Federal Job Search Strategies: 7 Tips to Help You Succeed
Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign in government spending, the federal government remains the largest employer in the United States. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, there are currently more than 2,700,000 employees working for the federal government in civil service positions. For nearly every federal job vacancy, the number of applicants exceeds the number of available positions by at least tenfold.
Why do so many Americans aspire to a federal job? The answers are diverse. Some consider it a patriotic duty, while for others it's an act of enlightened self-interest. Whatever your motivation, however, the benefits are significant. Simply put, Uncle Sam is an excellent boss.
Working for the federal government offers employment stability that cannot be replicated in the private sector. Once a new employee completes a predetermined probationary period (usually 1 year), lifetime employment is nearly guaranteed. Laws and regulations governing federal personnel practices make it extremely difficult to fire, lay-off, or forcibly transfer most employees. On the rare occasions when lay-offs do occur, displaced employees are given very preferential hiring treatment for similar positions that becomes available. The result is that very few federal employees have ever missed a day of work due to a lay-off.
Fringe benefits, including an excellent retirement package, are also a major motivating factor. Health benefits for federal employees are generally better than those offered in the private sector, and the government currently picks up more of the premium costs than most private employers. For an employee enrolled in Blue Cross/Blue Shield's family coverage, for instance, the government currently pays $578 of the $771 monthly premium. Retirement benefits are based on a complicated formula that incorporates the employee's salary, years of service and retirement age, but independent studies consistently determine that the plan is more generous than nearly all private sector employers.
Federal salaries are competitive as well. In 2005, the average salary for all federal workers worldwide is $60,203. Due to the salary structure and political realities, raises are virtually guaranteed every year. In January 2005, the raise was set at 3.5%. In addition, salary adjustments are made for employees in major metropolitan areas.
Federal service also provides far more opportunity for advancement than most other employers. At the senior management level (known as the Senior Executive Service, or SES), salaries range from $107,550 to $162,100. There are currently approximately 7,000 SES employees in federal service.
With all of these benefits, it's no wonder that many job seekers are trying to land a position with the federal government. While the competition is fierce, here are some key strategies that can help you in your search:
1. Check the government's official employment web site (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov) often. Virtually every federal job vacancy is listed there, and it's updated every day. Most vacancy announcement are only open for a period of approximately 3 to 4 weeks, and the application process can be detailed, so it's best to check frequently so you can start working on your application as early as possible.
2. Avoid services that claim to help you land a federal job. Companies that guarantee you a federal job are scams, and these services can't do anything that you can't do yourself.
3. Be willing to accept a pay cut. While federal salaries are competitive, the compensation structure is such that salaries typically start low but increase quickly. Every federal job has a starting grade and a "full performance" grade. Typically, professional positions start at grade 7 in the federal pay scale (referred to as General Schedule-7, or GS-7), and increase to GS-9, GS-11 and GS-12 at 1-year intervals. For an employee in Washington, D.C., that would mean starting with an annual salary of $35,452 but earning $62,886 after three years of service (not counting the annual government-wide salary increases of approximately 3% per year).
4. Consider "trainee" positions. The term has a negative connotation, but starting in a designated trainee position can be a great way to get your foot in Uncle Sam's door. These positions, which generally require no specific work experience, are typically filled at the GS-5 level ($25,000 - $30,000 per year). Because many federal jobs are only available to current or former federal employees, working as a trainee for a year or two often opens a lot of doors.
5. Read the vacancy announcement carefully. Procedures for applying for a federal job have been streamlined in recent years, but it's vitally important that your follow the instructions provided to the letter. Unlike their private sector counterparts, federal hiring managers have to abide by standardized procedures without exception. For instance, they are legally prohibited from considering applications that arrive after the closing date on the vacancy announcement-even one day late. Likewise, if you don't submit the requested documentation on time (transcripts, etc), they can't collect it from you later.
