How do I move up in the world of the government?

5502george

Well to make a long story short, I am a GS11 in the federal service. I have been an 11 for about two years and am trying to find positions to move to a 12. I have applied some places but nothing as of yet. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations on moving up in the government? BTW, The current position I hold is only slated for an 11 so I am topped out.

I do INFOSEC and have about 2 years sole experience and about 5 years as an alternate duty.

Anything will help, thanks!

tprice5

There are a lot of 'lifers' in the federal government. As a rule of thumb in government work, to move up you have to move around. Otherwise you're waiting for someone to either retire or die. Just keep checking on USAJobs and be willing to relocate.

I've also heard of people being guarenteed their 12 or 13 after a deployment, so you may want to consider work in the Afghanistan or Iraq. Most people think we are completely out of Iraq, and for the Army that is mostly true, but the state department still has a heavy precense there. The tax benefit is nice and the uplift in AFG is about 70% right now.

I am assuming you're at Fort Lewis? Fort Campbell isn't bad and I hear there is a lot of opportunity at a number of installations in Texas. It'll be a bit of culture shock leaving the Northwest but I am sure you all ready know that.

Best of luck.

tjh87

Move to the town and/or same neighborhood where your Director/Boss's Boss lives. Get invited to his/her house parties. Get promoted.

Or relocate. Seriously, the only two ways I've seen GS employees get promoted.

BGraves

Be completely incompetent and never make a decision on anything that involves spending money. (At least, this is what I've seen in my time in the military/contractor.)

the_Grinch

Most positions above GS-11 are pretty much all merit based. But as others have suggested probably time to move to either another agency or another office with a spot you can fill. I take it your aren't currently in a supervisory position correct? I know at ICE (when I was there) we topped out at GL-9, but supervisors were popped into a different position to get their GS-11 and above. More then likely though, you'll need to agency hop and since you're a status candidate that should be "simple" enough.

the_Grinch

On another note, if you think the Fed is bad try NJ. I'm lucky in that they have never used my title before so I should be able to move up to the next level without issue. But we have Investigators who are at a 1 or 2 who have to wait for a 2 or 3 to leave before they may have a chance. One I spoke two had be recommended three times for promotion to level 2 and still hasn't gotten it (it's been 10 years). Also, we have people in the lab brought in with titles we don't use so cannot be promoted.

NavyIT

Do a bad job, and you'll eventually get promoted. If you suck, instead of getting fired they will make up some garbage reason to get you out of your current position and get you into a new (elevated) position. I've seen this a few times.