Public Interest Careers--Government FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding a job with the federal government can seem confusing and overwhelming. The following frequently asked questions about federal employment may help you better understand the process. Remember, you can always make an appointment with someone at the Career Center (542-2265) to get guidance with your specific questions.

Why would I want to work for the government?

Many people are interested in working for the government because it gives them a chance to have a role in changing public policy and helping people. Take a look at the ten reasons to consider working for the government page (link).

What kind of jobs are available within the federal government?

The federal government employs workers in almost every occupation, including some only found in government such as legislators and judges. The range of opportunities in the government are extremely broad including defending the United States from terrorism, representing U.S. interests abroad, enforcing laws and regulations, and administering domestic programs and agencies. Government employees are scientists, engineers, administrators, economists, architects, lawyers, physicians, writers, psychologists, artists, and more. They work in all three branches of government--executive, judicial and legislative.

Workers employed by the government play a vital role in many aspects of our daily lives. About three out of five federal workers held managerial, business, financial or professional jobs in 2002, double the proportion for the workforce as a whole.

How many people work for the government? What are the chances of finding a government job?

The government is the nation's largest employer in the United States - 1.8 million people, with approximately 300,000 new hires every year. On top of that, half of those employees may be eligible to retire in the next five years, many in upper management positions. This adds up to a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in working for the government.

Where are job vacancies posted?

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM)'s website--is the best place to start. By law, all government agencies must post any job vacancies open to outside applicants on their website. (There are several agencies excluded from this law, called excepted agencies – link.) You can also call 912-757-3000 to connect to OPM's automated telephone system.

Are there internships or other programs for students in the Federal Government?

To begin with, note that while sometimes the term “internship” means what we traditionally think of as an internship, others times it is used to mean a one to two year position with training and the possibility of regular employment to follow. Federal government agencies do offer internships , but they are not listed in one place. The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides students with part-time federal jobs during the school year or during the summer that do not have to be directly related to their major or career goals. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) offers work experience directly related to a student's academic studies and requires commitments from the student, their school and the employing agency. Students may be eligible for permanent employment after completing their education and successfully meeting work requirements. For other student programs, go to our Useful Links page and see Student Opportunities.

How do I apply for a federal government job?

Each job vacancy announcement will specify what is needed to apply for that particular position. Applicants usually must submit a resume, a description of relevant knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) (link), and other supporting information called for in the vacancy announcement. Because of efforts to streamline the process, all job listings are posted on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) website and many government entities are giving applicants the option of submitting a resume in lieu of the standard application forms. However, a traditional resume is not effective for government applications. The Office of Personnel Management's “ Applying for a Federal Job ” booklet lists all the information an applicant needs to provide for federal employment. A resume containing all the required information is called a “federal resume”. You can get help transferring your current resume into a federal resume at www.usajobs.opm.gov and click on “Create a resume” to get to their resume builder program.

Is it possible to get a federal job without going through the usual hiring process?

Yes, there are a variety of ways to do that including:

• The Federal Career Intern Program brings talented people into the government at the entry level for a two-year appointment. Eligibility depends on the needs of each individual agency, but these positions must include a training component. After two years, successful federal career interns can become regular civil service employees.
• The Outstanding Scholar Program allows some federal agencies to make immediate employment offers for select entry-level positions in over 100 career fields to college graduates with a 3.5 GPA or better or who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class or major. Eligible candidates receive “ Outstanding Scholar Designation .” Finding these jobs can be difficult. A good place to start is USAJOBS'S entry-level professional listing . Type in “scholar” as a keyword and you'll be on your way.
• The Presidential Management Intern Program is a two-year program open to all graduate students in their final year of study. Applicants must first be nominated by their school and then make it through the program's rigorous evaluation program. PMI positions are structured by each individual agency and differ widely. The PMI Program is designed to groom talented people for upper-level management positions in the federal government.

What are KSA factors and how important are they in the application process?

