Information for Job Seekers
If you are looking for a job, nobody offers a wider variety of opportunities than the federal government. As the nation’s largest employer with 2.1 million civilian employees, Uncle Sam is always hiring, and the available jobs offer a match for almost any set of skills and interests—from accounting to zoology.
Now is a particularly exciting time to pursue a federal job. Government is changing the way it does business and promoting more dynamic work environments. In order to attract new talent, some agencies may offer student loan repayments, signing bonuses and flexible work schedules.
There are also federal job opportunities around the country and around the world. In fact, nearly 85 percent of federal employees work outside the greater metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, and more than 50,000 work overseas.
Of all the reasons to work for the federal government, none outweigh the chance to make a difference in the lives of others and the well-being of the nation. Simply put, a federal job allows you to be a part of a cause greater than yourself, making it a uniquely rewarding professional experience.
Additional Resources
Making the Difference
The Partnership for Public Service's Making the Difference website has free resources, including tips for using USAJOBS.gov and information about student loan repayment and security clearances.
Where the Jobs Are
Designed to help a broad audience of job seekers, policy makers and agency leaders, Where the Jobs Are has identified nearly 273,000 anticipated mission-critical employment opportunities in the federal government from Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2012. The jobs involve numerous disciplines, are at locations throughout the country and overseas, and have been described by the federal agencies as essential to carrying out their service to the American people.
This job survey, conducted by the Partnership for Public Service with support from Aon and Monster Government Solutions, covers 35 federal agencies employing at least 1,000 full-time, permanent workers. All of the survey participants except the Government Accountability Office, a congressional entity, are in the executive branch.
To better inform potential job applicants about available opportunities, Where the Jobs Are summarizes the occupational categories where hiring will occur, identifies the hiring agencies, and projects the number of jobs to be filled in each category. In addition, each agency is profiled with information on its mission, employee demographics, hiring priorities and recruitment programs, employment and retention incentives.
The survey also can be extremely useful to agencies, providing managers with a broad perspective on government-wide hiring needs as well as relevant information that will enhance their workforce planning for mission-critical jobs. More importantly, the survey offers an opportunity for agencies with similar hiring needs to pool their resources and work together in the recruitment, intake and training of new employees.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Government Jobs
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Government Jobs, available at bookstores nationwide and through online book outlets, was written by the Partnership for Public Service staff in 2010 to help job seekers navigate the complex federal hiring process. Whether you’re a student looking for an internship, a recent graduate, a mid-career professional looking for a change, or a retiree looking to return to the workforce, this book will provide invaluable information about the needs of government agencies and how to go about applying for federal employment.
The Best Places to Work rankings — the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government — are produced by the Partnership for Public Service.
