Federal Job Search

What Should I Do Before I Leave the Government—or Plan to Stay?

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As you know, the period to decide whether you want to accept deferred resignation is Friday, February 6. If you are thinking about accepting deferred resignation –or even if you’re not, there are several things you should do to prepare:

  1. Every employee should have a copy of their Official Personnel File (OPF or eOPF). You OPF includes every Standard Form 50 you have received as a government employee. These documents prove your status and career track. You need a copy of your record in case there is a problem of any kind—or you decide you want to come back to federal service at some point
  2. If you have been employed by several agencies, your prior agencies’ SF-50’s should be in your OPF. If not, you can request these from the National Personnel Records Center (NRPC) in St. Louis. Information about the NRPC can be found at this website: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center.
  3. Check your SF-50 for accuracy. You want to do this before you separate and let Human Resources (HR) know in writing of any errors before you separate. Errors could include transposed numbers in your Social Security Number, incorrect documentation of your veterans preference, inaccurate Service Computation Date (SCD)—you could be missing military service or service at other agencies—and other such concerns. Be sure to keep copies of any communications with HR.
  4. Review your leave and earnings statement, again for accuracy, and let your payroll office of any issues in writing.
  5. Most military vets already have copies of their DD-214 and SF-10; if not, get a copy from your OPF.
  6. Get a copy of your agency ethics / conflict of interest policy. Depending upon your individual position and agency, you may be subject to a “cooling off period” in your next employment. It’s better to understand any limitations before you reach out to potential employers. Such limitations may apply to lower level employees as well as more senior personnel.
  7. Make copies of your recent performance reviews and self assessments. These will be helpful in drafting accomplishments for your resume and in prepping for interviews.
  8. Record your supervisor’s and colleagues’ personal contact information for future use as a reference.
  9. Remove personal emails and the like from government systems. Do not remove anything from your computer or other files than belong to the government. If you have questions, contact your records manager.
  10. Verify that you understand the implications of your decision. Accepting deferred resignation is irrevocable. Before finalizing your decision, you may want to speak with your financial advisor and attorney.

The more prepared for your separation you are, the easier your transition. Good luck!

Fact or Myth? What Do You Know About the Modern Job Search?

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MYTH: Job postings represent real jobs. Job postings on USAJOBS do not always represent a specific opening. It is critical to read the fine print; you can recognize such jobs when you see language such as: This Public Notice will serve as a resume repository – positions may or may not be filled from this announcement. This is also true of private sector job postings. According to ResumeBuilder, 40% of companies admit to posting fake jobs on job boards in 2024.

MYTH: USAJOBS is an Applicant Tracking Software. USAJOBS is not an ATS; it is a system to collect applications for positions and then forward those applications to the hiring Human Resources office. Real Human Resources personnel read the resumes of qualified applicants.

MYTH: If I know I can do a job, I should apply. You should read the job qualifications; if you don’t have what they’re looking for in terms of skills, education, or number of years of experience, just “knowing” you can do the job is generally not enough. You’ll be competing against people who have all of the qualifications.

MYTH: My resume should reflect everything I have ever done. Most resumes these days only go back 10 years or so. I promise that no one cares what you did in the 1970’s or 80’s. And think about it, who would you rather hire? Someone who is doing it now or someone who hasn’t done in 20 or 30 years?

MYTH: Getting a job is quick. While it is possible to get the first job you apply for, it isn’t that likely. The ease of online applying means that hundreds if not thousands of applications are received for every posting.

MYTH: I can talk my way into a remote job, even if the posting says otherwise. Federal postings clearly articulate whether a job is remote or not; if it’s not listed as remote, do not count on being able to talk the hiring manager into making the job remote just for you (absent a reasonable accommodation). The private sector side has more flexibility but if the posting is specific about how many days per week you are expected to be in an office, believer them. At least until after you have proven yourself.

MYTH: I only need one resume. At a minimum, your resume needs to be tweaked for key words with each application. There is no such thing as a standardized generic resume anymore.

MYTH (sometimes): I need a cover letter. If you’re applying for a federal job and the posting does not require a cover letter, I recommend not providing one. If you’re targeting the private sector then yes, it is considered customary to include one. If you do write a cover letter it needs to be targeted toward the job you’re applying for, use key words, and clearly articulate your qualifications vis-a-vis the job.

These are just a few of the myths that exist about job search. What would you add?

What Does The Federal Workforce Look Like?

