How to Start a Government Career

 

The Federal Government, the largest US employer, hires more than 3 million people and always has job openings. Every year hundreds of thousands of people started new government careers. Many of these new employees are new college graduates.

Regardless of your college major or college degree, demand for employees looking for a government career is high in occupations like law enforcement, healthcare, education and information technology.

Where to research a government career?

Starting a government career begins by knowing where to look. Here is where the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB, 2001), says that HR Managers post federal government jobs:

USAJOBS - 96%

Federal Agency Web Site - 44%

Federal Agency Email system - 32%

Agency Bulletin Boards - 30%

Local or National Newspapers - 6%

School or Career Centers - 4% (Listings in the career center are the tip of the iceberg)

Community bulletin boards - 3

Trade Journals or Magazines - 2

For Fee recruiting agency - 1%

Planning future career moves? Use our career insights tool to research education and certifications needed to succeed in your field, salary ranges in your profession, and the overall prospects of your industry.