2016 PMF Open Thread

2016 PMF Open Thread

The 2015-16 Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) application season is almost here. The basics can be found at pmf.gov and some key information is:

In addition to OPM’s official PMF resources, here on Pathtopmf.com you’ll find a range of additional insights on the PMF Program.

For instance:

And use this open thread as a resource for the 2015-16 process and a place to:

  • Ask questions
  • Share your experience
  • Or maybe just to vent :)

Good luck and let us know how we can help you submit a strong application!

P.S. This site, guide, and resources are brought to you by the Robertson Foundation for Government and GovLoop.  Thanks to RFFG for their financial support to help offer these great resources and keep them free for all applicants.

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  • Nik

    Do you what time will the official application be available on USAJOBS? It’s Sept 28th @ 11AM EST but the USAJOBS PMF posting doesn’t allow me to start my app….?

    • Tom Colvin

      The application appears to be working for me.

  • Tom Colvin

    STEM Question: In looking through previous years’ open threads, it sounds like there are very few STEM jobs on offer. Is there any way to find out what positions will be available this year? In general, is there any way to find out what positions were offered last year, STEM or otherwise?

  • Tom Colvin

    STEM Question: The third written response question for the STEM track is discipline-specific. How can I know what to expect from that question? My discipline (Aerospace) is so diverse that it seems likely I would get asked a question outside of my specific areas of expertise. For instance, if they ask me about Computational Fluid Dynamics then I’m sunk, but if they ask about Space Vehicle Operations then I’m golden.

  • rahul

    Resume question: Hello folks, Good luck! Does anyone know for certain if the PMF application is expection more of a USA Jobs sort of resume (mine is approximately 12 pages long) or a normal resume that would be 1-2 pages long?

    the USA jobs resume tends to be very descriptive, and is more geared towards passing through automatic scans or scans from people with no substantive background in the position they are hiring for.

    • IndianaHopeful

      I used my USAJobs resume last year, though it wasn’t 12 pages long. My humble advice, keep the same format, but cut down the material to reflect what is most relevant. FYI, 2015 Finalist here. Some of us are still keeping tabs on this site. I’ll try to help answer any questions that come up.

  • Elizabeth

    Anyone else get a message saying their online assessment is incomplete when trying to submit? I scoured the PMF website and found something that said it sometimes takes 1-2 days for the assessment (the video/question part) to sync with my application, but it’s been that long and nothing has changed. It says “complete the online assessment” and then I click on it, and it says, “the online assessment is complete, please close the browser.” Hmm. I’m trying to give it some time before I contact their tech support.

    The specific message I get is: “All Questions are answered but your application has not been submitted. You have not yet completed your On-line Assessment, this must be completed it before the announcement closes.”

    • Elizabeth

      It turns out I had completed the online assessment successfully but it took four days to sync with my application. Glad I didn’t wait until the end of the application period, I would have been hosed.

    • PMF2016Candidate

      Yep, still waiting for my completed assessment to sync with my application. 5 days now.

  • jelizabeth

    Any fellows here who can answer a question: have you heard of any international positions through PMF? I made it to the semi-finalist round last year and am trying again, but would like a job abroad. Any insight appreciated!

    • Jay

      Never heard of any appointments overseas, but there are opportunities to do rotations overseas.

      • Steve

        Very rare are appointments overseas but agree rotations exist

    • Kate

      There are rotations overseas, but if that’s a priority for you, you should probably make sure you get an appointment that gives you Secret/TS clearance. Most of the overseas rotations I see are with State and they no longer sponsor a temporary clearance for rotations.

  • Kailey

    Finalists – Did you tailor your resume to the 7 core competencies or did you do something different?

    • IndianaHopeful

      Tailored may be too strong of a word. But definitely show they exist through your experiences.

    • Jay

      Yes. Breakdown each competency with a specific example in the following format…..Context, Challenge, Action, Result. Google it.

    • GAU

      Your resume won’t be a factor in the online application, only if you are selected as a semi-finalist and even then I’m not sure how much so.

  • phenocopy

    STEM or regular track? I haven’t been able to find numbers on which is actually more competitive; they select fewer STEM applicants, but how many apply? It seems like in recent years there haven’t been that many STEM PMF jobs available. Can anyone advise on whether applying for the STEM track is actually a good idea? I am eligible but could definitely spin my experience either way, and am not looking for a research job.

    • CurrentSTEM

      If you’re aiming for HHS, STEM is a good bet. And none of the STEM PMFs that I know are doing traditional research since starting their appointment.

      Outside of HHS the STEM track seems like it’s more of a crapshoot. Overall the proportion of normal PMFs (70ish percent) that got appointed last year was greater than the proportion of PMF-STEMs (60ish percent) that got appointed.

