What You Need To Know About Working For the Federal Government
The hiring process for the federal government is similar to that in the private industry, but there are still substantial differences due to laws, executive orders, and regulations that govern federal employment.
The federal government application process has more steps than the traditional hiring system. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ November 2021 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey stated that government job openings increased at the state and local levels last year.
Like any job, employee applications should accurately represent the skills and competencies applicable to the position announced. First, you should state your past job titles, starting and ending dates, prior employer’s name and address, and major duties and accomplishments.
You should also include temporarily held positions and show the average number of hours worked per week; the supervisor’s name, address, and telephone number; and whether your most recent supervisor may be contacted.
Most importantly, it would be smart to describe your job duties and accomplishments in a way that demonstrates how you are qualified. Additionally, you should study the JOA and emphasize the parts of your work history that match the qualifications listed there.
Application Process
The application process for the federal government starts with creating an account on login.gov and then creating a USAJOBS profile. With this profile, you can apply to any job on USAJOBS, save jobs you’re interested in, save and automate job searches, upload and save resumes, upload and save required documents, and have a more personalized experience.
If you find a job that you’re interested in, read the announcement to make sure you’re eligible and meet the qualifications. Then, when your application is ready in USAJOBS, the agency will send you to the system to submit your application. The agency should update your status in a few hours.
The hiring agency will start reviewing applications once the job announcement closes. They then split the qualified applicants into minimally qualified and highest qualified.
Interview Process
When applying for the federal government, you should remember that resumes and applications do not hire; hiring managers do.
The hiring manager will review the highest qualified applications and select applicants to interview based on agency policy. Hiring officials can interview applicants using a panel, in-person, on video, or on the phone.
Interviewing is a key part of the selection process and provides an opportunity for you to describe your experience, education, and training in more detail than your application. During the interview, the interviewer will determine if you have the required skills.
Preparing for an interview with the federal government is similar to preparing for an interview for any other job. You should research the position and organization prior to the interview, as well as familiarize yourself with the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position.
Next, you should review your application and resume. You should be prepared to support past accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the position requirements.
Last, you should practice interviewing. Take the time to research and review typical interview questions to help give you a framework for your responses. Also, be flexible with scheduling and be sure to ask for specifics regarding the time, location, and point of contact.
In addition to this interviewing guideline, Indeed has 21 helpful job interview tips on how to make a great first impression. And the Interview Ace resource blog provides additional tips for acing your interview as well.
