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Consumer Focus: Federal
Jobs-How to Find Them and Apply Online |
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Federal Jobs-How
to Find Them and Apply Online
Thanks to the Internet,
if you're interested in Federal employment, the job descriptions are right at
your fingertips. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Federal
government's human resources manager, uses the Web to provide information on
jobs available worldwide. You can search for a job according to your education,
where you live, the agencies you're interested in, and more. |
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Scams
You've seen the ads-"Just
$19.95 to get the inside scoop on how to get a Federal or Postal Service job."
Many of those ads use names that sound like those of Federal agencies or Postal
Service offices, like "U.S. Agency for Career Advancement" or the "Postal
Employment Service." When you see these ads, read them carefully. Fraudulent
companies may lie about the availability of Federal jobs in your area
or guarantee you a high score on postal entrance examinations. Federal agencies
never charge application fees or guarantee that an applicant will be
hired. |
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Other Resources
This is just a brief
overview. For more information on Federal government and Postal Service
employment or helpful information for job seekers in general, check out these
resources from FCIC and on the World Wide Web:
Publications available for ordering from FCIC:
Websites*:
*If
you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us
before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the
content of these websites. |
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For more
information on other popular consumer issues check out FCIC's Consumer Focus
Archive. |
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Federal
The Federal government
offers a wide range of
opportunities for people with varying skill levels across the
occupational spectrum, everything from student jobs to executive-level
management positions, from bricklayers to soil scientists, in fields from
accounting to zoology. Currently, the government is especially interested in
hiring individuals with experience in national security and
readiness for emergencies. There are special opportunities for veterans
and for individuals in particular fields such as attorneys. Of course, like any
other employer, the Federal government expects its employees to be well
qualified for the jobs they hold. And applicants generally must be U.S. citizens.
Over the last few years,
the Federal government has made the application process a lot
easier. Most jobs no longer require you to take a "civil service test" or
complete multiple forms. In many cases, all that's required is your
résumé or an optional form and a supplemental experience
statement. If you do need to submit some optional forms, OPM provides them for
you for free to complete via its web site. For some jobs, you may be able to
submit your résumé electronically. |
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Postal Jobs
On August 12, 1970,
President Nixon signed into law legislation transforming the federal Post
Office Department into the United States Postal Service, an independent
establishment of the executive branch of the Government of the United States.
If the U.S. Postal Service were a private company, it would be the 10th largest
in the country.
When people think about
Postal Service jobs, most
may think of letter carriers, desk clerks, or mail handlers. However, the
Postal Service also hires marketing specialists, attorneys, information systems
specialists, and other professionals. Information on many Postal Service
vacancies can be found on the Internet, and you can download for free the forms
you'll need to complete in order to apply. However, job information for
positions that require testing, such as clerk, carrier, and mail handler cannot
be accessed at the Postal Service web site. Job opportunities, testing dates
and eligibility requirements for these positions may be found by contacting the
human resources office at your local post office. |
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We will not retain or use this information for any
other purpose. |
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