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 .-.

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.

Yep yep. At this point I only go about once every 2 months, hopefully this changes over time. My doc has said at some point the less we need to see each other, the better/more stable my condition is.

I ought to save up for the months in between now and the FO, put in a few months on the job and maybe I'll get to contracting at some point in the near future. The thing is at my current job it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything? Public procurement though feels like the work is a lot more meaningful and impactful.

FARS, yeah.. recognized that slip-up after posting.

Just so I sort of have this correct.. even if I'm in a 0300 role, when I hit GS7 I could potentially transfer over to a 7/9/11 1102 ladder on an internal announcement, simply because I'm already at that grade in any series (+3 yrs private sector work experience)?

I already do have a Schedule A letter.. seems like I'm either not using itt correctly, or it isn't pushing me in the direction I need to go.

How competitive are group houses, and where could I find info about how to interview/bid for them? I assume Facebook or something?

> There is a COLA for DC.

Regarding the COLA, is that posted when there's a job available on USAJobs, in general? I always assumed it was, but around here because things are so "cheap" (they're really not) you often get employers hiring for a range of 40-60k... then obviously hiring at the lower number. The range I saw for this position was offering much more than 40k but I am going in with the assumption I'll earn nothing since I'm just starting out in the federal service.

How difficult would it be to get to a GS12, if I'm not on a ladder position? The ideal would be to get a contracting (!102, sorry) position and work my way up but that seems highly unlikely.. is it possible to get some type of FERS related certification as a civilian? Would that help me at all when applying to these jobs?

I am unsure about transit benefits. The telework footing is only 2-3 days each week. they also aren't offering relocation bonuses which.. god yeah this'll be a tight move if I end up making it.

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.

Thanks! It's only after a bit of looking around I recognize this is a purely DC sub, which makes sense. A lot of the Southern (insert large city name) subs include the suburban hellsprawl that goes around them.. I mean it's all one contiguous mass so it makes sense.. I'll look around that other sub, thank you.

I already have a Schedule A and utilize it in every opportunity. Maybe my resume should be rewritten by a professional? I got a very generic letter from my glaucoma doctor, I am uncertain what getting a second doc who has followed me more closely would do, tbh.

I have heard slightly different things - does applying to positions "open to the public" while using Schedule A give any benefit, or is it only the non-competitive roles? My current opportunity was under Schedule A and a few federal/military/spouse hiring authoritties.. I was joking around w/ a former Navy friend that I probably got past 20 dependas.

I sadly graduated in 2020 over Rona, so hiring freeze + L + Uncertainty. I will look into getting my resume rewritten.. could very well be a good.. what,$80 well spent? If it means I can finally snag a GS7 I'd be a lot happier and comfortable moving.

At the time I was able to see a lot better. I have a degenerative retina condition. I've been half blind since I was a teenager, and have been losing my vision (conscious of it at least) for the last 20 months. Before that I literally thought seeing a ring of light moving around myvision when I blink was totally normal.

I do, yes. Political Science. That is the thing, I keep getting denied because "lack of experience" or somesuch.. when I literally have on my resume "Purchasing Assistant, 3 years, 40h/wk".. getting a ladder like you mentioned would be awesome.

> I said this elsewhere, but one of the things that struck me when I first moved to DC was how many people with disabilities seemed to be living full, independent lives.

It's a damn beautiful thing, ain't it? :D I wish it was more common to have that available in this country. That same opportunity to just walk down a street with my cane and a purpose, as odd as that may sound to non-disabled people. The opportunities for me to live a full life as a disabled person in DC are second to none.

I remember oee day walking to my crummy internship, seeing a blind woman who looked to be in her 30s walking with a cane. That moment showed me that even if I do go blind, it's still possible to live a good life, be employed, etc.. It isn't hopeless.

People sometimes ask me why I don't leave for the EU because of my 2nd passport. EU countries might have more public transit and options in aggregate, but I don't speak German.. do you think the Germans would hire a blind American unless I am top of the top? Much less navigating bureaucracy in a language you do not speak, which you cannot read? I grew up here, I am staying here, and even if I get paid lower than average I will feel good serving the country that brought my family from nothing.

Interesting. I had always thought the more common ladders were on the lower end. The sad thing to me is I have been applying for all these 1302 roles in contracting thinking that 3 years of purchasing experience will do the trick.. apparently it doesnt if I lack knowledge of FERS shrug so I feel locked out of those more common ladders that go from 7-11/12.

to be perfectly honest (prolly should've included this in the OP) I had this impression that the entire area outside of DC was suburban sprawl. Even with the metro, apartments close to Metro was some kind of luxury thing that the "not rich but still upper middle class" people could afford.. think Arab international students. A lot of them I knew lived out in Bethesda. Glad to hear there's more options than "downtown DC but really we just mean a few NW neighborhoods" aand shlepping myself to/from Baltimore everyday.

Barring my medical condition getting out of control (I had some doc lie to me about a retina detachment.. turns out I just need regular monitoring), I'll be in a lot better place mentally. I'd be totally good with dive bars, Black Cat metal nights (got to see The Hu before I left, good times), and not spending all my money on booze.

To be honest when I'd get off at stations my immediate assumption was that those buildings were all offices. Cool to know that TOD is taken at least somewhat seriously. Regarding nightlife, yeah I don't really mind if its lame. That it exists at all is nice from where I'm sitting right now.

Busses would be an option, its just about whether they have signage/accurate schedules. Currently, my area has no busses other than to take tourists around, and the paratransit is only available by calling.. if you're within .5 miles of an unmarked station.

> If you find a higher paying job after a few years, then you can move closer to your place of work or perhaps you'll find you don't mind the train commute that much.

Indeed. And hey, at least after that point I'll be able to have made connections at work and built a life for myself.

The mental health boost of being able to navigate a city.. my god it'd be great. I am totally fine with the bohemian poverty, right now I barely make 1,200/month without the chance for friendship or anything. I'm in more of a retirement community than a college town, which makes things markedly worse for meeting people around my own age.

The only slight concern I've got is affording medical treatment/travel to Duke hospital but my family could likely chip in, and there wouldn't be the need for a 6 hour drive each way anymore.

0304 iirc?... and I am not sure. I'd probably jump into another series if that would be possible without taking a huge pay cut, or try to contract if everything else fails.

That's great! Then yeah I mean.. I think I'll be fine? As long as I can work a side job(or two) and work out something with my medical situation, I think I'll be just fine.

> How come you're considering Baltimore and not the DC suburbs off the metro trains? The area between North Bethesda and Shady Grove on the red line has high rises at slightly lower prices than DC while still being accessible to downtown by train.

Interesting.. I honestly hadn't noticed after living in the area for 4 years a few years back. I always thought the inner ring of suburbs was still very car dependant, so it was a wash between DC and Baltimore. Sure, you're closer, but my life would still be bound by whatever car dependant place I happened to end up in. Your commentt opens up a lot more options, than you.

I used to live in Arlington out of a group house and it was a mental struggle.

It's 0300, on a 5-7 ladder. I'm in the worse Carolina, I'll put it that way. I have looked into Charlotte, but it's much more of a car dependant place than the District, so it feels like a non-starter as someone who can't drive.

The role is in 0300 and is 5-7. The goal would be to put in a few years and jump to another ladder by the time I'm 30, or an entirely different series (if that's possible).. I'm aware I don't have nearly as much later movement with a 1302 but the ironic thing is despite 3 years in purchasing I've been denied at GS7 for every 1302 I've applied for.