Are advanced degrees, high marks—and in some cases—foreign language skills essential to be interviewed and hired by the federal government?
No, although exceptions occur as specified in certain government position descriptions. Government hiring is based virtually exclusively on what are known as ‘competencies’, or selected skills and qualities, which are tested in exam and interview questions. Advanced degrees, marks, scholarships, languages and experience are not counted because they cannot be quantified by government examiners. The competency-testing approach, while often incomprehensible to highly qualified external applicants for government jobs, is consistent with internal methods used for evaluating and promoting government employees. Our strength is to help you use your background, bolstered by our study materials and personal coaching, to satisfy the competencies tested in the exams, interviews or other exercises required to obtain the government position you want.
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