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A completed application, your resume, and additional skills or professional certification documentation are the basic requirements when applying for a federal job. But there are other federal job requirements not related to job skills. These range from age and U.S. citizenship requirements to concerns like a criminal background or security clearance. The federal government has detailed policies and procedures to address these issues. Here is a quick overview:

AGE REQUIREMENT
The minimum entry age requirement to apply for most federal jobs is age 18. However, 16-year-olds can apply if they meet any one of these situations: graduated from high school or possesses an equivalent certificate, completed a formal vocational training program, received a statement from school authorities stating employment is preferred over education, or is under a formal student employment program.

Too much red tape and mounds of paperwork are the two main reasons why people don’t apply for federal jobs. But thanks to the Internet, these roadblocks have been removed and, as a result, the federal hiring process is much more streamlined. So here is the new and improved federal hiring process.

The federal hiring process is based on the class assigned to the position. The two categories are Competitive Civil Service and Excepted Service. Competitive Civil Service jobs have more stringent requirements in the hiring process as dictated by civil service laws passed by the U.S. Congress. These laws are aimed at ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal treatment during the hiring process. As such, more attention is given to make certain that an applicant meets all the qualification requirements of the position.

The federal government job hiring process uses a structured interview format in which questions are standardized and scored. As such, each candidate applying for the same position would be asked the same questions that are scored against criteria (called benchmark proficiencies) established for the position.

For example, the hiring manager will place a numerical number after your response to a question based on how well you demonstrated your knowledge and experience in answering the specifics of a particular area. This scoring system ensures that each candidate is evaluated based on a non-bias, quantifiable score.

By all accounts, the outlook for federal jobs looks bright for years to come. Even during economic instability, the federal government workforce remains stable as job growth increases in certain areas and people retire or leave federal employment.

The latest figures show that the federal government is the largest employer in the United States, employing more than 1.8 million civilian workers. That number excludes the U.S. Postal Service. And if you think all those jobs are around our nation’s capital, think again. The most recent job report indicates that nine out of 10 federal employees work outside the Washington, D.C. area.

Why work for the federal government instead of the private sector? Both areas offer their own set of pros and cons, so the choice ultimately comes down to what is right for you and your circumstances. To help in the decision-making, here are some pros and cons to consider:

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

PROS
1. Job security. Layoffs are rare.
2. Good benefits. Federal jobs have solid and generous benefit packages.
3. Regular salary increases. Federal jobs fall under pay grades that dictate increases and cost-of-living adjustments at regular intervals.
4. Job fulfillment. There’s a sense of satisfaction as you work for the good of your country.