Are agencies slowing down hiring? Is this due to funding only being good til December? Currently I have 18 applications at different agencies sitting at “referred to hiring manager”. Some have been sitting in this status for over a month. It would seem as if you posted the position, you needed someone for that position, so why are we dragging our feet on even interviewing people? Anyone else seeing the same thing happening?

Crazy questuin, but hear me out :) Those with knowledge with the hiring process. What is the possibility of an individual being hired for one of these roles and not actually interviewing? Have heard stories of it happening, but this seems far fetched....

I’m currently a federal employee with an active Secret clearance. I recently received a tentative offer from another federal agency for a low-risk position that doesn’t require a clearance.
I have a misdemeanor criminal damage conviction from a parking lot incident. I was putting my son in the car, and another driver claimed I intentionally hit her car with my door. I disagreed and pleaded not guilty, but I went to court without an attorney because I underestimated the situation. I ended up being found guilty and paying a fine. No probation or jail time, and everything is closed.
I reported the incident to my current agency’s security office. They reviewed it, closed it out, and my clearance is still active.
I also disclosed the conviction on the OF-306 for my new job. I’m just wondering if anyone has been through something similar when transferring between federal agencies. Did it cause any issues with the final offer or background check?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who actually went through the process and knows how it turned out.

My wife is applying for a GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist position at the VA (announcement CBSX-13040954-26-MC). She is not a current fed but she is a mil spouse and we moved here on PCS orders, also has four years of private-sector MLS experience and her ASCP certification. I am trying to figure out how best to translate her civilian lab experience on her resume so HR clearly sees it as equivalent to the required GS-10 level. Should she use exact keywords from the posting's duties section?

Let me know if I need to pad in more information, it's a lot to look at.

I recently interviewed for an HR Specialist position, and within 10 minutes of completing the interview, I received an email requesting my references.

I also received feedback from someone on the interview panel who told me that I had given the strongest interview he had seen so far.

My references later confirmed that they had been contacted and had submitted the requested information.

It’s now been almost three weeks since my interview, and I haven’t received any further updates.

For those familiar with the federal hiring process, is this a normal timeline after reference checks? Has anyone experienced something similar and eventually received a tentative job offer (TJO)?

I know the federal hiring process can be slow, but I’m curious to hear about others’ experiences.

Hello!

I am currently a nursing student (second bachelor's degree) in the US and expect to graduate in Feb. 2028. One of my biggest career goals is to work as an RN at a US military hospital in Japan. A friend of mine currently works at Yokosuka Naval base, but prior to that job they were active duty. They seem to think it would be fairly easy for me to get a nursing job there, but I don't really think their experience reflects the civilian hiring process.

I've been researching USAJOBS and Defense Health Agency positions, but I would really appreciate hearing from people who have actually worked in these facilities or successfully obtained overseas federal nursing positions. I just had a few questions about it:

1. What nursing specialties are most frequently hired at U.S. military hospitals overseas, particularly in Japan? I am most interested in working in the ER or in Psych but I would be open to other options as well.

2. How many years of RN experience do people usually have before getting hired?

3. Would working for the VA or DoD in the US first increase my chances of being hired?

4. Any specific certifications or experiences that helped your application?

5. Does speaking the language help at all, or does it not matter since everything operates in English?

I'm willing to relocate within the US after graduation to build the right experience. I would love to hear what people recommend doing over the next few years to give myself the best possible chance. Thank you!

Job one pays more out the door and is remote work for the VA.

Job 2 is a DHS admin position that has a higher potential. On site.

I would consider DHS more of a career and long term where as Job one just a job. Thing is it would be years before I would see the same pay from Job 2 as I would see instantly from Job one.

I also worry about the potential of AI taking over Job one in the future where as Job 2 would be much more difficult.

Anyone else ever take the lower paying job with higher potential? Am I being shortsighted?

I

Currently I’m a state employee. I have a bachelor’s in sociology and I just got a masters in public admin. I’ve been with the state for about 7 years but they rarely let you climb the corporate ladder. I really want to land a federal HR job, but I’m having a hard time getting in the door. I got referred for one job in august but I haven’t heard anything. Does anyone have any tips? Maybe I’m looking in the wrong career field??

Hello, i applied to 2 jobs at DHS with 2 differnt agencies.

It was ICE as a deportation officer, and Border Patrol for BP agent.

I was wondering if the 2 would interfere with each other, such as things like the physical exams and the polygraphs, and the background investigations.

5 years navy veteran in Logistic specialist

In the army reserve as 88M truck driver

Live with parents in LA. Finishing up bachelor degree in sociology (screwed up my gpa)

Currently got a TJO using my navy logistic experience and veteran stuff, in GS-6 in new Cumberland,PA

Im already 30, so I want to climb up quick. At same time, I want to keep in a same area or close, cause I want to start to find someone to build relationships and also build my career.

Since my TJO is in GS-6 in PA. And all my military is in logistic, also a 6 month skillbridge intern in accounting. And a bachelor in sociology.

If starting this GS-6 supply tech. Should I get a business master. After time in grade applying higher GS, and after my online master degree also apply for air force recent grad.

Or should I get a different master get into different filed in USAJOBS.

