I applied for a government job last October and they are finally getting back to applicants.

20 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 7:14PM UTC

   Sure you can still get it.

2. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 7:31PM UTC

   Thank you! I wonder if they already plan to offer me the job.

3. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 10:23PM UTC

   If you interviewed, did you follow up with a thank you email? I am hoping you did. If it's been a week, then follow up again reiterating your interest. It also can take time to finalize the hire in state government. One thing you have to pack is your patience. I can navigate the heck out of state paperwork and you will too once you get in. Once your in, it's easier to move around too.

4. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 9:52PM UTC

   This has been years ago now but I applied for a government job in April and was onboarded in August. It does take time.

5. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 10:18PM UTC

   Well I don't have a crystal ball but I do work within state government. This is completely normal. In fact, word is noone hires in December (state government-wise) and are known to be slow. Government hires take a lot more red tape which is maybe why they are finally getting back to you. Or they had a hiccup somewhere and had to prioritize another issue.

   So the fact they are contacting you, you have a fantastic shot! I've worked in both state and corporate. But I also feel much safer in state work and benefits are so much better. Keep us posted and I hope you get the job!

6. AnonymousJanuary 18,2025 at 2:55PM UTC

   Not only that but if it’s federal they may be pushing to get the paperwork in before the new administration comes in. There’s often hiring freezes when the new guy comes in.. sometimes just a couple of months and sometimes a year or more.

7. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 2:35PM UTC

   4 1/2 months later, they are finally reaching out to see if you are still interested.

   This has so many red flags - they don’t value your time, they will delay doing anything that needs to be done.

   If you are still interested, go through with the interview process and see what happens, but be aware that it could be another 4 1/2 months before moving forward.

8. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 5:32PM UTC

   In your interview ask “Im curious, did the position get filled and it reopened?”. If not it’s simply red tape. I’m in state government our last hire didn’t work out because of something that wasn’t put in the pd so the incumbent had to reapply but they ended up backing out. So with that give some grace, and if it’s a great job for you and you get an offer take it!

9. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 9:07PM UTC

   You won't know until you interview. Try it! Ask them when yhey expect to make a decision on hiring.

10. Melissa Anne LopezJanuary 20,2025 at 2:09PM UTC

    I work for the DOA and as the other 2 women said below who also work for govt agencies, yes, this is absolutely normal. A lot of the time they list the position so put a feeler out on who may make the list, but wait on it because the person who is still in the position is still using their accrued leave. I’m not sure if you need a security clearance for your position, but if you do DO NOT LIE to the investigator. Best of luck.

11. AnonymousJanuary 22,2025 at 1:53PM UTC

    I can vouch for this. Full DOJ clearance because no one they interviewed lied.

12. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

    If they said you’re a top candidate, definitely interview, the odds are worth it!

    I’m in SG, and yes it’s slow hiring. Realistically administrative things slow down a lot between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe they offered to someone else and it fell thru, maybe they had some hiccups…I wouldn’t worry about it. I would interview with an open mind!

13. GirlBossanova934974January 20,2025 at 3:24PM UTC

    Please check out the hiring process in the job description. How many interviews do you have to go through upon being selected for the interview process? Your chances go down for each interview step. I have been through 3 rounds of government jobs interviews. Made it through several rounds. What I found out is that government employees want to hire government employees. There is BIAS against private sector workers aka animosity aka private sector employees don't understand us government workers.

14. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 1:24PM UTC

    I’ll NOT applying gov jobs unless it meet criteria just like other jobs has pay transparency , I-9 verification, payscale, gender equity , region standards, W2 auditing.

15. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 2:01PM UTC

    If it is a state job, they were probably waiting for the proper funding, which meant the first of the year. You probably have a chance if you feel you checked off all the boxes in their job description.

    If it is for a federal job or a state job that depends significantly on federal funding, pay close attention to what is happening on the political front. Right now is not a good time for government positions, especially if you are looking for remote or hybrid possibilities. A federal hiring freeze and a return to 100 percent in-person requirements were announced yesterday as executive orders signed by the president.

16. AnonymousJanuary 22,2025 at 1:51PM UTC

    I work for a local government and have some pretty serious clearance. It took them over a year from taking the exam to getting a start date. It sounds like if you’re not being placed in this department, you’ll find a home soon in another. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

17. AnonymousJanuary 22,2025 at 2:24PM UTC

    I've had so many interviewers say that to me. Talk is cheap and the only way you know is getting the employment agreement. With all of the chances for discrimination coming with the new administration, I'd say hell no and pass.

18. Kim RaperJanuary 22,2025 at 5:11PM UTC

    It could go either way - there is a temp hiring freeze now but that is always a "soft" thing to me... jobs will still get filled and others will not. Its very hard to know but i would not wait on it... keep looking for sure... always keep looking.

19. Jody LaflenJanuary 22,2025 at 7:02PM UTC

    The timing of this suggests they were waiting for the new administration to take power before hiring. That they went silent for 4 months with no updates already shows they do not respect your time, and that they expect you to wait around for them demonstrate their lack of value of employees. That they waited for this administration means they may be likely to strip down healthcare benefits, positions women can hold, or a host of things you might not like. Ask careful questions and don’t quit your current job. Beware.

20. Christine Brush, MSW, MBAJanuary 22,2025 at 11:36PM UTC

    At my federal building this morning, we were told that as of this past Monday, all federal jobs that were not filled by last Monday won't be filled. It's supposed to be for 90 days but we were told to expect the freeze to be indefinite.