Do I need more experience to get into a Federal position?

[ne0311]

Hey everyone I am new here and am curious about if I am qualified to get into any Federal jobs. I have an AS degree in Law Enforcement, then went into the Marines and had a security job while obtaining a secret clearancy, then did some operations for Enduring freedom while holding a leadership billet. After completion of my 4 years I went back to college and got my BS in Criminology. Now I applied for the Secret Service but was never contacted back. I have sent out my resume to several other departments but haven't heard anything yet. Do I need more experience?

[GPOC]

Depends on the Fed position your looking for?

Crystal ball question here so narrow the fields/dept. down and I'm sure many can help


GL

[ne0311]

Depends on the Fed position your looking for?

Crystal ball question here so narrow the fields/dept. down and I'm sure many can help


GL
I really can see the plusses and negatives in a lot of departments and so thus I am not that picky. Except I don't have the urge to get on with the FBI and the US Marshals. I wouldnt mind getting on ICE, Secret Service, Federal Protective Services, DEA, ATF, etc.

[irishlad2nv]

Hey everyone I am new here and am curious about if I am qualified to get into any Federal jobs. I have an AS degree in Law Enforcement, then went into the Marines and had a security job while obtaining a secret clearancy, then did some operations for Enduring freedom while holding a leadership billet. After completion of my 4 years I went back to college and got my BS in Criminology. Now I applied for the Secret Service but was never contacted back. I have sent out my resume to several other departments but haven't heard anything yet. Do I need more experience?
If all you have done is applied to one Federal Agency, then you are selling yourself short. There is plenty of jobs out there! What position (s) did you apply to for the Secret Service? If it was simply an Agent position, then I will say that you need more then just a Criminology degree. However, you can get in plenty of Agencies just by having your degree, but at the same time, you will need some solid work history, etc. Thats good you served your country, however, your "clearance" is only goo while you are in the Military. You will need to get a seperate clearance or update your previous one, if you get hried.

How long has it been since you sent out your resume? Second, did you actually apply for the jobs? Not to be ignorant, but a lot of places do not accept resumes in leu of an application.

[ne0311]

If all you have done is applied to one Federal Agency, then you are selling yourself short. There is plenty of jobs out there! What position (s) did you apply to for the Secret Service? If it was simply an Agent position, then I will say that you need more then just a Criminology degree. However, you can get in plenty of Agencies just by having your degree, but at the same time, you will need some solid work history, etc. Thats good you served your country, however, your "clearance" is only goo while you are in the Military. You will need to get a seperate clearance or update your previous one, if you get hried.

How long has it been since you sent out your resume? Second, did you actually apply for the jobs? Not to be ignorant, but a lot of places do not accept resumes in leu of an application.
I have actually applied for several mostly through USAjobs.com. Should I look for work as a police officer to increase my chances of getting a career in the future as a federal agent?

[irishlad2nv]

Ok...thing with USAjobs is that all you do is send your resume you have created off of their website, with that, then there are several supporting documents you must send as well...i.e. DD214, etc...If you want to be in LE, then apply wherever, but at the same time, don't count on just one or 2 agencies out there. There are several thousand of applicants applying for jobs like the Secret Service.

Now is there a reason why you would not go FBI or US Marshals..? Just curious. What do you want to do in a Federal Agency? Do you want to be an Investigator? What do you desrire to be in a LEA? Just by mentioning that you have applied to the Secret Service, thats like a 16 yr old stating he wants to be a cop one day, but has no idea as to why or what the job entails.

[UCFJAY]

as far as getting some LE experience to better your chances I am going to say no. I applied to ICE to be an IEA and a special agent. took both test, passed both and awaiting interview dates. I am graduating in may 2006 with my B.S. in criminal justice. no LE at all, you just got to apply man, call recuriters with that certain agency and follow up. just my .02

[Serpico]

Could always try for the Office of Inspector General. I've heard that the SSA, HUD, and USDA offices all have a lot of taskforce and UC type work. FDIC, not so much. ;)

[pearljamknicks]

I've talked to several recruiters and they have told me that getting hired by a federal agency is also based on luck and when the individaul applies, especially for individuals that apply right out of college. Some people are just plain lucky and are able to get responses after their first application to an agency, others seem to get a response after several months...Luck. But yeah like another person said on this forum...just apply and see what happens.

[miked6]

as far as getting some LE experience to better your chances I am going to say no. I applied to ICE to be an IEA and a special agent. took both test, passed both and awaiting interview dates. I am graduating in may 2006 with my B.S. in criminal justice. no LE at all, you just got to apply man, call recuriters with that certain agency and follow up. just my .02

Most agencies are looking for a college education coupled with professional leadership experience (ie. law enforcement, military commission, etc) or a special skill (arabic language proficiency, accounting, etc). This is farily standard for a Special Agent position. Uniformed division of Customs or Secret Service is an option. As far as a Special Agent postion with ICE, I would think you will get an interview and not move much further. Now If you want to be IEA, you can do that with just college, but why would you want too. Just my .02

[national]

Now If you want to be IEA, you can do that with just college, but why would you want too. Just my .02

Why wouldn't you want to. It def. can get your foot in the door and receive some experience.

[manstown]

Because you haven't heard back doesn't mean you're not in the process. Some of these jobs take up to 3 years to get. You have a lot of what they could be looking for, but like said it all depends on the agency. Good Luck.

[UCFJAY]

IEA would be great experience for SA jobs, do not knock just a college degree, I have my panel interview coming up ill let you know then. I have talked to many federal agents at career fairs that started with "just" a 4-year degree and are now GS-13 at age 28, so i'd say they are doing just fine...