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.

VETERANS
The Veterans’ Employment & Training Service (VETS) provides job services and resources to assist veterans seeking employment with the federal government. By law, active-duty and disabled veterans of the Armed Forces, receive special consideration over non-veterans in recognition of the sacrifices they made in serving our country. Veterans meeting the 5 or 10 point preference requirements as outlined by the U.S. Office of Personnel should indicate “Preference” on their application or resume. These points are added to a veteran’s written examination score.

Disabled veterans with disability ratings of 30 percent or greater may also qualify for Selective Placement Programs. For information on this program, the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act, or other services, contact the local Department of Veterans Affairs, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Offices or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in your area.

STUDENTS
To encourage students to consider federal employment, all levels of students, from high school to professional degree, qualify for federal job opportunities under the Student Educational Employment Program.

Opportunities under the Student Educational Employment Program include: the Student Career Experience Program, which features work-study arrangements between students, their school and federal agencies involved in the program; Internships, which are offered through several colleges, organizations and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management; and Student Temp Educational Program (STEP), which offers temporary employment opportunities or summer employment.

To apply for these programs, students should talk with their school guidance office, their college career planning and placement office, or the federal agency employment office where they would like to work.

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Individuals with disabilities can apply directly to a federal job opening or use the special hiring program established by the federal government. These Selective Placement Programs are designed to assist people with special circumstances in their job search for federal employment.

Selective Placement Coordinators are available within each government agency for people with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities who submit proof of disability documentation and a certification of job readiness from a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or a government agency issuing disability benefits.

Those using a Selective Placement Coordinator should submit their application, documentation and resume directly to the coordinator. During the interview process, candidates should discuss with the hiring official any workplace accommodations they may need.

To use the Selective Placement Programs service, contact the government agency where you want to work and ask for their Selective Placement, Disability Employment Coordinator or their equivalent.

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

The federal job hiring process is a very standardized procedure with set requirements and interview questions for jobs. It is a very formal process to ensure that all candidates are considered equally for the position.

Perhaps the major difference between federal, state, and local government hiring practices is the involvement of workers unions on the state and local level.

The state government hiring process is less formal, however U.S. states are required to comply with certain hiring criteria, such as standardized requirements or testing, when selecting individuals for certain positions. But hiring for other positions is more flexible allowing for referred candidates to be given higher preference over others.

Because many positions in state government fall under a union’s collective bargaining agreement, current union employees are given preference to positions over non-union employees and out-of-state applicants.

There are also positions within state government that do not fall under a union’s contract. They may have different employment applications, job titles and salaries than those of contract employees.

The hiring process within each municipality in a state is much like the hiring process for state government. If there is a union in the city or town, union employees receive first choice of a job opening. Otherwise, all candidates who meet the qualifications for a job opening are placed on an eligibility list and the hiring manager decides which candidates to interview. Often times, qualified candidates who are referred by a municipal employee, a local official, or a person with connections to local government are granted interviews and given a higher preference in the hiring decision.

With both state and local job openings, the Human Resources Department usually reviews all applications to confirm that they meet the required qualifications. Those that do are referred to the hiring manager of the agency, division, department, or unit within the job vacancy. The hiring manager then arranges for interviews with top candidates and makes the final hiring decision. Depending on the job, approval from other levels of government may be required.

INTERNET
Here at Government Jobs Central a jobseeker can search all available Federal, State & local government jobs. Job seekers can search for any type of government job in their particular state or by category. You’ll also find detailed information about job qualifications, application requirements and pay grade level is provided. You can also apply and submit all documentation online.

TELEPHONE
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has an automated telephone system that provides current job openings. Job seekers can also use the interactive voice response telephone system to obtain applications and required forms. Depending on the position, the application process can be completed by phone. The phone number for the Automated Telephone System is 1-703-724-1850 or TDD 1-978-461-8404.

NEWSPAPERS
Federal jobs are sometimes advertised nationwide in the classified jobs section of your local daily newspaper, as well as the Federal Jobs Digest, Federal Career Opportunities and Career America News newspapers. Also check the business or classified ads section of national newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and U.S.A. Today. All these publications are available at your local library or bookstore.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
If there is a local government agency or office in your area where you would like to work, inquire about job openings and drop off a resume with the Human Resources or Personnel Department.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
Employment agencies operated by state government have access to all federal jobs. Computers are available to search and apply for these jobs, free of charge. Private employment agencies can also assist with your job search. While a private agency spends more time with you and assists you with the application and interview processes, there is a fee for their service.

LOCAL PHONE BOOK
Your state or local phone book is a great source in finding government agencies in your area. The phone book has a federal government section that lists the names, addresses and phone numbers of each local agency. It’s a great starting point when searching for federal job opportunities in your local area.

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.

The GS system is used for most professional and administrative federal employees. A separate pay system is used for senior executives. For blue-collar workers in the trade or craft areas, the Federal Wage System is used to ensure that federal wages are in line with current regional wage rates for similar jobs. This gives the federal government flexibility to pay more competitively in geographic areas where rates are higher for these trades.

All federal jobs list a pay grade level. However, the same job description could have several pay grade levels. As an applicant, you will be placed in a pay grade level based on your educational background, experience, and skills. For example, a person applying for a position with a bachelor’s degree and experience might be placed in the GS-7 pay grade, while a person with a master’s degree and experience applying for the same position might start out in the GS-9 pay grade because of their higher education.

Within each GS pay grade are steps, which are based on length of service and job performance. There are 10 steps within each grade level, with each step representing an increase in salary.

The federal government also provides locality pay increases as a means of addressing local labor market conditions. Each year, the federal government reviews survey comparisons of private sector pay rates versus federal wage rates in each geographic area. If it is determined that federal employees in a particular state are being paid well below the private sector, a locality pay increase would be applied to their salary. Federal employees working in areas with higher costs of living are also eligible for a locality pay increase.

Established by the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act, SES is managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Its mission is to ensure that the executive level of the federal government is “responsive to the needs, policies, and goals of the nation and otherwise is of the highest quality.” The SES also consolidated the multitude of separate executive personnel authorities, thus unifying all the hiring requirements and executive management processes into one streamlined personnel system.

Under the federal government, senior executives are a level below the top appointees made by the President of the United States. They are the main link between the President’s appointees and federal employees. When leadership sets its agenda, it is members of the SES who coordinate its implementation. They are accountable for the performance of their specific government agency and its employees in executing the specifics of the President’s agenda.

In addition to executive positions, SES is comprised of managerial, supervisory, and policy positions. Under federal classification, the SES represents positions that are above Grade 15 or the equivalent in the executive branch.

The SES also manages a Candidate Development Program for government employees who want to advance into managerial and executive roles. Those who successfully complete the SES Candidate Development Program may be eligible for appointment to the SES.

Applying for an SES position is straightforward. Each government agency seeking an SES position advertises its opening with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  Applicants complete and submit all aspects of the application’s requirements, which could include an essay outlining mandatory Executive Core Qualifications. The application is submitted to the agency who then selects a candidate. The candidate’s Executive Core Qualifications are then forwarded to the Qualifications Review Board of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. This board must certify all candidates before they are appointed to the SES.

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.