Federal Government Jobs
Helping job hunters find, apply for, and land government jobs
Job Hunter's Checklist
Take These Steps First
Government Jobs / Federal Jobs / Civil Service Jobs / Post Office Jobs
This check list links you to the information needed to start your federal job search. Work through the checklist to find job announcements, prepare a professional federal style resume, network with federal agencies, explore related careers, and most importantly, FIND a high paying, secure federal government job.
Checklist Menu
What To Do Now
- Career Exploration:
- Visit agency web sites to explore federal career opportunities
- Review major occupations by job series and title
- Conduct informational interviews with hiring agency personnel. Talk with agency personnel offices and request job announcements and information on special hiring programs
- Obtain government office phone numbers from your phone directory. Look under “U.S. Government” in the Blue Pages
- Qualification Standards for all occupations – Review the qualification standards for occupations of interest
- The Occupational Outlook Handbook – The DOL’s Career exploration handbook
- Review these areas if applicable:
- Civil Service Exams – Entrance tests if applicable
- Locate the following list of items for your application:
- High school and college transcripts
- Military records, DD 214
- Past employment history (For all companies or agencies that you worked for)
- Company name and address
- Salary
-
- Immediate supervisor and phone number
-
- Dates employed (from-to)
- Other qualifications
- Job related skills
- Languages
- Computer proficiency
- Licenses and certifications
- Honors, awards
- Special accomplishments
- Publications
- Public speaking
- Performance awards
What’s Available
- Find job vacancy announcements:
- Government Jobs – Job listings by occupation (Thousands of job vacancies)
- Federal government agency jobs – Agency job listings
- Health care jobs
- Post Office jobs
Clearance Jobs Center – Security clearance jobs- Environmental, Safety & Health Jobs
- Call local agencies listed in the phone directory.
Applying For Jobs
- Review the application process
- Tailor your application (federal style resume) to the job Announcement – For most jobs you will be able to apply immediately online. Some agencies, such as the VA, do require faxed or emailed applications for certain occupational groups such as health care providers.
- Completing your Federal Style Resume
- Apply for the jobs you identified under “What’s Available.”
- Review these resume examples and tailor your application to the job announcement.
- If you were unable to locate a sufficient number of job vacancies visit individual agency recruiting web sites to find job vacancies.
- Sign up on USAJOBS to receive notification when jobs in your occupation are announced.
- Complete and sign ALL application forms. Most applications are now submitted online without signature.
- Retain a copy of each job announcement and print out a copy of your resume that you submitted with your package. You may need to review them prior to the interview.
- Note the contact information on each job announcement and retain this information to follow-up with the agency if you don’t hear back from them in a reasonable period of time.
- Submit your application online if possible. Always follow the application submission instructions on the job announcement.
Results
Your application will be processed; results will be returned to you within a few weeks. In most cases you will receive a Notice of Rating or Notice of Results informing you of your eligibility by mail. If rated eligible, your name will be placed on the Federal register list for that position along with all other eligible applicants. Your name and application will be forwarded to a selecting official as positions become available.
Interviews
- Prepare for the interview
Government Jobs / Federal Jobs / Civil Service Jobs / Post Office Jobs