Abbreviated version of the Federal Resume Journey from Application to Hire

Abbreviated version of the Federal Resume Journey from Application to Hire

When you apply to a federal job your resume goes through several layers of scrutiny. First layer is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) where a generic screen is done for basic fit. Some agencies have this, some do not but let’s assume they all do. Second is the general HR screening. This is an HR generalist that reviews All Applications that show up against that job posting. They weed through them and send ONLY the applicants that qualify to the division with the job posting. This is the point that REFERRED shows up on your USA Jobs Profile. Third layer is a subject matter expert (SME). This person is selected in the division to score all applications and select the to X number of candidates to move forward to the interview process. After this level if you aren’t referred on your status on USA jobs is changed again. (Sadly a lot of great applicant are washed out at this level due to the number of applications we get. (Side Note: I have receive over 500 applicants as an SME, it is hard to pick 10 from 500). Last few layers all include interviews. I have had as many as 17 people to interview for 1 position. I generally try to stick to 10 or less but sometimes you get a good candidate pool. A lot of times with that many candidates, there may be panel interviews with a first and second round. Sometimes third interview before a selection is made.