Federal Job Search Source: Partnership for Public Service

Why Work/Intern With The Government? They are hiring! Variety of careers, stability, and pay Allows work/life balance Ability to advance and travel Some federal agencies will help you pay your school loans up to $10,000 a year Helping others

State vs. Federal Civil vs. non civil service Application process and length

Do Your Homework Department Independent Agencies and Government Corporations Legislative ExecutiveJudicial Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3 Agency 4 90 Additional Independent Federal Organizations Including: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Aeronautical and Space Agency (NASA) National Regulatory Commission (NRC) National Science Foundation (NSF) Peace Corps Social Security Administration (SSA) U.S. Postal Service Numerous Federal Subcomponents Including: National Park Service Federal Highway Administration Patent and Trademark Office Bureau of Labor Statistics Internal Revenue Service Federal Bureau of Investigation 15 Cabinet Level Departments Including: Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Defense Department of Education Department of Energy Department of Health & Human Services Department of Homeland Security Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of the Interior Department of Justice Department of State Department of Transportation Department of Treasury Department of Veterans Affairs

Myth #1: The Poli Science Major Myth Federal employees are all political science majors. The government doesn’t need people with other backgrounds

Busting Myth #1: Finding Your Federal Fit 2010 Entry-Level Hires (GS-5 to GS-9)

Myth #2: Low Pay Salaries for federal employees are low, low, low. You’re better off going to work for the private sector

Busting Myth #2: General Schedule Federal salaries are set by the General Schedule (GS) – Grades 1-15 – Each pay grade has 10 steps Pay varies by geographic location Within a few years, you can progress through several grades

Busting Myth #2: Pay Criteria GS-5 and GS-7 are considered “entry-level”

Myth #3: Washington D.C. Who wants to live there?

Myth #3 Busting: Jobs Are Everywhere Plus 50,000 jobs overseas!

Resources: Websites Use these resources to target agencies of interest: Gogovernment.org Wherethejobsare.org Bestplacestowork.org USAJOBS.gov USA.gov Individual agency websites

Federal Student Programs: Past and Current STEP and SCEP Federal Career Internship Program (FCIP) Presidential Management Fellows Program Internship Program Pathways Program for Recent Graduates Presidential Management Fellows Program Ended March 1, 2011 CURRENT PROGRAMS PAST PROGRAMS PAST PROGRAMS

Current Federal Student Programs Internship Program – Replaces the Student Career Experience Program – Eligible participants may be converted to full-time employees Pathways Program for Recent Graduates Civilians must apply within two years of receiving a degree – Veterans must apply within six years of receiving a degree Presidential Management Fellows Program – PMF recruitment schedule will be adjusted to better align with academic calendars – Individuals must apply within two years of receiving a degree

Resume Tips Create an account on USAJOBS.gov – Store up to 5 federal resumes, each tailored to a different opportunity! – Upload your non-federal resume to the Saved Documents folder Carefully review the job opportunity announcement or position description – Focus on the “duties” or “responsibilities” section, and customize your résumé by identifying and including key words and phrases

Building Your Federal Resume Sections: Candidate information Work Experience Education References Affiliations Desired location

Prepare for Assessments Interview Cover Letters Applicant Questionnaire Applicant Questionnaire

Applicant Questionnaire Length: questions Type: Varies and can include yes/no questions, as well as those meant to determine your level of experience in different areas Additional Information: Don’t forget about transferable skills!

Cover Letters Address key words and phrases mentioned in the position description Use rich and substantive examples Focus on outcomes to which you directly contributed Avoid acronyms

Cover Letter Format Heading Paragraph one: purpose of the letter, how you learned about position, why you are interested, why you are qualified Paragraph two: more about your qualifications and skills, beginning with strongest – Hone in on one or two specific highlights Paragraph three: ask for interview, indicate you will follow up, call attention to resume, thank employer for considering you

Interviews Types – One on one – Panel – Online (Skype and Facetime) Tips – Do your homework – Use C-A-R model to answer questions – Have questions ready to ask interviewer – Arrive early to navigate security – Demonstrate passion

Final Steps Track the status of your application in the Application Manager on USAJOBS.gov Contact agencies within two weeks of submitting an application to confirm its status and express your interest for an interview Can take up to 6 months from application submission to possible hire Once offered job, must acquire security clearances

Visit Us! 126 Slep Student Center Career Resource Library 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday Drop-In Hours, Tues, Wed, Thurs: Noon - 4 p.m. – No appointment needed! altoona.psu.edu/career