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