Because this year's PMF job fair is virtual, I hadn't felt any urgency in posting about it. Given some of the confusion surrounding it, though, perhaps it's time for some discussion.
I was going to refer you to the PMF Program Office's Job Fair page, but as of this posting, it contains mostly information for the 2012 class. This is not relevant to you, obviously, but I can understand how it might cause some confusion.
Unfortunately, I don't see any good documentation on what to expect from the job fair this year. All we know is that it's virtual and that additional details are forthcoming. The following from the page does pertain to you:
NOTE: The content on this webpage will be updated once additional details become available for the 2013 Job Fair event. All Class of 2013 Finalists will receive an email containing login properties for this event within the next few days.
The PMF Program hosts a Job Fair event for all current class Finalists and participating agencies. This event is by invitation only to 2013 Finalists and participating agencies. Most PMF appointments are a result of the Job Fair.
I am sure the rest of this community would be interested to know when this page changes. If you notice new information before I do, please point it out in the comments.
In the mean time, feel free to discuss your hopes and plans for the virtual job fair.
I have been told that there are a few agencies that have been contacting finalist directly, prior to the job fair. Does anyone know which agencies are doing this?
ReplyDeleteJen, I have "NO CLUE" what's going on. I received an interview offer today out of the blue from DHS, Office of Intelligence and Analysis. I don't know how, where, or whom they got my information from. I never even solicited their particular office.
DeleteOther than this, I do not know if we're supposed to start contacting the 34-35 positions on the PMF site(I probably would if they weren't mostly finance/budget analysts), wait for someone to select us(obviously so in this case), or wait on the VJF. This is beyond perplexing.
Honestly, this whole thing is kind of sketchy. There is no transparency whatsoever. DoD is not participating in VJF, and the list of coordinators hasn't changed for about a week either. I'm happy for those who are being contacted, hopefully more finalists will start getting word from the agencies. VJF is in a week, it will be very tense as we might have to write several cover letters and essays for all the jobs we will be interested in and get a go ahead to apply for. My taking is we should also keep an eye on USA Jobs as some agencies skip the VJF like DoD and post there. It will be tough since they might be only available for those three days.
DeleteAnis, not only isn't DoD participating in VJF, but they have now canceled their jewel job (in my estimation) - the OSD slot. They still have the DA&M slot open, which some may really enjoy, but it's more like a business management, facilities management type of deal. That OSD slot was ideal because of the foreign/international policy involved. Heck, their job description even said it was essentially the envy of other PMF jobs. Oh well....back to the drawing board.
DeleteJust a tast of what their program offered....
DeleteWhy Choose the Office of the Secretary of Defense?
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) offers one of the most dynamic and exciting PMF opportunities in the Federal government. Our program is structured to encourage maximum flexibility as well as achievement of a set of core competencies. Highlights of the program include:
Multiple rotations through a number of offices in the Department of Defense and other government organizations
Assignment of a senior executive mentor
Assignment of a peer advisor from the preceding PMF class
A well networked and highly supportive group of PMF alumni
OSD PMFs come from graduate programs all over the country. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply for OSD Presidential Management Fellowships.
Diversify your world
Our PMFs don’t just sit behind a desk.
You will have excellent opportunities to experience OSD and see how the department interacts with other agencies, perhaps taking you around the globe.
Recent rotations have included:
NATO Headquarters in Brussels
U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia
U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya
Multi-National Force—Iraq
I am also curious. Where are these agencies pulling our data from? It must be our initial applications because I see no feature in TAS to upload my resume. Also, I spoke with a buddy of mine who is a 2012 PMF. His Agency PMF coordinator confirmed that agencies have access to our in-person assessment results prior to hiring (whatever this means).
ReplyDeleteI'm more than a little concerned that this would be a very savvy way to bypass preference, in that supposedly many of the jobs are by agencies not currently visible in TAS, offering appointments that are also not available to all.
ReplyDeleteThis, to me, would signal that vets and those not directly pestering coordinators are then left to fight over the less desirable positions that are actually advertised.
Several current PMFs have informed me that their respective agencies are not advertising all of their slots and that you need to contact them directly if you are interested in a position. So much for transparency...
ReplyDeleteThis isn't any different from previous years, actually. I've already posted my theory elsewhere in recent comments.
DeleteAaron, is it really how it works? We need to contact agencies that we don't even know if they are hiring or what positions they are hiring for and ask them if they got any position we might qualify for and hopefully we'll be interested in? Sounds like a total mess to me.
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ReplyDeleteI meant to reply to your earlier comment, Donald, but I forgot.
Delete1) Given that State Department is hosting a Google Hangout to talk about their PMF program, I am guessing that means they will be hiring some PMFs.
2) In theory, you are not limited in what rotational opportunities you take. In practice, this will depend on your home agency's willingness to let you go for six months, since they continue to pay your salary while you're gone. It also depends on you being able to convince someone at State to send you on such an assignment on their behalf. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I wouldn't count on it.
