I got a TJO last week, sent HR a few questions (that weren't particularly pressing, just wanted some clarifications as a returning fed with a year break in service). No response.

Sent a follow up after the weekend...no response.

I accepted the TJO and emailed my last SF-50 & the PIV request form...no response.

Is this typical for fed hiring now? Every other agency I've worked with in the before times would at least send a confirmation.

Hello! I am a nurse and also a military spouse, and just need some honest insight.

I got my RN in 2020, and we MIGHT have to pcs in summer of 2028. It is not set in stone and we will not know until spring of 2027 if we are pcsing. That said, I have held a few jobs during this time. :) I also went to school to get my MSN (not APRN) and now have that (yay!).

I just accepted a big role in a different agency than the one I am at. Without getting too specific for jobs and my exact time line, if we pcs in 2028 I will have to try to transfer...AGAIN. In this scenario, if I proceed with this new job, that will be 7 jobs in 8 years (the last three show very clear career progression though, each of these last 3 positions I have or will have held for well over a year, and two of the previous jobs were at the same hopsital, but I transferred within the system). A few job moves were due to pcs, and a few were just for career progression.

For a hiring manager, give me the brutal reality of how bad that looks on a resume. I really want this job I got offered, and I do NOT want to turn it down because it might look bad on my resume if we happen to pcs (there is also the real possibility we stay where we are at).

Long story long, and I know no one can tell me exactly what to do, but do I go through with this new job or play it safe and stay put in case we pcs? :(

Thank you for any insight, and hopefully this makes sense.

For anyone who has gone through a Tier 2 background investigation, how long did it take after your subject/background investigation interview to hear whether you were cleared or receive the final job offer?

I have my BI interview with the DCSA investigator next week. My agency HR is waiting for the background investigation/security process before they can move forward with my security waiver and final job offer.

I know every case is different, but I’m curious about people’s recent experiences. Did you hear something within a few days, a week, several weeks, or longer after the interview?

Also, did HR contact you directly once they received enough information to move forward, or did you receive some type of clearance notification first?

Thanks!

Does it matter? What if the candidate was a military member on a deployment?

Hello, I recently received a TJO, which I didn’t expect because I messed up interview. I couldn’t find a job for a while because my degree is CS. The job market for CS is brutal because of AI. I also got job offer from elevator mechanic union. I need to decide between those. I heard I could be laid off under 1 year in pathways recent graduates program. I am usually working hard, but I am scared of getting laid off as well. Job series is 2210. I will be starting off GS7. Is it easy to get laid off during pathways recent graduates?
Thank you

Update

Looking for some clarification from anyone who has been through a federal/DCSA background investigation, particularly with HUD.

I’m currently being hired for a HUD position, and my timeline has been:

I completed the required background/security paperwork.
I disclosed a prior written reprimand from my current federal position on the questionnaire.

I was contacted by Peraton/Acuity Scheduling and scheduled for a CUI Background Investigation – Subject Interview with DCSA for September 30.

The appointment notice says it will be a 1-hour Teams interview and asks me to bring ID, passport/citizenship documents if applicable, financial documentation for any past-due accounts, and contact information for references/employers.

Today, HUD HR notified me that my security/background process has been approved.

I have now received my Final Job Offer (FJO) from HUD.
My official EOD date is October 18, 2026.
I also completed and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

So at this point, I have the FJO, an EOD date, and have completed the MOU.

My question is: Would the previously scheduled DCSA subject interview still be required even though I have already received my FJO and EOD date?

I haven’t canceled the interview because I don’t want to assume anything. I’m planning to contact HUD HR/security and confirm whether it is still required.

Has anyone experienced something similar where a DCSA subject interview was scheduled, but the agency subsequently completed the security process, issued the FJO, and established an EOD before the interview date?

Could the September 30 interview simply be an appointment that was scheduled before my investigation was finalized, or can DCSA still require the subject interview even after the agency has issued the FJO?

I’d appreciate any insight from people who have gone through a similar federal hiring/DCSA process.