  • deeg12

    Advanced Degree question: If you were awarded a Master’s while working on PhD (which will be finished next Summer) do you use the MS or the PhD as the qualifying advanced degree?

    • GAU

      If you are sure you will finish your PhD by the deadline indicated in the application (next summer should be good), I would use that because you may be hired at a higher level because of it.

  • MNB2

    Hi all, I’ve been scouring the Internet and cannot find an answer. I just started at HHS through Pathways, and while I like it, the PMF training and rotations are very appealing. Does anyone know if existing Federal employees are eligible? I haven’t been able to find an answer so I’ll most likely just submit anyways. Thanks!

    • PMF-FAYE

      I was in this position last year and I have encountered federal employees that were hired into this program. I agree that I feel the PMF training approach seems much better than what I experienced with pATHWAYS.

  • Jen

    I finished my essays and tried formatting it, but at the end, the paragraphs for each essay question was all lumped together into one paragraph per essay. Is this typical?

    • Elizabeth

      Mine did that too.

  • jpmf

    Did anyone else not have any applicant level documents associated with your profile, but still saw document uploads after submission?

  • Matt

    Anyone having difficulty with USAJobs? I continue to get a bad request error.

    • Trevor

      USAJobs working here.

      • anni

        Any update on whether this will be resolved before the deadline time?

  • Trevor

    Is anyone having problems with the application page? I keep getting: “this system is currently undergoing maintenance…”

    • Ashley

      Yes! Maybe too many people are trying to log on

    • Justin

      yes! along with “Please try again later.” It was working maybe a half hour ago, but was really slow and I couldn’t advance to the screens where I can upload my stuff.

    • Kayleigh

      Yes, I’ve been trying for hours

    • Trevor

      I wonder if there is any precedent for them extending the deadline if their site goes down because they can’t handle the traffic?

    • Beeta

      Are people still having trouble? I am still unable to access the page.

      • Justin

        I was able to get to the documents page and upload one document…. and then it gave me that maintenance page again….

  • Bob

    Yeah, I really hope they extend the deadline. This is definitely not fair, I’ve been trying to get on to submit my essays since like 10:45 and haven’t been able to.

  • Beeta

    Is the page crash only specific for PMF STEM applicants?

    • Bob

      Nope, it’s for the entire app

  • Nicole Arndt

    Wow!!!!!

  • Elle

    The application has been extended one day 🙂

    • Beeta

      Where did you see the deadline has been extended?

      • Elle

        I can log into the application (but can’t make it to the essay questions before it fails) – the application deadline now says October 14, 2015 and the timer has been adjusted accordingly

        • bmc1

          I saw that on the deadline, but now the page is down again. Are we positive it is actually extended?

          • Elle

            No officially, but the website at least gives me hope either way I’m keeping all my screenshots and emails to make a good argument if needed

          • bmc1

            Thanks! I’ve submitted, too. Good luck 🙂

        • Elle

          fyi

        • Justin

          Keep trying guys! I was finally able to submit mine a few minutes ago! Good luck to all!

  • bmc1

    I am sure I am not alone but emailed the PMF office with screenshot, haven’t been able to get on for hours, as well. I had the application filled out and just wanted to edit an essay – then couldn’t submit.

    • Justin

      I did so too. I mean, the pmf.gov website did warn us of scheduled maintenance on Oct. 3, but the dates/times they listed do not coincide with today…
      12:01am (ET), Saturday, October 17, 2015, through 6:00am (ET), Sunday, October 18, 2015
      12:01am (ET), Saturday, November 14, 2015, through 6:00am (ET), Sunday, November 15, 2015
      12:01am (ET), Saturday, December 12, 2015, through 6:00am (ET), Sunday, December 13, 2015

      • bmc1

        PMF already emailed me back to confirm the extension. Whew!

  • m clayton

    I tried to apply last night. I completed all three sections: 1) the questions about the videos; 2) the personality inventory; and 3) the essays. After completing the essays,I selected “Next,” but then I did not get a final certification of completion screen. After I selected “Next,” I was taken back to the login screen. However, I can not log in to see where my application is. Does any anyone know- did my essays go through? If they did not, but my resume and transcript is posted and I completed the two tests, will that be enough for me to be considered as a potential semi-finalist?

  • ReturningApplicantPMK

    It’s November. Anyone else excited for the Semi-Finalist announcements?

    • cejohns

      I am! The anxiety is killing me ?

    • Richa Bhatia

      yess! can’t wait!

  • Newbie

    Does anyone know if Semi-Finalists are all notified at the same time?

