The last time this job opened, it was in early September and they had hired who they wanted in the first month of November.

In '23, I forgot that I applied then but for an instant rejection, they opened in September and closed in the first week of November.

This year, it opened in early September and we're coming in on November and none of my references have been contacted after my interview.

It sucks, but my situation hasn't changed, so

Maybe next year. Every year I go a little further in this process.

i don't suppose you can reach out to them and find out for sure ...

i know that's what you're "supposed" to do to show willing for normal job sector postings, but i don't know how the etiquette for that works wrt government work

When they officially settle on someone and that someone accepts, they alert USAJobs and the email goes out automatically.

Apparently you cannot contact someone involved in the hiring process if you're an applicant because it might bias them and that would bee unfair.

so like. exactly the opposite of how jobs everywhere else expect you to behave about them. i see. that's fantastic