Top 10 Reasons to Work for the Government

The nation’s largest employer is hiring! If you are looking for a job, nobody offers a wider variety of opportunities than the federal government. It is the nation’s largest employer (1.9 million civilian employees). Uncle Sam is always hiring, and the available jobs offer a match for almost any set of skills and interests.
 
Now is a particularly exciting time to pursue a federal job. The government is changing the way it does business and is promoting more-dynamic work environments. In order to attract new talent, some agencies may offer student loan repayments, signing bonuses and flexible work schedules.

Here are the top 10 reasons to consider working for the government:

1)  Employer is hiring.
Increasing demand for services and retiring “Baby Boomers” are resulting in thousands of job opportunities.

2)  Federal service is public service.
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of Americans and your community? Federal employees can make a positive difference in the lives of Americans and play a vital
role in addressing challenging and pressing national issues.  

3)  Federal jobs pay better than you think.
Low federal pay is a myth. Federal salaries are often competitive with the private sector, and there are great benefits, job stability and opportunities for advancement.

4)  The federal government can help pay for school.  
Federal agencies may help you pay back up to $10,000 per year in student loans, and some agencies will pick up the tab if you decide to pursue a graduate degree.

5)  You can develop a unique skill set.
The federal government offers cutting-edge training and professional development— from information technology to foreign language immersion.

6)  There are federal jobs around the country …and around the world.  
Nearly 85 percent of federal jobs are outside the Washington, D.C., area. If you are looking to go global, more than 44,000 federal employees work abroad.

7)  The federal government values diversity.
The federal government values diversity. Federal agencies serve as a model to the private sector in achieving workforce diversity and actively encourage minorities and individuals with disabilities to consider government service through internships and fellowships.

8)  There are jobs for every interest and major.
Not a political science major? Not a problem. There are federal jobs suited to every interest and skill, from art history to zoology.

9)  Federal jobs promote great work/life balance.
Agencies offer flexible work schedules, world-class benefits, job-sharing, on-site child care and other incentives to facilitate a high quality of life.

10)  You can make the difference.
The federal government is our most powerful agent in addressing national issues. There is no bigger stage for making an impact.

Tips for Finding a Federal Job

Once you have decided to pursue a federal job, you should familiarize yourself with the different ways to apply and equip yourself with the tools you’ll need to succeed. Below you will find information on how to navigate the application process, how to answer the government’s Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) questions, special programs, internships and other ways to get your foot in the door of the federal government.  You should also explore the range of jobs available. Agencies are required to post the vast majority of job openings on the federal government’s central job site, USAJOBS.gov. Another key site, StudentJobs.gov, was specifically designed as a place for students to search for jobs, create a job seeker ’s profile and build an electronic résumé.

There are five basic steps that will help you find the federal job that is right for you:

1)  Do your research on the different agencies and then target your job search.
The government may be the nation’s largest single employer, but each agency does its own hiring. Start at USAJOBS.gov to explore current job openings and also check the job pages of agencies that are of particular interest to you to find out about any special hiring initiatives.
 
2)  Identify the job you want and carefully review the job announcement.
Do you have the experience—from prior jobs, school, volunteer activities, internships, civic organizations—that the agency is looking for?

3)  Carefully follow the application instructions.
Most jobs require applicants to respond to a series of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities questions—otherwise known as KSAs. Your answers to these questions are very important, because they serve a similar function as a first-round interview.

4)  Patience is a virtue, and no news may be good news.
The federal application process typically takes longer than the private sector, so don’t assume you are out of the running. However, if you need to make a decision and haven’t heard back, follow up. Call the agency contact listed for the job opening.

5)  Be prepared.

Keep all your records, awards, transcripts, writing samples, references and a current résumé handy for the next steps, such as an interview and/or  background investigation.

Source: Partnership for Public Service