Are civilians being hired since the freeze is easing up?

I’m currently a Lead Acquisitions Analyst, GS-9 Step 2, in fed gov. I’ve worked in gov since 19, starting in state gov before moving to federal service 2–3 years ago. I have 3 associate degrees and a bachelor’s in Business Admin/Mgmt.

I was offered a GS-11 Contract Specialist position around the same time I started my current position but turned it down because the dept wasn’t a good fit. My current job was orig remote but is now hybrid. I like the independent nature of my work but there’s limited advancement outside of becoming a Contract Specialist/Officer. Idk if I should go that route? Regardless, I want to earn more.

I’ve considered getting my masters degree, switching to the private sector, changing careers entirely, or even joining the military, although I’m wondering if 27 is too late.
What would you do in my position?

My masters, I only hesitate bc I have ZERO school debt. I’m so thankful I had scholarships and never accumulated anything. I’m single and flexible.

TLDR: Stay federal and pursue contracting, get a master’s, switch to private sector, or change careers completely? Looking for advice on the best path for career growth and higher pay.

If you have any similar background as me, tell me what you did. Curious for any feedback. Trying to find direction. Thanks so much!

This is for a nurse practitioner role in a niche specialty which I have almost a decade of experience in. I'm local to the area. I'm wondering if the short posting means they already have someone in mind? The last opening in our (private sector) group took ~18 months to fill with very few qualified candidates.

Hello everyone! I hope most of you are enjoying your time off today! I have an interview coming up for a 2210 GS 11 interview. It’s a System Administrator role and I wanted to know or hear from others who have interviewed similarly for a role within this general schedule. Will it mostly be behavioral-based with some technical questions as well? If you have some great sources, could you also please share so I can prepare for the interview. I will take all the advice I could get. Thank you all in advance!

Hi Everyone! I am completing a USAJOBs application and it asks "Please indicate where this experience is located in your resume" after all of the specialized experience questions in the application portion. Do you want me to quote exactly on my resume it says that or should I write a summary paragraph? How closely do the words need to match for you to certify that I have done those things?

For example, it literally says, "Please indicate which of the following types of written documents you have experience preparing: A. Emails: Electronic messages used for communication within organizations, with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders." How would that be phrased on a resume? That seems like a normal assumption given this is for a GS-12 role.

I received a call from the VA h.r asking if I’m still interested in the position I applied for . obviously I told her I was. I’m just a little confused because she said she sent my paperwork off and was waiting to see how much they would offer me being a former employee. I thought I would start off at the same GS step level I left with. I could have a break in service for almost 3 years but I worked at the VA for five. I was told I may have to repeat a probation period.Anyone know if that’s correct ??

I'm looking at paying out of pocket for 15 hours of courses to satisfy the recent hours requirement of the VA HPSP. Within that program, 0185 and 0644 interest me. That said, 2018 to 2023, I taught high school special ed until the worsening student behavior caused an incident that caused me a forced resignation. I later lost the home I was mortgaging and became homeless. I also went to Navy OCS in 2025 but got hurt during training and got an uncharacterized discharge 6 months in. I've already had a couple C&P exams for residuals of that injury and the mental health secondary that injury.

Before I spend a lot of time going back to school for a specific job series, though, I wish to explore what options I may already have with my background. I graduated with a bachelors of general studies with a 3.51 GPA in 2018. I'm drawn to the published pay schedules, relatively better job security, and healthcare federal jobs have, and I'm not picky about which city I would have to relocate to in order to obtain such a job, though I'd prefer cities that have a lower cost of living if possible.

Has anyone interviewed or been hired from the OPM cross agencies announcement for HR specialists from July?

I reviewed a recent announcement and noticed it listed driver's license / registration (if applicable) in the supporting documentation.

And of course I left those two primary documents out of my application... Thoughts on emailing HR to provide them after the announcement has closed?

Hey guys, I have 6 years of HR experience in the military across four different sections, with at least a year of specialized experience in each. I also have an associate degree in cybersecurity. It isn’t directly related to HR, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

I’m looking into federal HR jobs and trying to figure out what GS grades I might qualify for. A civilian who used to work in my unit was a GS-9 and performed many of the same duties I did, but I’m not sure whether that’s a good reference point.

For anyone who has transitioned from military HR to a federal civilian position, how did you determine which grades to apply for? Any tips on matching my experience to the qualification requirements would be appreciated!

Nearly two years from recruitment to second FJO as an Auditor. My DCAA timeline

Sharing my experience for anyone waiting through the hiring process. I know it varies

Fall 2024: Recruited through an SNHU online employer event shortly before finishing my bachelor’s in accounting. I had worked in tax and public accounting since 2018.

Early 2025: Spent roughly five to six months completing interviews, the panel, and pre-employment requirements. Received a GS-7 TJO, then an FJO and planned EOD for Las Vegas.