    • FormerPMF

      Yes, they will post the list to the PMF website and email all applicants about the availability of the list at the same time.

  • Anna

    Does anyone know the “potential” date of when all semi- finalists will be notified? (this week or next week) I am so anxious!

    • cejohns

      Last year semi-finalist were announced on Nov 19th so I would shoot for that date. Good Luck!

  • dashley

    Sitting at my part-time job waiting like:

    • will

      Totally agree.

    • PreviousApplicantPMK

      yep!

  • ndp1234

    I hope they release decisions tomorrow!!! Does anyone know if they mail out paper acceptances/rejections before they post on the website or on the application website?

    • PreviousApplicantPMK

      last year everything was done via email (acceptances)

  • JFlorida

    Got in as a semi finalist, pretty excited. This is my first time applying, so anyone know around when the in person interviews are? December or January?

    • BR16

      Last year they were in January if I remember correctly! Congrats! I got good news as well 😀

  • Richa Bhatia

    Damn. Didn’t make it. 🙁 Congrats to all who did!

  • ad

    semi-finalists are posted

  • Allison Kunerth

    Results were posted tonight! 🙂

  • Chencha2016

    I feel like its taking them longer than last year. They must have had more apps this year than expected

    • JFlorida

      Results were posted. They had less applicants this year, about 6,000 applied and about 808 were selected as semi finalist I believe. The number of applicants most likely has to do with the uptick in the economy and more opportunity in the private sector lately.

  • Scott

    Has anyone gotten an email to register for the interview yet?

    • Becky

      Not yet!

    • JFlorida

      I was just gonna ask this myself, haven’t gotten anything yet through email. They say the deadline to apply for the in person is December 6th, so we still have some time but it is getting close with the holidays.

    • BR16

      Last year it was sent on November 24th

    • Tosun

      Got the email to schedule interview on Friday (Nov. 20)

  • QQ

    Has anyone received the email to sign up for the in-person assessment?

    • BR16

      no! it will probably be sent sometime later this week

    • Tosun

      Yes, I have on Friday (Nov. 20).

    • BR16

      Just received mine tonight (Nov 222)

  • Steve

    Hey all –

    Congrats to the semi-finalists! Make sure to take a re-read of the PMF guide and in-person assessment. Also browse the forums for some of 2013/2014 threads where people share tips.

    If you didn’t make it, don’t worry. PMF is just one way into federal government. Check out our other free guides under “the guides”

    Steve

  • Becky

    My in-person assessment is Dec 11. Does anyone have suggestions for the best resources to prepare? I checked out the PMF guide here, but I think we could use all the help we can get!

    • BR16

      Mine is then too! In the afternoon.

    • Faraz Rizvi

      Good luck tomorrow Becky, please keep us updated on your experience!

  • FLgirlinaDCworld

    Mine is Jan 11th. Good luck!!

  • kofi

    Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

  • Tosun

    At DC for my assessment, starts at 1pm but I came too early at 10.30am. Not allowed in. Waiting………….

    • cejohn

      Good luck!

      • kofi

        Good luck, just stay relaxed!

    • kofi

      what is your opinion concerning the assessment, how do you think you fared?

  • JFlorida

    For anyone who’s already been to the in person assessment, did you bring a copy of your resume or anything else special? Are they going to evaluate you on that or is it mostly geared towards leadership/teamwork questions and interviewing? From what I hear they don’t ask you what college you’re from, so does that mean they don’t care about past experiences/resume at this stage? The guide is unclear on this.

    • stip

      No you don’t need a resume or anything else

    • 14PMF

      My interview was two years ago, but they did have my resume on hand. They asked behavioural-type questions with some specific references to my resume. I would be prepared with STAR type answers drawing on those experiences.

  • FLgirlinaDCworld

    I think interviews end this week and then 4-6 more weeks until we all find out if we made it. Hopefully with less applicants this year it won’t take as long. For the past two years they picked 600 finalists so I hope they do the same because the odds will be pretty good! Ahhhh, wish I knew already!

    • JohnnyRocketPMF

      Word is that they’re selecting fewer finalists this year to ensure a higher rate of placement (somewhere in the 400-500 range). Also, they’re shooting for end of February to let everyone know! Good luck!

      • FLgirlinaDCworld

        Hope they don’t cut it down too much. I’m sure the agencies like having a plethora to choose from. Good luck to you, too!

  • JohnnyRocketPMF

    Word is that they’re selecting fewer finalists this year to ensure a higher rate of placement (somewhere in the 400-500 range). Also, they’re shooting for end of February to let everyone know! Good luck!