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The Partnership for Public Service recently published a profile of the federal government’s 2M civilian, executive branch employees based on data from FedScope. Here are some fun facts:

  • Between 2019 and 2023, the federal workforce grew by ~140,000 employees.
  • In 1945, the federal workforce represented 2.5% of the entire US population; today, federal government employees make up ~.6% of the US population.
  • The vast majority of federal employees are involved in defense and national security (nearly 71%). The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has 20% of the entire federal workforce with 400,000 employees.
  • The top occupational category in the government is medical and medically aligned positions; these include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, dental officers, veterinarians and many other public health occupations. There are ~310,000 federal employees in these occupations.
  • Despite media reports to the contrary, only 20% of federal employees work in the Washington, DC-Maryland-Virginia area.
  • Only 7.4% of federal employees are under the age of 30; this is lower than the US labor force; 42.6% of the federal workforce is 50+. New hires are primarily between the ages of 30 and 49 (55%)/
  • The federal government is more diverse than the private sector with 60% of employees identifying as white (compared to 76% in the private sector). 26% of the members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) identify as people of color and 39% of SES members are women.
  • 30% of federal employees are veterans.
  • Education levels are higher in the government as well, with 53.8% holding at least an undergraduate degree (compared to 40.4% in the IS labor force).

Want more data? FedScope (www.fedscope.opm.gov) can provide it!

Should It Stay or Should It Go?

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Hardly anyone likes to write a resume. One thing to think about is what to include—and what to leave out. Let’s look at both:

What should I include in a federal resume?

Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.

  • Include important contact information. Don’t forget to add current contact information. Most job applications require this information:
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone number

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

  • Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience. For each work experience you list, make sure you include:
  • Start and end dates (including the month and year—some agencies require the days too!).
  • The number of hours you worked per week.
  • The level and amount of experience—for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
  • Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.
  • Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations. Don’t limit yourself to only including paid work experience. Include relevant volunteer work or community organizations roles that demonstrate your ability to do the job.

What should I leave out of my federal resume?

Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:

  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

Following the rules for federal applications—all of which are clearly outlined in every job announcement—will help your resume receive the attention it deserves!

Ever Thought About Working for the US Postal Service?

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While most of us think about Mail Carriers when we think about the US Postal Service (USPS), in fact, the, USPS hires for a lot of different kinds of positions. Of course there are mail carrier positions but there are also positions in sales, motor vehicle operations, repair, and driving; electronics; accounting; communications; human resources, information technology, and just about anything else you think of.

USPS positions are not traditional federal jobs since the USPS is not a federal agency (it is considered a quasi-government agency). There are more than 30,000 USPS facilitate across the country, 500,000+ employees, and good benefits such as health insurance, good pay, and a pension plan.

Here are some other things to know about getting a job with USPS:

  • The USPS uses its eCareers application system (not USAJOBS) for all USPS applications.
  • In some instances, you may transfer from USPS to the federal government noncompetitively.
  • Veterans’ preference applies in USPS hiring; currently ~100,000 military veterans work for USPS.
  • USPS offers student hiring programs including an intern program, a Professional Development Program for recent college graduates, a developmental program for Industrial Engineers, and an Honors Attorney Program.
  • eCareers allows you to search for positions by key words, location, and functional area.
  • Just like USAJOBS, eCareers users must set up a profile before they apply for a specific position.
  • Don’t forget to include key words from the positions you’re targeting, along with numbers to give your work context and accomplishments to demonstrate that you can achieve results.
  • Some USPS positions require that you take an exam; taking these exams is free—if you see someone online charging to take a USPS exam, you should report it to the US Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state’s Attorney General). If an exam is required, the job posting will list the requirement under “Examination Requirements.”

Want to know more? Check out: https://about.usps.com/careers/.

Unlocking Federal Job Opportunities: A Guide For Non-Veterans

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Understanding Eligibility for Federal Jobs

To optimize your job hunt, it’s important to understand how candidates are evaluated. All federal jobs typically require U.S. citizenship, but the nuances lie in the specifics of each posting – e.g., duties, conditions of employment, qualifications, how you will be evaluated, etc. Here’s a breakdown of what you should consider:

1. Direct Hire Positions: These roles allow agencies to recruit directly, bypassing the veterans’ preference. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal majorly funds such roles, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, STEM, veterinary services, and contract specializations. Always scrutinize the job details to discern if it falls under direct hire.

2. Excepted Service Positions: These roles deviate from the standard hiring process due to their unique agency-based requirements. Examples include roles within the Intelligence Community, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), certain financial regulatory agencies, and specific positions within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, the legislative branch, including entities like the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office, also falls under this category, as does every role within the Senior Executive Service (SES).

3. Non-Competitive Appointments: Some candidates might be eligible for positions based on certain considerations, making their appointment process distinct. This includes:

  • Former Peace Corps or AmeriCorps volunteers
  • Military spouses
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Selected veterans
  • Graduates from certain academic programs

Federal employment offers a wide variety of career opportunities. However, navigating it requires due diligence. Always pay particular attention to details within the job announcement, and when in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Agency human resource contact at the end of the job posting for clarity.

Initiating Your Job Hunt

Additional information on how to navigate the federal hiring process can be found at USAJOBS. If you’re just setting out on your job-seeking journey or need additional insights, visit https://www.usajobs.gov/help/ for guidance.

‍‍This post was written by Nancy Segal in collaboration with Federal Career Connection, Inc., an independently organized educational nonprofit organization who are grounded in community service and commitment to helping individuals in career transition. Learn more about the partnership by clicking here!