Constantly "not referred", looking for best way to get foot in the door

[Culper1773]

Redacted, sorry

[Usmc1586]

If your goal is to start a gs-9 I am sorry to say that you're being a little unrealistic. Almost every position that you apply for you will be looked at for the lowest level possible from GS-5 to GS-7. The reason being the govt doesnt want to pay you more than they have to and that there are probably thousands of people that would be happy starting at a lower salary. If you are passionate about law enforcement you should be applying for any and all positions you can. Example being that I have less than 2 years of college and 10 years in the military and I have been referred for jobs but at lower pay grades.

[eastwest2300]

Get your foot in the door, once you're in, its easier to move around. Look into Customs Border Patrol.

[dsb05c]

camarritt2011, I am in a similar situation. I started the process last year for an Army Reserve OCS packet. 5 years ago while doing the preemployment medical stuff for my current fed 6c job (Probation) I had a abnormal EKG which I got cleared up as just a slow hear rate but did have a slightly enlarged heart. Army was making me get recleared but even after doing so, they stated they won't clear me. I am now looking for other reserve branches. I have applied to a couple recent announcements for both GS 7 and 9 and was not referred either. Have a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration.

After reading the forums, I have edited my resume to show more law enforcement activities I conduct with my job. Seems the biggest factor they are looking for is investigative experience. I am currently trying to gain more skills like getting certified in computer forensics and I go back to FLETC in August to be a firearms instructor. So look for jobs where investigations is the main focus.

[patriot772]

I'm currently a 25 year old male, turning 26 next month. I don't have any veterans preference.

Originally, my plan was to serve four years in the Marine Corps as an officer. I was selected for OCS and attended the Summer 2011 class, but unfortunately washed out very late in the course (Week 8) due to injury which led to the inability to fulfill the remaining training requirements (I've since recovered).

I've since attempted to reapply for the course but it's gotten extremely competitive since 2011 due to the military draw down and sequester. Currently I am trying for the October class, albeit under a reserve contract. If selected I have a one-year training obligation active duty but I then hope to stay in for a full 20 should things work out for me. I understand I could just enlist for the sole purpose of obtaining preference but considering I'm now career designated and I've been working on the officer program since 2009 it's something I'm committed to succeeding at.


In the meantime, I've been applying to federal jobs and have pretty much constantly struck out. I have a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, a Master's in an Intelligence/Homeland Security discipline and about 6 years of private sector work in security/managerial. The reason I am working on full-time employment while attempting the officer course is I simply cannot afford to put my eggs in one basket.

I understand fully there are better qualified veterans and I'm not trying to act entitled, just looking for some advice and what I would stand a chance applying to and where exactly I should be looking until I have some military under my belt. On paper I qualify for many GS-9 jobs but have constantly not been referred for GS-7 jobs.

Thanks in advance.

Are you trying to just get into LE?? Or are you trying intelligence (0132) or compliance/general investigations (1801)?? Everybody above is correct when they say you should concentrate on just getting in at this point. You are 26. If I were you I'd bust into a uniformed position with the GOV. There are TONS. Maybe have somebody you know who gets referred for these types of positions take a look at your resume. Maybe go local LEO while attempting to get back into OCS. If you didn't know already, there are a few federal LE agencies that will not allow you to be military while working for them. Secret Service and FBI are the two most well known. Just remember that when applying.

Also, once you get into the military, volunteer to be deployed. That will up your vet pref when you apply to some of these jobs later AND will lead to you being referred more often. Good luck!

[just joe]

I don't think you are being realistic about a GS 9 slot either. Why are you limiting yourself to federal jobs?

[krash131]

I am 26 and have been I. The government since I was 23. I will give you some advice. Try local LE. I say that because I have been trying to get 1811 for 3 years and here is what I have found. Most uniform fed le jobs do not do a few things (write/serve warrants, testify, conduct undercover operations, conduct mid level investigations), as at least in the agencies I have interacted with the majority focus is sitting post. You can "spice" your resume up but it becomes hard when it comes to the ksa's because now some positions ask you to go into detail on your resume where you qualify as expert in. The main benefit to fed uniform Leo is u get "status" so you can apply for those jobs and it shows that you can complete fletc if you were to get sent to CITP since you already completed UPTP. Do not rule local le out since depending on the agency you work for you may have the chance to complete full investigations. Anything is possible as I have recently been making a lot more 1811 cert lists but for a while I wasn't. The main thing is experience to put on your resume. And vet points don't hurt either. Hope that helps a little bit.

[do_some]

Announcement number: HEAVEN-2014
Position Title: Angel
Veteran's Preference: NOT A VET
Score: 80.0

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in getting into Heaven. Based on you responses to the on-line assessment questions you are qualified; however, you were not referred because you did not score high enough to be referred to the selecting official.

Please access the Office of Heaven Management's website, www.God.god, for future afterlife opportunities. We wish you success in escaping the inferno.

Sincerely,
St. Gabriel

[JohnnyV]

It took me a long time to eventually get an 1811 and you must be persistent. I had a fed supervisor look at my resume and he rewrote it using "fed speak". After that, I got referred all the time and got picked up. It's important to tweak your resume for each specific job announcement to show you have specific experience they are looking for. Good luck.

[Culper1773]

Are you trying to just get into LE?? Or are you trying intelligence (0132) or compliance/general investigations (1801)?? Everybody above is correct when they say you should concentrate on just getting in at this point. You are 26. If I were you I'd bust into a uniformed position with the GOV. There are TONS. Maybe have somebody you know who gets referred for these types of positions take a look at your resume. Maybe go local LEO while attempting to get back into OCS. If you didn't know already, there are a few federal LE agencies that will not allow you to be military while working for them. Secret Service and FBI are the two most well known. Just remember that when applying.

Also, once you get into the military, volunteer to be deployed. That will up your vet pref when you apply to some of these jobs later AND will lead to you being referred more often. Good luck!

You are probably right about the SS, but it's my understanding that the FBI changed their policy on reservists not too long ago. It says on their site that you can be a military member and the FBI SA I know through my sister claims he knows many agents who drill every month.

Also, what exactly are "uniformed positions"? Things like the CBP?


I ultimately want an 1811 position but was hoping I could break into the Fed Gov as an entry level intel analyst or something...should those actually exist like I thought.

Thanks for the advice all. I wasn't dead-set on a GS-9 position or anything so it doesn't matter to me what I get in as as long as I get in.

[00BCK]

What does it mean in usajobs application manager when it says under app status "Complete"?

I guess it's self explanatory but should I expect an email either way? Or nothing?

[saone]

What does it mean in usajobs application manager when it says under app status "Complete"?

I guess it's self explanatory but should I expect an email either way? Or nothing?

If you are referring to the application manager that is outside USAjobs, then it just means you have completed the application process. At a future date you should get an email with a Notice of Results (NOR) telling you if you are qualified or not.

[saone]

I should add that the application manager I am talking about is the:
USA Staffing® Application Manager

[00BCK]

10-4. thanks saone

[00BCK]

If you are referring to the application manager that is outside USAjobs, then it just means you have completed the application process. At a future date you should get an email with a Notice of Results (NOR) telling you if you are qualified or not.

Well another check of my May/2014 USSS app says "Referred"....so I guess that's good. It still says reviewing application for the GS09 one though, and "Complete" for the GS07. It doesn't distinguish which grade I was referred for and I received no email. So i'll wait and see I guess.