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.

Some federal job positions also have a maximum entry age requirement. To start a law enforcement career with the federal government, for instance, the maximum entry age requirement is between 34 and 37 years old, depending on the agency.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER REQUIREMENT
A Social Security Number is required to apply for a federal job. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security Number or have lost it, contact your local Social Security Administration for information.

U.S. CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT
Most federal positions require U.S. citizenship. However, some government agencies permit the hiring of non-citizens through a special hiring process. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the government agency where they are seeking employment and inquire about eligibility.

CRIMINAL RECORD CONCERNS
Ex-offenders are welcome to apply to federal government jobs. Your criminal conduct will be reviewed to determine its relevancy to the job for which you are applying. There are regulations that, depending on your criminal activity, prohibit you from working in certain federal jobs.

SECURITY CLEARANCE CONCERNS
Some federal positions require security clearance. This is done at the time a job offer is made to you. The offer would be contingent upon security clearance approval. The federal agency in which you will be working will request the appropriate investigation and provide security clearance accordingly.

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.

Jobs under the Excepted Service category are not subject to the Congressional laws, and therefore can have their own qualification requirements.

Basically, the government agency with the job opening handles the application process and the job interview. The government agency posts the position online. Applications can be submitted online and, contrary to belief, a written test is not required for most federal positions. However, it is important to carefully review the “How To Apply” section of the job opening. Some positions require additional information, like college transcripts or copies of professional certifications.

After submitting your application, resume and other documentation outlined in the job description, it could take several weeks before you are contacted. During this time, the hiring agency is conducting a background check on you, which is required for every federal job. In addition, the hiring agency is evaluating your skills to make sure they meet the position’s minimum qualification requirements.

If the background check and qualification requirements are okay, your application will be grouped with all other candidates who qualify for the position. During this process, your qualifications, knowledge and skills set will be compared to other qualified candidates. Those who make the cut will be referred for consideration and an interview arranged.

In the interview stage, the hiring official has a standard set of questions that are posed to all candidates and responses scored accordingly. It’s important to be yourself and expand upon your application, highlighting areas that set you apart from other candidates and best meet the needs of the position.

As the federal government continues to use advances in technology to enhance the federal hiring process, applicants will continue to enjoy a more efficient way of landing a federal job.

For more help and to search for a Federal job, Click here: Federal Government Jobs

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.

Here are some tips to prepare for a federal interview:

1. Have a one-minute response ready when asked, “Tell me about yourself” that: touches upon your life and how it relates to the position for which you are applying, makes a connection as to why you are the best candidate for the job and concludes with the qualities you will bring to the job based on your life experiences.

2. Be prepared for questions seeking specific competencies that match the skills and requirements of the position for which you are applying. You should be ready to discuss in detail your education and work experience, training and career aspirations. Illustrate your ability to work as a team member and your potential for growth and leadership.

3. Your behavior as you respond to the questions will also be judged, so watch your oral communication (talk slowly and confidently and avoid “um’s and uh’s”). Also be mindful of your posture, eye contact and hand movements.

4. Be ready to respond to situational questions, such as “What would you do if faced by this situation,” as your responses give the hiring manager a good perspective on how you will address a similar situation that arises on the job. It’s best to relate your response to a past experience where you demonstrated competency in addressing it.

5. Be prepared to respond to questions that ask you how you performed a particular job task. These questions will be evaluated as to how you will perform the requirements of the job at hand.

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.

Thus, there is a wealth of federal job opportunities available in all 50 states in a variety of levels and in a multitude of general and specialized positions. In order for everything to run smoothly and safely to protect those who live in this country, the federal government oversees numerous activities, including those implemented on the state or local level. For that reason, federal government employees work in the area where they reside in every major occupational group.

Professional, management, business and financial occupations are among the areas with the best outlook for federal job openings. They are followed by office and administrative support and service jobs. Installation, maintenance and repair, and transportation and material moving also show a promising outlook.

While government cost-cutting could impact some federal jobs, there is expected growth in specialized areas, including security, enforcement, compliance, engineering, the sciences, program management, and administration. Among the growth positions are those related to border and transportation security, emergency preparedness, information analysis, business functions, and public health. Other areas expected to be in high demand are patent examiners, lawyers, and foreign service officers.

According to recent data, the federal government is expected to hire 193,000 new employees over the next two years. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the hiring of federal employees countrywide, there are about 16,000 new jobs available each day. Furthermore, past history has shown that layoffs in federal government are rare. As such, federal government jobs are expected to continue providing stable employment in future years.

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.

CONS
1. Lower starting salary. Often times, the starting salary for some positions is lower than a comparable position in the private sector.
2. Smaller salary increases. While pay raises are standardized, they could be smaller than what you might receive in the private sector.
3. Limited career growth. Opportunities may be limited because merit promotions are standardized.
4. Lots of regulation. Most government positions follow established rules and regulations, leaving little room for flexibility or creativity.

PRIVATE SECTOR

PROS
1. More job opportunities. The private sector offers greater job opportunities in diverse areas.
2. Better hiring process. There is less standardization, allowing for more flexibility in hiring and a faster process.
3. Faster promotions. A private company has more flexibility to recognize and reward exceptional employees and can promote and reward as they see fit.
4. Better career growth. There are more opportunities for advancement within a company as most jobs post internally first and the competition is less when compared with the federal government.

CONS
1. Lack of job security. There are no guarantees of long-term employment with any one company. The economy could force layoffs, departments could reorganize and positions consolidated, or the company could relocate to another area.
2. No pay increase guarantees. Raises are often rewarded based on performance of the company overall. A cost of living increase is not guaranteed. Often times you would have to initiate any salary increases with your manager.
3. Longer work hours. Often times, salaried professionals work beyond an 8-hour day to complete tasks and meet deadlines. Hourly employees might need to work extra hours or a daily, nightly, or weekend shift that is not accommodating to their family life.