Hey guys, I'm hoping to get a little advice here.

I know my story is a bit similar to many posted here, but I got some specific goals I'm aiming for and trying to achieve. Just wanting some opinions on how crazy my hopes and dreams are.


My background~
Currently I'm graduating with a Masters degree in International Relations from the states in December with a pretty decent GPA.

I have a years experience before that working abroad:
Almost a year teaching as an eikaiwa teacher in Nagano, and then several months internship working with NGO's and teaching at the Royal University in Cambodia.

I also have a year study abroad experience in Kansai from my undergrad.


Ok enough of the history...heres what I'm aiming for.
A GS position, preferably starting after I graduate, that will allow room for promotion to a higher GS degree later.
All the forms say I should be applying for a G9 level coming with a masters, but EVERYTHING I see has secondary requirements of extensive work experience that I just can't have possibly fulfilled while sitting in school.

The questions?
1) Is USA jobs really dead for getting a GS job?
2) Is it all about personal networking? If so, how in the world do you network as a civilian off the base?
3) Should I apply for a G7 instead? Problem is I just don't see housing assistance with them?
4) Or how do you know if a job even gives housing assistance?
5) What should a stateside employee look for? Moving coverage and Housing? (I don't know the terms)

I'm looking to start a career here. I want to work up the GS ranks and be hitting 12's within 10 years. But I'm having a REALLY hard time getting my foot in the door and am frankly lost on what to do besides USAjobs.gov. Any advice is appreciated, and thanks for reading my long post.

1) Ya, pretty much.....it's not easy to find a job that way.
2) Yup.....you network by working in the industry for several years and build up a good name for yourself. Once people "know" you, they are willing to put in a good word for you in the future when jobs pop up. Having a good reputation in your industry of work is soooo important. You need to build up those personal references.
3) I don't think it would make any difference one way or the other. You definitely want housing assistance though.
4) It should state it whether or not you get housing and moving costs in the job description
5) You definitely want moving costs and housing paid for if you were to move overseas. This site might help you with the acronyms:

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/pe...aqpcs.html

Government is expanding more and more these days. You may have to try for a job stateside before trying for s/thing overseas. Once you are hired on as a government worer in the states, it becomes much more easy for you to transfer outside the United States. I wouldn't limit yourself to just jobs overseas. Since you have limited work experience, you may need to take a job where ever you can get one (even if it means going somewhere you don't really want to go). It's a tough economy right now. Everyone is looking for a job. There are many qualified workers out there with both higher education and YEARS of work experience out there trying to find a job.

Keep on trying though! Persistence is key, so never give up on your dream! Gombatte!

Why not be a Foriegn Service officer at a Embassy. Just because you have a masters and the Reg says you quailify does not really mean anything. To get a GS-9 job usually you have to have some sort of direct experience relating to that job. GS 7 and 9 are usually do not get housing. Your housing benefit would be worth more then your pay. Working for the miltary is usually prior military over here in Japan or spouses.

I would work you way us the government up the ladder in the states to GS 11, or 12 the apply for jobs over here. One thing I have noticed is that lately they are trying to hire locally for 11 or 12 jobs so the do not have to provide housing.

Careful on saying the gov is expanding... if JFCOM shuts down in a year 6,000 civilians will be flooding the market looking for another job!!

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/nat...shuts-down

All my life I go by what my teachers and parents tell me of get a good education so that I can get a good job. Now I'm trying to find a job and everything is about previous experience instead. Makes ya depressed real fast~.~

Regardless, I'm at a complete loss for how you are supposed to "network the industry" and get the connections, when you need these connections to even get a starter position. Its a real catch 22 that is tearing me up.

The most I'm seeing is to get a job stateside and then transfer to Japan after a promotion or so...but how do you get a civilian military job, even stateside, when USAjobs isn't hiring and that's where the applications are?

Look into government interships.

Why not be a public affairs officer in the Armed forces?

BrookieDragon: I completely understand your frustration, as do many other people out there:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon...t_pay.html

I was told the same thing growing up. I got my degree and ended up in the same boat as you. Times are even worse now than when I graduated from college nearly a decade ago. I really feel bad for people getting outta school now. It's a tough economy out there.

I remember reading countless articles at one time about how a college education really is a waste of time and money (in certain instances). It all depends on which field you go into. There are many fields out there that don't require a degree......simply working your way up would provide you a nice salary in coming years. But, in certain fields, a degree is a requirement to get anywhere.

I agree w/ Ex-navy Dave......maybe you can find an internship. Hopefully your parents can afford to support you for a couple years while you get some experience under your belt. I personally don't foresee our economic condition getting any better over the next year or two. I have a feeling unemployment is going to go over 10% and probably stay that way for some time (just my opinion).

I know this is not what you want to hear. Just be thankful that you're not one of those people that are mid-career and just now getting laid off. Those people are getting hit the hardest because they have a mortgage and families to take care of. It's happening all over the country.

I don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer" this morning about your situation. Just understand that things will get better eventually. You may have to start at the very bottom and work your way up.....even w/ a masters. It's just a sad reality of life these days.

I do think that your career will take off once you get your foot in the door w/ a master's degree.....so, don't feel like all that time was wasted going to school. Just be patient. Things will work out for you one way or the other.

go where the govt jobs are. DC or a big city in the states. Get an entry level job. Then watch the postings once you are in the system. it is much easier to work up the ladder when you are around alot of GS jobs. Then you can get a posting from the states and get the housing allowance. It makes a big difference. Ask anyone who doesn't have one.

You look like a perfect candidate for a foreign service officer position with the state department. I know 2 who are retired and have terrific benefits and retirement pay. Check with the state department on the web and see when their next foreign service officer exams will be held. Terrific opportunity since I notice you are getting a masters in international relations.

Yeah hate to be a downer as well but the government doesnt seem to value college degrees or commercial certifications much. It seems to be all about longevity and what paygrade someone retired from the military at. A Masters degree qualifies you for GS-9 in theory but if there is no work experience to go along with it, it is hard to actually get the job.

I have seen people with Masters degree and lots of certifications working as GS-9 or 11 for a person who is GS-13 or 14 who has none of those. That is just kind of how it has been going and I don't know that it will ever change.
But you definitely do NOT want to come over to Japan as a "local hire" without the housing, I know that much for sure. So maybe look into some of the other options that people have suggested, the competition for the jobs in Japan is just too much right now between all of the spouses who are here, the retirees and GS-14s from USA who decide they want to come to Japan and be a GS-12s just until the economy turns around.