Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding IRS hiring process:

1. Is there any way to know what PODs are hiring for a specific round?
2. How can you indicate nationwide availability? Also, do hard to fill PODs take less qualified local candidates, or can they pull from a more qualified list of candidates willing to relocate?
3. Can you check on your assessment rating or interview rating and if so, how?
4. How is the FCIP program different from USAJobs?
5. If you do not live near a college is there a way to gather information on the FCIP program, including getting the application?
6. How do you check on the status of your FCIP application?
7. How do candidates that are selected get notified?
8. Do you get notified if you are not accepted?
9. What is the general time line? Application to tentative eligibility to assessment to interview to offer?
10. What are the training locations for the September Hire?
11. If you don't get accepted for one hiring set (even with a "pass" on the interview), are you considered for the next round or do you have to reapply?
12. Are salaries negotiable in the current economic climate?
13. On the Career Connector websites, some people's information changes to "Qualifications Under Review" or "Application Under Consideration". What do these mean? Also, does it mean your application ISN'T being considered if your status doesn't change?

Is there any way to know what Post Of Duties are hiring for a specific round?

How can you indicate nationwide availability?

When using a Job Search Agent on USAJobs, simply click ‘US’ under Job Locations to indicate nationwide availability.

When applying online (through CareerConnector), if you apply to a position with the location listed as “Throughout the nation”, there will be an option for you to indicate that. If the vacancy provides you with multiples locations to choose from, select all of them to indicate nationwide availability.

If there is a vacancy for a job in multiple field offices, but it is listed a separate vacancy for each location, you may have to reapply to each field office (city) separately.

Also, do hard to fill PODs take less qualified local candidates, or can they pull from a more qualified list of candidates willing to relocate?

Can you check on your assessment rating or interview rating and if so, how?

Once completed, your assessment and interview rating will be sent to you via email.

FCIP

How is the FCIP program different from USAJobs?

The Federal Career Intern Program is a type of hire used by federal agencies while USAJobs is a database used for all federal vacancies. FCIP job listings are found on USAJobs as they are posted by different agencies. FCIP is a 2 year program that focuses on academic accomplishments and career goals.

If you do not live near a college is there a way to gather information on the FCIP program, including getting the application?

The FCIP program is not limited to college students or recent college graduates so proximity to a college is not required. All FCIP listings are available online via USAJobs, where all interested candidates can apply.

How do you check on the status of your FCIP application?

You may check your status on USAJobs. Also, IRS will send emails during the process if more documents are needed or as new information comes up.

How do candidates that are selected get notified?

Candidates who are selected are sent a commitment letter which outlines the specifics of the offer eg salary, grade level, location. These letters are normally sent by E-mail. The next steps leading to the official entry on duty are also listed in the letter.

Do you get notified if you are not accepted?

Candidates who are not selected are informed of this information. When hiring for our major occupations such as revenue agent and revenue officer, however, we may have several hiring cycles from the same group of applicants. Applicants may not be selected at one point, but offered a position at another time.

What is the general time line? Application to tentative eligibility to assessment to interview to offer?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many variables in the process. With major hiring, many announcements have cut-off dates eg all applications received by a certain date are considered first. Thus, if a candidate applies later during the open announcement period, they may not even have their application looked at for a lengthy period of time.

The other driver is the need for hires in a particular location. IRS often announces locations for which they anticipate a need at some point during the open period. But, since announcements can be open for months or even a year, offices will work only on the applications received for current vacancies.

We understand this may be frustrating for applicants, but the Agency’s goal is to be able to reach into an announcement and quickly pull a list of interested candidates. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) calls this maintaining an inventory and offices are encouraged to do this.

What are the training locations for the September Hire?

Entry-level revenue agents and certain GS-12 and above revenue agents will attend training together in one of three centralized training sites: Anaheim, Atlanta, and Dallas.

The new centralized approach combines on boarding and orientation with training and ensures that new RA hires from across the organization have an opportunity to network with peers while at the same time reaping the expected benefits of a standardized, corporate curriculum.

External hires (revenue agents who are new to the IRS) will report on September 14 for administrative orientation. Orientation will include presentations by executives, an overview of benefits, distribution of laptops and pertinent travel information (travel cards, GovTrip, etc.).

Formal classroom training for the September 2009 revenue agent hire will begin on September 17. This phase of training will prepare agents to conduct individual income tax examinations. The revenue agent training curriculum will be separated into two tracks for grades 5/7/9/11 and grades 12/13.

If you don't get accepted for one hiring set (even with a "pass" on the interview), are you considered for the next round or do you have to reapply?

Applicants will need to re-apply when a job vacancy is opened up again.

Are salaries negotiable in the current economic climate?

Job listings will inform applicants of the general schedule, or pay range, for that particular vacancy. The offer is usually made at the first step of the grade for which the applicant has applied, is eligible, and the Agency chooses to hire. Normally, new hires began at the first step of the grade being offered. However, some announcements indicate that “Superior Qualifications Appointments” may be offered. If this is listed in the job postings, it means there may be flexibility in the starting salary. If candidates meet certain criteria, IRS may start them at a higher step.

CareerConnector

On the Career Connector websites, some people's information changes to "Qualifications Under Review" or "Application Under Consideration". What do these mean? Also, does it mean your application ISN'T being considered if your status doesn't change?

“Qualifications Under Review” or “Application Under Consideration” mean that Human Resources is looking at that individual’s resume and college transcript to make sure they meet the qualifications for that position. They are still under consideration unless Human Resources finds them ineligible and changes their status to ineligible, or if they meet the qualifications they status would change to BQ (Best Qualified).