The document provides information about pursuing a career with the US federal government. It discusses the benefits of federal employment such as competitive salaries, tuition assistance, and training opportunities. It also provides tips for the job search process such as using keywords in searches and describing work experience in resumes. Federal agencies are hiring for various in-demand roles like engineers, nurses, budget analysts, and more. The application process typically involves submitting a resume and following instructions carefully.
2. Agenda
• Why a Federal Career
• Job Search Tools
• Tips
• Where the Jobs Are
• The Application Process
• Benefits of Federal Employment
• Questions & Answers
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3. Why Consider a Federal
Public Service Career
• Cure diseases
• Protect our parks, forests and national monuments
• Develop public policy in the national or global arena
• Enforce Federal laws
• Keep food safe
• Deliver essential Federal services
Interesting and Rewarding Opportunities in
Hundreds of Occupations Across the Globe
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4. “The 20 Best Job Search Web Sites”
• March 11, 2009 PCMAG.COM rated USAJOBS® among
the best in the world and stated :
• “USAJOBS is the official job site for the U.S. government.
With the government looking to significantly increase
spending during the next few years, looking at federal jobs
might not be a bad move if you're in a tough place.”
5. Available Tools
• USAJOBS Web Site
• www.usajobs.gov
• Job search
• Resume builder
• Search agent sign-up
• Tutorials and guides
• www.studentjobs.gov
• www.seniorleaders.gov
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6. 5 Steps to a Federal Job
• Prepare your Resume
• Create an Account on
USAJOBS®
• Build your resume
• Create Search Agents to get
new jobs emailed to you
• Apply today!
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8. Resume Tips
• Federal resumes require some items not normally included in a
private sector resume
Citizenship
Veteran Preference
Federal Employment Status
• Use action words to describe work experience
• Managed, assisted, responded, planned, coordinated, met
with, implemented, spoke to, tested, developed …
• Provide a sense of scope and complexity
• Include special skills such as computer proficiency or language
ability
• It is okay to go over a page or two
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9. Resume Tips
• Federal resume requires items
not normally in a private sector
resume:
Citizenship
Veteran Preference
Federal Employment
Status
• Selective Service information
Selective Service
information
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10. Resume Tips
• Use action words to describe
your work experience:
• Managed, Assisted, Planned,
Coordinated, Met, Implemented,
Led, Tested, Developed, Built,
Delivered, Facilitated
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11. Resume Tips
• Provide a sense of scope and
complexity:
• Include special skills like
computer proficiency or
language abilities
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12. Resume Tips
• Describe all work experience –
paid and volunteer
• Make sure you complete all
application requirements!
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13. Job Search Tips
• Grade will be determined based
on your level of experience and
Education
• The Career Interests Center
helps identify Federal jobs that
match your skills and interests
• This probably doesn’t apply to
you unless you have been a
permanent Federal employee.
Leave the default set to “No”.
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14. Tips for Making the Search
Work For You
Use Keywords if you
are trying to match an
exact skill or
knowledge. Example:
SQL or “Early Category search is
Childhood Education”. great if you want to
search across a field.
To search by grade Example: Accounting,
select GS-5 through Budget and Finance.
GS-7 for Undergrad
Degree; GS-9 for
Graduate Degree. Use the Career
Interests Center if you
need some help
identifying a Federal
This probably doesn’t job match for your
apply to you unless skills and interests.
you have been a
permanent Federal
employee or Veteran.
Leave the default set
at “No”.
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15. Job Search Tips
• Use Keywords if you’re trying to
match an exact skill or
knowledge
Lawyer, SQL, “Early
Childhood Education”
• Use Category Search to search
across a career field? e.g.,
Accounting, Budget and
Finance
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16. Save the Perfect Search
As An Agent
Select “Save
this search and
email me jobs”.
Receive jobs by
email the same
week!
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21. Top 14 Jobs the Federal
Government is Filling
• Admin & Program Staff 6,749 • Budget Analyst 2,169
• Office Clerk/Asst 6,005 • Engineer/General 2,178
• IT Specialist 5,238 • Secretary 2,106
• Mgmt/Prog Analyst 3,816 • Training Instructor 2,245
• Human Resources Spec 2,823 • Contract Specialist 2,167
• Nurse 2,620 • Human Resource Asst 1,936
• Business & Indus Spec 2,415 • Financial Admin 1,815
Source: USAJOBS April 2009
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22. Top Five Fields:
Projections for the Next Two Years
1. Security, Protection, Compliance and Enforcement (62,863 new hires) – This
category includes inspectors, investigators (including criminal), compliance officers,
police officers, security/prison guards and airport screeners.
2. Medical and Public Health (35,350 new hires) – This group includes physicians,
nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians and nursing assistants.
3. Accounting, Budget and Business (21,248 new hires) – The Internal Revenue
Service is driving growth in this category, as the agency continues to hire revenue
agents and tax examiners as part of its efforts to step up enforcement.
4. Engineering and Sciences (17,477 new hires) – This category includes
professionals in engineering disciplines and biological sciences (microbiologists,
botanists, foresters), physical sciences (physicists, chemists, astronomers) and
veterinary medical science.
5. Program Management/Analysis and Administration (14,305 new hires) – This is
a broad category which ranges from program managers and analysts who monitor
program operations and effectiveness to administrative staff.
Source: Where the Jobs Are January 2008
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23. And What About the Benefits?
• Great Package • Great Rewards
• Flexible Work Schedules • Competitive Salaries
• Telework • Generous Time Off
• Student Loan Repayment • 401K Type Savings Accounts
• Recruitment and Retention Bonuses • Cash Award Programs
• Tuition Assistance • Relocation Allowances
• Life-long Training and Development • Sound Retirement Plan
• Multiple Health Plans • Rapid Promotion Potential
• Life Insurance • Autonomy and Meaningful Work
Assignments
• Long Term Care
• Exposure to the World’s Finest
• Flexible Spending Accounts
Resources and Expertise
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Transportability Between
Agencies
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24. The Application Process
• Begins with the basic resume or application form
• Describe all work experience – paid and volunteer
• When asked for a narrative response use descriptive text to
tell the reader the scope and complexity of the work you
performed; and the level of supervision received
• Be confident yet credible
• Be prepared for an online or paper process
• May use a questionnaire or essay-based approach
• Read and follow all instructions carefully
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25. Are you Ready to Explore the
Possibilities
• Cure diseases
• Protect our parks, forests, and national monuments
• Develop public policy in the national or global arena
• Enforce Federal laws
• Keep food safe
• Deliver essential Federal services
Make a Difference Today in Your Community, the
Nation, or the World
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