Letter: Process to let boomers re-enter workforce needs changes
A reader writes about the difficulties of getting an interview via USAJobs after having held a GS-13 level and working in government for 13 years.
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Regarding "Feds need to tap aging boomer workforce": I could not agree more! I am one of those boomers you talk about in your article. As a federal GS-13 employee for 13 years I was called to active duty in my reserve capacity, and served more than five years voluntarily (not formally mobilized). Per [Office of Personnel Management] rules, this negated any return rights I had to a GS position.
No problem -- I would use my veteran's preference and 13 years as a GS employee to get back into the federal work force. Wrong! I applied through USAJobs for numerous positions in my previous job series at levels from GS-12-15. I also had an [Senior Executive Service member] look at my Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) and evaluate those. I never even got an interview, and actually got a rejection from the Air Force stating that I was not qualified as an Air Force logistician even though I had been exactly that for 38 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve and attained the rank of colonel!
Bottom line: The process needs to be improved to make it easier to negotiate and let actual human beings take a more active part in the hiring process.
By the way, after giving up [the idea of] getting back into the government and sacrificing my federal retirement I am a contractor in a [Defense Department] agency working Logistics issues!!!!
Anonymous
letters@fcw.com
No problem -- I would use my veteran's preference and 13 years as a GS employee to get back into the federal work force. Wrong! I applied through USAJobs for numerous positions in my previous job series at levels from GS-12-15. I also had an [Senior Executive Service member] look at my Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) and evaluate those. I never even got an interview, and actually got a rejection from the Air Force stating that I was not qualified as an Air Force logistician even though I had been exactly that for 38 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve and attained the rank of colonel!
Bottom line: The process needs to be improved to make it easier to negotiate and let actual human beings take a more active part in the hiring process.
By the way, after giving up [the idea of] getting back into the government and sacrificing my federal retirement I am a contractor in a [Defense Department] agency working Logistics issues!!!!
Anonymous
letters@fcw.com