Primary issues I've encountered with federal hiring: 1) Timelines are extremely lengthly. Many times, by the time the FJO comes around, the candidate has already accepted another offer. 2) HR does not communicate steps in the process, and often times doesn't respond at all to inquiry. It takes threatening a congressional inquiry to get them to respond. 3) Hiring managers contact references too early in the process. This leads to references being contacted too often without any real reason. References should only be contacted as a final vet before extending an offer. 4) The job postings do not match what the positions actually entail, mismatching candidates for roles. 5) Agencies are extremely stingy with the special pay scales/pay rates.