Federal Job Search

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!

Looking for Your First REAL Job?

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Are you a recent college graduate looking for your first post-college position? What should your resume look like?

Young woman looking at paperwork and thinking in a library setting. 3 additional graphical assets show a document, networking, and social media as she thinks about how to look for her first real job.
  1. Make sure your resume is ready to go! If you’re targeting the federal government, you need a highly detailed resume—most entry level federal resumes run 3-4 pages—even if you don’t have an extensive work history. Recent grad private sector resumes should be 1 page (unless you have lots work experience—then 2 pages might be appropriate).
  • Network. You’ve heard this before, but it remains true; networking can help.
  • Leverage the services of your college / university career center, even if you have already graduated, your career center will help. Career centers often offer resume services, opportunities for interviewing on campus, and a built in network.
  • Be open to the reality that your “perfect” job may not be available; you may need to gain some experience (and contacts) through jobs that may not be at with your targeted organization but may help you get closer.
  • Check your social media; make sure it represents a professional image. This goes for your email too.
  • Have a plan; don’t just wing it. Research organizations and positions. Set up “search agents” with various organizations that interest you. Develop and follow a strategy. Looking for a job is a job; spend the necessary time and effort.
  • Don’t forget about informational interviews. Informational interviews (also called information sessions, informational meetings, or research interviews) are interviews that are conducted to gather information to help prepare for a job interview and/or learn more about a specific job, industry, or company. Informational interview is not a job interview, and should not be confused with one. With an informational interview, you’re not seeking a job — you are seeking information to help you get a job.
  • Create and practice your elevator speech. Know what to say when you’re asked what kind of job you’re looking for.
  • Don’t ignore temporary opportunities; while not ideal, of course, temporary positions can provide needed work experience, references, and networking opportunities.

While this article is primarily focused on new and recent graduates, many of the tips are applicable to more experienced job seekers as well.

If you’re looking for resume writing services, check out our approach to Entry Level & First-Time Federal Government Jobs by clicking here!

References On Your Resume?

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A person's hand connecting icons of people that represent References.

Instead of listing references on your resume, or even noting “references available upon request,” all job seekers should have a professional reference page to provide when asked for references. Identifying and preparing a reference page is about more than listing your supervisor—or your best friend.

Choosing References

Make sure to choose at least 5 references. Typically, employers ask for three business references. Some ask for one or two personal references, excluding family members. Prepare more professional references and choose the best for each application.

Appropriate references are usually previous bosses, supervisors, and employers or leaders of volunteer organizations with which you are affiliated. If these choices are not available, consider customers, vendors, professors, and/or professional colleagues from networking, professional, or community organizations.

Select only articulate individuals who will give a positive, professional reference. If there are doubts, it is best for you not to consider that person as a reference. If you have worked in a variety of career fields, the best strategy is to obtain references that can speak with knowledge about your performance in areas relevant to your current job search.

Preparing References

Before you add a reference to your list or use the reference in an online application, obtain the reference’s permission by emailing, telephoning, or meeting with them.

To prepare professional references, you should provide copies of your resume and a summary of your current career goals. You can email the job description of the position for which you are applying or share three to four of the most important points mentioned in the job announcement. This helps the reference understand how to describe you in terms that are relevant and specific to the goal at hand. 

Remind the reference of relevant projects or tasks in which they were both involved. Offer to answer questions or have a conversation regarding the specific qualifications relevant to the desired position. This conversation can refresh the reference’s memory of your qualifications and help you to understand what pieces of information would be most helpful in a letter of reference or when discussing you with the hiring manager.

In addition to vetting talents and skills, good references can speak with knowledge about your work ethic and personal characteristics such as integrity, honesty, dependability, punctuality, and attitude.  

Following up with References

Maintain contact and a good business rapport with your selected references. Each time you apply for a new position, the references who will be asked to speak on your behalf should be contacted and emailed the job description for the position.

Saying thank you is VERY important to the relationship with your references and to ensure they do not become disinterested in continuing to provide references for you. Do not take references for granted.