6. Bulk up your resume. This may be good advice for any job hunter, but it's particularly important when applying for a federal position because of the way initial GS grades (i.e., starting salaries) are determined. Many vacancy announcement can be filled at any of a few different GS grades, and the level at which a new hire is brought on board is determined by his or her years of pertinent employment history. It is a little-known secret that federal hiring managers want to start new hires at the highest grade they can justify, because by doing so they can minimize the risk of turnover. Most federal employees who leave government service before retirement do so during the first five years of their career, because starting salaries in the private sector are higher.
So, how can you help your new agency pay you more? If you're in a position that makes it difficult to gain work experience in your desired field, remember that self-employment, if legitimate, counts as employment experience for federal hiring purposes. For instance, if you're a stay-at-home mother with the goal of re-entering the workforce as a writer, working from your home as a freelance writer for three years would count as work experience when you apply for that federal job. Incidentally, on the date of this article there are currently 27 writing and editing vacancies listed on the USA Jobs web site!
7. Above all, don't give up. Although the competition for federal jobs can be tough, the benefits are well worth the effort. Like any job search, most applicants can realistically expect to be turned down many times before they are offered a position. Tenacity and a positive attitude are your most vital assets.
Sean Dunagan is the president of Pinnacle Associates, a web-based resource for freelance professionals and home-based business owners.
For more great information, please visit Pinnacle's web site, http://www.pinnacleassociates.50megs.com
 Google News Updated : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:58:10 GMT AMR Plan to Buy 787s Will Update Fleet, Bolster Boeing Program - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Susanna Ray and Mary Schlangenstein Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- AMR Corp.'s American Airlines said it may buy as many as 100 Boeing Co. AMR overcomes fuel costs to squeeze out small profit AMR 3Q Net Down 74%, To Buy Up To 100 Dreamliners Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:24:10 GMT Jerry Jones exposed as gutless by Goodell's ruling - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Ian O'Connor Ian O'Connor is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry," which Kirkus Reviews calls an "exemplary sports history. Video: Dallas' Adam Jones Suspended Again Give Cowboys credit for not counting on Adam 'Pacman' Jones too much Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:52:30 GMT It's officially over: Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorcing - New York Daily News
New York Daily News - BY LEO STANDORA Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie really is kaput , her rep told the Daily News on Wednesday. "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after 7 l/2 years of marrige," Liz Rosenberg said in a statement. Video: AP Exclusive: Madonna, Guy Ritchie to Divorce It's Official: Madonna And Guy Ritchie To Divorce Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:56:56 GMT Obama’s spending how much on ads? - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor - By Jimmy Orr | 10.15.08 It’s been a week of non-surprises thus far. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones has been suspended - again. McCain calls for 'voter fraud' inquiry A stolen election? Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:03:33 GMT Hurricane Omar gains strength and nears Puerto Rico - Reuters
Reuters - By John Marino SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Hurricane Omar strengthened on Wednesday as it bore down on Puerto Rico and the small islands of the northeastern Caribbean, and could be a "major" storm by the time it reaches them, US forecasters said. Omar on the Move. Paloma Next? Hurricane Omar heads for US Caribbean islands Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:12:36 GMT Migraine-hit Janet Jackson to resume US tour - Reuters
Reuters - By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A rare form of migraine forced Janet Jackson to cancel several dates on her Rock Witchu concert tour but she planned to return to the stage on Wednesday in Washington, DC, her manager said. Jackson was laid low by migraines Janet Jackson: She's Baaaaack* Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:02:47 GMT Polls: McCain forced to play defense in some red states - CNN
CNN - HEMPSTEAD, New York -- New polls out Wednesday in some crucial states that could decide the race for the White House suggest Sen. John McCain is having to defend himself in areas that once were reliably Republican. Union sues over policy banning political material at polling places Pollsters say odds of McCain winning election 'incredibly remote' Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:34:00 GMT Amazon Associate Software |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... You can benefit from sample cover letters as they can... Read More When communication breaks down in your office or factory and... Read More Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More Your resume is your sales letter. It may not get... Read More Brian's work was exceptional. Still, as his boss,... Read More The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This... Read More That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did... Read More Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel... Read More We need more people to choose nursing as a career.... Read More After a thirty (30) second glance lots of resumes get... Read More There are some tactics you can action whatever you wish... Read More Some interview questions are asked so frequently that they've become... Read More The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who... Read More Apparently, there are all sorts of reasons to be dissatisfied... Read More There are numerous tools and resources available to guide job... Read More Promote Your Resume Business Website!While we make our websites to... Read More A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More I spend a bit of time on airplanes. So, I... Read More They're only words. Some believe the school-yard taunt: "Sticks and... Read More It can happen to anyone. there's a change in the... Read More Momentum as defined by Webster's is: strength or force gained... Read More In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... Read More Any job seeker looking for sample resumes usually doesn't have... Read More You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have... Read More
Adsense
websites
Sample Cover Letters ... The Hidden Pitfalls
Your Self-Image in the Workplace
How to Make Your Career Change Easier
Writing Powerful Resumes ? 10 Golden Rules
Using Your Whine Factor
Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary
Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!
