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Return to Article: OPM studies show heightened interest in federal careers

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  I applied for a higher position in another location. The hiring agency chose to use OPM for the hiring process. The job closed more than three weeks ago, and I still don't have any idea if I am even rated qualified, let alone if I made the cert. When I contacted OPM (Raleigh, NC) to inquire, they told me I would get a letter in the mail telling me of my status. It was supposedly mailed 6 days ago, and is not yet in my mailbox. I was told they don't give results over the phone, and I was welcome to request results by email. I inquired if the response would be forthcoming within one day, and was told "yeah, if they ever get our system to work." Computers have been down for several days up there. I am in my 18th year of civil service, and have yet to see a smooth transaction in hiring when OPM gets involved.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 22, 2004 8:51 AM
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  These folks who "have a heightened interest in federal careers" are about to get a rude awakening; little or no acknowledegement of sent resumes and applications, cryptic job announcements, cronyism,and lengthy waits for clearances. Also, since the economy is still in a slump, of course ANY employment looks appealing. I guarantee you when things pick back up, and they will, myself and many others may be looking outside the government for a fulfilling, satisfying career. What is so amusing is that OPM touts the federal government as THE number one employer, when in fact, many state and some local governments offer far better pay and benefits. I don't want to leave the FEDS, but I may have no choice....

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 20, 2004 2:29 PM
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  "Of the New York City respondents, 41 percent said it was a challenge to build the right skills for a federal job, and 39 percent said it was difficult to learn about job opportunities in the federal government"

  It is so easy to find job postings for the government that the people answering this question obviously are not well-qualified and talented people! Not only is it easy to find the jobs but the application process is very very easy! These people obviously just want to walk in and start working without any screening.

  There are many of us in the government that the personnel system has restricted from jobs by a classification label established by clerks that have no idea of how to evaluate a resume! They simply do a keyword search and never think! Likewise, there is no process for promotion - at least in DoD. I have military managers that are here at most for two years (few made it that long)! I get outstanding ratings but never a promotion (they don't want to bother with the paper work) because there is no payoff for them! I have been in the top step of my grade since I was hired (12 years) and the job content has changed significantly without any rewrite of my job description or performance plan and no regard for how I might feel about the changes. This is the worst personnel system that I have ever experienced in my long career either in the private sector or in the government. It is no wonder that DoD is a mess in terms of financial control and lack of qualified people. If these potential employees want to work for the government they better avoid DoD!

  Citizen Posted July 9, 2004 7:08 AM
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  Hellloooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! "A large and talented pool of enthusiastic and well educated people"...are already working in the federal government!!! We're the lower grade, career, college educated, federal employees!!!! That's right!! The supply and demand is right here!!! Ignore us no more before we're A-76'd!!!!

  Ignored Federal Employee Posted July 7, 2004 11:43 AM
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  I agree with all the comments - As we strive to hire the "best and the brightest" by raising the journeyman level grades and fast-tracking college graduates through training programs, we do become the employer of choice. Besides, the only way these graduates are going to get work experience for their private-industry aspirations is from none other than "Uncle Sugar". Train 'em then drain 'em!

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 6, 2004 10:28 AM
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  As a young boy growing up on my grandfather's farm. One of my duties was puting on rubber boots and shoveling manure on the ole honey wagon. By the time I was 18, I just knew I was an expert at it. Now, after almost 36 years in the Government I realize how little I truly knew about it. Therefore, I must now bow to a true professional. Anybody who can shovel this much manure and still come up with a rose in their teeth is a true pro. During the last five years I've attended five college graduations in three states. And do you know, I didn't meet one, not one individual who would even consider a federal career. So Spanky, would you mind moving down wind with what you're shoveling please? Cause I gotta tell ya. You may not notice the smell. But it's really rank.

  Art Doss Posted July 4, 2004 1:43 PM
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  Come on Director James! Isn't it time that OPM stop deluding itself into thinking everything is ok. A poll of the highly motivated youngsters in the Intern program and the applicants trying to get federal work at a job fair does not say everything is ok.

  I talk to actual federal employees and managers on a day to day basis as part of my job in HR. Uncle Sam is not the employer of choice even to long standing federal employees who are just itching to collect an annuity and work for a contractor.

  As a professional, I'm really tired of hearing OPM in their ivory tower tell me everything is ok. These OPM folks need to stop talking to themselves, to stop talking to their CHCOs, to stop painting a rosy silly picture to the press, and to start talking to real federal employees, especially to former mid career federal employees who have left over the last year or two.

  Maybe if OPM because realistic and a bit cynical positive changes to fix a real problem might occur. Or the federal government can lose 20-30% of its workforce at once in December/January 2004 or 2005 without real replacements.

  There really isn't a huge line in the private sector knocking at our door wanting to work for Uncle Sam and I challenge any staffing specialist, including OPM's own staffing office, to tell me otherwise!

  HR Specialist

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 2, 2004 1:29 PM
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  Polling the people who would most likely have management positions seems a little biased. How about the "worker bees" whose jobs are in jeopardy because someone in DC decided that they are no longer a valued employee and their job can be handed over to a contractor? What about their (federal employee)corporate knowledge? Or keeping the continuity in the job force? Was that incorporated in the poll? I doubt it.

  Ms. Coles James, let's get serious and talk to the people in the "trenches."

  Mary Posted July 2, 2004 9:04 AM
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  You can believe her if you want to, but I sure don't.

  She falls under the category of "figures don't lie but liars can figure". That sums her up for me.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 2, 2004 8:42 AM