tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post4647731464344731667..comments2023-05-10T08:10:30.670-07:00Comments on PMF Info: 2011 PMF Survey: How did you do?Aaron Heltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02333956372960292067noreply@blogger.comBlogger678125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-24648305606521730872011-06-17T15:16:18.023-07:002011-06-17T15:16:18.023-07:00@8:04 usually it's either $110 or the actual c...@8:04 usually it's either $110 or the actual cost, whatever is cheaper. commuting out from the burbs can be more than that - metro has gone WAY up recently.<br /><br />Just got an offer from my dream position that I had interviewed with at the job fair.. complete radio silence until today.. keep on hoping guys :) <br /><br />For what it's worth.. JD here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-24470236738588344582011-05-24T17:41:35.389-07:002011-05-24T17:41:35.389-07:00Does anyone know when an SF-86 is used for backgro...Does anyone know when an SF-86 is used for background checks instead of an SF-85p?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-77705595593206912292011-05-23T12:53:10.422-07:002011-05-23T12:53:10.422-07:00According to my offer, commuter benefits are reimb...According to my offer, commuter benefits are reimbursed for all federal employees, it is based off of where you live and 5 days a week/ 2 times a day. So you'd still have to do the weekend trips! Hope that helps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-30891183991006915242011-05-22T20:04:47.254-07:002011-05-22T20:04:47.254-07:00Anyone know what the policy is on providing commut...Anyone know what the policy is on providing commuter reimbursement for the metro in DC? I know some agencies used to do so, but not sure if they do now. Any info appreciated as it makes a difference on house selection!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-64812472237494006232011-05-20T06:43:36.356-07:002011-05-20T06:43:36.356-07:00I have no problem with the lawyer jokes. The point...I have no problem with the lawyer jokes. The point of my post was that the comments about agencies not wanting law students are ridiculous--especially since we make up over 30% of the program. Regardless, I'm happy with the offers I received, and the one I accepted :) Best of luck to everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-33251900594477125922011-05-20T02:05:09.814-07:002011-05-20T02:05:09.814-07:00Oops sorry. I'm 2:37. I made the loan repaymen...Oops sorry. I'm 2:37. I made the loan repayment comment not for money's sake, but to let you all know that budgetting issues and negotiations are holding up the accepting-one-offer, turning-down-the-other processAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-86434376355762295182011-05-19T16:25:29.604-07:002011-05-19T16:25:29.604-07:00It is not worth taking a job that pays more money ...It is not worth taking a job that pays more money over a job that you have a real interest in that pays less. Short term you may enjoy it because it lets you live a little better, but long term you will regret it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-62336080906406057812011-05-19T15:38:51.282-07:002011-05-19T15:38:51.282-07:00Money isn't everything. With that said, howeve...Money isn't everything. With that said, however, it is very important given the cost of living in the DC area and the student debt load of many just entering the workforce.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-77504068911525035282011-05-19T14:57:20.678-07:002011-05-19T14:57:20.678-07:00Most important of all you have to choose a positio...Most important of all you have to choose a position that will most suit your future career interests. If you are limited on offers, that may mean accepting something less than desirable, but that gets your foot in the door. You may find something about the agency you like or a developmental assignment may provide a great future opportunity.<br /><br />Whatever you do, NEVER make a decision based solely on money. For the majority of PMFs who are just entering the workforce, you will be well served to quickly learn that money is definitely not everything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-45602716425322238382011-05-19T14:37:14.209-07:002011-05-19T14:37:14.209-07:00Heads up, things are moving. I got a verbal offer ...Heads up, things are moving. I got a verbal offer 2 weeks ago, but it took 2 weeks for HR to even call me. For another, I just heard last week and they have no idea if they have enough money for loan repayment. USAID also just emailed this week for an initial interview, and State said they were not looking to offer second interviews on one of their job fair positions "in the near future." Patience.<br /><br />Now after giving encouragement, I ask for advice. What considerations should take into account when deciding on an offer, other than GS starting level, career ladder, the job duties itself, the flatness of the office, and the office culture? Is there anything politically oriented or somesuch that I've missed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-15349155481882814312011-05-19T13:58:13.411-07:002011-05-19T13:58:13.411-07:00Once again, there is very little to negotiate. Eit...Once again, there is very little to negotiate. Either an agency offers something or they don't and most of the time it is all going to be determined prior to making the offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-27580669655206009452011-05-19T13:50:46.275-07:002011-05-19T13:50:46.275-07:00Oh, and could you use one agency's written off...Oh, and could you use one agency's written offer to try to negotiate something better with another agency? Or would the HR people talk to each other and would that put you at risk of losing both?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-53563043162760283562011-05-19T13:49:03.372-07:002011-05-19T13:49:03.372-07:00When you verbally accept an offer from HR what doe...When you verbally accept an offer from HR what does that mean? Is there a certain amount of time that passes that you can withdraw before it would be bad form? What about after the written offer comes? What if you get a different verbal HR offer from another agency? Can you accept it in good faith after orally accepting another?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-41221482183161634742011-05-19T13:06:37.087-07:002011-05-19T13:06:37.087-07:00@1:03 PM - It also doesn't help that the gover...