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 and descriptions of 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 and some student programs on the federal government’s central job site, USAJOBS.gov.
There are five basic steps that will help you find the federal job that is right for you:
- 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. - 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 they are looking for? - Carefully follow the application instructions.
Target your resume to the job announcement, demonstrating how your skills and experiences match up. Also remember that federal hiring is decentralized, so agencies can ask for different information in the job application. - 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. - Be prepared.
Keep all of your records, awards, transcripts, writing samples, references and a current resume handy for the next steps, such as an interview and/or background investigation.
Key Programs for Students and Recent Graduates
Though many agencies have special hiring and training programs for specific high-need areas (such as cybersecurity), there are a few key programs that cut across agencies and offer expedited entry into the federal government, including:
Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)
This program brings talented people into the government at the entry level for a two-year appointment. Eligibility depends on the needs of each individual agency, but these positions must include a training period. Individuals are hired at the GS-5, - 7 or -9 pay levels, with starting annual salaries of approximately $27,000, $33,500 or $41,000, respectively. After two years, successful Federal Career Interns can be converted, non-competitively into full-time positions. For information about openings, contact the agencies in which you are interested directly or visit their websites.
Presidential Management Fellow (PMF)
Designed to prepare talented people for upper-level management positions in the federal government, this prestigious two-year program is open to any graduate student in his/her final year of study. An applicant must first be nominated by his/her school and then make it through the program's rigorous evaluation process. PMF positions are structured by each individual agency and differ widely. All include some training opportunities and a rotational assignment, either within the agency or to another agency or branch of government. In 2006, 338 PMFs were selected to work in the federal government. The Department of State was the largest employer of PMFs, selecting 56. To learn more about the program visit: www.pmf.opm.gov.
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
The STEP, another name for a temporary internship with a federal agency, is a great way for students to be exposed to the government. These paid positions can range in length from a summer to as long as the student is in school. It is not necessary for the work to be related to the student’s academic major, which allows the student to gain experience in a variety of fields. Those enrolled in high school, a two-year or four-year college or university, a technical or vocational school or a graduate program are eligible to apply. The program requires that the student be a U.S. citizen. In 2007, 44,795 students participated in the STEP program. For more information, go to: www.opm.gov/employ/students/intro.asp.
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
SCEP positions, for undergraduate and graduate students, are substantive internships in federal agencies. The work must be related to the student’s area of study and requires the agency to have a formal agreement with the student’s institution. Most positions are paid, and students may also receive academic credit. If the student successfully completes 640 hours of work, he or she can be appointed to a permanent position without going through the traditional hiring process. This program requires its students to be U.S. citizens. In 2007, 14,715 students participated in the SCEP program. For more information, see: www.opm.gov/employ/students/intro.asp.
The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service and American University's Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation (ISPPI).