    • PMFFPM

      Anybody else have inside knowledge as to the finalist selection process? I’m really anxious to find out!

  • Jocelyn

    Does anyone know if PMFs are represented by the usual unions that represent government employees?

    • currentpmf

      There is no separate PMF union (wish there was), but you should be part of the bargaining unit for whatever union your agency has.

  • BR16

    getting pretty anxious…

    • cejAl

      Hey guys! The list of 2016 finalist is up on the PMF application website. I hope you get good news!

  • cejAL

    Hey guys! The list of 2016 finalist is up on the PMF application website(TAS). I hope you get good news!

    • Faraz R.

      Can you by chance post the link for the list? I am having a difficult time accessing the list.

      • cejAl

        https://apply.pmf.gov/pmf . Click “view finalist and coordinators” at the top of the page. Good luck!

        • BR16

          is this for real though? there’s no other announcement anywhere.

  • JFlorida

    Yep, its up. Never thought I would have made it but I got selected as a finalist! Was planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

  • Steve

    So who got finalist?

  • PMFhopeful

    I made it yay!!! So happy. Just want to encourage those who didn’t make it to try again next year. This was my second time applying and being familiar with the entire process, I did so much better this time around during the interview. Congrats to everyone else!

  • Tosun

    Hurray!!!!! I made it. I was not optimistic and it took me about 5 minutes to summon the courage to open the pdf, I was so jittery. Congrats to those who made it, to those who didn’t, I wish you better luck next time.

  • X X

    2016 PMF Summary (Feel free to comment if you get different number counts):

    Accepted Applicants – 6050
    Semi-Finalist – 808
    Finalist – 552
    (PMF – 455, PMF STEM – 97)
    9.12% Acceptance Rate

    Congrats.

    • Keith Jacobs

      any info on the overall numbers for STEM only? (applicants, semifinalists)

      • X X

        My numbers were based on the two released pdfs. Thats all the detail I have unfortunetly.

  • X X

    Just spotted this:

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

    Announcement Number: PMF-2016-0398
    SAVE-THE-DATE” HHS IN-PERSON PMF 2016 FINALIST JOB FAIR (APRIL 19-20, 2016)

    Sign up required.

    • Tosun

      Where did you get your information. This is what I have from the PMF website:

      Job Fair

      The PMF Class of 2016 Finalist Hiring Fair is scheduled for Monday, April 4, 2016, from 9am-4:30pm (ET), at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Ln, Rockville, MD 20852. The hiring fair is by invitation only.

      https://www.pmf.gov/become-a-pmf/find-a-job/job-fair.aspx

      • X X

        I copied it from PMF TAS. If you log in you can search for the announcement number I included above. There is an eventbrite link in the announcement to register for the fair as well.

        Odd that the PMF website has conflicting information. The language seems to suggest two events? Invitation only on the 4th while the 19-20th is sign up requried.

        • Tosun

          Found it. They might be two separate events, the venues are different too. Will wait a few days to see if there is any changes. Have you signed up for the April 19-20 event?

          • FLgirlinaDCworld

            They are two different events. One is hosted by OPM the other by HHS.

      • JFlorida

        Is that just for HHS positions or is that for everyone?

        • Tosun

          Copied:

          “The Recruitment Fair will be open to Hiring Officials, Human Resources Recruiters, PMF Coordinators and the class of 2016 PMF Finalists.

          Ideal candidates should have backgrounds related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and acquisition, communication, budget analysis, healthcare, medical, health information technology, human resources management, leadership, management, policy analysis, public administration, law enforcement, contracting and procurement.

          Should you require additional information in regards to the 2016 HHS PMF Recruitment Fair, please feel free to contact the HHS Pathways Program mailbox at pathways@hhs.gov.”

          • JFlorida

            Yea it looks like this isn’t the “official” hiring fair and is more geared towards those interested in Health and Human Services appointments.

      • X X

        I am a STEM so I haven’t signed up for that fair. Not sure how my specialization would fit over there. I am working the list of contacts first.

  • Keith Jacobs

    Any advice on good offices for biology STEM finalist? I know NIH of course, and there is NSF, but dont know about NASA, NIST, etc

    • Current STEM

      It really depends on what you mean by biology. I’ve seen potentially relevant positions at: NIH (NCI, NIAID, at-large, some smaller institutes), CDC, NSF, FDA, EPA, Forestry, DoD, NASA, HHS, State

      • Tosun

        My field is Chemistry and I have not seen any except rotational opportunities. Can you direct me to where to look.

  • Newly minted

    As a PMF, are we eligible to apply for jobs posted at USAjobs?

