How long does it take to get a federal job?
First, it's important to understand the federal application and hiring process. Once you apply to a job, the hiring agency goes through many steps to review your application and make sure you're eligible and qualified for the job.
The amount of time it takes to hire someone varies depending on the job you're applying to, how many people have applied and the hiring agency. The hiring agency is responsible for evaluating applications and giving you a status at four points in the application process:
1. Application received
The hiring agency receives your application. Agencies will not review your application until the job announcement closes.
2. Application reviewed
The hiring agency has reviewed your application. This may take some time depending on how many people have applied and when the job closed.
3. Applicant referred or not referred
The hiring agency decides to send, or not send, your application to the hiring manager. If you're eligible and qualified for the job, the agency will pass your application to the hiring manager, who will then do their own review of the applications and schedule an interview, if needed.
It may take some time to schedule an interview depending on the number of referred applicants. Hiring managers may conduct more than one round of interviews.
4. Applicant selected or not selected
The hiring manager makes a decision to hire or not hire you.
You can check the status of your application(s) in your profile.
What happens after I get a federal job offer?
If you receive and accept a tentative job offer, it may take a few weeks to a few months before you start the job. The background investigation and other security checks begin once you accept the offer.
The length of these checks depends on the security clearance level of the job, with higher clearance investigations taking significantly longer. Once your background investigation and additional security checks are done, the hiring agency will extend a final job offer and set up a start date.