How soon should I apply for GS Employment?

Several agencies are looking for Veterans and will direct hire if you qualify for the job. The VA and Federal Prison System.

6-12 months

I'm an HR professional and complete vacancy announcements that are posted on usajobs.gov. Each vacancy announcement will tell you what the agency requires. As a current military member you will need a statement of service stating your discharge status i.e. "Honorable" dates of service and any medals you are entitled to receive. It should be signed by a commanding officer. Not all vets receive veterans preference. You can see if you're eligible by looking at the Vet Guide. Make sure you're looking at jobs for status candidates if you have more than 3 years of military service. You will be eligible for a VEOA appointment. To answer your original question you're supposed to be within 120 days of separation in order to apply for federal positions. So agencies follow this rule but some don't screen you out if you aren't in that window. Good Luck!!!!

First, look at the position description, if the job hiring window is short, don't think anyone is going to wait around for you for 6-12 months. You are not available. If the job has multiple position nationwide and the job closing date is open till filled, or open till Sep 30 then you have a good chance at it. Depending on what agency you are looking to get into, be prepared to take a go at a lower grade then you think you are worth. You are competing against people in the system as well. Your 5 or 10 point preference doesn't automatically mean you get the job. If you don't fill out the KSA's right, you will most likely not even get a look at by a human being. Just the way it is, a computer will scan you application, if it doesn't meet what they are looking for, off to the electronic version of file 13. A year after you are in, you can look for a transfer to other things, but get in the door first.

About 6 months out. However, there are some factors that need to be considered.
1. What is the close out date of the job?
2. When are they looking for someone to start?
3. When would be the earliest you could start?
4. Is it a term or permanent position? A term means it is only going to be there for X amount of after which you may be looking for another job (i.e. not to exceed X months/years).
5. Type of position.
6. Time of year. Sometimes if it is getting close to the end of the FY, they wait until after 1 Oct to have people start.
Some jobs take a long time to fill while others it is a lot shorter. It also depends on the hiring manager and department that is hiring. There are also contractor jobs as well and one good source is http://www.indeed.com. But the down side is that it could be unstable. For example, the Government could cancel the contract. I check out your profile and noticed that you have a BS in Marketing and you have Healthcare experience. Have you thought about some civilian companies like Medline, Johnson and Johnson, Cardinal Health Inc.?

Within 6 months prior to getting out. The process after hire takes a while. Up to a year if security clearance is required.
You should also seek help to ensure your resume and profile are spot on. If not you may never even be considered.

Just for an idea of the time-frame, I applied to my first GS job in a mid-February, interviewed in June and started work in August. It can be quick or take a while.

As soon as you can.. It can be a difficult process. I am a WG and it took a while to get everything right. But no matter what don't give up. If you need any help writing your resume let me know and I will give you some tips.

USAJOBS, resume needs to reflect key words and requirements listed in the job announcements. All resumes get screened based on a points system for the department that is putting out the vacancy. If your resume isn't right generated properly, you won't even make it to the interview process. Good luck.

I would start looking about 2 months out. It can take some time before they will hire, but it never hurts to make sure everything is lined up before your ETS.