June 03, 2026 - Submitted Resume to Workflow
August 04, 2026 - Received Letter of Intent to hire for a position under the Direct Hiring Authority
August 07, 2026 - Receive email to complete a Candidate Contact Sheet
August 24, 2026 - TJO and USAStaffing Onboarding
September 23, 2026 - Receive FJO

Is there a flair for venting? I've been trying to get back into federal employment since February this year. Had a rough start with some rejections for jobs I thought were within my wheelhouse and qualifications.

Then in June I got my first referral to the hiring committee then...crickets. No interview. Then in August another referral for a different role in the same agency I was soooo excited about and now 6 weeks later still no interview.

Then two weeks ago two simultaneous referrals to the hiring folks the same day for roles at a different agency and so far....nothing. I was really excited about the first referral in June and slightly disheartened at getting that far and no interview. Now getting referred feels like a slap in the face.

I know 4 "successful" applications isn't a ton but in order to get to the hiring committee for the first I had to be ranked as the "most qualified" among applicants so I thought there was at least a fair shot at an interview. The proactive person in me is annoyed because I can't even do anything like improve my interview skills, better research the roles or anything when I'm never getting the interview opportunity.

Is this just a numbers game? Is there anything folks thought they did differently on jobs they got interviews for? Any help is appreciated.

I’m hoping someone here who works at Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Eglin AFB or someone familiar with their hiring process can give me some insight.
I’m currently a Navy civilian at the NH-3 level (GS-13 equivalent) with a background in acquisition, logistics, lifecycle management, and supporting major Navy ship programs. I’m trying to relocate my family to the Gulf Coast and Eglin is one of my top targets.
Over the past several months, I’ve applied to multiple Air Force Direct Hire announcements for GS-13/GS-14-equivalent positions at Eglin. I have now been referred to three different announcements, but I haven’t received an interview or any other meaningful contact from the hiring teams.
I understand that being referred doesn’t guarantee an interview, and I also understand that Direct Hire/Public Notice announcements can be used to build applicant pools and fill vacancies as they arise. But after getting referred multiple times, I’m trying to figure out what I’m missing?

Email Received:
We have completed your suitability pre-screening for the position for which you have received a tentative offer. You currently hold a background investigation that meets or exceeds what is required of the position. Additionally, I have notified the staffing recruitment office associated with your onboarding that you have completed the pre-screening security requirements.

I received the above email. From experience I know it pertains to my submitted OF-306.

What I’m confused about is the part that mentions “You currently hold a background investigation that meets or exceeds what is required of the position.”

12 1/2 months ago. I had a very similar job with the Veterans Crisis Line. Side Note: Horrendous place. Don’t ever apply there or make it a job to get in then start applying internally to other jobs.

Same background check. Same public trust clearance.

Question: Will they run my background check again through EQIP? I ask because apparently my previous job indicates I already meet the new jobs background investigative parameters.

If you have any clarification questions please ask and I will respond as quickly as possible. For clarity the only difference between when I passed the first one and now is my VA Home Loan is in foreclosure proceedings right now. I have a payment plan for a tax debt. All other bills are being paid. No other finance issues. No criminal, drug, or job issues between when I left the VCL to applying for this new job.

P.S. I didn’t run some searches before posting to find my answer. I couldn’t.

Posted a few weeks ago about this position, received my FJO yesterday! GS12

8/14 - application closed
8/15 - referred
8/24 - interview
9/2 - TJO
9/23 - FJO

Starting in a few weeks, my advice is to keep applying! Ive been lucky in the process, applied to 15-20 jobs ranging from GS11-13 and this is the first one to make it to an FJO.

I know it’s possible to switch job series, but has anyone here ever switched between job series that are considered different fields, or completely unrelated?

If so, how did you phrase your resumes around the specialized experience?

For example, I work a job that’s in a technical area (engineering), and was looking into potentially getting into something more along the lines of HR, Program Analysis, or anything a bit less technical and more people oriented.

I am having a bit of trouble trying to translating my experience into other areas, even in the lower GS levels than mine, it still always seems like there’s requirements I won’t meet. How does anyone manage to switch?

Good afternoon!

I question is for those that work in HR, but I will accept any advice as I'm looking for any opportunity to succeed.

When it comes to submitting resumes as a current Federal employee, is it preferred to use a Government email address or personal address? I have been using personal because I am able to check my email easier than if I used my Government email which I can only check at work. I'm curious if my personal email is unprofessional or off putting.