    • http://veteransforliberty.org Chris Fox

      Yes, but if they hire you it will be in a non-PMF capacity. In order to participate in PMF it has to be a PMF designated billet/assignment.

  • Sarah

    Will there be more jobs posted on TAS?

  • Tosun

    Just rsvp’d for the April 4 job fair.

  • FLgirlinaDCworld

    Anyone want to make a 2016 PMF FB/LinkedIn group? I know other classes have…

  • JFlorida

    Has anyone contacted or received any emails or calls back from any agencies yet and are you guys emailing or calling? I sent about 10 or so emails out and received some responses from 2 big agencies saying they would disperse my info out, but no word from the rest yet. I know Dept of State is sending a generic email out to monitor the TAS.

    • Becky

      I sent about 5, but only to smaller agencies and haven’t heard back. I’m planning to call if I don’t hear anything back. Good luck!

      • Scott

        I called a few today and was able to get through/talk to some people. The general feeling was stay posted on TAS and go to the career fair.

    • IndianaHopeful

      With the exception of a few agencies, things don’t get really hopping until the big job fair. .Our class (2015) had a lot of problems getting a site for the fair so it was not held until August. Hopefully you guys have better luck with both the fair and getting earlier appointments.

      • JFlorida

        Thanks for the advice, thats good to know! So do most of the big agencies like State, DOJ, DOT, DHS, FBI, DOD, DOI, HHS, EPA, etc. wait to the job fair before making further contact with finalists? I had read before that some get booked up by career fair time with scheduled interviews. Can I ask in general, how long it took for some finalists to get appointments?

        • IndianaHopeful

          If I recall, many of the earliest appointments were not even posted on TAS. OMB in particular had numerous people appointed before we even knew when the fair was going to be held. There were a few others spread around here and there as well. But starting about a month before the PMF Job Fair, the number of positions posted on TAS exploded. I had 3 interviews lined up before Day 1 of the Fair.

          But the answer you will hear the most from PMF coordinators is to check TAS. But if you are at all interested in one of the HHS agencies, I would definitely check out their fair. I made the mistake of just waiting for the big one, and am just now finalizing the details for my appointment with CMS…something that could have been done much much earlier had I interviewed with the same team at the HHS Fair.

          BUT, there isn’t one set path to get your appointment. I wouldn’t stop sending out feelers to coordinators, or hiring officials at agencies you want to work for. Worst case scenario: you get told to wait or get no reply. Best Case: It leads to a conversation and appointment with an agency you are interested in.

          • JFlorida

            Interesting. This year seems to be much less time between the job fair in April and when finalists were first notified of their selection (late February). So I figure the dynamics of reaching out to and being contacted by agencies may be different this year. Its still a month between the two, but a month can go by fast.

          • IndianaHopeful

            I believe the fair in April is for HHS-affiliated agencies only. Once the PMF team finds a location and books it, they will announce the larger Job Fair. That one is tons of fun. 2 days of non-stop action, with a happy hour or two to attend in between.

          • JFlorida

            The career fair on April 4th is the main one for everyone from what i can tell. HHS has its own seperate one you can register for in late April on TAS. I dont think we would have gotten the email from the PMF program to register for it if it was just geared towarda HHS positions.

    • Tosun

      When you contacted the agency, did you send them just your resume? or did you include a cover letter?.

      • JFlorida

        Ive just been attaching my resume to “feeler” emails when I reach out to agencies. I tweak it slightly for the different agencies/depts, but it would be difficult to write a cover letter for every one without knowing the exact position or specific agency that is even hiring or interested yet. I definately plan to do that when specific positions are posted though. Ive generally gotten the same advice as Scott which was to monitor TAS for updates/postings.

        • Tosun

          Ok. Thanks!

  • JFlorida
    • Becky

      Thank you for doing this!!

    • BAinGA

      Isn’t a Presidential Management Fellow someone who has been appointed to a position? Is it just finalist until then?

      • JFlorida

        Yea, but I named it “Presidential Management Fellowship, Class of 2016” because the majority will probably get jobs and stay in touch using linked in even after they become fellows and complete the program. That’s my hope at least.

  • CGA
  • Elma Bukowski

    my assistant was searching for OH ODT IT 3 several days ago and was made
    aware of an online service that has a ton of fillable forms . If you
    are requiring OH ODT IT 3 as well , here’s a http://goo.gl/aOs57i

  • Adam

    quick question for any former PMFers- I’ve read about tailoring applicants resumes to particular Federal Classification cones such as project manager, program analyst, etc. Does anyone know where you can look up these federal classifications as well as key words for those particular career trajectories? I’m OPM’s website but couldn’t find anything substantial. Thanks a bunch!