Jobs for Change - Why Compete When You Don't Have To?

Why Compete When You Don't Have To?

categories: AmeriCorpsVISTA, Tips for Alum, Tips for Applicants

Published May 22, 2009 @ 11:07AM PT

One of the too-infrequently touted benefits of serving in AmeriCorps*VISTA is Non-Competitive Eligibility for one year after their term of service. What exactly does that mean? Well, it essentially means that you are eligible to apply for federal jobs without having to compete with the general public and that more positions might be available to you.

For example, if you are really passionate about the environment, and you want to work in Obama's administration with the EPA (or one of the many other offices that will be opening to forward social causes), one year of AmeriCorps*VISTA will enable you to apply for positions at the EPA as an internal candidate.

Why does this matter? Because being considered as an internal candidate means that you are competing against a handful of other people, rather than the (literally) thousands of people who apply for federal jobs.

How exactly does it work? If you have completed a full term of AmeriCorps*VISTA service, and you are within a one-year period of your end of service date, complete an application in USAJobs.com and click "I'm a person with non-competitive eligibity."

Very cool.

Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=female+boxer+-dog+-puppy&page=2

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Comments (2)

Whatta bright ideas. Ten thumbs up!They say that competition brings out the best in everything & everyone. It even keeps us going! On the other hand, what’s the essence of competition if your competitor is playing dirty tricks? Why compete??! Besides, success is not just about winning or loosing, it’s more of how you play the game...that defines your character…

Posted by JUSTINA MAGSINO on 09/12/2009 @ 08:32AM PT
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I think it is a great idea to allow those who served in AmeriCorps VISTA to have an advantage when it comes to applying for government jobs. I do appreicate the hard work that obviously went into making this happen. But I ask, "Why stop there?" Why not allow everyone who served as an AmeriCorps volunteer (VISTA or other) receive the same benefit? And why only limit it to one year of eligibility after service? Let's not only help to support those who volunteered through an AmeriCorps program, but to increase the incentive to do so. Does anyone know who the appropriate person to contact with these questions would be?

Posted by Tom Basquill on 10/19/2009 @ 04:00PM PT
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Author

Meghan currently serves as the Project Manager for the AmeriCorps*VISTA Program at Pennsylvania Campus Compact. In 2004, Meghan served as a Corps Member in the Western Region of AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps.