Listen to LITS, esp. since he has just gone through the process.
The thing about jobs in this area (DC), it is the epitome regarding the importance of networking. By law they must advertise the positions available, but many times they already have offered the job to someone.
LineInTheSand said:
Often, applicants have an "in", and a hiring manager is looking for/writing the description for that person.
Classic example. Bullet was a defense contractor, but under Obama the job was converted to contractor. Due to that fact, they had to advertise the position. The ad was exactly like LITS said. It was fine tuned to the point that Bullet would have been the hire with or without his vet points. X yrs in AF fighters. Weapons specialist. Work experience with manufacturers, and defense contractors for at least 3 yrs. Pentagon experience in a joint position for Requirements, 5-8 yrs preferred. TS clearance. Masters degree required. Aerospace undergrad degree preferred.
Yes, people applied for the position never knowing that the position really was not available. If it seems that you have 8 out of the 10, or even 9 out of the 10 requirements and it is a perfect fit...high chance of hiring. Chances are there is someone that is 10 for 10 and has already been offered the job.
Additionally, due to budget constraints, many jobs are going unfilled currently. Let's be honest GS's have had a pay freeze for several yrs, and many areas have a hiring freeze. Yet, they still advertise the jobs on
www.usajobs.gov
You may get a small leg up, but nothing I would consider as an edge because of the way it works here in the beltway.
If you are still in, I would suggest you get at least your grad degree because in this area grad degrees are as common, as tieing your shoes in the morning. Getting any points(edge) for military, would be offset/lost with the lack of no grad degree.
Last thing to drive home the point regarding hiring when you go to usajobs.gov take a look at the jobs. Many times you will see two jobs advertised. One will be the higher level in the same dept., and than there will be a lower level job that reports to the higher level. Chances are the real job opening is the lower level, and they are promoting from within the lower level to the higher level. Don't assume there are 2 positions available. Assume the only position available is the lower level.
https://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/S...n=DC&search=Search&AutoCompleteSelected=False
Great example...there are two job openings for Health Communications Specialist in Silver Spring MD. 1 is GS 12/13, and 1 is 14. Not a betting woman, but my guess is the only job truly available is the 12/13. The 14 will be filled by the 12/13. It would be rare for 2 jobs in the same dept to be vacant at the same time. Plus, for all you know the 12/13 may already be filled with the 10/11 in the dept.