Don’t be caught off-guard. Now is the perfect time to update your references so you’re ready for that next opportunity!

For more information about References check out these blog posts:

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Are YOU Up-to-Date on Federal Hiring Flexibilities?

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We have all heard that getting a federal job can be a laborious process. While that can certainly be true, federal agencies have more hiring flexibilities than ever before. If you are looking for a federal position, it behooves you to know that agencies can hire in multiple ways.

The flag of the United State of America in front a federal building.

While it is likely that not all the hiring flexibilities apply to your personal situation, nor are federal agencies not required to use these flexibilities—they may be available, depending upon your and the agency’s situation.

Here are some of the hiring flexibilities that exist. The appropriate use of these flexibilities is nuanced and varies for each authority/flexibility—this list is a good place to start.

  • Veterans’ authorities: Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA), 30+% compensable
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act
  • Military Spouse
  • Returning Peace Corps  and AmeriCorps Volunteers
  • Schedule A for People with Disabilities
  • Direct Hire (available for Contract Specialists, Cybersecurity Specialists, Veterinarians, among others)
  • STEM Hires (Economists, Biological Sciences, Fishery Biologists, General and Civil Engineers, Physical Scientists, Actuaries, Mathematics positions, Mathematical and regular Statisticians)
  • Reinstatement eligibles
  • 30-day appointments to positions for which a critical hiring need exists
  • 1-year, 1040-work hours per year appointments in remote/isolated locations
  • Temporary Appointments, not-to-exceed 120 days
  • Reemployed annuitants (when the retiree’s salary is offset by the annuity amount)
  • Contracting with private sector temporary firms
  • Student hires
  • Postal Career Service Employees*
  • Government Accountability Office*
  • Administrative Office of the US Courts*

* these positions are in the excepted service are not regulated by the Office of Personnel Management.

Again, the above list is not all-inclusive but meant to give you an idea of the myriad of ways that federal agencies can hire people. If you believe that any of these flexibilities might apply to your situation, reach out to an agency Human Resources Specialist for more details.

Getting a federal job does take time and effort but by understanding the process, you can make that process easier on everyone.

LinkedIn by the Numbers

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As you know by now, LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool. I look at LinkedIn profiles every day and see that many users do not take full advantage of their profile. Character counts are changing regularly; here are some current character counts—check out your profile and make sure you’re taking advantage!

  • First name: 20 characters. If you have a formal name but use a nickname, this can be helpful. For example, Robert (Bob). This is 12 characters and allows people to search for you by either your formal or nickname.
  • Last name: 40 characters. BONUS: If you name is difficult to pronounce, LinkedIn has a feature where you can record your name; this is a great tool to use!
  • Headline: 210 characters. If you don’t create a headline, LinkedIn automatically uses your job title. Consider using a customized headline so you can include words that are specific to your industry. This is a search feature that recruiters use.
  • Customized URL: 30 characters. LinkedIn allows you to customize your URL; a customized URL allows you to remove the random numbers that LinkedIn assigns. A customized URL can be used on your resume.
  • About: 2,600 characters. This is a great opportunity to get personal and tell something about yourself; who are you? What do you bring to the table? What is your story? Using first person is acceptable, as is highlighting your achievements and the things that are important to you. This section can also be searched by recruiters so be sure to include key words from your industry.
  • Company name: 100 characters
  • Location / Industry: this is a predetermined list prepared by LinkedIn. Don’t forget to include your industry and location. As of this writing, LinkedIn as identified 148 industries ranging from law enforcement to shipbuilding to retail to farming to computers and everything in between. These too, are searchable by recruiters.
  • Job Title (100) / Job Description (2,000) each. Don’t forget to populate these sections.

LinkedIn offers lots of other section too including Education, Field of Study, Volunteer, Skills, Projects, Publications, Certifications, Languages, Awards, Courses, and Patents. Take a good hard look at your Profile and see what you can do to attract more views and connections!