Why the Federal Hiring Process is Still Slow

The following post explores Why the Federal Hiring Process is Still Slow.

The federal government has long been criticized for it’s slow, bureaucratic hiring process. Even with reforms aimed at speeding up the timeline, many federal job seekers still find the process cumbersome.

Read: Tips for Applying to Federal Jobs

Related: Best Federal Resume Writing Services

Lengthy security clearances, multiple layers of review, and strict compliance requirements mean that federal hiring often stretches far beyond what candidates experience in the private sector.

Here’s what you need to know.

Federal Hiring and the 80-Day Goal

In 2025, OPM introduced the Merit Hiring Plan, a sweeping set of reforms designed to modernize and strengthen federal hiring. A headline feature is a target of reducing the average time-to-hire to 80 days.

While the 80-day target is well-intentioned, the simple fact of the matter is that the federal hiring process remains slow when compared to private-sector standards.

By comparison, the hiring process in the private sector often moves much faster. Private sector employers frequently screen, evaluate, and extend offers within days or weeks (rather than months).

Moreover, the 80-day timeline is an aspirational goal (not a guarantee). Even with streamlined procedures, agencies still need to navigate multiple layers of review, clearances, and approvals. Background checks, security vetting, and compliance requirements cannot simply be skipped, and each step can introduce delays.

Steps in the Federal Hiring Process

Unlike the private sector, where candidates can often move from application to offer within days or weeks, federal job seekers are subject to bureaucratic hurdles that can extend the timeline.

Even the earliest stages can take several weeks before a candidate even learns if their materials are moving forward. From there, additional time is spent on competitive assessments, referrals to hiring managers, and interviews, each step slowed by administrative review and regulatory requirements.

Once selected, candidates enter another lengthy phase of conditional offers, background checks, fingerprinting, suitability reviews, and multiple layers of approval before receiving a final job offer. For roles requiring security clearances, medical exams, or drug testing, the timeline extends even further.

The many checkpoints illustrate the heavy bureaucracy of federal hiring, often testing the patience of candidates while agencies struggle to balance thorough vetting with timely onboarding.

Pictured below are the common steps involved in the federal application, evaluation, and offer process.

What It Means for Federal Job Seekers

The Merit Hiring Plan represents a meaningful step forward in improving the federal hiring process, though applicants should still approach it with patience. While the initiative aims to speed things up, the 80-day timeline remains more of a target than a guarantee, and delays are still possible.

Job seekers can take several proactive steps to position themselves for success. Submitting applications early, rather than waiting until the closing date, ensures materials are reviewed without last-minute risk. Maintaining flexibility when applying to federal jobs is also essential, as hiring timelines can shift unexpectedly.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article helps you realize even after the rollout of the Merit Hiring Plan, it’s still a slow process. Federal job seekers must understand that “faster” by government standards, is still slow compared to most private sector companies.

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