Fed Gov Interviews Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 7:44 pm

I have an interview for an entry level attorney position with a non-litigation based agency this week (not DOJ etc.) I was wondering if anyone has any specific tips for fed gov interviews and its hiring process or if anyone has any stories of how fed government interviews went for them.

A. Nony Mouse · Post by **A. Nony Mouse** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:44 pm

Know the mission of the agency. Be able to speak convincingly about why you want government/public service. (I have actually had a positive response from saying, among other things, "It sounds corny, but I would consider it an honor to represent the United States." Not saying at all that you should say that, but you need a good reason to want to be in the public sector.) Otherwise it's pretty much like any other interview, at least in my experience.

downinDtown · Post by **downinDtown** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:24 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I have an interview for an entry level attorney position with a non-litigation based agency this week (not DOJ etc.) I was wondering if anyone has any specific tips for fed gov interviews and its hiring process or if anyone has any stories of how fed government interviews went for them.

In addition to knowing the mission of the org. and what type of work an attorney would do, also be prepared for some behavioral interview questions, e.g., tell me about a time where you had to overcome a difficult situation, or work with someone difficult. Some agencies have standardized questions to ask all candidates (and frequently they are those behavioral type of questions), so maybe research online if there are any floating out there.

hmlee · Post by **hmlee** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 12:06 pm

What the above posters said. Definitely make sure you know what the agency in question (or division within the agency in question) actually does, and why you want to do that. Beyond the obvious stuff like grades, knowledge about and passion for the specific job will get you really far in government interviews.

bjohnsobf · Post by **bjohnsobf** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 12:30 pm

Other than knowing the agency, why you want to work for this particular agency and what attracts you to public service it's gonna be STAR (situation/task/action/result) questions focusing on what results you achieved.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 12:36 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I have an interview for an entry level attorney position with a non-litigation based agency this week (not DOJ etc.) I was wondering if anyone has any specific tips for fed gov interviews and its hiring process or if anyone has any stories of how fed government interviews went for them.

Mind sharing what region or what agency you are interviewing for? I am interviewing for a federal agency as well.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:52 pm

I also had an interview for a fed gov entry level attorney position this week. Looks like things are heating up now that the budget is somewhat under control.

Wonder if all three of us are talking about the same entry level position because mine was basically non-litigation and available in multiple regions and it's not like there are that many entry level positions available on USAjobs right now.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:44 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I have an interview for an entry level attorney position with a non-litigation based agency this week (not DOJ etc.) I was wondering if anyone has any specific tips for fed gov interviews and its hiring process or if anyone has any stories of how fed government interviews went for them.
Mind sharing what region or what agency you are interviewing for? I am interviewing for a federal agency as well.

Southern state.

anonymous2012 · Post by **anonymous2012** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:38 pm

One reason hiring is heating up is because new hires have to pay way more for their retirement benefits. So new hires no longer come with a massive unfunded liability.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:24 pm

How long does it take after an interview does it generally take federal agencies to make offers?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:43 pm

Anonymous User wrote:How long does it take after an interview does it generally take federal agencies to make offers?

From what I've seen/heard anywhere between 1-3 weeks after all the interviews are over.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 10:55 am

What's the school of thought on post interview follow up? Had an interview a week ago, haven't heard anything. Should I try and remain patient for awhile? Any harm in e-mailing my interviewer?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:37 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I have an interview for an entry level attorney position with a non-litigation based agency this week (not DOJ etc.) I was wondering if anyone has any specific tips for fed gov interviews and its hiring process or if anyone has any stories of how fed government interviews went for them.
Mind sharing what region or what agency you are interviewing for? I am interviewing for a federal agency as well.
Southern state.

DC, non-entry level.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:29 pm

Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:17 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?

Which offices did you interview for? At my interview last week, the guy said he still had to interview people in KC this week, so it might be another week or two.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:11 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?
Which offices did you interview for? At my interview last week, the guy said he still had to interview people in KC this week, so it might be another week or two.

Any idea how competitive these positions are for graduating 3L's? What is your strategy, apply to all GS-11 positions?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:48 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?
Which offices did you interview for? At my interview last week, the guy said he still had to interview people in KC this week, so it might be another week or two.
Any idea how competitive these positions are for graduating 3L's? What is your strategy, apply to all GS-11 positions?

A lot of them, like the USDA one, require you to be a current bar member. USDA is hiring for 2 positions in 2 offices. They said they received 350 and 450 applications respectively for each office and were interviewing 12 for the 2 positions (and that they were considering 3 resumes without an interview).

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:53 am

IsFTC done hiring?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:26 am

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?
Which offices did you interview for? At my interview last week, the guy said he still had to interview people in KC this week, so it might be another week or two.

I interviewed for the Harrisburg office last week. They were also interviewing candidates this week, but the interviewer said that, for the Harrisburg office, I should hear by the end of this week. Keeping my fingers crossed that I hear something today. Good luck to you as well!

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:56 pm

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Anyone hear back yet after first-round interviews for the USDA attorney advisor positions located in the regional/field offices?
Which offices did you interview for? At my interview last week, the guy said he still had to interview people in KC this week, so it might be another week or two.
I interviewed for the Harrisburg office last week. They were also interviewing candidates this week, but the interviewer said that, for the Harrisburg office, I should hear by the end of this week. Keeping my fingers crossed that I hear something today. Good luck to you as well!

I interviewed in Little Rock and Milwaukee. Haven't heard anything yet. Anyone hear back?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:34 pm

Little rock and KC here. Haven't heard anything. I did recieve an email from HR in KC asking for updated references last Friday because they were going to call the finalists references in the "near future." I'd guess that all the offices are coordinating this so it may be another week or two.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 14, 2014 8:40 pm

Interviewed for LR and KC several weeks ago. Haven't heard anything since then. Anyone have any updates?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:25 am

Anonymous User wrote:Interviewed for LR and KC several weeks ago. Haven't heard anything since then. Anyone have any updates?

Same. Interviewed with LR and KC and havent heard anything.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:50 pm

I recently had a first round interview with a large agency (OCC/SEC/FDIC). Sounds like they will be narrowing the field by conducting a second round of interviews. Anyone have experience with this sort of thing? What should I expect if I'm chosen for a second interview, more of the same?

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:03 pm

Anonymous User wrote:Interviewed for LR and KC several weeks ago. Haven't heard anything since then. Anyone have any updates?

My references were contacted recently. Seems like they're taking their time.

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