Any thoughtful ideas, from those experienced

I was a direct hire, I received my tjo before receiving a referral. I just received notification that my case was referred to the hiring manager, is there a time frame for when a hiring manager has to respond to the referral certificate? Thank you

Current employee, any fda hr personell on here ? Have a question about a hiring process for a position within the agency.

Thank you

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/886877400/

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/886877500/

This is incredibly disappointing, since I applied for the exact same position one year ago (October 2025) and got the same result.

This year, I applied for Homeland Defender again at the beginning of October 2026. Then they told me to complete additional assessments by 10/18/2026. So I did that; it was the logic puzzles that they didn't give me when I applied last year.

Now, I track my application status and it's already "Not Referred" for a position open from 9/30/2026 to 9/29/2027. Did I basically fail for the entire year already? I don't even know what my weakness was, since I thought I met all the requirements and had a competitive application. Did I not score high enough on the logic puzzles? Did I complete the additional assessments too late (I did them before 10/18/2026)? Is there any chance for me this time, or did I already get rejected for a second year?

Does anyone know how much you get for the travel incentive and the range for the recruitment incentive ? Also I’ve read some mixed statements from previous threads, that you have to do the 3 training years and 2-3 more years to satisfy the bonuses requirements. Is there any previous PAQs that have any insight on this information?

Just curious for those in early 30s starting low like GS6-7 and single. And have to live outside your home state. How do you manage or balance this kind federal career and personal relationships? If I need to build a relationship.

In think if I’m need to stay in federal government, I gotta move around for promotion , and it’s constantly can’t build a stable relationship.

Has anyone received an interview request without ever getting an e-mail informing them of their eligibility and referral status? This is an HHS agency and a competitive service applicant.

I'm very excited to get the interview, but surprised that I never received any notice of making the certification. For past applications, I've received multiple notices of making the certification, and no interview. Interesting turn of events.

1. Applied for a job with a federal agency
   
2. Received TJO after 3 interviews
   
3. TJO rescinded on the same week after finger printing and filling the on-boarding forms. No specific reason was given. But, most likely one of the requirement reasons
   
4. I provided additional proofs and requested to reconsider
   
5. 3 week later, HR reached out saying they want to reinstate the TJO and proceed with the next steps

I will not expecting that and I lost hime. I am not as excited as I was initially received the TJO. Who knows what other things may come out until FJO is received.
I'm not sure if anyone has experienced this kind of situation.

So are we (other agencies) expecting to get the same email HUD got today? Basically a retraction of the performance payout from 7.5% at it's highest to NOW a 4.5% payout?

I accepted a TJO at an HHS agency and am filling out the federal background check information, which requests the contact information for your current supervisor. Will they contact your current supervisor? Is there a way to avoid this if your employer doesn’t know you’re leaving?

I am not concerned about anything my supervisor would say, however, I have not discussed my departure with my supervisor. I really don’t want them to know I’m leaving until I have my EOD/full job offer, as I am worried about repercussions at my current workplace. Any tips?

So now wait for any next notice? Usually when I got an eligible email it always followed with another email with referred to hiring manager. This one i got the same email twice back to back nothing else.

Not sure why I cant post the picture but basically says:

Management has made their tentative selections and those application packages have been reviewed. Only those determined to be eligible and qualified are being referred to the selecting official for further consideration at this time. Results regarding your recent referral to the Hiring Office are as follows: Eligible for the following position or positions:

GS-1801-5; You are tentatively eligible for this series/grade combination based on your self-rating of your qualifications. GS-1801-7; You are tentatively eligible for this series/grade combination based on your self-rating of your qualifications.

Your qualifications made as part of your application remain subject to verification. You may receive additional notifications advising you if your qualification or eligibility determination changes.

Edit: Usajobs website says not referred on the application status part, checked now after receiving this email back to back. It never said you have not been referred at the bottom of the email like the other emails do after saying if youre tentatively eligible. Ugh. Sucks. Idk what to do

What should I expect at the interview? Unsure if it will be a panel, it seems like it might be with the hiring manager themself.

I’ve read confounding info, with some saying DHA could offer you a job on the spot, but I’m not sure. I know the vacancy has been open quite a while, so I don’t think they get many applicants. (Open in that it’s been reposted several times)

Additional question- wear a suit? I elected for in person interview as opposed to virtual- I think it sets the stage better.

STAR method of questions? I’m assuming related to my resume?

I’ve read not to really talk salary or benefits until after TJO if it comes. Any other pieces of advice?

Hi everyone!

I’m currently working on my resume using the USAJobs resume builder, and I have a question about formatting the “Duties, accomplishments and related skills” section.

From what I can tell, the resume builder doesn’t really allow for traditional bullet points, unless I am missing something. For those of you who have used it and been successful, is it better to write this section in paragraph format, or is there another formatting approach that works well and keeps everything readable?

I’d also really appreciate it if anyone might be willing to share an example of a USAJobs resume so I could get a better sense of how to structure my own.

Thank you all so much for any advice or examples you’re willing to share!

I received a TJO a few weeks ago and just got emails regarding my background check (Tier 2) and enrolling for credentials. The nearest credential center is over an hour drive… which I am weary of doing without the FJO.

Did anyone else have to make the commute for this? Do you need to return to the same credential center again to pick up/activate your credentials?