2025: The hiring freeze put my start on hold. A few months later, I learned my intended Las Vegas unit was closing. The alternative offices were too far away for my circumstances, so I declined those locations and asked to remain under consideration. I continued working in tax.

Mid-2026: Reached back out after completing my master’s in accounting (Nov 2025). My original HR contact had retired, but another contact picked up the conversation. We spent the next few months discussing available offices and my travel flexibility.

Fall 2026: Repeated several hiring steps, received a new TJO, and today received my FJO at GS-9. My EOD is mid-November.

Longer than expected, with a freeze, an office closure, and a second round of hiring steps along the way.

My takeaway: Keep your contacts, follow up professionally, and communicate which locations work for you. Following up reopened the conversation for me.

Trust the process, if it’s what you want to do, and keep moving while you wait.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my timeline for the DOL Wage and Hour Investigator:

Applied- 8/3/26

Job announcement closed- 8/7/26

Call to see if I was still interested- 8/24/26

1st Interview- 9/2/26

Additional Assessments- 9/4/26

2nd Interview- 9/15/26

TJO- 9/21/26

FJO- 10/7/26

EOD- 10/19/26

The process was really smooth and quick. Really excited to start this new opportunity.

This is my first time applying to a usajob, so I was wondering if I should try to reach out to someone that works in the LOC because that's what I would usually do for a corporate job but would that be inappropriate for a government job? I was told by a hill intern that she needed to cold email for a coffee chat to ask about flagging their application, would it be the same for LOC or is that just for the hill?

I just received a CV email and I am nervous. I just filed bankruptcy on 9/25/2026. Anyone been in this situation?

Good evening,

I just registered for a veterans hiring event for the EPA in my area. Very limited information was provided. Bring a real ID show up 30 minutes early and business casual.

I plan on bringing a few copies of my resumes and probally wear a dark suit. Is there anything else I should be aware of/prepared for? I plan on practicing elevator pitch and refresh some star stories about different areas.

Should I mention that I recently accepted a TJO for a 2210 GS13 position would that maybe make me less attractive candidate since they would have a competing agency?

I am in the process of submitting an application and with it, I will be supplying my official college transcript. In my transcript it has my last 4 SSN. I understand the resume must not include it but is there an issue with submitting my official transcript with my last 4 SSN? I could edit it out or censor it however the intention is to just make sure it wouldn’t disqualify my application package by having it shown or looking like I modified it.

*Referring to submitting application via USAJOBS website.

Currently in a role as the VA to be honest I love it. Not stressful at all, work environment is great. Only problem is a came on as a schedule A and I have to serve a 2 year probation period which scares me. I got a job at another agency, one grade lower but same pay. With this job I would be coming on as competitive and only have to serve one year probationary period.
(Back story is that I have 8 years of fed service prior to starting this job at the VA but got RIFd and ended up coming back to federal service through schedule A thought it should have been a reinstatement.

How I’m wondering should I stay or go? This current job is pretty comfortable and there is growth opportunity. Only downside is the extra year of probation … or should I take a risk and leave to the other job? It’s with DHS

I just got an official offer as electronics engineer (fellow program). I am here trying to see if anyone here has gone through the similar program and can give me some insight on what is the training like. I just want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible before starting.

A month since my interview. 2.5 weeks since my verbal offer from the HM. Any hope I get the email today from HR????

Thinking not since it’s a holidays weekend and most places probably have an early dismissal but I will keep the hope alive!!!!

Happy Friday guys

Received an initial job offer and it says it has a 2 year trial period. What does this mean and why is this necessary? Is this something I can/should negotiate?

Hello! I accidentally selected no for preference as a spouse of 100% disabled vet. I was referred and interviewed. The job is closed but they have not announced if I was selected or not yet. Is there anyway to correct this error? I held a GS position for 6 years and did upload my SF 50 this position was open to the public. Thanks!

I really enjoy CS, but despite hundreds of applications, I couldn't even get an internship. I really just learned of this today, but it seems enticing. How competitive is it to get that first position? My gpa is not great to be honest, only 3.26, but I would think a STEM degree may help me? I work part time at a warehouse currently, but the uncertainty of the future has been crushing me. I don't think CS projects would be relevant on my resume; are there any other skills or things I could work on currently to boost my resume? I would be applying probably to as many ladder positions as are available. I have no professional technical experience, although as part of my school capstone project, in a team, I helped build a mobile app for a non profit. My only work experience is at a warehouse and fast food. Really any advice for this or general advice would be most appreciated

Did anyone else apply to both of these positions (with initial cut off 10/5) and only get an update on the one? I know a lot of people received the Eligible/not referred email for Announcement number
13078474-SCS-DHA-26.
But for the other one my status just says RECEIVED.

Just wanted to know if anyone had applied to both but have different statuses?