Government Job Search Guide: Strategies & Tips
If you need expert advice on successfully completing a government job search, then you’re in the right place.
When most people think of getting a government job, the first thing that comes to mind is working with the federal government. However, there are also local and state government jobs you may find interesting or that fit within the confines of your career target.
It can be difficult to navigate the government job search, though. That’s where this government job search guide comes in. Here, you’ll learn strategies and tips that will help you make the most of your government job search.
The great thing about working for the government
Each level of government has a wealth of jobs that need to be done, and they all have unique benefits for job seekers.
Federal government: This is the go-to place to get a government job. Federal jobs are stable and have great retirement plans and benefit options.
State government: If you want to work for the state where you live, you can find everything from administrative positions to teaching roles and law enforcement.
Local government: This includes positions for your city and county (parish if you’re in Louisiana) and would allow you to work for entities like the park service and public works.
No matter which level of government you decide to work in, you’ll enjoy a range of great benefits, including:
Job security: Let’s face it; government jobs are usually way more stable than private sector jobs.
Competitive salaries: You’ll find better salaries at the federal level, but all government-level jobs offer competitive pay.
Great benefits packages: Government jobs are the place to go for comprehensive benefits packages, like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Career development: The government typically is better at providing professional development opportunities than their private sector counterparts. You’ll also have an easier time getting promotions as their path is more clearly defined with specific prerequisites.
Work-life balance: A lot of government jobs offer flexible work schedules, including remote, telecommute, and hybrid.
Once you decide which level of government fits your needs best, it’s time to get ready to apply for jobs.
Prepare for your government job search
It goes without saying that you want to position yourself as the best possible candidate for an open government job. To do that, there are several steps you need to take before you even begin looking at open positions. For example, you’ll want to
Research government job requirements
Compare your qualifications and identify any skill gaps
Prepare a federal resume
Collect transcripts from school and copies of relevant licenses
Strap in for a lengthy application process because most government jobs require detailed information
Network with people who already work in the government
Research government job requirements
Much of the research you perform will take place online. You’ll want to visit sites like USAJobs.gov to create an account and build a profile. Or, if you’re more interested in state or local government job opportunities, it’s wise to search out those local agencies' websites.
Search the internet for “[state] government jobs”
Search the internet for “[city] government jobs”
Search the internet for “[county]/[parish] government jobs”
Now that you’re in the right place, look through their job boards to find positions that fit your skills and qualifications. Find the “How to Apply” section and read through the requirements. Most of them will be really well-defined and tell you right up front what you’ll need to do.
Compare your qualifications and identify skill gaps
As you search through the positions your chosen government entity has available, make a list of the skills and requirements they want you to have. You can usually find online courses to shore up any qualifications you may be lacking. It might also behoove you to participate in an internship or work as a contractor to get some more experience under your belt.
Update your resume
Every single government job – federal, state, and local – will require you to have an up-to-date resume. Some job listings on USAJobs will even tell you some of the information they want to see in your resume.
You’ll want to craft a resume using a federal resume format – the government is nothing if not traditional. Tell your career history using action-based achievement statements, as that’s the best way to prove to the hiring manager you have what it takes to succeed in the position they have open.
Learn more about federal resumes: Federal Resume Writing Service
Once you have your base resume written, be sure to tailor it to each position you find during your government job search. Customizing your resume means that you’re injecting keywords from the job description into the text of your document. This will help you get past the applicant tracking system
Related reading: How to Tailor Your Resume to Different Positions (Examples)
Find the documents you need
Rarely will a government job opening require only a resume. Most of the time, they want to see copies of transcripts – even official transcripts. You may also have to provide copies of the following:
Certifications
Military discharge papers if you’re a veteran, e.g., DD-214
KSA (knowledge, skills, and abilities) statements
A cover letter
Letters of recommendation
Proof of citizenship or visa status
Don’t fret, though, because the job description will tell you exactly what you need to submit. And, if you miss something and they’re interested in you as a candidate, they’ll call or email you about missing documents.
Be prepared for a long process
Winning an interview and landing a government job takes a bit more time than what you’re used to, especially if you’ve spent your life working in the private sector. It can be easy to get discouraged as the days turn into weeks. You can expect a timeline similar to the following:
Job postings for government jobs are often open for up to 14 days. They won’t even start calling people for interviews until after the job posting closes.
After the job posting closes, expect to wait up to a week for them to review the applications they’ve received. This review time can be longer if the agency you’ve applied to has to rate and rank candidates based on qualifications.
Now that it’s been two to four weeks since the job posting has closed, you should start hearing back to get an interview scheduled.
Depending on how many qualified applicants the government agency had and whether there are going to be several rounds of interviews, the interview process could take up to six weeks.
After the interview, the agency will likely submit the information of their chosen candidates for a background check. These background checks, including processing and review, can take up to two weeks.
As many as twelve weeks after you apply for the job, you could be getting a job offer.
In the meantime, engage in some networking activities
Did you know that most jobs are secured based on who you know? While that’s less true for a government job than a private sector job because of how formalized the government job search and selection process is, networking is still a great use of your time!
Networking includes things like attending career fairs and professional events that are hosted by the government agency you’re interested in working for. This gives you the opportunity to hobnob with the people (read: hiring managers) who will end up with your application in their hands.
These events are also a great way to learn about new opportunities – especially internal openings or positions that won’t be advertised to the public – that can help make your government job search move along a bit faster. You may even learn some shortcuts to the government hiring process that can speed up your application.
On top of all this, engaging with your network helps set you apart from other job seekers as an expert at what you do. When hiring managers talk with you outside the formal workplace environment, they also get a glimpse into your personality, which helps them determine if you’re a good fit for their team.
A successful government job search translates into a rewarding career move
Even though the process of finding, interviewing, and landing a government job can be stressful and time-consuming, the end result is a great job that’s stable and offers fantastic benefits. When you properly prepare, using the tips presented in this article, your government job search will reap great results.
A federal resume is a bit different than a traditional, reverse chronological resume. Make sure you have your federal resume put together properly by allowing ZipJob to review it for you for free.
Recommended reading:
Written by
Marsha Hebert, Professional Resume Writer
Marsha is a resume writer with a strong background in marketing and writing. After completing a Business Marketing degree, she discovered that she could combine her passion for writing with a natural talent for marketing. For more than 10 years, Marsha has helped companies and individuals market themselves. Read more advice from Marsha on ZipJob's blog.
