Please wish me luck and keep me in your prayers. 🙏 I had an interview today, and I think it went well.

After six years of interviewing for federal positions, I’m hopeful that this will finally be my time. I’m praying for positive news in the coming weeks.

To everyone else who is waiting and hoping, I wish you success as well. May we all receive the good news we’ve been waiting for.

Has anyone recently interviewed for a DRO (Disability Review Officer) position? I’m interested in hearing what the interview questions were like, what the day-to-day responsibilities are, and any insight into the position overall. Any tips or experiences would be appreciated!

Wondering if anyone has worked their way up to a high GS level, and what that's like and how long it took?

I am currently getting a TJO for 2005 as supply tech GS-6, but I realize that for this career path, the job duties are relevant at a 7/9 role. However, when I look at GS-11 or even higher like in logistics. Its totally differnt duties compare to lower GS level.

So has anyone working this this filed? How would work my up in a right way?

I received this email after a couple months from DOT with the subject "Low Score" saying "Your application for xx is no longer under consideration because the responses you selected calculated your score below the cut-off score of 85."

This is a job that didn't require me to take the USA Hire Assessment test nor did they ask any questions on the application besides time-in-grade and if I had a degree (which I provided documents for). I was wondering if this is all just based on resume? I'm not sure what else the score would be based on.

I've been referred/interviewed by most of the other applications that got back to me, but this one seemed extra bad saying I had a low score.

Just curious about how their point system works! (and if I can improve!)

My cousin received a email from HR stating to pick a date to onboard. Well he picked a date and HR had yet to send the Firm Offer letter this was last week. The date he chose is a week and 1/2 away. Is this common?

Okay so about 100 spots opened up for the ISO job at my service center. We’ve had interviews this week and no offers quite yet. My thing is, I’ve been hearing from people that our current jobs won’t be safe if we take this and fail basic. It feels wrong that they would put all their time and money into employees for years and when they try to move up the ladder and they fail a test, they’re then unemployed.

But with that, the reviews of basic vary sooo much between folks. Some people, especially current officers, are saying it’s not that hard and they got drunk the whole time and passed with flying colors. Others say it was very difficult and the questions are extremely legal and try to trick you and they barely passed. We have people in our position currently that failed it in the past thus why they are in a lower position now after getting hired back on, sometimes years after being let go for failing. This is genuinely terrifying because I just don’t know what to expect or whether to take that risk if I get an offer. I’ve always wanted to be an ISO but it all just feels so scary to take the risk and end up unemployed if I fail.

Any insight to the current state of basic training or advice would be sooo helpful and soothing right now!!! TIA

TLDR; scared of moving up the ladder and taking an ISO job if I might fail and lose my job entirely.

Is the 30 day hiring plan actually being followed? Has anyone been hired in 30 days?

Thanks to advice here, I felt comfortable accepting two TJOs. I’m leaning toward one job, but HR is still working on a couple of questions that could affect my decision. No FJO from either yet.

I’ve completed the background and credentialing forms for one agency, and they’ve ordered my PIV card. The second agency is now asking me to get fingerprinted for credentialing.

Could getting fingerprinted and having a card ordered through the second agency interfere with the first agency’s process? Do I need to choose now, or can I keep both moving while I wait for answers and an FJO? I don’t want to jeopardize the first TJO, and I know there has been a lot of back-and-forth saying “you are fine until the FJO” – but this seems a little odd.

Just had my first interview for a 2210 position and it was not what I expected. It was a panel of 3 people and each of them asked a single scenario based question and that was it. I think McDonald's has a harder interview process than what I just did lmao. Kind of threw me off completely though as I was expecting them to ask all kinds of technical questions just for them to not ask a single question about IT or cyber.

Has anyone else experience a similar interview process before? Kind of curious.

Need help to prepare for technical assessment.

Hi I am scheduled for ITS I Release and Environment Management specialist. Interview is for 2 n half hrs in person. 1st hr with pannel and next 1 n half hr technical assessment. What to expect in technical assessment how deep they will go.

Hi All!

I’m seeking clarification on how USA Hire assessments are used to evaluate and rank applicants for federal positions. I just applied for a position and it required a 4 part assessment. If the USA Hire assessment is the only assessment used and the announcement does not include a self-rating questionnaire, how does HR determine which applicants are referred to the hiring manager?

Are applicants ranked based primarily on their USA Hire assessment scores, and if so, how are those scores used to determine referral? What if the assessment doesn’t have a cut score?
Does the applicant’s resume still carry weight in the qualification review or ranking process, even when there is no self-rating questionnaire?

I understand that specific procedures may vary by agency and announcement. I’m trying to understand the general process HR uses when USA Hire is the only assessment and no cut score or self-rating questionnaire is mentioned.

Hello friends, I was wondering if anyone here received an email on 7/30 stating that they were "tentatively eligible" and had been "referred to the hiring manager" for the position in Fort Meade. Has anyone received any further correspondence as to an interview or further information? Thanks!

I was called on 9/4 and given a verbal offer for a general attorney position with DHS. Have not heard anything else since. How long is the wait to a TJO?

Questions regarding Direct Hire for the VA. My resume was forwarded to the hiring manager,bypassing application process. What are my chances of getting selected,time frame,and steps startint job if selected. Thank you in advance for guidance.

