Ten Common Misconceptions About Federal Employers That Aren't Always The Truth

Jobs Available at Federal Employers Federal civil service laws, regulations and executive orders govern government positions. The ability of agencies to offer competitive compensation and benefits is a key feature. Administrative employees are responsible for handling operations such as payroll, training, and the standard operating procedures. They work in offices and government buildings and also at remote sites. Administrative Government agencies require people to fill a broad range of administrative jobs that range from data analysis and collection to specific research projects. Some of these jobs require a bachelor's degree, while others require only the completion of high school or GED. It is essential to follow the directions in the job announcement so that your application is considered complete. As a Federal employee, you are protected from discrimination based on of race, gender, religion, age, sex or national origin by civil service laws and Executive Orders, including Title VII. These laws apply to all aspects of employment, such as hiring and firing pay, compensation, assignments, classification, promotion, transfer and layoff. These laws are enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Working for the Federal Government comes with another advantage: the government will do everything it can to find you an opportunity even if the one you've been offered is eliminated due to cuts in budget or consolidation. However, this doesn't mean that you can't be dismissed for reasons like ineffective performance or disciplinary actions. Many federal employers offer excellent health insurance and retirement benefits, such as a defined benefit pension. Federal employees can also avail of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which helps pay back their educational loans. Most agencies have a Employee Assistance Program, staffed by professionals who are trained to help employees deal with depression, stress, and addiction to drugs. They also offer assistance for elderly or children. They also help with financial concerns such as balancing a checkbook or filing tax returns. The federal government also provides flexible options for work including telework and reduced work schedules. Professional Federal employees have a broad selection of opportunities to get meaningful jobs. They can create vaccines, fight racism and sexual discrimination, or tackle climate-change issues. They also enjoy great compensation and benefits like low-cost life insurance, flexible schedules like telecommuting, and generous vacation and sick leave. Many companies offer educational assistance including financial aid for graduate degrees. Many employees find the work challenging and demanding but also rewarding. They feel they have a sense of purpose and that their efforts can make a difference to the lives of the public. The federal government is responsible for a number of the best jobs on the list of “Best Places to Work”. Federal job applicants can use many different ways to explore career paths and apply, but the best method is via USAJobs. The website offers a variety of resources to help explore careers and apply for jobs. It also offers tips on how to navigate the long and extensive federal application process for jobs. The most common misconception is that you need to know someone at the federal level in order to obtain a job. In reality, a majority of jobs are accessible to all. All applications are scrutinized by human resources professionals, and those who are most qualified are referred to hiring managers. The site also offers an invaluable resource to find jobs that are available to you based on your particular major or background. Technical The federal government provides a wide range of technical jobs for candidates to use their skills and training. Tech jobs offered by the federal government are usually more lucrative and come with competitive benefits than those in private industry. The federal sector has higher average salaries than the private sector and non-profits, aswell as higher health insurance and retirement benefits. The number of federal positions has risen by 22% on Handshake since last year according to a report released in January. In turn, the number of applicants for the positions has risen by 55 percent. The increased job security, benefits and work-life integration that come with working for the government attracts candidates. A tech career in the federal government is a great option for those who are who are interested in working in many different industries that include national security, medicine and science. Federal agencies require employees to design buildings, perform medical research and ensure safety of aircrafts. There are also positions for those with a technology background including managing and maintaining computer systems. The requirements for these positions may differ by agency, but generally will be based on an individual's educational background and relevant professional experience. For instance, a computer occupation might require a bachelor's in information technology or another related field as well as knowledge of databases. Candidates may also be required to have a good understanding of the flow of data from its origin to its destination and how to create and support an infrastructure. Some computer-related jobs in the government sector include digital forensics analysts. These jobs aren't as common in the federal government as those that have a military orientation however they are still found in some organizations, including the Department of Defense and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Blue-Collar There are many blue-collar jobs available to federal employees. These are typically work-related positions that include jobs such as welders, plumbers, electricians and construction workers. fela settlements of these jobs require training and apprenticeships. These jobs may pay hourly or salary-based wages and are often accompanied by the advantages of joining a union. Blue-collar work is more physically demanding than white-collar work, but it also provides a certain feeling of security. There will always be a need for the skills and services that these workers provide—toilet pipes break, wires get burned and packages have to be delivered. The balance between work and family is a challenge but there are a variety of ways to maintain an appropriate balance between work and life. Like their private sector counterparts federal employees perform many valuable and crucial tasks, ranging including the development of vaccines against dangerous diseases to fighting racial and sexual discrimination and dealing with climate change. Many choose to work for the government for security in their jobs, as well as the chance to serve their country in a way that is distinctive and meaningful. If an announcement of a job vacancy states that it is open to “Agency Employees,” this means that current Federal employees from the Department which published the job are eligible to apply. However, it is advisable to go through the “Area of Belief” or “Who May Apply” section carefully, as certain announcements do not state that temporary (also known as time-limited) and student Federal employees are excluded. One of the best ways to locate an Federal blue-collar job is to network and speak to people who are already working in the field. It's not uncommon for friends or relative to know someone working in the field you're interested in So don't be afraid to connect with your circle of friends. Clerical Clerical work, also known as administrative or office support jobs, is focused on details and completing tasks for an organisation. The most frequent clerical roles include answering phone calls, handling office or customer requests, and archiving and maintaining important records and company information. They can also be involved in office machine tasks like operating voicemail systems, photocopiers and scanners. Office clerks are also responsible to communicate with colleagues or clients to answer questions, take messages or address customer complaints. Other typical clerical duties include the compilation and updating of mail database systems, and receiving or delivering mail that is outgoing and inbound, documents and packages. Office clerks typically work in a variety of sectors and government agencies. For example a medical billing clerk documents and files health insurance claims and handles incoming or outgoing mail for a health care facility. Hospital receptionists are responsible for managing the front desk telephones and directing visitors or patients to the rooms of patients. She also keeps records of inpatients and outpatients. The qualifications most relevant for clerical positions depend on the job and industry. For the majority of entry-level positions computer skills are essential. A high school diploma or its equivalent is also required. The ability to work well under pressure and pay attention to detail are also desirable qualities for clerical positions. Since many clerical jobs involve working with numbers in some capacity, being adept at math is also a plus. The most qualified candidates are professional in their manner and are knowledgeable in proper telephone etiquette and email protocol. They should also have plenty of experience in customer service. The ability to provide examples of times when they have demonstrated excellent customer service and problem-solving skills in previous jobs could be helpful during the interview process.