Finding and Applying for Federal Jobs

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This is an exciting time for those looking to enter the federal workforce.  Our federal government is hiring tens of thousands of new employees a year to meet the increased demand for services and to replace retiring members of the baby boom generation.

Jobs are available at almost every agency, cover almost all occupational fields, and are located throughout the country and around the world. They include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, law enforcement and immigration personnel, accountants, auditors, lawyers, information technology specialists, engineers, program managers, administrators, and professionals in many other important job categories.

For highly capable job seekers motivated by a desire to make a difference and improve the lives of Americans, there are no better possibilities than those provided by our federal civil service. The government offers good benefits, including competitive salaries, student loan repayment, and flexible work arrangements, and provides challenging work and professional development opportunities.

The hiring surge comes at a time of high national unemployment and renewed enthusiasm for public service. This means there will be fierce competition for all of the federal jobs, offering the government a chance to select high-caliber talent, and reinvigorate the civil service.

Job seekers should be forewarned, however, that it can take a long time to navigate the complex federal application and hiring process that many people have found quite daunting. Luckily, hope is on the way.

President Obama this spring instituted a series of reforms to speed up the hiring process, to keep job seekers better informed about their status, and to eliminate some application requirements during the initial review stages. The plan, set to be fully operational by Nov. 1, 2010, is designed to cut hiring time to about 80 days from the date a vacancy is announced to the point when a candidate is hired. In the past, this process has taken anywhere from 140 to 200 days or more.

The federal government has already redesigned its USAJOBS.gov website, and plans to eliminate the essay-style questions describing a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) during the first step of the application process. Instead, the government will now ask for a resume and cover letter format similar to the private sector, or require completion of a straightforward application. The essays have long been viewed as an impediment, serving to discourage talented private-sector employees not well-versed in the language of the government bureaucracy.

The administration also plans to eliminate the "rule of three" approach to hiring, under which managers may only select from among the three highest-scoring applicants. Instead, it will turn to a "category rating" that permits agencies to consider a greater number of qualified candidates.

With or without the hiring reforms, there are still certain steps candidates can take to successfully apply for a federal job. Here are our top five tips:

1. Allow yourself sufficient time to apply. Creating a thorough and tailored application can take time, and if you hurry, you may make mistakes that lower your chances for consideration or that even disqualify you. The closing dates given in vacancy announcements are rock-solid; exceptions are not allowed and late applications—or incomplete applications—will not be considered.
2. Think about your experience and education when writing your resume and cover letter. You will want to link your experience to the requirements listed in the vacancy announcement. Although applicants no longer have to write the KSAs, it will still help to think of the knowledge, skills, and abilities you have that will contribute to successful job performance for the particular position for which you are applying.
3. Selectively apply for positions. Carefully read the vacancy announcement to ensure that you understand the qualifications and experience the agency is seeking. Only apply for jobs for which you qualify!
4. Prepare for a wait until you hear back from an agency. With the present hiring reform, federal agencies are working to streamline the application and hiring processes.  
5. Follow up after you submit your application and contact the agency to which you applied. This will not only demonstrate your serious interest in the position, but agency personnel may be able to provide information about the status of your application.  

The federal government needs talented people because that’s where good government starts—with good people. If you are interested in more information on finding and applying for federal jobs, check out the Partnership for Public Service’s recently released first book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Government Jobs. This how-to guide offers advice and insider tips—including a rundown on USAJOBS.gov, KSAs and resume-writing—for job and internship seekers to navigate the government application process.

Other Resources

Getting a Government Job: The Civil Service Handbook
by Therese DeAngelis

The Everything Guide to Government Jobs: A Complete Handbook to Hundreds of Lucrative Opportunities Across the Nation
by James Mannion

Get That Government Job: The Secrets to Winning Positions with Selection Criteria
by Dawn Richards