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DeleteHas anyone else received unsolicited interview offers?
ReplyDeleteI got an unsolicited email from NIH for an at large position. I'm assuming it was a blast email, but I'm definitely applying.
DeleteDave, I'd say it wasn't a general shotgun email, as I didn't receive it; though it may have been directed at everyone with a specific degree or specific experience listed in the resume you submitted when you applied. Best of luck with it.
DeleteChuck
I was wondering if anyone thought it would be advantageous to make myself available for in-person interviews in the DC area during the Virtual Job Fair?
ReplyDeleteAnyone else having issues logging into TAS? I keep getting an error message. Just wondering if anyone else was having issues...
ReplyDeleteI received an email saying that PMF is aware of the problem, but as of 4:46pmCT I still can't get to the TAS page. Anyone able to view postings?
DeleteI am able to see them through a complicated series of moves - I sign in through the normal site, then use the link I saved awhile ago for the results page when searching for all appointments. Somehow, after pressing reload, the results are visible. I realize this is not the most helpful, but do mess around with it a bit if you're desperate to see the postings. There are over 100 now.
Deleteis it possible to share that link with us?
DeleteApologies, I assumed that link would have some identifying info for me within it, but apparently it does not, so...yes.
Deletehttps://apply.pmf.gov/pmf/pmfsearch/searchVacanciesPmf!nextPage.hms
Just make sure you sign in on the normal application login, open this link in a new tab, then reload it (it gives an error message on the first load). Again, I have no idea why it works, or if it will work for others. I'm using chrome if that helps.
We keep receiving e-mails saying we can upload a resume in advance of the job fair, but the job fair is not allowing access until May 1, 10:00 a.m. Does anyone know how to upload a resume in advance?
ReplyDeleteI was told we can't until registration at the fair.
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ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any advice on applying for non-DC positions? I'm hoping to start contacting agencies with offices in Salt Lake City tomorrow, but I'm wondering how much non-DC offices will know about the PMF program.
ReplyDeleteIt probably depends on the agency. I currently live in Salt Lake and I was under the impression from my friends currently working with government agencies here that there are not a whole lot of opportunities for PMFs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lauren! That's the impression I've been getting by googling where past-PMFs have worked. I'm still hopeful for SLC, but I'll definitely be applying and contacting agencies elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteFYI: The PMF Program Office has updated its Job Fair page with links to preparation information. I will update the main post to reflect this.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pmf.gov/become-a-pmf/find-a-job/job-fair.aspx
I'm not really looking forward to the Job Fair. I think I'm starting to feel a little burnt out. I was so anxious about being selected, overjoyed once I was named a finalist, and now finding an appointment is just stressing me out. I have only actually applied to 2 positions on the TAS at my agency of choice, both of which I have since interviewed for. I have also been directly contacted by 4 other great agencies in which I also have interviewed for or have interviews scheduled. I really like all 6 of the positions I am in the running for and will gladly accept either one. I know that I should be applying for many more positions and working a lot harder to secure placement, but I am starting to lack motivation. I feel like I have applied to the only positions I would like and not looking forward to the VJF where I would have to write yet another cover letter or another interview. Please tell me I am not alone. I am not one of those bitter about the program, as I think it is absolutely amazing and thankful every day that I was given such a wonderful opportunity. Just looking forward to an offer and starting my new career. Maybe the VJF will bring back some excitement to the process.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point of this online job fair? Most of the agencies already posted all available positions on TAS. This just seems like a glorified Q&A session. Anyone having a different experience?
ReplyDeleteA number of the positions I saw at the job fair were not posted on the TAS.
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ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any thoughts on the VJF so far? The environment is more user friendly than I anticipated, but I keep finding myself wishing I could meet these people in person to gauge whether the agency might be a good fit.
ReplyDeleteOther thoughts?
Alec, I feel the same way. I was able to have some back and forth with a few reps and did at least get some feedback but it left me wondering a lot. There were a lot of booths with no reps, a lot of questions and emails that weren't answered and I'm just trying not to dwell too much on it.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to remember that a lot of the reps were probably bombarded with a lot of questions today and might not have had time to respond to everything....but I did feel a bit discouraged and concerned when I heard other finalists had already landed interviews.
Questions
ReplyDelete1)What is a VCard Exchange and how does one go about properly doing it?
2) Could someone explain to me what the significance, if any, in the difference between a "Program Representative" and a "Program Representative (Contractor)" is?
I have spent most of the afternoon logged out of the Job Fair working on cover letters because I haven't had time to contact any of the coordinators about any positions because of finals until today.
While I was logged out, a "Program Representative (Contractor)" for an agency requested a VCard exchange with me and I really didn't know what to do.
Thank you all
Hi AllLuck,
ReplyDeleteMost likely (contractor) simply signifies that the individual is a contract employee with the USFG, not full time employees (FTEs) with the agency. They often do the same work, and sit side-by-side with FTEs, but are required (for legal reasons alone) to connote their status as contractor.
It seems the vcard is simply a means of exchanging email addresses.