US Government Jobs
Regardless of your career field, it is likely that there are employment opportunities for people who have your skills within the United States government. Federal government jobs tend to be stable positions that offer solid pay, frequent opportunities for advancement and excellent benefits, making them an appealing option for almost everyone.
Finding US Government Job Listings
Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the federal government is the largest employer in the United States? With over 400 occupational specialties and more than two million jobs, the federal government offers career opportunities to fit almost any skill set.
USA Jobs is the official employment website for the United States federal government. This site lists positions from agencies such as the US Postal Service, US Tax Court, US Mint, Social Security Administration, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the US Secret Service and more. You can search for positions using a number of different criteria, including salary range, job title and geographic location.
When you first access the website, take a few minutes to educate yourself by using interactive tutorials regarding the application and hiring process. These tutorials will teach you how to create, store and manage a personal account that can store up to five separate documents or resumes that you can then use to apply for jobs. By creating this personal account you'll be able to apply for jobs more quickly after you perform a search.
You may be surprised by how many jobs appear when you perform a keyword or location search. If you find yourself scrolling through hundreds of jobs, use the tools on the right side of the website to "refine your search." These functions will allow you to narrow your field of interest by options like paygrade, agency or posting date. You can also choose to exclude certain types of positions by using this function.
If you discover that this process seems too overwhelming, you can also search for government jobs on many of the government agency websites. For instance, if you're interested in working for the United States Postal Service, simply access their website and click the careers link at the very bottom of the page. From there you can search jobs online by location or job function.
How to Read a Position Announcement
Since the federal government has a number of regulations in place to promote fair employment practices, position openings are often written in very specific language that can be somewhat confusing to the novice job seeker. For example:
- Who may apply: Contrary to popular belief, US government jobs aren't automatically open to anyone. While some jobs are open to all legal US citizens, others are reserved for people who are veterans, disabled individuals who meet specific conditions or people who current or former federal employees.
- Pay range: Most federal government jobs will list a salary range for the position, but new hires can typically expect to be offered something on the lower end of the pay scale.
- Series and grade: All federal government jobs are classified using a code that consists of a two-letter combination followed by two numbers. Two of the most common classifications are GS (General Schedule - salaried employee) and WG (Wage Grade - hourly employee).
- Qualifications: This section details the essential education and experience requirements for the position, as well as any highly desirable criteria. All of these factors are used to rank applicants during the hiring process, so try to address each one on your application.
- Promotion potential: If you're serious about making a career in the federal government, pay close attention to this part of the listing. This shows the highest grade level into which you may advance from the position.
- Conditions for employment: Some federal government jobs require a security clearance, background check, or other special evaluations. These criteria will be listed in this section of the announcement.
General Application Tips for Federal Jobs
While the process of applying for a job with the United States government is much like finding any new employment opportunity, the following tips may increase your chances of landing your dream job:
- If you're a college graduate, list your GPA if it's above a 2.5. Many organizations will offer higher starting salaries to applicants with a record of academic success.
- When completing your resume, consider putting equivalent federal government job titles next to your descriptions of past work experience. This will make it easier for the human resources manager to quickly determine your qualifications.
- Don't overlook volunteer experience. While it's true that some private employers don't place much emphasis on volunteer work, the federal government tends to look favorably upon volunteer experience that helps to demonstrate your skills as they relate to a particular position.
- Be patient. The application process for US government jobs can be quite lengthy; however, it's perfectly acceptable to call the contact person to inquire about the status of your application three to four weeks after the position's closing date.
Learning More About Working for the Government
To learn more about career opportunities available with the US government, check out the following helpful resources:
- The Book of U.S. Government Jobs by Dennis V. Damp
- Ten Steps to a Federal Job by Kathryn K. Troutman and Laura Sachs
- The Everything Guide to Government Jobs by James Mannion
A Word of Caution
When searching for information on US government jobs, keep in mind that job postings listed on non-government websites may be a scam. If you find a job listing for a government organization on a non-government website, make sure you double-check USAJobs or the agency's direct website to confirm such a listing. Never provide your personal information on an unsecured or unknown website and never pay a fee to search for employment opportunities with the federal government.
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