On the eligibility question based on education, if it specifically asks if you have a graduate degree and you are almost finished with that degree and will have it in a number of months, do you put no, you don’t have a grad degree or yes? Technically you don’t have it, but will soon.

Question for @federalhiringadvice1385. Is a GS-5, Step 1 job in San Diego financially sufficient for a single military veteran? I know the answer is no but would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions. I accepted a TJO for that job and currently in the background check process. Would it be too late to ask to negotiate a step increase?

Im currently a gs 12 step 4. I applied and tentatively accepted position for gs11 job. Can they match my pay at the gs 12 step 4 level?

@federalhiringadvice1385 so after receiving and accepting my TJO, here’s a list of pre-employment requirements i need to complete and pass: ~ Security Clearance ~ Suitability Review ~ Drug Test ~ Physical Examination So far, I completed the Onboarding Tasks, the SF-86, and submitted required documents like driver’s license, HS diploma, college transcripts, DD-214, etc to the background investigation personnel. All these tasks completed within the last two weeks before today. Awaiting dates for drug testing and physical exam. What’s the turnaround for background check phase? I understand it’ll be awhile because I still need to do the drug testing, physical exam, and fingerprints (which was not listed by HR in my to do list but I’m sure I need to. I reside outside the continental US, the CNMI to be exact which is north of Guam in the Pacific Ocean so I figure HR may take awhile to schedule an appointment for drug testing and physical exam. Any advice for me at this stage of my pre employment process? And what to expect?

So here’s my timeline of one of my job applications via USAJobs: Job Opened: 8/6/24 Applied for Job: 8/7/24 Job Closed: 8/20/24 Notice of Results (Eligibility and Referral): 9/13/24 Contacted for Interview: 10/1/24 Interview Date: 10/2/24 Outcome of Referral: 10/10/24 (Not selected) TJO: 10/17/24 (Accepted same day) On-Boarding Requirements sent by HR: 10/18/24 Submitted Documents for Background Check (Security Clearance and Suitability Review): 10/19-10/24/24 Awaiting Physical Exam Date and Drug Test and Fingerprints I think my application process is fairly going in a steady pace. I Understand these things take a long time and I just hope HR and the security departments will do their parts in a timely manner. Hopefully I get word in 2-3 weeks for an update. Or sooner. But reading other people’s comments on their own experiences, I know it will probably be awhile before anything gets moving. I mean, it took almost 2 months to get an interview and TJO in the same month so that’s progress. Wishing everyone else who applied the best of luck as well.

If you already have vacation planned for the following year. When do you mention that? Tentative offer was received in May, but vacation is already scheduled for early next year.

I’m a recent graduate applying to jobs with the DOI and this video was so helpful. Thank you so much for demystifying this process.

If the application says you are tentatively eligible for two different GS ranks , how can you make sure to get the higher GS rank in your offer, if it’s extended to you ?

@federalhiringadvice1385 Hi, thanks for the great advice. I received a TJO back in August, did my fingerprinting on August 21 and have heard nothing back yet. I communicated with my HR rep for a status update all they said was "if we need anything from you, you'll be contacted" and that was weeks ago. Should I be concerned or is this par for the course during the post TJO part of the hiring process?

I got notice of referral email to me saying I'm eligible for position I applied for .how long before getting call for interview if im select

Is the background check for the va hospital housekeeping same as any other Federal job?

I had a good paying defense contracting job that I liked and that helped me to aggressively negotiate the compensation package for my government job. I received a 6k bonus and an increase from step 1 to step 5. So, negotiating does work. It helped that I was prepared to walk away.

I'm applying for a DOJ position. Once I download the form and fill it out how do I upload it to the portal and mark the task complete?

Say i have 8.5 years of military time and an equivalent private sector job experience of 6.5 years, totalling 15 years. Could i negotiate for 8 hours of leave time or is it just one or the other for time negotiating?

The audio on this video is very low, I ensured to turn up the volume to 100% & on my speakers as well & was not able to hear the person speaking in this video, because of this I did not watch it & looked up another video. I hope someone is able to fix this & reupload so people can use it. :) Thank you.

How do we know what level the investigation is?

jesus christ use a microphone next time please lol

Moving from GS to GG overseas as a lateral move the TJO dropped me a step. Is there a reason for this? I thought they couldn’t take steps I’ve earned away. I’ve already contested it after accepting the TJO. Luckily I watch your videos because I knew to accept then negotiate ;)

Do you think getting let go from a part time job because you called out sick more times than they allowed will affect your chances after receiving a tentative offer

Are there stipulations to the break in service rule, I left the federal government about 3 months ago and I now have a TJO and I'm trying to negotiate at least my step to match my GS level. Can they still match? I'm also a veteran.

Can I accept 2 TJO's from the same agency? Thanks for the video!

