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Hello!
How
Can I beat the
closing dates for Federal jobs?
Dear Advisor:
Many of the jobs in which I have interest are posted with application deadlines
that are very short. In some cases I have only a few days to apply. I have been
looking for three months and I faithfully read the vacancy listings right away.
On several occasions I have seen vacancies for jobs for which I am qualified but
the closing date is that very day, or is just a day or two away.
Are these closing dates for real? If so, what can you do about this? Can I
receive your paper earlier? Why don’t the Agencies make their closing dates
longer?
L.S.
Tampa, FL
Dear E.M.:
Job closing dates are for real and can not be ignored. However, closing dates
are sometimes extended. In many other cases the job does close but is re-opened
a few weeks later. Extended closing dates and re-openings are a function of the
availability of applicants vs the supply of jobs in that particular occupation
and at that location. Positions with a shortage of applicants are called
“applicant shortage occupations”. Healthcare, science, clerical in some areas,
and many blue collar jobs are in the shortage category. That means that the
closing date for these jobs may be extended or re-opened. For most other
occupations the closing date is final.
Final closing dates are not the end of the world. Other positions will open at
the same location. And other jobs will open in the same occupations somewhere
else. That’s why you need to keep checking the listings for the right job for
you.
There are exceptions to closing dates for some job candidates.
10-Point Veterans Preference
Military veterans with 10-point veteran’s preference may request that the
closing date of any job be extended for them. Indeed, they may request that a
closed job be re-opened for them.
Likewise military personnel who are unable to file for a civilian vacancy due to
a service obligation in either an active or reserve unit may request extension
of a closing date for up to 1 year in some circumstances.
In either of the situations above the job candidate should contact the hiring
office of the Agency with the job to request the extension.
Our Deadlines
FJD editors enter new jobs daily for the website. Many of the job openings
listed are announced by the Agency only hours before they wind up printed on
this site.
More Applications Than Ever
In this era of economic uncertainty the number of people seeking Federal
jobs is high. The personnel staffing specialists who review applications are
hard pressed to keep up with the number of applications they receive from
candidates. That’s why thousands of Federal jobs are being posted with very
short closing times—only five days. So, in effect, the first screening done by
the Federal hiring process is the elimination of candidates who do not have
access to timely vacancy information.
By law, Agencies are required to have application windows of a minimum of five
business days for jobs open to all qualified applicants and three business days
for positions open only to current Federal workers.
“The early bird gets the job.” This is especially true when the jobs are popular
ones.
Latest Trends In Short Closing Dates
The latest trends indicate that personnel officials are more likely to keep
jobs open only for the minimum number of days for such popular job titles as
Management Analyst (GS 343), Contract Specialist (GS 1102), and Computer
Scientist (GS 334). Application windows may be longer for shortage category
occupations, such as Engineering (GS 800 series) Border Patrol Agent, other law
enforcement and positions in the medical field (GS 600 series). Clerical,
accounting, and other technical fields also frequently have longer or even open
closing dates.
Prepare Your Application
Package Ahead
Your best bet for beating this system is to prepare your Federal resume or
OF-612 ahead of time. If jobs are being considered in more than one job series,
several different resumes should be prepared, each tailored to a particular job
title.
For example, a candidate may be interested in both Equal Employment Opportunity
Specialist (GS 260) and Position Classification Specialist (GS 221) positions.
One resume should highlight all work experience related to Equal Opportunity
Employment, while the other should expand on classification work the candidate
may have done. In preparing these resumes, it is wise to study past vacancy
announcements to learn which Ranking Factors (KSA’s - knowledge, skills,
abilities) have been used before as requirements. Often these same Ranking
Factors will apply to future openings.
Vacancy Announcements Repeat
Vacancy announcements are often re-cycled. You would do well to keep a
well-organized file of your resumes and KSA’s. You’ll find that you are able to
re-use many of them.
On occasion, applicants may be able to reach the Agency directly about an open
position for more information on ranking factors. However, many personnel
offices are short staffed and do not always have the resources to answer
applicants’ questions. Candidates who are able to get the hiring authority on
the telephone should ask about the Ranking Factors for the open position.
Ranking Factors outline the particular experience the agency is looking for.
Resumes should be tailored to fit the Ranking Factors and job requirements, for
best results.
When your Federal resumes is ready to go, you can scan the vacancy listings on
this site and then mail, email or file the application on-line the same day.
Most agencies require that the application be postmarked by the closing date,
while a few may require that an application be received in the office by the end
of the workday on the closing date. At present the on-line method of filing is
preferred. Every job listing on this site includes a control number so that it
can be quickly accessed on-line.
You should check this website every couple of days. .
To submit questions to the Federal Jobs Advisor, write to:
Federal Jobs Advisor, PO Box 693, Emmaus, PA 18049. We regret
that not all questions may be answered.
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