USAJobs Tentative vs Firm Offers - What to do when you get an offer

This video explains the difference between a tentative job offer and a firm job offer with the federal government. If you've been applying to USAjobs chances are you have either received a job offer of some kind or will at some point in the future. Make sure to watch this video to understand the difference between the two types of offers and what to do when you receive them.

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[BrianRash]

Exact information I needed to hear. Thanks

[rick]

I interviewed for my current federal position back in June 2023. After all the paperwork, background investigation, negotiations, and general government bureaucracy, I didn't start my job until Jan 2024! It's crazy how slowly the federal government hiring process works.

Also yes to carefully reviewing the FJO! They tried to pull a fast one and have my salary and grade match my TJO instead of the much higher grade and salary I negotiated, and they agreed to. I pointed that out immediately, and it took them 2 full days to send me the correct FJO. Pay attention to everything folks!

[kristenandrus]

Very informative, thanks for the video!

[jessicacotton]

I have a tjo. Just retired from army 2yrs ago. In the last yr ive incorporated alot of debt and finaces off track (which is why i went back into the job market instead of self employment). Im super anxious about failing the background check because of this.

[nspeaks]

How should informing current employer be handled? I see a lot of narrative suggesting not to inform current employer until final offer is received. However, the employer contact is part of the background/reference process. I would prefer to have this conversation with my employer and not have them be blindsided. But i also understand the reason behind the suggestion not to do so. Do you have any suggestions?

[_eternal_now]

Hi there, I got a TJO last Thurs night (no call beforehand), and on Friday I sent an email to the HR rep, asking about a possible change in grade/step. This was before I had seen your channel and all the great advice in it. The HR rep did not respond. But within a couple of hours, I got another email, from the department I would be assigned to, saying it was URGENT that I accept the TJO before the COB that same day, Friday. This is despite the initial email saying I had 3 days. I wrote them back saying I had gone through the onboarding page and also emailed the HR rep asking to be contacted. I found it strange that I was being told I needed to accept the TJO in less than 24 hours. On Saturday morning I discovered this video and your channel, and immediately accepted the TJO and did everything I could (up to the fingerprinting step) on the USAJobs onboarding page. I also emailed both the HR rep and the department and informed them I had accepted the TJO. Today's now Thursday, I haven't heard anything, and I'm wondering if I should be concerned about being passed over because I didn't accept by COB on Friday. Do you have any suggestions on how to move forward?

[geraldwilson]

Hi Casey,

I was given a tentative job offer from usajobs automated system. No one called me. It was sent to by email. Thanks!

[Norahs-]

In the VA does the Firm Job Offer need to be signed by the director of the VA Medical Center where hired?

[koppertone_k]

Thank you! If USA staffing does not have the OF-360 form listed as a task to complete in the onboarding, will HR send the form via email? I've contacted them but not heard anything back and worry because the TJO letter said that the OF-360 needs to be complete within 72 offers of receiving offer.

[Noneya]

your entire series of videos have been invaluable to me during this process, THANK YOU. I applied to one job, received a 1st and second interview, the same day, hours after my second interview, (which was labeled as 2nd/final IV in the google meets invite for it) my application status was changed to: Selected for position-pending EOD date. It has been one week to the day since my interview and the application status change and I have not heard from anyone, when should I reach out to HR?

[FreebieKitty]

If my TJO offers a recuritment incentive, how does that work? Is it only for moving expenses, like hiring a moving company? Do they give that money to you right away or do you get reimbursed after your FJO?

[MsTYouTube]

I appreciate this video today. Do you know what the requirements are for credit checks in the background investigation ? What’s the minimum credit score? What kind debt disqualifies and can a candidate wait until after the background is fully completed to start the job or does someone have to start while the background check is still going on?

[MCTVirginia]

How long approximately would it take to receive a FJO for a DOD Secret Clearance position if already a federal employee with a Public Trust? thank you

[HW-cnir]

Thank you for the video! I was referred by several friends directly to the head department manager for a posted position. The department head reviewed my resume, transcripts, and did a phone interview. He said he’ll approve and pushed my information to HR for further review. He said the process should take 2-4 months. Does this period include the background check? When should I expect to receive a TJO? He said I should look for an email. I know the position is secret clearance. I’m trying to build out a timeline so I can move. Thank you again!

[raquelm.w.]

What if by chance you are hired for a job and start it and then a month later, you get referred and interviewed for another job you had applied for months before and you get a tentative offer for the second job, after you already started the first. How could that be handled?

[myrlandecharles]

Hello and thank you for those videos they're highly informative. I received a TO through email 2 days ago from DHS/USCIS for an Asylum Officer postion. Ialready completed the on boarding process by submitting all the forms that were requested from me. I know that the next steps should be the background check, and my concerns are that i have a couples of CC debts collections in my credit report, could i get disqualified because of that?

Thank you in advance for replying

[SealAdobo]

Can you at anytime decline the firm offer before your start date? Say you're happy with the pay grade and able to negotiate a start date. Is that when you accept the offer? And when you do, can you decline it before your start date? That make sense?

[dracul]

I recently received a TJO, and filled out all the online pre-employment paperwork. Would I be notified of any possible errors in the paperwork or will I be disqualified without a chance to fix it, seeing as the paperwork submissions have deadlines?

[gregbrigham]

Is HR required to notify candidates via email if they have or have not been considered for the position, post interview. It has been over a month since my interview.

[schw]

I'm currently leaving one fed agency for another, and I accepted the TJO and then gave notice. I'm not concerned about my BI since I already completed my 5-year reinvestigation last year with zero issues, and it sounds like they're probably going to honor reciprocity (no new BI). Regardless, do you still think I should've waited to get my firm/final offer before giving notice? I can't envision any reason things would fall apart, but maybe there's something I hadn't considered?