Do we have the option to chose wether we want to start before or after the complete investigation?

So a felony from 35 years ago for motor vehicle accident that is also expunged, you would still consider listing that just in case?

Chedule A

Great video, thanks!

Is there a formalized process for "asking for a QSI"?

I didn’t realize that the leave and salary would be two requests. It’s been a week; should I also ask leave.

My application status has said “selected” for the last few days, but I haven’t gotten a call or email yet with a tjo. Is it possibly an error or should I be expected an offer?

This video is very informative, thank you for all the information. I wanted to ask a question? I received a TJO from the VA and am completing my background investigation. I have a 4 month gap in my employment history, that was highlighted on my e-quip. I updated my resume to refect this. I did explain on the e-quip in the additional comments section that it was due to me being a full-time caregiver to an ill family member. I keep seeing these messages that there can be no employment gaps though, I'm wondering if this will hinder my employment?

@federalhiringadvice1385, can you pls elaborate on a situation where you have a permanent position in a federal agency, then get a pathway position for another federal agency in the field that you actually went to school for? There is a process for pathways to get converted, how do you go about this situation? Is it a good idea to resign or retire from your original agency? I don't think it's possible to transfer since it's a pathway position. But from what i learned you can get reinstated if you have more than 3 years as a permanent. Is it a good idea to take the plunge and see where it leads, knowing that i can still be reinstated worst case scenario?

Is the salary always at the lowest end for the position on the tentative? I assumed I would be in the middle but my tentative salary is at its lowest.

your entire series of videos have been invaluable to me during this process, THANK YOU. I applied to one job, received a 1st and second interview, the same day, hours after my second interview, (which was labeled as 2nd/final IV in the google meets invite for it) my application status was changed to: Selected for position-pending EOD date. It has been one week to the day since my interview and the application status change and I have not heard from anyone, when should I reach out to HR?

Thank you! If USA staffing does not have the OF-360 form listed as a task to complete in the onboarding, will HR send the form via email? I've contacted them but not heard anything back and worry because the TJO letter said that the OF-360 needs to be complete within 72 offers of receiving offer.

Hey thanks for the great content. I shot you an email about receiving a negotiation template.

Thank you so much for the video! I just got my TJO and it's my first federal job and definitely been careful on navigating through this. Would you recommend talking to the hiring manager about higher step before submitting it to HR?

I'm currently a gs9 applying for an open to public direct hire gs 12 position. I have 2 years of specialized private experience but it is only parttime (about 6 hours a week). Does that qualify as "specialized experience"?

Hi, I’m trying to get help with an offer rescinded do your coaching sessions cover this topic?

Very informative thanks

Thank you for this video! Q - Is it advisable to negotiate step increase after accepting a CJO, when you receive your Final offer? There's going to be a long wait by the time the final offer is offered because of bkgrd checks etc. I was wondering should I have done that before I accepted the CJO?

Perfect timing on this video. I received my TJO on 23 July for a GS 11. I accepted it but I asked for a step increase. They are now looking at my justification for that step increase. In the meantime I’m waiting for them to get back to me with their offer. I’ve also applied for another job that I’m very qualified for that’s a GS 12

Very informative

You had mentioned its a bad idea to take a temporary position if you already have a permanent position? I have always been told you do not want except a TERM positions because of the risk of losing benefits and tenure, but when excepting a TEMP position and your temp position is over you revert back to your permanent position.

Great video and thank you (I got my first federal job in no small part to your videos)! Question for you… would this apply to competitive details as well (specifically, the TIG requirement)? Thank you, have a great day!

Our computer saw that you had applied. Please wait for 2-3 months before it sends you a rejection letter.

My TJO has 3 options accept, decline and request to be contacted. Which one do you accept for salary negotiations. I really want the job but a 20-25k pay cut is not doable

Hello. Can I accept more than one TSO offer at one time?

I applied for the same series, same grade job just different location and the notice says tentively eligible.What does that mean tentively eligible?

I am paid much higher than my job offer- over 20k. Is it wise to bring this up- now that previous wage isn’t looked at?

⁠ How do I go about filing a FOAI request with the privacy officer? Is that by me calling the VA 1800 #? I received my rescinded email stating : due to unforeseen circumstances, my TJO was rescinded. However I am still an exceptional candidate

I got a start date August 5 2024 I was told to show up for training August 5 8am Passed all background checks Next thing I got hr sent me an email saying they rescinded my TJO They stated “administrative delays” as the reason they drug me along for 5 months 5 dang months sleepless nights always worried to get to the end and be told it’s not your fault it’s our fault but we are going to penalize you by rescinding the TJO Sorry daymn ppl BIE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR No ethics or integrity. On their part .. but want to Check all my fingerprints and credit them they pull this move . It isn’t right..