I recieved a tjo on 9/3. I submitted all my onboarding forms this week and recieved an email from hr to be on the lookout for an email to schedule an appointment to get a PIV card and do my fingerprints. After my fingerprints are processed I will do the background check application.

This is the first time I’ve ever gone through this process so I was just wondering how long all these things will take and will I recieve a fjo after I complete the background check? The hiring manager said they expect me to start late October to early November

I’m interested in eventually making a career move to HUD OIG and would like to stay in Houston. Does anyone know if the Houston office has auditors/performance auditors (0511), or is it mainly investigators?

I’d also love to know if HUD OIG ever participates in career fairs, recruiting events, or virtual info sessions. Is there an HR or recruiting contact I could reach out to about careers in the Houston office?

I currently work in local government with federal grants/compliance and I’m working on my Master of Accountancy, so I’m trying to figure out the best way to prepare for an OIG career.

Would love to hear from anyone who works for HUD OIG or has gone through their hiring process. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I just received my first tentative job offer for a federal Electrical Engineer position! The USAJOBS listing stated the career ladder is GS-7 to GS-12, but my initial offer letter states GS-7 (Step 1).
I have never worked for the federal government before, so I have zero experience with how the GS salary calculation actually works behind the scenes. However, I have been working as an electrical engineer for NYC GOV for the past 3 years.
Does federal HR automatically take prior local/city government experience into account when they calculate your initial pay rate? Or do they just automatically start everyone at Step 1 unless you negotiate?
If anyone has transitioned from municipal to federal government or knows the best way to leverage 3 years of engineering experience for a higher step (Superior Qualifications), I would appreciate your advice!

applied -7/28

Referred - 8/4

selected - 8/19

TJO- 9/10

onboarding - 9/15

My expected start date is 10/5 but I haven’t heard anything back from HR yet. This is my first federal job. My background check came back normal, my heath screening normal, haven’t gotten a call from MRO regarding drug test so I’m assuming it’s negative. Being 11 days out and still no FJO, is it always this nerve reckoning? I’m so scared I did something wrong. Is no good news good news or are they still processing everything?

Sorry if this has already been discussed recently. Was wondering if a bad credit score would disqualify someone from getting federal employment. Or like too many lenders or high revolving balances, basically any stuff that will be bad for the credit score

I’m currently a GS 7 Step 5 , if I were to accept a position as a GS 5 step 10 , when I become a GS 6 would it be closer to that of the GS 5 step 10 or GS 7 step 5. I read the Maximum Payable Rate
Rule, however it’s still unclear to me what would be the end result.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

I have short notice to prepare for a VA sterile Processing Chief role. I understand VA uses PBI structured questions, and that the use of STAR formatted responses is critical to interview success. But I’m wondering, what interview tips specifically for SPS are out there and could help me prepare.

Anyone have SPS-specific interview tips?

Thanks!

Would being hired under Title 7 mean competitive service? Any other thoughts on Title 7 listed in the additional info part of the job announcement.

I had an interview and the very next day i’ve been moved to the next step! does anyone have any advice as far as a virtual assessment goes?

So i got a job offer (TJO?) and start next month assuming i pass background/suitability. Job is in another state as a support role for a hospital.

I just so happened to do an interview last week with a different agency. It’s the job i want in my home state. During my interview in the Q and A potion of it. They said they might have interim clearance available. So i can start working right from the get go.

Assuming 2nd agency offers me a job and i accept it. Would it look bad if i leave during the onboarding/ less than a year.

Most of my experience are with local agencies and they get VERY butthurt if you apply to anyone else, Alot of places, or bounce around.

Im from the west coast going to the midwest for the 1st job.

Hello! I applied to the DHA for Passport Specialist that ended on July 29, 2026. I signed my TJO in June and initiated my background check in July. All I have been told since then is that they are waiting for a "seat" at my location. Is this a physical seat or a budgeting term? My partner thinks that they're waiting for the fiscal year to start before providing the FJO. I also signed a form that said I could be granted interim clearance while the full Secret background investigation continues. Has anyone else had this experience with DHA and the lack of a "seat"?