Each job vacancy announcements will list the specific knowledge, skills and abilities – known as KSA factors – an agency wants to see in a candidate. Addressing each of these factors in an attached essay is critical to your success as a job applicant. KSAs are very important to federal employers – how far you get in the application process will likely be determined by your ability to convincingly address these factors. Structure and format your resume to match the job description and give clear evidence of your experience for each of the requirements listed. Don't worry about the length. Learn more here .

What is the timeline for the application process?

Hiring practices vary greatly. The application process can take anywhere from six to eight weeks all of the way up to six months. Keep that in mind so you give yourself plenty of time for your job search.

What kind of benefits does the federal government offer?

The benefits of federal government jobs are often regarded as excellent. Some of them include flexible work schedules including telecommuting, matching retirement funds, and generous health insurance and sick leave. Federal employees receive paid time off for ten national holidays and receive twenty days of vacation per year after three years of employment. Some positions will even help pay for graduate/medical/law school. One of the best aspects of federal employment is that employees have the opportunity to relocate, change jobs, offices and agencies and still retain their full federal benefits and service years. You can also find some new programs designed to help pay off college loans. (link)

How secure are government jobs? Do they change with each administration?

Jobs in the public sector are generally not as affected by cyclical fluctuations in the economy as they are in the private sector. Instead, hiring trends depend upon a variety of factors. Political events or changes in administration may change public policy priorities putting certain government entities in or out of favor in the budget process. This in turn can affect hiring trends. For example, current events have increased hiring within the foreign affairs, intelligence, and security-related organizations. In addition, jobs in public education and healthcare are expected to increase, particularly on the state and local levels.

Do I have to live in Washington , D.C. if I want to work for the Government?

Federal employment is spread out all over the country and the world. Only about 16% (1 in 5) of federal employees work in Washington , DC versus “in the field” (everywhere else). There are also plenty of political opportunities that are technically not within government – lobbying firms, think tanks, non profit interest groups – most of these jobs are either in DC or in state capitals.

I've always heard government jobs don't pay very well. Is this true?

The average entry level federal salary for people with a bachelor's degree in 2002 was $33,746. It is not uncommon for talented individuals starting at the entry level to nearly double their salary in just three years. Almost every year, government employees get raises. Additionally, these jobs offer a lot of opportunity for advancement. The average annual salary of all federal government employees is greater than $56,000.

What skills, abilities, and training do government offices look for?

Government employers look for the same set of skills and abilities that are required in the private sector, depending upon which career field interests you. As with other fields, prior internships or other work experience with government agencies is helpful. A BA degree from Amherst College is considered excellent training for a wide variety of entry level professional positions within government because of all that a liberal arts education gives you - oral and written communication skills, computer skills, the ability to analyze and evaluate and research skills.

For specific training requirements, you will need to read individual position descriptions within the agencies you are targeting and address each requirement fully in your application.

What are typical entry-level positions in this field?

Many entry-level opportunities exist for new college graduates. Students.gov provides students with online information about both career positions and internships with the federal government. Look on government job listing sites for sections geared to college students. There are also special hiring authorities to facilitate the hiring of recent college graduates, include the Outstanding Scholars Program for undergraduates and the Presidential Management Internship Program for students with advanced degrees.

Wha is the best strategy for finding a an entry-level job with the government?

Know what you want to do. Federal jobs span every possible area of interest so it's important to familiarize yourself with the missions of agencies that interest you. For a list of agencies, go to (link). Is there a particular area of interest (environment, health, education, international) or specialized skills (analytical, writing and research, IT, accounting) you'd like to use regardless of the specific agency? Do you prefer large or small organizations? Where do you want to live? Think broadly. Several entities on local, state and federal levels may be dedicated to similar missions or provide opportunities in the same functional areas. Do research to identify those government agencies of interest to you. Network. Develop contacts with key personnel in offices where the hiring decisions are made.