Hi all! I'm a new fed, only 3 months in. I was advised by fed friends to take a GS 6 to get in, so here I am. I'm older (early 40s), have years of management experience from Trader Joes, have years of budgeting experience from my last position where I helped build a nonprofit from scratch, but only just finished my bachelor's last august. what grade am I qualified for? I'm very bored in my current position but it's paying the bills (barely) and my manager is nice. I'm applying for public openings, but I have no idea what I'm qualified for?
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I would have taken the advice you took too. Getting in the door is a hard first step but don’t stop pushing to advance because you are qualified for more, including pushing for excellent performance in your current job, applying internally, and applying everywhere else federal within reach. I started as a GS-5 after graduating college and worked my way up to GS-15. Been a long and winding road, not linear at all—I took grade cuts a couple times just to have more potential for advancement and growth. Just keep at it and be patient—there is nothing quick in the government.
thank you, this is very good to hear!
After 52 weeks at the GS-6 you can apply for internal (MP) announcements at the GS-7. You will still have to meet the basic quals for the job you are applying for.
The advantage of applying as a fed for fed jobs is essentially you won’t be blocked by preference candidates for jobs open to the public. That’s in itself a great thing.
Finish your year at the GS-6. In the meantime keep an eye on USAjobs for positions at the GS-7 that interest you. Go on and start building your resume for those jobs.
My advice would be look for jobs in a career ladder for the 5 or 7 up. Your outside experience will count toward qualifying. Your time in grade for internal announcements will get you to the 7.
thank you, this is very good specific advice! I have noticed there are a lot of lower-level economist positions at the DOT, starting at a 7, which I would gladly take for experience.