@1:03 PM - It also doesn't help that the government is plundering the Federal Employee Retirement System to pay its bills through early August.Aaron Heltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02333956372960292067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-17185570113302181992011-05-19T13:06:35.126-07:002011-05-19T13:06:35.126-07:00Futile as it may be, you still have until March 31...Futile as it may be, you still have until March 31, 2012 to find a position in a program that very few of your peers have access to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-17511641270918734492011-05-19T13:03:21.188-07:002011-05-19T13:03:21.188-07:00It certainly makes sense that agencies will open m...It certainly makes sense that agencies will open more positions once the 2012 budget is set, but the problem is that Congress has never had a sense of urgency about passing it before the end of the fiscal year. They set a new low this year when they passed the budget in April. I wouldn't expect anything less than that for the 2012 budget, which, as we all know, will be after our PMF terms expire.<br /><br />My own frustration with the PMF comes from the fact that I've applied for dozens of jobs, public and private, for a full year now, to no avail. The PMF was supposed to be a more advantageous way of getting employed, but so far, it's been just as futile as everything else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-66831449033828224522011-05-19T12:59:45.026-07:002011-05-19T12:59:45.026-07:00There are 9 people listed as accepting CDC positio...There are 9 people listed as accepting CDC positions, so that leaves about 3 open from their original 12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-85029800606443579852011-05-19T12:46:26.245-07:002011-05-19T12:46:26.245-07:00I have three offers on the table all GS-11 in DC.....I have three offers on the table all GS-11 in DC...things are moving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-66684880569378340962011-05-19T12:03:11.948-07:002011-05-19T12:03:11.948-07:00I wrote earlier and just saw someone asked about t...I wrote earlier and just saw someone asked about the offers at my school: <br /><br />State<br />HUD<br />VA<br />International Trade<br />Center for Army Analysis<br />Forest Something<br /><br />I cannot remember the others to be honest. However, I know a few of us aren't e-mailing PMF until we pass security clearance, as the job won't be guaranteed until then. That may also be what is holding things up a bit, as far as updating the site. I know I wouldn't want to say I had a job if my Top Secret Clearance fell through, but could still get the lower level and apply to something else. <br /><br />Also, 2 people accepted non-government positions, but are not withdrawing, because they want to keep their options open to get a job at the end of the year after working for the private company, in case they don't like it. So, I think people will not withdraw unless they are 100% sure. <br /><br />Finally, I think people are being WAY too critical. Just b/c you kept going on in the PMF process, you should have continued to apply other places and keep doing so! If you get a private job, do what the two people from my program are doing and then switch. <br /><br />850 finalists is a great number, there were over 350 jobs listed before the job fair (many positions were hiring for more than 1 position--some 10, 15,50). And surely, as the budget gets passed more will be listed and many people on this thread and at the job fair mentioned agencies filling jobs not listed, OPM, VA, HUD, and many more just to name a few. So, I wouldn't be surprised if over 450 jobs have already been done (not necessarily hired for). Agencies need choice and to get a good pool with different majors, language abilities, special skills, etc. PMF needed to recruit more people than positions. That makes complete sense to me, as there are some pretty specific jobs agencies are looking to hire--advanced engineering or PHD level statistician. It also seems like agencies will call if your resume matches what they have available and will continue to post jobs as time progresses. If you take another job, fine, that is awesome, but give PMF credit that they are working for agencies to provide them a good pool-- they don't work to provide us awesome jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-56529347886964435972011-05-19T11:51:16.600-07:002011-05-19T11:51:16.600-07:00Has anyone heard from the CDC's Global Aids Pr...Has anyone heard from the CDC's Global Aids Program positions or the Center on Tobacco?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-34994944008861113522011-05-19T11:43:25.885-07:002011-05-19T11:43:25.885-07:00A few agencies that I turned down said I could do ...A few agencies that I turned down said I could do a rotation with them. In order to not burn bridges, maybe you could see if you could do two rotations, one being at the agency you love. With a 3-6 month rotation, they'd probably be willing to hire you later. However, make sure to look at the security clearances required. For one, I'd have to do additional security clearances for the rotation-- which the home agency would most likely not want to pay for, but the rotation agency said that it would be an option for them to cover it. <br /><br />For those getting frustrated about offers, I do concur that it seemed like the odds of getting a job would be pretty good, although not guaranteed. As others before have said, I got a lot of offers, but am also in finance. And I just got a phone call yesterday about an opening and they said it was the first of many they'd be opening as their budget becomes more clear. So, I think agencies are still working out the budgets and the ones offered earlier were probably fairly critical positions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-62290099244978366052011-05-19T11:30:04.832-07:002011-05-19T11:30:04.832-07:00@11:06 I heard that it is pretty common to pull ou...@11:06 I heard that it is pretty common to pull out after accepting from some of my school's PMF alums. It's not the best situation, but you do what you need to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-86427474652805892122011-05-19T11:26:09.531-07:002011-05-19T11:26:09.531-07:00The program will not be happy and it really will n...The program will not be happy and it really will not look good on your part, but sometimes you have to make those choices. Just make sure that your future career plans will not in any way intersect with the program you are backing out on since you are pretty much burning a bridge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-10881422063199413802011-05-19T11:06:47.057-07:002011-05-19T11:06:47.057-07:00Has anyone on here backed out on a PMF offer after...Has anyone on here backed out on a PMF offer after accepting? I got a better offer and I think I might have to do it. Thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3990418600488025880.post-48899925159150521792011-05-19T09:09:21.669-07:002011-05-19T09:09:21.669-07:00So true. Twice as many jokes for the PMF lawyers.So true. Twice as many jokes for the PMF lawyers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com