1. FEDERAL CAREERS 101
Kate Templeton, NCC
Career Consultant
Certified Federal Career Coach
Kendra Strickland
Career Consultant
Presented by:

2. Take a minute to share with your neighbor…
Your year/major/degree
Why you came today
What you already know about
careers with the federal government

3. So…why go Federal?
ANY MAJOR can find a federal fit
Government agencies are hiring!
Federal pay and benefits are competitive

4. Federal Jobs Are Everywhere

6. Steps to a Federal Job

7. Research
Federal Student Programs
STEP 1:

8. Many Opportunities for Students and Recent Graduates
Presidential
Management Fellows
Program
Recent Graduates
Program
Internship Program

9. Internship Program
• What:
• Paid opportunities to intern at federal agencies and explore different career
paths
• Eligible for full-time employment upon successful completion of the program
(640/320 hours of work)
• Who:
• Current students in qualifying educational institutions and programs
• More Information:
• Volunteer positions are available at many federal agencies

10. Recent Graduates Program
• What:
• Dynamic developmental program
• Eligible for conversion to full-time employment upon successful completion of
the program
• Who:
• Individuals with undergraduate or graduate degrees from qualifying
educational institutions or programs
• More Information:
• Candidates must apply within 2 years of completing a degree or certificate
program, with the exception of eligible veterans

11. STEP 2:
Network

12. Opportunities for Networking
Career Fairs
Professional Conferences
Info Sessions and Informational Interviews
Family, friends, faculty
LinkedIn
GovLoop.org

13. STEP 3:
Find Your Fit
(Agencies, Job Titles, Pay Grades)

14. GoGovernment.org

15. Bestplacestowork.org

16. Individual Agency Websites
Social Media

17. STEP 4:
Search USAJOBS

18. Search keyword or
location (advanced
searches help the
process)
Save searches and
have vacancies
emailed to you
when posted
Search by
Pathways
Programs

19. STEP 5:
Analyze
Vacancy Announcements

20. Am I
qualified?
How much time
do I have?
Critical Components:
Overview
Qualifications
How to Apply
Read each
announcement
carefully and
thoroughly!

21. Educational Qualifications and Pay Grades
GS-4 Two years above high school education (or AA Degree)
Step 1 - $25,011 –> Step 10 - $32,517
GS-5 Four years above high school leading to a BA/BS
Step 1 - $27,982 –> Step 10 - $36,379
GS-7 One full year of graduate study or BA/BS with Superior Academic Achievement*
Step 1 - $34,662 –> Step 10 - $45,057
GS-9 Master’s Degree or Equivalent or two years of graduate school
Step 1 - $42,399 –> Step 10 - $55,116
GS-11 Ph.D. or three years of graduate school
For Research Positions only: completion of a Master’s Degree
Step 1 - $51,298 –> Step 10 - $66,688
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2015/general-schedule/
*Can be accomplished in
three ways:
1. Class standing in top
1/3rd
2. GPA (3.0/4.0 or
3.5/4.0 in major
coursework)
3. Election to a
membership in a
National Honors Society.

22. STEP 6:
Write Your
Federal Resume

23. Building a Federal Resume
• What is the difference between a federal
resume and a traditional resume?
• Length
• Level of detail
• Required information
• Create an account on USAJOBS.gov
• Build and store up to 5 federal resumes
• Upload non-federal resumes and other
materials

24. Be Familiar with Assessments
Additional selection tools may include:
Cover letters
Application questionnaires
Essays

25. STEP 7:
Submit
Your Application

26. Submitting to USAJOBS
Pay attention to detail – review THOROUGHLY
Know the deadline
Be prepared to submit documents by email or fax
Be patient

27. STEP 8:
Track and Follow Up

28. Know What Happens Next
• Track applications at 4 points:
• When applications are received
• If a candidate meets basic qualifications
• When an application is referred to the selecting official
• If a candidate is offered the position
• Application Follow-Up
• Confirm receipt of application
• Submit additional information or documentation
• Federal Interviews

29. Know What Happens Next
1. Position closes
2. Agency evaluates candidate qualifications
3. Agency produces certificate(s) of qualified candidates
4. Certificate(s) provided to “selecting official” and interview process
begins
5. Interviews are held
6. Final interviews are conducted by selecting official
7. Selection is made and job offer is extended

30. Practice: Find a Job for Ahmaud
• Graduates in December with a master’s degree in counseling
• Would like to stay in Georgia, but is willing to relocate if necessary
• Will take the National Counselor Exam, thereby able to be a
provisionally licensed counselor
• Experience:
• Counseling – conducting assessments, providing treatment and case
management
• Computers – networking, troubleshooting, repair
• Teaching – graduate assistant and Duke TIP

31. Federal Careers Week
Tomorrow: Writing Your Federal Resume
The basics
4:00-5:00pm
MLC 248
Wednesday: Federal Government Careers Q&A
Dr. Jaime Stewart, Department of Health and Human Services
6:00-7:30pm
MLC 101
Thursday: Federal Jobs: The Insider’s Guide
Ted Barco, Director of the Student Veteran’s Resource Center
3:00-4:30pm
Mlc 101