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