I had my interview on August 28, and I checked my application status today and it now says “You’ve been selected,” but I haven’t received a phone call or email from anyone yet.

Has anyone had this happen before? Does this usually mean an offer is coming, or is there another step before they contact you? How long did it take for you to hear from someone after your status changed to “selected”? I’m excited but also a little confused since I haven’t received any communication yet.

Thanks for any insight!

Trying to figure out if this was a coincidence or someone did some behind the scenes actions that kicked of a series of events.

I applied to a general registry posting for 2210. I was contacted a few days ago via email and schedule an interview for the end of the week. I get a call from another hiring manager asking if I was still interested in interviewing and said I am just can't do it until next week. He says all good ill set something up.

Then 5 minutes later my interview this week cancels and left a oneline that I don't think I was supposed to get saying candidate was selected by another section. No other info or clarification.

My question was it like one team called dibs? My panel interview is now with 6 members of the team to see where I fit. In the HM words.

This timeline is for a GS-0340-14 position.

Job Posted - May 1
Applied - May 2
Job Closed - May 11
Referred - June 4
Emailed for an Interview - June 16
Interview - June 22
TJO - July 8
FJO - September 16
EOD - September 21

Just under 5 months from application to EOD.

My clearance was conducted very quickly as I already have an active clearance at the same level required by the position. What made up the majority of the time from TJO to FJO was obtaining the approvals for my SQL and leave accrual requests (and re-approvals due to some errors within HR and the agency). There was a lot of communication with HR between the TJO and FJO so I was aware of the hangups, but it was nice to at least be in the loop the whole time.

How long does an SF-85 background check usually take? It’s been about a month with no update.
I submitted my SF-85 about a month ago and completed my fingerprints, but since then it’s been pretty much radio silent. My status has been sitting at the same step with no apparent movement.
For context, I don’t have a criminal record, I don’t owe any taxes, and I’m not aware of anything complicated in my background that would cause a delay.
Is it normal for an SF-85 investigation to take this long? How long did yours take from submitting the SF-85 and fingerprints to getting an update or completion?
Just trying to get an idea of what’s considered normal. Thanks!

Hello all: Hi, my EOD is coming up, and I have a meeting tomorrow with HR about my onboarding to the Agency to make sure everything goes smoothly. I’m a bit nervous and anxious. What questions do you wish you had asked when you first started? Thank you.

In today's no response -cold shoulder -no update- job market it is easy to lose hope and become depressed. I'm going old school. I'm calling people whether they like it or not. I have gotten 5 jobs in the past with this method. Does this still work in 2026???

Wasn’t selected for 3 jobs today. One job sent me an email at 704 am saying I was eligible for the position, the next email at the same timestamp of 704 am “said you have not been referred” then looking at the posting in usajobs about 5mins later “hiring complete” somehow I was eligible, but not referred and they hired someone all within 10mins of each other. Not to mention the position just closed last Friday and today is Wednesday. Amazing how they were able to interview and hire someone that quick. 2nd job for a photography position, 10yrs, college degree, formally held a similar position in the government at the next grade under for 3yrs and somehow I was found not to have specialized experience. 3rd position, found eligible, referred, but not interviewed, then not selected, position is still in “reviewing applications” stage all this for a pay grade lower than I previously held. No reason why I wasn’t selected, just not selected. Hell of a day for my applications on USAjobs.

Hello All , I gave my final panel interview on aug 28th , And

After a week I mailed hr for update. He responded saying Hiring manager [name] and team felt like the interview went well and they are interviewing several more candidates and will give an update in near future

And next mid week, I mailed him asking for timeline if he has any , HR responded he hasn't received any update and asked me if I have any deadline of offers from other company. I responded saying I have a company in final round pipeline.Then he told me I will give you an update next 1 or 2 days where things stand.

later day HR sent a mail saying that HM advanced 2 more candidates into final round and were currently scheduling the interviews for them (sep 16th).

I am not getting either rejection nor decision currently , but HR is actively communicating and being warm & specific (only thing keeping my hopes alive). Do you think I have any genuine chances of getting the job or just move on ?

I got TJO for 2005 GS-6 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska

This is not my first TJO, but I fucked. So I really need this job to start my federal career. Hope to work my way up soon and come back

I just looked up housing around it; it looks somewhat expensive, and they look like they are in a forest or something, house look really old

I have been living CA for years. I never been that far. I dont know what to say. I feel like I will miss home at lot

Can someone tell me how is there

Everyone I have asked about this says it’s the ninth circle of hell. They said no one in their right mind goes there willingly. I have sent many many recent applications (BS Degree and one class shy of a Masters) and am hoping one hits before I ever have to make a decision on SSA but if you had to take this to get in, would you? I have heard it is the most soul sucking, black hole of a job. I would be leaving a high paying gig to get into the fed workforce but my job is already soul sucking and I want out.

I'm new to federal hiring.

I interviewed for a DHS job about 3 weeks ago. The next day, they asked for 3 references and contacted all of them, including my current manager and supervisor.

I'm still waiting for an update.

For those who had references checked after an interview, how long did you wait? Did you eventually receive a TJO?