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Government jobs are very sought
after because they offer better job stability and benefits than many
comparable jobs in the private sector. However, many people are intimidated
by the fact that they don’t know how to navigate the process of getting a
government job. Don’t let fear of the unknown eliminate a fantastic
opportunity! With an understanding of how the process works, getting a
government job will seem like a walk in the park.
Finding Government Jobs
The first hurdle you have to cross is locating government jobs for which you
are qualified. Because government jobs are not always posted in the same
formats – or in the same places – as jobs in the private sector, most job
seekers overlook them entirely.
Vacancy Announcements
An ad for a government job is known as a “vacancy announcement.”
These
announcements list more than just the basic information that you would
expect to find in a normal job ad. For instance, a vacancy announcement
usually includes:
• Basic information
• Who can apply
• When they will start accepting applications
• When they will stop accepting applications
• Pay range
• Series and grade
• The highest grade level (promotion) available in the position
• Job duties
• Basic qualifications
• Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
• How to apply
• Conditions for employment
• Standard legal information
Where to Search
Vacancy announcements for government jobs can be found in a number of
places:
• USAJOBS – The official website, which is maintained by the United States
Office of Personnel Management, lists all government jobs open to the
public. Access the site at www.usajobs.gov.
• Individual government agencies – To make sure you don’t miss out on the
jobs that aren’t announced to the public, you can contact the agencies
directly. A complete list is available at http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml.
• Newspapers and job fairs – Don’t overlook the normal avenues available to
job seekers! Job fairs are a particularly good resource, as many agencies
attend the fairs intending to fill a position.
Applying for Government Jobs
Applying for a government job is a little more complicated than for a
job in the private sector. Your resume will need to follow a special format,
and you may have additional forms to submit with your application. In
addition, most vacancy announcements include KSAs that applicants need to
address.
Federal Resumes and Forms
You usually have two choices when applying for a government job: Submit a
form application, or submit a resume. The form OF-612 is the one you should
use in lieu of a federal resume. However, read the vacancy announcement
carefully, because sometimes a vacancy may require the submission of
specific forms – whether or not you submit a resume.
If you use a federal resume, it must include the following subjects:
• Personal Information – The normal contact information, plus your SSN,
veterans’ preference, and federal status
• Job Information – The title, series, grade, and job announcement number of
the job you are applying for
• Summary of Experience – An easy-to-scan summary for the convenience of
hiring managers
• Professional Accomplishments – Similar to the “Work Experience” section of
a regular resume, but with salary information, average weekly hours, and
supervisor’s name and number
• Education – Similar to the “Education” Section of a regular resume
• Training – Training and/or certificate programs you have completed that
pertain to your career
• Other Qualifications – Separate sections for any awards, certifications,
publications, and presentations that pertain to your career
KSAs
“KSAs” refer to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a position requires.
Many vacancy announcements list KSAs that must be answered in writing along
with your resume or OF-612. When
writing answers to a set of KSAs, be sure to:
• Be complete and concise. Hiring managers expect you to fully answer the
KSA, but they don’t want to wade through a lot of fluff.
• Echo the wording used in the vacancy announcement. Using the same
terminology for specific skill sets draws an instant comparison between the
position requirements and your qualifications.
• Quantify your accomplishments. Make an impact by reporting a specific
dollar amount, number of hours, or percentage.
• Make your KSA easy-to-scan. The main points of your answer should be
easily found at the top of the page, with more specific details listed
below.
What Happens to Your Application?
The process of applying for a government job is easier when you know what to
expect. Unlike a regular job, a government job requires that your
application be sent through several stages of review: A human resources team
will check to see that you are qualified for the position, after which a
panel of experts ranks all the qualified resumes. Only the top-ranking
resumes are then forwarded to the hiring manager.
Most government jobs offer an automated system for checking up on the status
of your application. If not, you can call the agency, but make sure you wait
three weeks from the closing date listed on the vacancy announcement.
Interviewing for Government Jobs
Interviewing for a government job is much like interviewing in the private
sector. However, because the stakes are often higher and the competition
more stringent, you may feel there is more pressure on you to perform well
in the interview.
Preparation
Nothing improves your chances of interviewing well like a little
preparation. Although you can’t anticipate all of the questions you will be
asked in an interview, there are a few that you will almost surely be asked.
For instance, most interviewers will start out an interview by asking you to
tell them a little about yourself. This is not meant to be answered on the
fly. Since you know you will be asked, prepare a short synopsis about your
education, your career, and your goals. The more you practice this ahead of
time, the more smoothly you can answer in the interview, and the more your
confidence will show.
Follow-Up
One fatal error many job seekers make is failing to follow up after an
interview. Hiring managers want interviewees to follow up afterward, as it
gives them an idea of who is truly interested in the job. Sending a short
thank-you note via snail mail or email is sure to leave a lasting
impression.
In addition, a thank-you note gives you the opportunity to add information
about your qualifications that you feel did not get adequate coverage in the
interview. You can also ask the hiring manager when you should expect to
hear from them regarding the position.
Negotiating Job Offers
With any luck, you will soon get a call with a job offer. While the laws
regulating government jobs do not leave much room for negotiation, you will
have a little leeway to negotiate the salary and benefits offered.
The important thing to remember, though, is that you did it. You impressed
Human Resources, the panel of experts, and the interviewers and/or hiring
manager well enough to garner a job offer. At this point, you can look back
on your job search, remember how much you dreaded it, and smile – because
you now know that getting a government job is not as difficult as you had
imagined.
About
the Author: Jason Kay
writes for career related websites like KSA Doctor, which provides federal
government application assistance including
writing KSAs and
federal resumes. |
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