How To Get A Government Job
By Jason Kay

Government jobs are very sought after because they offer better
job stability and benefits than many comparable jobs in the
private sector.  However, many people are intimidated by the
fact that they don’t know how to navigate the process of getting
a government job.  Don’t let fear of the unknown eliminate a
fantastic opportunity!  With an understanding of how the process
works, getting a government job will seem like a walk in the
park.

Finding Government Jobs

The first hurdle you have to cross is locating government jobs
for which you are qualified.  Because government jobs are not
always posted in the same formats – or in the same places – as
jobs in the private sector, most job seekers overlook them
entirely.

Vacancy Announcements

An ad for a government job is known as a “vacancy
announcement.”  These announcements list more than just the
basic information that you would expect to find in a normal job
ad.  For instance, a vacancy announcement usually includes:

• Basic information
• Who can apply
• When they will start accepting applications
• When they will stop accepting applications
• Pay range
• Series and grade
• The highest grade level (promotion) available in the position

• Job duties
• Basic qualifications
• Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
• How to apply
• Conditions for employment
• Standard legal information

Where to Search

Vacancy announcements for government jobs can be found in a
number of places:

• USAJOBS – The official website, which is maintained by the
United States Office of Personnel Management, lists all
government jobs open to the public.  Access the site at
www.usajobs.gov.
• Individual government agencies – To make sure you don’t miss
out on the jobs that aren’t announced to the public, you can
contact the agencies directly.  A complete list is available at
http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml.
• Newspapers and job fairs – Don’t overlook the normal avenues
available to job seekers!  Job fairs are a particularly good
resource, as many agencies attend the fairs intending to fill a
position.

Applying for Government Jobs

Applying for a government job is a little more complicated than
for a job in the private sector.  Your resume will need to
follow a special format, and you may have additional forms to
submit with your application.  In addition, most vacancy
announcements include KSAs that applicants need to address.

Federal Resumes and Forms

You usually have two choices when applying for a government
job: Submit a form application, or submit a resume.  The form
OF-612 is the one you should use in lieu of a federal resume.
However, read the vacancy announcement carefully, because
sometimes a vacancy may require the submission of specific forms
– whether or not you submit a resume.

If you use a federal resume, it must include the following
subjects:

• Personal Information – The normal contact information, plus
your SSN, veterans’ preference, and federal status
• Job Information – The title, series, grade, and job
announcement number of the job you are applying for
• Summary of Experience – An easy-to-scan summary for the
convenience of hiring managers
• Professional Accomplishments – Similar to the “Work
Experience” section of a regular resume, but with salary
information, average weekly hours, and supervisor’s name and
number
• Education – Similar to the “Education” Section of a regular
resume
• Training – Training and/or certificate programs you have
completed that pertain to your career
• Other Qualifications – Separate sections for any awards,
certifications, publications, and presentations that pertain to
your career

KSAs

“KSAs” refer to the knowledge, skills, and abilities a position
requires.  Many vacancy announcements list KSAs that must be
answered in writing along with your resume or OF-612.  When
writing answers to a set of KSAs, be sure to:

• Be complete and concise.  Hiring managers expect you to fully
answer the KSA, but they don’t want to wade through a lot of
fluff.
• Echo the wording used in the vacancy announcement.  Using the
same terminology for specific skill sets draws an instant
comparison between the position requirements and your
qualifications.
• Quantify your accomplishments.  Make an impact by reporting a
specific dollar amount, number of hours, or percentage.
• Make your KSA easy-to-scan.  The main points of your answer
should be easily found at the top of the page, with more
specific details listed below.

What Happens to Your Application?

The process of applying for a government job is easier when you
know what to expect.  Unlike a regular job, a government job
requires that your application be sent through several stages of
review: A human resources team will check to see that you are
qualified for the position, after which a panel of experts ranks
all the qualified resumes.  Only the top-ranking resumes are
then forwarded to the hiring manager.

Most government jobs offer an automated system for checking up
on the status of your application.  If not, you can call the
agency, but make sure you wait three weeks from the closing date
listed on the vacancy announcement.

Interviewing for Government Jobs

Interviewing for a government job is much like interviewing in
the private sector.  However, because the stakes are often
higher and the competition more stringent, you may feel there is
more pressure on you to perform well in the interview.

Preparation

Nothing improves your chances of interviewing well like a
little preparation.  Although you can’t anticipate all of the
questions you will be asked in an interview, there are a few
that you will almost surely be asked.

For instance, most interviewers will start out an interview by
asking you to tell them a little about yourself.  This is not
meant to be answered on the fly.  Since you know you will be
asked, prepare a short synopsis about your education, your
career, and your goals.  The more you practice this ahead of
time, the more smoothly you can answer in the interview, and the
more your confidence will show.

Follow-Up

One fatal error many job seekers make is failing to follow up
after an interview.  Hiring managers want interviewees to follow
up afterward, as it gives them an idea of who is truly
interested in the job.  Sending a short thank-you note via snail
mail or email is sure to leave a lasting impression.

In addition, a thank-you note gives you the opportunity to add
information about your qualifications that you feel did not get
adequate coverage in the interview.  You can also ask the hiring
manager when you should expect to hear from them regarding the
position.

Negotiating Job Offers

With any luck, you will soon get a call with a job offer.
While the laws regulating government jobs do not leave much room
for negotiation, you will have a little leeway to negotiate the
salary and benefits offered.

The important thing to remember, though, is that you did it.
You impressed Human Resources, the panel of experts, and the
interviewers and/or hiring manager well enough to garner a job
offer.  At this point, you can look back on your job search,
remember how much you dreaded it, and smile – because you now
know that getting a government job is not as difficult as you
had imagined.

About the Author: Jason Kay is a contributor to KSA Doctor
(http://www.ksadoctor.com), which provides professional KSA and
federal resume writing services for government job applicants.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=180146&ca=Career