indecisivewandering OP t1_j709ybc wrote on February 3, 2023 at 3:31 AM

Reply to comment by Butts-carltonhere in Is renting on a GS5 salary possible? by indecisivewandering

I have a degree in political science and about 3 years in purchasing. After over 100 applications this is the first one to give me an interview..so maybe it's my resume that is fucked up somehow? I'd love to be on aa 7/9/12 ladder but there seem to be issues whenever I apply at a 7, as if I'm not qualified or something. Every time I have applied for a purchasing or contracting role at a 7 or 9, I've had maybe 1 "eligible" in 30 applications, and no referrals to the hiring manager.

Butts-carltonhere t1_j76g1si wrote on February 4, 2023 at 1:04 PM

3 years in purchasing - does that mean 3 years in federal procurement?

indecisivewandering OP t1_j77428i wrote on February 4, 2023 at 4:15 PM

It does not. I've been working in the hospitality industry ordering eeverything under the sun for resorts to function.. However I had assumed it to be equivalent experience, enough to get my foot in the door with a 1102 position as a GS5 or somesuch. I would honestly love to take a COR/FARS related cert if one is available for civilians, because what I'm doing now feels meaningless. I have basically made all the systems my company uses because before me they hadno one doing this job. It's kind of a lot.

Butts-carltonhere t1_j7dhilo wrote on February 6, 2023 at 12:02 AM

So then yeah, that doesn’t count as experience for a federal contracting position. But a bachelors qualifies you for a GS 7 and you have work experience that should make you look good for a contracting and procurement early career position.

indecisivewandering OP t1_j7dm732 wrote on February 6, 2023 at 12:37 AM

I graduated in 2020.. would I still be available for such an early career position? I had always assumed "early career = Pathways = locked out outside of the 2yr window".

> doesn’t count as experience for a federal contracting position

So on most applications when it asks if you have "equivalent experience".. that doesn't refer to private sector work? I'm only finding this out now .-.