have some land to sell you.
I have made the mistake of actually learning various organizations hiring policies, especially when it came to Veteran Preferences, only to find that I was the only one that understood their policy. During one interview I even asked them what their thoughts were on the hiring practice...even referencing it for them when I got the deer in the headlights look. According the their policy, I should have automatically been selected for the position IF I met the minimum qualifications...which I can only assume I did if I was being interviewed? I can only assume another veteran was also being interviewed...and if you believe this I have some land to sell you.
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I also work as a Federal civilian employee, and the operating hypothesis in my office is that there was already someone they had in mind for the job, but, they are required to announce it publicly. Basically, they're trying to jimmy someone already in their office for a promotion but have to make it look "competitive". I and others in my agency have faced this many times. One big giveaway is if "moving expenses are not reimbursed"-- that happens a lot; I've seen it in about 50% of these.
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