US Government Jobs

Finding US Government Jobs

Did you know that the federal government is the largest employer in the United States? With over 400 occupational specialties and more than 1.7 million available jobs, the federal government offers career opportunities to fit almost any skill set.

USA Jobs is the official Web site of 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, and the US Secret Service. You can search for positions using a number of different criteria, including salary range or geographic location.

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 or disabled people who meet specific conditions or who are current or former federal employees.
• Pay range: Most federal government jobs will list a salary range for the position, but you can typically expect to be offered something on the lower end.
• 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

While the process of applying for a US government job 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.

Additional Information

To learn more about career opportunities available with the US government, check out the following helpful resources:

• The Book of U.S. Government Jobs: Where They Are, What's Available & How to Get One by Dennis V. Damp
• Ten Steps to a Federal Job: Navigating the Federal Job System, Writing Federal Resumes, KSAs and Cover Letters with a Mission by Kathryn K. Troutman and Laura Sachs
• The Everything Guide to Government Jobs: A Complete Handbook to Hundreds of Lucrative Opportunities Across the Nation by James Mannion