Ten Common Misconceptions About Federal Employers That Aren't Always True

Jobs Available at Federal Employers Federal civil service laws, regulations and executive orders regulate government jobs. Agencies are able to offer competitive compensation and benefits. Administrative employees are responsible for handling operations such as payroll training, payroll, and standard operating procedures. They work in government facilities and offices, as they also work at remote locations. Administrative The government agencies need people to complete a variety of administrative tasks, ranging from data collection and analyses to specific research. Some of these positions require a bachelor's degree, while others only require the completion of high school or GED. Whatever the job, it's important to follow the instructions provided in the job opportunity announcement carefully to ensure that your application is complete and satisfies all required elements. Title VII and civil service laws safeguard Federal employees from discrimination based on race, gender or religion. These laws cover all aspects of employment including hiring and firing, compensation, promotions, classifications, transfers and layoffs. The laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Working for the Federal Government comes with another advantage that is that the government will do everything it can to help you find an opportunity if the one you have is eliminated due to cuts in budget or consolidation. However, this doesn't mean that you can't be fired if there's an acceptable reason for example, poor performance, disciplinary action or budget cuts. Many federal employers offer excellent retirement and health benefits, including defined benefit pensions. Additionally, federal employees are eligible to take advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that helps pay off educational loans. Most agencies have a Employee Assistance Program, staffed by trained professionals to assist employees with depression, stress and abuse of drugs. These programs also offer support for elderly or children. They also help with financial issues such as the balance of a checkbook or completing tax returns. In addition, the federal government offers flexible work options such as remote work, compressed schedules, and alternative work locations. Professionals Federal employees can find meaningful jobs in a variety of fields. They can develop vaccines, fight discrimination based on race and sexuality, or tackle climate-change issues. They also receive top compensation and benefits, such as low-cost life insurance, as well as flexible schedules, including the option of teleworking. They also have generous vacation and sick leaves. Many organizations offer assistance with education which includes funding for graduate degrees. The work can be challenging and stressful, but many employees say it is satisfying and rewarding. They believe that their work is meaningful and makes a difference to the general public. This is the reason why many of the most sought-after jobs on the annual “Best Places to Work” lists are from the federal government. USAJobs is the best site for federal job seekers to research their career options and apply. The site has a variety of resources to help you explore careers and applying for jobs, including advice on how to navigate the lengthy and complex federal application process. A common misconception is you need to be connected with someone at the federal level in order to be considered for a job. The majority of jobs in the federal government are available to everyone. All applications are scrutinized by human resources professionals, and those who are most qualified are then referred to hiring managers. The site is also a good resource for finding positions that match your educational or professional background. Here are a few of the most effective strategies to boost your business. The federal government offers a variety of technical jobs that allow candidates to make use of their talents and knowledge. Tech jobs offered by the federal government are generally more lucrative and come with competitive benefits than those in private industries. Average salaries are higher in the federal sector than private and non-profit sectors, and pension and health insurance plans are superior to those offered by the majority of private companies. The number of federal jobs has risen by 22% on Handshake since last year according to a report that was released in January. The number of applicants for these positions has risen by 55 percent. The greater job security, benefits and work-life integration that comes when working for the government draw applicants. A career in technology within the federal government is an excellent option for candidates who are interested in working in various industries which include national security as well as medicine and science. Federal agencies require workers to design buildings and conduct medical research. They also require workers to ensure the safety of aircraft. There are also opportunities for people who have a background in technology including managing and supporting computer systems. The requirements for these roles may vary by agency, but generally will be based on an individual's educational background and relevant work experience. For instance, a job application for a job in the field of computers may require a bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field and previous experience working with databases. An applicant may also need to be aware of the flow of information from source to destination and possess an knowledge of how to build and maintain the performance of a system. Digital forensics and Web administrators analyst are two computer-related jobs that are available in the government. These positions are not as prevalent in the federal government as are those that have a military orientation, but still exist in certain agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Blue-Collar There are many blue-collar jobs that are available to federal employees. These jobs are usually manual labor positions that include plumbers, welders, as well as electricians and construction workers. A lot of these jobs require specialized training and apprenticeships. They may pay hourly wage or be salaried and are often accompanied by advantages of joining a union. Blue-collar jobs are more physically demanding than white-collar jobs however, they also offer a sense of security. There will always be a demand for the skills and services these workers provide—toilet pipes break, wires burn and packages must be delivered. It can be difficult to balance work and life, but there are many ways to keep a healthy work-life balance. Like their private sector counterparts federal employees perform a broad range of valuable and crucial tasks, ranging from developing vaccines for deadly diseases, to combating discrimination on the basis of race and sexuality and dealing with climate change. Many people opt to work in the government due to the security of their jobs and the opportunity to serve their country. If an announcement of a job vacancy states that it is open to”Agency Employees,” this means that current Federal employees from the Department that published the vacancy could apply. It is important to carefully go through the “Area of Belief” or “Who Can Apply” section, as some announcements don't specify that student and temporary Federal employees (also known as time-limited Federal employees) are not eligible. One of the best ways to locate a Federal blue-collar job is to network and speak to people who already work in the field. Don't be afraid to reach out to your family and friends to find out if they know someone who works in a field that you are interested in. Clerical Clerical work, also referred to as administrative or office support jobs, focuses on the details and tasks of an organization. The most common clerical duties include answering phones, managing office or customer requests as well as recording and maintaining company records and information. They can also be accountable for office machines, such as operating photocopiers, scanners, and voicemail systems. Office clerks are also responsible for communicating with clients or colleagues to answer questions, receive messages or address complaints from customers. Other typical clerical tasks include updating mailing databases as well as delivering and collecting documents and mail, as well as handling packages. Office clerks work in a variety of industries and government agencies. A medical billing clerk, for example is responsible for preparing and filing insurance claims and manages incoming and outgoing mail in the health facility. Hospital receptionists are responsible for managing the front desk's phones and directing visitors or patients to the rooms of patients. fela attorneys keep records of inpatients and outpatients. The qualifications most relevant to clerical jobs are contingent on the position and industry. In general, excellent computer skills are important and an high school diploma or equivalent is required for the majority of jobs in clerical entry-level positions. The ability to work well under pressure and pay attention to detail are additional desirable skills for clerical positions. Math is useful for clerical jobs, since most of them require the use of numbers. The best candidates will have a professional demeanor and a solid understanding of proper telephone manners and email protocol. They should also have a great deal of experience in customer service. Providing examples of times that they have demonstrated outstanding customer service and problem-solving abilities in previous jobs could be helpful during the interview process.