Unit 1: Government Jobs Outlook

Federal Government Employment

In the past few years there has been so many changes in the system of entering government employment, that even those who are presently employed find it difficult to keep up-to-date with current rules and regulations which apply today.

There are plenty of job vacancies, and most competitive federal openings are announced publicly. The application window is not always 60 days; some announcements are open only briefly, some close after a set number of applications, and some remain open longer for hard-to-fill occupations.

Some Excepted Agencies such as the CIA and FBI, of necessity, are not the same as the majority of job openings that exist in the Competitive Civil Service. These agencies set their own qualification requirements and are not subject to the same lows governing the civil service merit system, passed by Congress. However, some of the following agencies may announce either competitive or excepted jobs. The names of excepted agencies are: U.S. Postal Service, Postal Rate Commission, Defense Intelligence Agency, International Development Agency, Dept. of State, Federal Reserve System, National Security Agency, F.B.I., CIA, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Regulatory Commission, U.S. Mission to UN, Government Accountability Office, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Also, government jobs with the Courts and the Congress come under “excepted service.” All other job listing announcements come under the classification known as the “competitive civil service.”

Current note: Competitive service and excepted service still matter, but applicants should now check the announcement for the service type, hiring path, appointment type, security clearance, and who may apply.

Federal jobs require accurately written applications and may also require assessments, questionnaires, writing samples, structured interviews, or job-specific tests. Your resume should show the required specialized experience using clear examples, dates, hours per week, duties, accomplishments, education, certifications, and other proof requested by the announcement.

Agency human resources specialists (or in some cases, even an automated rating system) will evaluate your exam or application in order to determine whether your qualifications will result in your eligibility for a particular job opening vacancy. (Job Vacancy Listings or Announcement is the new “name” given to what was always known as “Civil Service” jobs or tests.)

Veteran note: Veterans preference can help eligible veterans, but it does not replace qualifications. Upload the documents requested by the announcement, such as DD-214, SF-15, VA disability letter, transcripts, certifications, or SF-50 when applicable.

The hiring manager compares your scores and ratings with others seeking the same position, and if selected, you will be advised of a starting date. Most agencies require probationary periods lasting one-year to make sure that you are “right” for the position. If you do not succeed in getting a particular job-then of course you do not just sit still and feel sorry for yourself-you keep taking tests and making applications for other job openings, until you succeed.

It is said that an individual usually works at an average of 18 different jobs in his or her lifetime ... The beauty of a government job is that compared to jobs in private industry, the fairness of pay raises (without asking for them), and the job benefits, are so very sound, welcomed, and good, that if you have worked hard to get into one of these terrific positions-you usually retire without continual job changes (other than within the government).

One point should be learned about your time to enter the workforce to earn a living. You are in competition with others with the same needs and desires that you have. Yes, you might even call this a “contest” with fellow employable citizens. It is just plain logic then, that if you will try to be “the best you can be,” then you will have made the right decisions which should translate into the many benefits which come with success!