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Return to Article: Private sector steps in to help agencies with hiring

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  After being stuck in a dead-end GS-5 job for 4 years and applying for several positions, I have come to the sad conclusion that it's not what you know, it's who you know. Tired of sending applications into a black hole and wasting my time. I am totally turned off with the process, and am setting my sights on the private sector, local or state govt, or even a contractor. As for the contractors, if you can't beat them, join them, right?

  GovExec.com reader Posted December 6, 2004 9:01 AM
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  I have tried for many years to join the federal government in IT management role and it comes down to the mountains and mountains of forms, questions etc that you must fill out and submit to even be considered. It's also trying to understand the questions and qualifications section of the job announcement, it's a puzzle in and of itself. Then it's not what you know, it's who you know and whether or not you are already a government employee.

  It's beyond stupid and it makes anyone turned off to the whole notion of government service. Anyone you talk with who has tried to get their foot in the door will tell you the same thing!

  Tom Gainer Posted September 21, 2004 3:46 PM
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  I joined the government 12 years ago after retiring from the private sector. I have better experience than most of the SESers in the government. The government does not count that experience as being of value because it is not government experience (heaven forbid they change anything so it is better run). In government you get paid and promoted for having a large number of people and/or a large budget (guess what government people do ?). They try to take over people or hire them and they spend money like it is going out of style! Finally, they work to keep their job - everything is important and they are busy all the time - BS.

  Here is a big hiring problem - I have applied for three jobs since I joined the government. I heard absolutely nothing on every application. The application was not acknowledged and there was no information about what happened. It is like sending information into a black hole! I have stopped applying even though I know I can do many of the jobs better than those hired! Also, the managers hire their friends and not applicants that are qualified. If no friend applies you might have a chance at a position but that assumes that hiring is the manager's top priority at the time you information gets there. Now I do not have to hire anyone because I can get a contractor to do the work - that way I get people (the contractor) and money (the amount showing on the contract). The amount on the contract looks far better to everyone evaluating me than does civ pay if I hire a government employee. Go figure.

  tax payer Posted September 16, 2004 7:50 AM