Applying to federal jobs is very different from applying to private sector jobs. The process requires greater depth and detail on your skills and experiences and can be a long and arduous process. Here are a few things to know to help navigate the federal job application process:
Federal Student Programs
USAJobs is a website that hosts federal positions. On this website, you can search for openings by Agency, Occupation, Grade, and Location. You can create and save job searches to receive automatic notifications and can also apply for jobs or save them to review later. Federal vacancy announcements use a 5-tab format and it is important to read each section carefully to ensure that you 1. Fully understand the position 2. Meet the required qualifications and 3. Are aware of how your application will be evaluated.
The StudentJobs web page on USAJobs is a great starting point when searching for specific federal student programs. The Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) is a two-year entry level appointment that streamlines the process of entering government work and the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) is a prestigious two-year program that prepares students for upper-level management positions in government open to graduate students in their final year. There are also other websites besides USAJobs that host federal postings, including agency websites themselves.
Determining Eligibility
The General Schedule (GS) is a pay system for Federal employees. There are a total of 15 grades starting from GS-1 which is the lowest level to Gs-15, the highest level. A position’s agency determines the grade of each job based on the level of difficulty, responsibility, and qualifications required. Individuals with high school diplomas typically qualify for GS-2 positions, individuals with Bachelor’s degrees qualify for GS-5 positions, and those with Master’s degrees qualify for GS-9 positions. Applicants can use their work experience or education to move up tiers and qualify for higher GS levels. Selecting a GS level is an easy way to sift through job openings and find opportunities that match your experience level. Be realistic in your expectations. You may be hired at a lower GS level but you can advance quickly.
The Federal Resume
The biggest difference between regular, private sector resumes and federal resumes is the amount of detail and the length. If you have set up an account with USAJobs, you can save up to five federal resumes, each tailored to a different opportunity. While the length of your Federal resume is a personal choice, the general rule of thumb is one to three pages depending on your level of experience. However, if you are building your resume in USAJobs, the average length is approximately four to five pages. Regardless of the length, your resume should best reflect your qualifications for the position to which you are applying as concisely as possible. Federal resumes also require full contact information of former supervisors and includes a section under each job outlining duties, accomplishments, and related skills.
Those Who Have an Advantage
If you have served in the military, you are entitled to a veterans’ preference. Additionally, individuals who have returned from volunteering with the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA have a special preference. Many agencies interview and select qualified volunteers for positions that haven’t even been posted on USAJobs. Volunteers are eligible for this preference in the year following their successful completion of service. As a result, if you are interested in pursuing federal employment you may want to consider serving in either the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA first.
Patience is a Virtue
The hiring process for federal positions can be slow and involves a lot of hurdles. Applying for federal jobs and getting an answer takes time and some agencies are better than others. Be sure to track the status of your application on USAJobs or from within the system you used to submit the application and follow up with contacts listed on the job announcement. Ultimately though, applying for federal jobs requires patience and persistence so don’t give up! Don’t get discouraged and keep applying to positions that interest you!
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