The PMF Finalist Job Search
Sometime in February/March, you will be notified if you are a PMF finalist. Finalist status gives you the opportunity to look for a PMF position. You will have 12 months from the date of notification to locate a position, and you must have your degree completed prior to beginning your PMF position. The PMF office will not defer your appointment for any reason except two, serious illness or military service. If you are selected as a PMF finalist, your job search is just beginning! Next comes the job search and interview process. Being named a finalist does not guarantee that you will find a PMF position.
The PMF web site contains information about all the PMF jobs listed by the various departments in the federal government. You can search through the database to find jobs that appeal to your interests and skills. We recommend that you immediately begin to make contact with potential employers through that list, scheduling interviews and finding out more information. Some agencies require additional application procedures prior to interviewing; others sign you up without additional information. If we have alumni in those offices or agencies, contact them to find out as much as you can about the organization and how they use PMFs. Although OPM coordinates the PMF program, your experience will vary with each specific agency and supervisor and how they treat PMF participants. If you can’t find an interesting position in the PMF jobs database, contact your preferred employers and talk with them about sponsoring you as a PMF. If they have available positions, you might be the ideal choice for them, as PMFs are easier to for them to hire.
The PMF Job Fair
The PMF program sponsors a Job Fair in the spring, to allow students to meet with several employers for interviews in one location. The Job Fair can be a little bit overwhelming, with all the employers in a big hall like a career fair or trade show. For interviews, there’s very little privacy, so you can either prepare yourself for a very public interview or try to schedule interviews at the employer’s office if possible. Second interviews should be at the employer’s office so that you can see your potential future work environment. When employers make offers, they usually want very quick responses, sometimes even 24 hours. Try to get all your interviews done in a short period of time so you can evaluate your options quickly. You should plan to dress professionally, suited for business. You’ll enter the Convention Center. The convention floor is huge and filled to capacity with booths and banners. There may be multiple tables for individual agencies or departments.
Now the ball is in your court:
- We encourage you to arrange appointments before traveling to DC and make additional appointments while you are there. Some agencies will, some will not arrange appointments prior to the fair. Don’t give up; this will maximize your opportunities. Send cover letter and resume to set-up interviews, if necessary. Ask how long the typical interview is expected to last, and don’t cram interviews back to back.
- More networking, more offers. Get there early; stay all day (3 days if possible). The 3rd day may offer more opportunities to talk with recruiters if fewer people are there. Take breaks each day and stay refreshed.
- Research agencies that are NOT known. Do homework - Do not look for just the “name brand” agencies. You can contact agencies nationally - read website for more. Know what agency’s do beforehand.
- Bring writing samples, resumes, and copies of transcripts. May have job offers right away or 4 months later. You are a finalist for 12 months. May be able to negotiate start date and/or loan repayment.
- Get a good night’s sleep before the fair/interviews. Enjoy the restaurants/museums - see the city! The metro is the best transportation for getting around the city.
Good Questions to Ask Interviewers
Here are some questions to ask at your various interviews, so that you can compare positions:
- How many PMFs will your agency select?
- Have you supervised a PMF before? Do you have other PMFs in your office that I can talk to?
- Is this position specifically tailored for a PMF? Or is it just a vacant position that you want to fill with an entry-level analyst?
- Will I get my own program responsibility right away, or will I be getting a general organizational and management overview over the entire two years?
- When can I start? Will I need a security clearance, and will that delay my start date?
- Will I be able to do rotations? Can they be outside the agency? What types of rotations have other PMF’s in your organization done? How many rotations will I be allowed?
- Do you have an orientation session for your PMFs and other new hires? What other types of training might be available to me as a PMF in your organization?
- I’m moving from Durham. Will you help with relocation costs?
- Does your agency provide any student loan repayment assistance?
- What percent of your PMFs are hired for permanent positions in your organization?
Positions Outside Washington, DC
Although most PMFs are located in Washington, DC, with the potential for rotations elsewhere, you can pursue opportunities outside DC. The PMF jobs database contains a number of positions outside DC, although most are in major cities and places where federal agency field offices are located. In the field offices, policy positions are more limited, but there are administrative positions if you are interested in public management. Higher-grade (and higher paying) positions are more limited to managers, while in DC you can achieve higher grades in program positions without the management and personnel responsibilities. However, don’t discount the PMF program if you are moving to a city outside DC.
If there are no jobs in the database for the place where you want to live, you can also check to see if any federal agencies have field offices in that place. You can contact those offices directly, and in some cases, those offices may be interested in sponsoring a PMF. Don’t limit yourself to the jobs in the database, and the Career Services Office can help you find listings of federal offices in places outside DC.