Federal Job Search
Source: Partnership for Public Service
Why Work/Intern With The Government?
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They are hiring!
Variety of careers, stability, and pay
Allows work/life balance
Ability to advance and travel
Some federal agencies will help you pay your
school loans up to $10,000 a year
• Helping others
State vs. Federal
Civil vs. non
civil service
Private
industry
resume
Application
process and
length
Do Your Homework
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Federal
Including:
15 Cabinet
Level Subcomponents
Departments
90Numerous
Additional
Independent
Federal Including:
Organizations
• National
Park
Service
• Department
of Agriculture
Including:
Department
Agency 1
Agency 2
Agency 3
Agency 4
Federal
HighwayofAdministration
• Department
Commerce
•• Central
Intelligence
Agency (CIA)
• Patent
and Trademark
Office (FCC)
• Department
of Commission
Defense
• Federal
Communications
Department
Department
Department
Department
•
Bureau
of
Labor
Statistics
Department
of
Education
• National Aeronautical and Space Agency (NASA)
• •Internal
Revenue
Service (NRC)
Department
of Energy
• National
Regulatory
Commission
• FederalScience
Bureau
of&Investigation
• Department
of
Health
Human (NSF)
Services
• National
Foundation
• Department
of Homeland
• Peace
Corps Security
Agency 1 • Department
Agency
1
Agency
1
Agency 1
Housing
and Urban
Development
• Social of
Security
Administration
(SSA)
• Department
of the Interior
• U.S.
Agency 2
Agency
2 Postal Service
Agency 2
Agency 2
• Department of Justice
• Department
of State
Agency 3
Agency
3
Agency 3
Agency 3
• Department of Transportation
Agency 4
Agency
4
Agency 4
Agency 4
• Department
of Treasury
• Department of Veterans Affairs
Independent Agencies and Government Corporations
Department
Agency 1
Agency 2
Agency 3
Agency 4
Myth #1: The Poli Science Major Myth
Federal employees are all political science majors.
The government doesn’t need people with other
backgrounds
Busting Myth #1: Finding Your Federal Fit
2010 Entry-Level Hires (GS-5 to GS-9)
Myth #2: Low Pay
Salaries for federal employees are low, low,
low. You’re better off going to work for the
private sector
Busting Myth #2: General Schedule
• Federal salaries are set by the General Schedule (GS)
– Grades 1-15
– Each pay grade has 10 steps
• Pay varies by geographic location
• Within a few years, you can progress through
several grades
Busting Myth #2: Pay Criteria
Grade
GS-5
GS-7
Qualifying education
4 academic years above high school leading to a
bachelor’s degree OR a bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree with one of the following:
• Class standing (upper third of class)
• 3.0 or higher GPA; 3.5 or higher GPA in major
• Honor society membership
GS-9
GS-11
Master’s degree (or equivalent)
Doctorate degree
Source: opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp
GS-5 and GS-7
are considered
“entry-level”
Myth #3: Washington D.C.
Who wants to live there?
Myth #3 Busting: Jobs Are Everywhere
Plus 50,000 jobs overseas!
Resources: Websites
Use these resources to target agencies of interest:
• Gogovernment.org
• Wherethejobsare.org
• Bestplacestowork.org
• USAJOBS.gov
• USA.gov
• Individual agency websites
Federal Student Programs: Past and Current
PAST
PROGRAMS
CURRENT
PROGRAMS
STEP and SCEP
Internship Program
Federal Career Internship
Program (FCIP)
Pathways Program for
Recent Graduates
Presidential Management
Fellows Program
Presidential Management
Fellows Program
Current Federal Student Programs
• Internship Program
– Replaces the Student Career Experience Program
– Eligible participants may be converted to full-time employees
• Pathways Program for Recent Graduates Civilians must apply
within two years of receiving a degree
– Veterans must apply within six years of receiving a degree
• Presidential Management Fellows Program
– PMF recruitment schedule will be adjusted to better align with
academic calendars
– Individuals must apply within two years of receiving a degree
Resume Tips
• Create an account on
USAJOBS.gov
– Store up to 5 federal resumes,
each tailored to a different
opportunity!
– Upload your non-federal
resume to the Saved
Documents folder
• Carefully review the job
opportunity announcement or
position description
– Focus on the “duties” or
“responsibilities” section, and
customize your résumé by
identifying and including key
words and phrases
Building Your Federal Resume
Sections:
• Candidate
information
• Work Experience
• Education
• References
• Affiliations
• Desired location
Prepare for Assessments
Applicant
Questionnaire
Interview
Cover Letters
Applicant Questionnaire
• Length: 25-125+ questions
• Type: Varies and can include yes/no questions, as well as those
meant to determine your level of experience in different areas
• Additional Information: Don’t forget about transferable skills!
Cover Letters
• Address key words and phrases mentioned in
the position description
• Use rich and substantive examples
• Focus on outcomes to which you directly
contributed
• Avoid acronyms
Cover Letter Format
• Heading
• Paragraph one: purpose of the letter, how you learned
about position, why you are interested, why you are
qualified
• Paragraph two: more about your qualifications and
skills, beginning
with strongest
– Hone in on one or two specific highlights
• Paragraph three: ask for interview, indicate you will
follow up, call attention to resume, thank employer for
considering you
Interviews
• Types
– One on one
– Panel
– Online (Skype and Facetime)
• Tips
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Do your homework
Use C-A-R model to answer questions
Have questions ready to ask interviewer
Arrive early to navigate security
Demonstrate passion
Final Steps
• Track the status of your application in the
Application Manager on USAJOBS.gov
• Contact agencies within two weeks of submitting
an application to confirm its status and express
your interest for an interview
• Can take up to 6 months from application
submission to possible hire
• Once offered job, must acquire security
clearances
Visit Us!
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126 Slep Student Center
Career Resource Library
8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
Drop-In Hours, Tues, Wed, Thurs: Noon - 4 p.m.
– No appointment needed!
altoona.psu.edu/career