Things You'll Need:
- Patience, a computer and a little will-power
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Step 1
First, getting a federal job is not like getting one at the state level. It is very impersonal and there are many laws that regulate how an agency can hire an individual. Establish your veteran status (veteran, non-veteran, disabled vet). This could add points to your "rating" when being hired. 5 points for a vet, 10 for disabled vet and 0 for non-vet. And of course, you must not have been dishonorably discharged.
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Step 2
The easiest way to go about finding an open position is to go on a website called usajobs.gov. If not, you will be browsing through many different agencies websites and registering on each, which would take days. USAJobs has all open positions on one website. You will register and they have a resume builder on it that will be sent to each agency at the time you apply.
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Step 3
Search on USAJobs based on your criteria (by state, city, agency, etc.) And click "apply". If the position has certain requirements, they may give you a short evaluation to see if you have certain knowledge or experience for the particular job.
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Step 4
Make sure, and I cant stress this enough, that you follow all steps in the application process. Just having USAJobs send your resume to the particular agency may not be enough. At the end of most evaluations, it may have an area where you upload college transcripts, military records and other documents. If you do not do this, you wont even get considered for the job, and you may sit there for months not understanding why.
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Step 5
Next is the waiting game. Let's face it, it's the government and it could take several months to even know if YOU DIDNT get the job. So be patient. And I suggest during this period of waiting, that you be assertive. Call the field office in the city you applied. Talk to the Director of that office directly and let him know who you are. Do not call Washington DC or some HR office because they will not tell you anything. Get your name in that boss's mind where he/she will remember you. Because HR will send him a list of names that are qualified, in turn he will choose who he thinks is best and submit a request for that person/s.
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Step 6
Step 5 is very important, because the government is very impersonal, and you will never be able to speak with anyone that can help you. This is not the type of job where you can walk in through the door and say "Hey! Are you hiring!". And it is also not a job where family members or friends can bring you in easily.
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Step 7
Be prepared to go through a security clearance. If you are reading this and have a felony or some type of misdemeanor (domestic violence, drugs)I would advise you not to waste your time. Im not saying you wont get the job, but it is highly unlikely.
Comments
crow88 said
on 5/11/2009 If you want direct access to the agency in which you want to apply, you need to use USAJOBS, not an outside entity. The Office of Personnel Management runs this site and they send your info to each agency.
crow88 said
on 5/11/2009 That is another .com website........USAJOBS.gov is the only sanctioned site that is ran by the OPM. It will automatically send your resume to the particular agency for you with no middle-man......most other sites give you general info or want you to pay for their services.