Despite constant calls by politicians and policy makers to reign in government spending, the federal government remains the largest employer in the United States. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, there are currently more than 2700000 employees of the federal civil service positions. Since almost all provinces of vacancies exceeds the number of candidates, the number of available positions by at least tenfold.
Why do so many Americansseeking a federal job? The answers are varied. Some consider it a patriotic duty, for others it is an act of enlightened self-interest. Whatever your motivation, but the benefits are substantial. Put simply, Uncle Sam is an excellent chef.
Working Group of the covenant provides the stability of employment, can not be replicated in the private sector. Once a new staff completing a predetermined probationary period (typically 1 years), lifetime employment is nearlyguaranteed. Laws and regulations of the Federal personnel procedures make it extremely difficult to fire, discharge or forcibly transfer most employees. In the rare cases where layoffs do not occur, displaced employees received preferential treatment by setting very similar positions that are available. The result is that very few federal employees is always a day of work missed due to dismissal.
Fringe benefits, including an excellent retirement package, are also an importantMotivating factor. Health benefits for federal employees are generally better than those in the private sector will be offered, and the government is currently taking more of the premium costs than most private employers. For an employee enrolled in Blue Cross / Blue Shield's family coverage, for example, the government currently pays $ 578 $ 771 monthly premium. Retirement benefits are based on a complicated formula that takes into account the employee's salary is based,Years of service and retirement age, but independent studies repeatedly found that the plan is more generous than virtually all private employers.
Federal salaries are competitive and. In 2005, the average salary for all federal employees is $ 60,203 worldwide. Raises due to the salary structure and political realities are virtually guaranteed every year. In January 2005 the increase was set at 3.5%. In addition, adjustments to the salaries for employees made in the largeMetropolitan regions.
Federal Service also offers many more opportunities for advancement than most other employers. At the senior level (Senior Executive Service, SES or known), salary of $ 107,550 to $ 162,100. There are currently approximately 7,000 SES employees in federal service.
With all these advantages, it is no wonder that many job seekers are trying to land a position with the federal government. While the competition is tough, here are somekey strategies that may help your search:
1. Check the government's official web site of employment (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov often). Virtually all states of vacancies is listed there, and it is updated every day. Most of the job advertisement is for a period of about 3 open until 4 weeks, and the application process can hold his detailed, so it's best to work as often as you can start your application as early as possible.
2. Avoid services that claimHelp you land a federal job. Companies guarantee you a job at the federal level are limiting, and these services can not do anything to make what is not even one.
3. Be willing to accept a pay cut. While the federal government, the salaries are competitive, the compensation structure so that the salaries typically start low but increase quickly. Each job has a federal starting grade and a "full service" class. In general, professional positions start at grade 7 in the states of wage distribution (calledGeneral Schedule-7 or GS-7) and to increase the GS-9, GS-11 and GS-12 to 1-year cycle. For an employee in Washington, DC, that would mean starting with an annual salary of $ 35,452 but earning $ 62,886 after three years, not counting his military service (the annual government-wide) wage increases of around 3% per year.
4. Consider "trainee" positions. The term has a negative connotation, but at a certain apprenticeship can be a good way to get your foot in UncleSam's door. These positions, which usually is no specific work experience, are usually at the GS-5 level ($ 25,000 filled - $ 30,000 per year). Because many federal jobs are only for current or former federal employees and worked as an intern for a year or two often opens many doors.
5. Read the advertisement carefully. Procedures for applying for a federal job have been streamlined in recent years, but it is very important that the followingInstructions to the letter. Unlike their counterparts in the private sector, the federal human resources managers of standardized procedures without exception, have adhered to. For example, they are legally separate from the examination of applications to arrive after the closing date on the advertisement, even a day late prohibited. Likewise, if you do not submit the requested documents on time (minutes, etc.), they can not collect you later.
6. Bulk up your resume. That can be goodAdvice for any job hunter, but it is especially important when applying for a federal position because it determines the way first GS types (eg, entry-level salaries). Many job advertisement can always be filled by a few different GS grades, and the level at which a new employee is brought on board is determined by his years of relevant employment history. It is a little known secret that federal hiring managers want new employees to the highest level they can justify to start,because this can minimize the risk of turnover. Most of the employees, the Federal Government service before retirement do so during the first five years of her career, because starting salaries are higher in the private sector.
So, how you can help your new agency, you pay more? If you remember win in a position that it is difficult to experience in the desired range, the fact that self-employment, if not legally allowed, is considered employment experience for federal recruitmentPurposes. For example, if you're a stay-at-home mother with the aim of reintegration into the workforce as a writer would work from home as a freelance writer for three years count as work experience when applying for this federal agency. By the way, at the time of this article, there are currently 27 registered write and edit posts on the USA Jobs website!
7. Does not give up everything. Although the competition for federal jobs can be hard are the benefits worth itEffort. How can search any work that might reasonably expect most applicants that are turned many times before they have a job. Tenacity and a positive attitude are your most important assets.
No comments:
Post a Comment