| Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers | | | | scams, and these services can't do anything that you |
| to reign in government spending, the federal | | | | can't do yourself. |
| government remains the largest employer in the United | | | | 3. Be willing to accept a pay cut. While federal salaries |
| States. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel | | | | are competitive, the compensation structure is such |
| Management, there are currently more than 2,700,000 | | | | that salaries typically start low but increase quickly. |
| employees working for the federal government in civil | | | | Every federal job has a starting grade and a "full |
| service positions. For nearly every federal job | | | | performance" grade. Typically, professional positions |
| vacancy, the number of applicants exceeds the | | | | start at grade 7 in the federal pay scale (referred to |
| number of available positions by at least tenfold. | | | | as General Schedule-7, or GS-7), and increase to |
| Why do so many Americans aspire to a federal job? | | | | GS-9, GS-11 and GS-12 at 1-year intervals. For an |
| The answers are diverse. Some consider it a patriotic | | | | employee in Washington, D.C., that would mean starting |
| duty, while for others it's an act of enlightened | | | | with an annual salary of $35,452 but earning $62,886 |
| self-interest. Whatever your motivation, however, the | | | | after three years of service (not counting the annual |
| benefits are significant. Simply put, Uncle Sam is an | | | | government-wide salary increases of approximately |
| excellent boss. | | | | 3% per year). |
| Working for the federal government offers | | | | 4. Consider "trainee" positions. The term has a |
| employment stability that cannot be replicated in the | | | | negative connotation, but starting in a designated |
| private sector. Once a new employee completes a | | | | trainee position can be a great way to get your foot in |
| predetermined probationary period (usually 1 year), | | | | Uncle Sam's door. These positions, which generally |
| lifetime employment is nearly guaranteed. Laws and | | | | require no specific work experience, are typically filled |
| regulations governing federal personnel practices make | | | | at the GS-5 level ($25,000 - $30,000 per year). |
| it extremely difficult to fire, lay-off, or forcibly transfer | | | | Because many federal jobs are only available to |
| most employees. On the rare occasions when lay-offs | | | | current or former federal employees, working as a |
| do occur, displaced employees are given very | | | | trainee for a year or two often opens a lot of doors. |
| preferential hiring treatment for similar positions that | | | | 5. Read the vacancy announcement carefully. |
| becomes available. The result is that very few federal | | | | Procedures for applying for a federal job have been |
| employees have ever missed a day of work due to a | | | | streamlined in recent years, but it's vitally important that |
| lay-off. | | | | your follow the instructions provided to the letter. Unlike |
| Fringe benefits, including an excellent retirement | | | | their private sector counterparts, federal hiring |
| package, are also a major motivating factor. Health | | | | managers have to abide by standardized procedures |
| benefits for federal employees are generally better | | | | without exception. For instance, they are legally |
| than those offered in the private sector, and the | | | | prohibited from considering applications that arrive after |
| government currently picks up more of the premium | | | | the closing date on the vacancy announcement--even |
| costs than most private employers. For an employee | | | | one day late. Likewise, if you don't submit the |
| enrolled in Blue Cross/Blue Shield's family coverage, for | | | | requested documentation on time (transcripts, etc), |
| instance, the government currently pays $578 of the | | | | they can't collect it from you later. |
| $771 monthly premium. Retirement benefits are based | | | | 6. Bulk up your resume. This may be good advice for |
| on a complicated formula that incorporates the | | | | any job hunter, but it's particularly important when |
| employee's salary, years of service and retirement | | | | applying for a federal position because of the way |
| age, but independent studies consistently determine | | | | initial GS grades (i.e., starting salaries) are determined. |
| that the plan is more generous than nearly all private | | | | Many vacancy announcement can be filled at any of a |
| sector employers. | | | | few different GS grades, and the level at which a new |
| Federal salaries are competitive as well. In 2005, the | | | | hire is brought on board is determined by his or her |
| average salary for all federal workers worldwide is | | | | years of pertinent employment history. It is a |
| $60,203. Due to the salary structure and political | | | | little-known secret that federal hiring managers want to |
| realities, raises are virtually guaranteed every year. In | | | | start new hires at the highest grade they can justify, |
| January 2005, the raise was set at 3.5%. In addition, | | | | because by doing so they can minimize the risk of |
| salary adjustments are made for employees in major | | | | turnover. Most federal employees who leave |
| metropolitan areas. | | | | government service before retirement do so during the |
| Federal service also provides far more opportunity for | | | | first five years of their career, because starting |
| advancement than most other employers. At the | | | | salaries in the private sector are higher. |
| senior management level (known as the Senior | | | | So, how can you help your new agency pay you |
| Executive Service, or SES), salaries range from | | | | more? If you're in a position that makes it difficult to |
| $107,550 to $162,100. There are currently | | | | gain work experience in your desired field, remember |
| approximately 7,000 SES employees in federal | | | | that self-employment, if legitimate, counts as |
| service. | | | | employment experience for federal hiring purposes. |
| With all of these benefits, it's no wonder that many job | | | | For instance, if you're a stay-at-home mother with the |
| seekers are trying to land a position with the federal | | | | goal of re-entering the workforce as a writer, working |
| government. While the competition is fierce, here are | | | | from your home as a freelance writer for three years |
| some key strategies that can help you in your search: | | | | would count as work experience when you apply for |
| 1. Check the government's official employment web | | | | that federal job. Incidentally, on the date of this article |
| site ( often. Virtually every federal job vacancy is listed | | | | there are currently 27 writing and editing vacancies |
| there, and it's updated every day. Most vacancy | | | | listed on the USA Jobs web site! |
| announcement are only open for a period of | | | | 7. Above all, don't give up. Although the competition for |
| approximately 3 to 4 weeks, and the application | | | | federal jobs can be tough, the benefits are well worth |
| process can be detailed, so it's best to check | | | | the effort. Like any job search, most applicants can |
| frequently so you can start working on your application | | | | realistically expect to be turned down many times |
| as early as possible. | | | | before they are offered a position. Tenacity and a |
| 2. Avoid services that claim to help you land a federal | | | | positive attitude are your most vital assets. |
| job. Companies that guarantee you a federal job are | | | | |