Tuesday, July 22, 2014

More than likely it would of made the difference

So I eluded to something going on....well, that is over now.

G-man applied for another job out of state....and all signs were pointing to the positive.  He had all the qualifications; he had several people of authority in his office review his application and gave him lots of good feedback.  This was THE ONE....we both had such a good feeling about it.

Then last Thursday, we were notified he wasn't qualified.  WHAT????!! Not possible.  He called the HR specialist working on this (and remember....this is federal government, not private industry).  She told him the issue was ONE PIECE OF PAPER:  They wanted a piece of paper that basically had his supervisor(s) verify that the information on his resume was accurate.  In the application, they asked for this piece of paper IF APPLICABLE.

Here is the deal with this piece of paper.....G-man asked the "expert" in his office about this piece of paper during the application process and she gave him bad information.  She said he didn't need it because of XYZ.  He was told it didn't apply to this situation, so he didn't turn it in.   The flip side....if he turned the paper in and it wasn't needed...that could count against him as well.

This basically nullified his resume.  Even though the piece of paper was just a signature that was a cut and paste of his resume (or pieces parts), they didn't count anything on his resume that qualified him for the job.   He called a higher authority in his office to see if there was anything they could do. She made a call, and even though she thinks G-man was in the right, the powers that be wouldn't let him submit the paper now.  HR feels that the paper is necessary...therefore it is. 

The biggest kicker with this is if he was an external candidate (meaning, he didn't already work for this agency), they don't require any verification of anything.  You can have a candidate that makes up their entire resume, and they will just accept it.  The administrative officer plans to bring this "issue" up at their next director's meeting....how this stupid piece of paper that is used sometimes but not others....that is only for internal candidates.....that doesn't MEAN anything to anyone.....should be eliminated.  But at this time....it isn't our call, and our opinion doesn't count. 

So the learning experience from this is that he needs this piece of paper...and he will submit it next time.  There is a chance that a second position will open in a few months (same job), and if that happens, he won't have to do much work to apply....he will resubmit everything (because the HR specialist told him he was a VERY STRONG candidate, but without the piece of paper, they couldn't count it).

We are both so disappointed.  Granted, we shouldn't have gotten our hopes up as high as we did.  But all the signs were there that this was IT.  This move would have been a slight step backward in the short term, but would have opened the doors to so much more.  We were prepared for the short term....and had our eyes on the prize long term.

Meanwhile, we will just keep plugging away at things.  My head and my heart just aren't in it though.  I had already (in my head only) prepared for a big change, and was so excited about starting a new chapter.  Being here after the disappointment just stinks. 

Again, I know we......I....shouldn't put the cart before the horse.  It burns us every time.  But when you are done with a chapter...you are DONE.  Ready to move on.  Ready for the excitement and nervousness that comes along with it.  Somehow your regular ole life just pales in comparison.

13 comments:

  1. That just sucks and is really ridiculous that they couldn't just ask for that form. In the private sector if you are missing something they ask you to submit it. I could never work for the government!!

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  2. I said the same thing...give him until COB to get it. Nope. I get that it isn't their job...but cmon...

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  3. Long time fed here (now-ex fed). They can't give him extra time or everyone has to get extra time - crazy rules but better they follow them then start making exceptions - often time those exceptions wouldn't benefit him. There are ways they could have done this if he had been the "one" but not everyone knows the tricks.
    I do recommend though - if they list a position at multiple levels and in and out of Governmet hires - apply to ALL. Same application - just change which number you are applying under. You never know who ends up on a cert or if you missed something - and this gets you multiple shots at getting (obviously only works if you are qualified it apply as a fed and non-fed.

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    1. Yep...he applies at all levels (with one exception). And I get the rules are the rules too. Just frustrated that he specifically asked about this form and got bad info.

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  4. Would he have been able to phone the office of the place he was applying to, to find out if they needed the form? Just thinking for future reference.

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    1. No...they don't even see anything until the HR does their piece. HR has the control. They pass on the applications to the division after they have selected who meets the criteria which is constantly changing.

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  5. onwards and upwards as they say, but it still sucks!!

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  6. Dang, so sorry but I'm a firm believer of 'things happen for a reason' maybe if it did happen he would have hated it, the kids would have hated the move etc... keep trying and the right opportunity with more pay may, better location will come along...

    HS

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    1. I gotta disagree. This is THE location we want....the city we were looking at was ranked in national magazines in the top 10 locations in the country for families....schools highly ranked. Cost of living was WAY cheaper than here. Highly coveted office.

      Things happen for a reason....too many things in my life have happened and I have yet to see why other than to create horrible situations. Nope....don't buy it.

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    2. what city?! must be in the South? well if at first you don't succeed, try try again, it will happen!!

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    3. It is the NC/SC border. And we have been trying for 8 years.....

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  7. Just another example of our gov't not being able to think outside the box. Those HR people should be ashamed of themselves. The object is to get the BEST person for the job. Not accepting the signature is bogus. Sorry to hear this Mysti. It happens way more often than it should. Hopefully another job will open up soon!

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    1. That is what my therapist said.

      G-man is way more accepting of all of this than I am. Maybe because he deals with it everyday. But I am still having my internal tantrum.

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