Federal Hiring Debacle

**ICantSpellDawg** · 09-22-2009, 17:52

Is anyone else here waiting endlessly for a Federal job? I understand that money is tight, but what about attrition from retirement/firing/resignation? Is there anyone that I am sharing the boat with on these boards?

**Lemur** · 09-22-2009, 17:53

Can't share your moment, 'cause I'm firmly in the private sector, but it might be helpful to know which branch of guvmint you're applying to.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 09-22-2009, 19:46

Political staff member? You got a promotion and a raise. Anyone else that might actually do some work...sorry Charlie, we're broke.

**Major Robert Dump** · 09-23-2009, 03:44

A vacuum from retirement you say? Government workers don't retire...they hit the minimum for pension, retire, then go get another government job with their cooshy G1000 rating and draw income + 70-90% pension payout. At least thats how it works around here....and in California I hear

You could join the Army, not much of a wait there, especially if you ask for 88M or 11B.

**Fragony** · 09-23-2009, 16:59

Do you have anything to chew on for us euros?

**Louis VI the Fat** · 09-23-2009, 18:44

Originally Posted by TuffStuffMcGruff

Is anyone else here waiting endlessly for a Federal job? I understand that money is tight, but what about attrition from retirement/firing/resignation? Is there anyone that I am sharing the boat with on these boards?

Should've voted Democrat then the past eight years.

Instead of rubbish jobs consisting of lying in wait in some desert to be blown to pieces by unruly locals, the federal government would've created positions by employing teachers, fixing infrastructure, and other stuff that improves America.

**TinCow** · 09-23-2009, 19:51

Originally Posted by TuffStuffMcGruff

Is anyone else here waiting endlessly for a Federal job? I understand that money is tight, but what about attrition from retirement/firing/resignation? Is there anyone that I am sharing the boat with on these boards?

My agency hires regularly, but the legal industry took a major hit in the recession and we now have Ivy League law school grads with serious firm experience applying for GS-11, and even GS-9, spots. It's pretty insane. I doubt I could even get hired for my own job at this point, because the competition is so fierce.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 09-23-2009, 20:32

Considering how many people are looking for work I imagine the pool of candidates is pretty deep.

**KukriKhan** · 09-23-2009, 21:28

Postal has had a hiring freeze for 14 months now, and look to extend it through 2010. They're trying to entice 20-year guys to retire, but most turn it down. In my hundred-man station, I expect about 10% to get canned (those under 6 years ojt) or transferred to another town in the next 6 months.

30+ year old guys are seriously considering the military.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-24-2009, 04:42

Well, my father is an immigration attorney. His co-worker, another immigration lawyer, just received a government job in the field of immigration, obviously. I forgot the details, but he was hired in the middle of July 2009 I believe. Straight out of law school, save for a year of work experience. His law school and the university he earned his bachelor's from were not too hot either

.

My father has 12 years of work experience, two Uni degrees, two law degrees, one in America from University of Alabama, School of Law - US News & World Report, the most accepted post-secondary education ranking system in US ranked University of Alabama 11th Among Public Law Schools, 32nd Overall, so I suppose he has a good chance of being hired for a US government job as well, once he becomes naturalised.

You decide whether this is competitive or not. Perhaps immigration law is simply a high-demand job in the gov't, and certainly, this is not one of the most popular fields of law.

**TinCow** · 09-24-2009, 14:09

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

You decide whether this is competitive or not. Perhaps immigration law is simply a high-demand job in the gov't, and certainly, this is not one of the most popular fields of law.

Yes, there are a lot of immigration law attorneys in the federal government. Other big ones are trademark, patent, antitrust, criminal prosecution, social security, and veterans' law. The last two areas aren't really taught in law school, so it can be difficult to get experience in those areas before you apply for the job. Of the above, patent attorneys have, by far, the easiest time getting jobs. They're pretty much always in demand and get highly paid. This is because you have to have a separate technical degree or significant technical coursework (just a JD isn't good enough) and you have to pass a separate Patent bar exam. Since most attorneys aren't engineering types, there is always a shortage of Patent attorneys, particularly those with experience in stuff like electrical, chemical, and mechanical, and biomechanical engineering. CS Patent attorneys are more common, since everyone seems to have a CS degree these days. If you've got an engineering background, I very strongly recommend consideration of a legal career... you'll have great prospects and job security both in the government and at firms for your entire life. MD/JD combos also pretty much have guaranteed employment for life, though that's a lot of education commitment.

Another good avenue for government legal jobs is JAG service. JAG officers always end up at the top of the lists for government legal positions, particular in the DoJ and VA.