Is Your Resume Doing ITS Job?
A Peek at Nursing as a Career
How To Choose The Right Resume Format
Ten Things About Your Career Development
The 7 Tough Job Interview Questions That Can Make or Break You - and How to Answer Them
Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age
Dissatisfied with Your Job? Take Your Power Back!
The Top 10 Mistakes Job Seekers Should Avoid In Contacting An Employer
Resume Writing Service Website
What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans
The Path of Least Resistance
Words. Words. Words.
How To Deal With A Nightmare Boss
The Big Mo : Momentum and the Hiring Process
Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers
Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer
Why You Only Really Need Four Sample Resumes
Negotiate Better Job Offers with This Twelve-Point Checklist
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Dress For Success
You have heard the phrase, "Dress for Success." This is... Read More
Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Putting Your Attention on What You Dont Want!
If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More
Surviving Office Politics
It's your first month in a new position and it's... Read More
How To Get That Promotion
If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then... Read More
Job Dissatisfaction
Job dissatisfaction is a driving force behind individuals seeking employment... Read More
Your First Summer Work in the UK - Picking Strawberries The Right Way
Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries... Read More
4 Niche Job-Search Tips
Looking for a job on the Internet can be daunting.... Read More
The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career
Many people in the last decade have experienced either a... Read More
Writing A Great Resume, Part 1
Need a great resume to land that great job coming... Read More
Adapting To Change In A Changing World
Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your... Read More
Outsmart Other Job Seekers by Showing These 5 Key Strengths
Getting an appointment for an interview these days is an... Read More
Job Hunting Tips: Staying Active
Unemployment is depressing: financial pressures stress you out, looking for... Read More
Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees
Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More
Retiring in Paradise
I have to admit that I'm starting to slow down... Read More
Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem
The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More
Job Search - 6 Tips to Boost Your Campaign
Does your job search feel like a big weight on... Read More
Before You Begin, Know What To Expect - How You Can Make a Living Proof Reading From Home
Proof reading from home is an excellent way to make... Read More
Hiring the OverQualified Employee or Mining for Gold
I am having a hard time understanding why a valuable... Read More
Surviving Corporate Politics Part 2: Keeping Up Appearances
Never a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression, or... Read More
Yesterdays Project Manager is Todays Project Engineer
The rapid growth of technology, greater exposure to knowledge, higher... Read More
Seven Success Tips For Recent Graduates Entering the Professional World
1) Build a Relationship With Your BossLike it or not,... Read More
Interview Skills That Attract Offers
An interviewer's mission is to assess your qualifications compared to... Read More
5 Tips for Customizing your Resume
Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume.... Read More
Career Transitions: Creating Complementary Careers in a Day
Down-sized? Outsourced? Burned-out? Wizened up? That's what I said. Wizened... Read More
How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top
Many people would love to get a better job. And... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |