RESOURCES
The country needs and wants technologists with your skills and passion.
But for people entering government for the first time, the hiring process is different from that of most companies and that can feel intimidating. We’re here to help you find and land the government job that fulfills you, with tips and tricks along the way.
EXPLORE
Finding the right role.
The Opportunities page is a curation of agencies and opportunities that might be of interest to technologists from all training pathways and career levels. The most comprehensive place to find all available government jobs is on USAJOBS.gov.
USAJOBS can be dizzying; check out these helpful tips for better utilizing the website’s search function and understanding USAJOBS’ specific job filters. Job posts on USAJOBS can also have a short shelf life, so be sure to check back often.
As you’re browsing the various open positions, make sure you understand the government lingo used to determine if you’re eligible, qualified, and prepared for the role you’re looking at. For example, the General Schedule (GS) is the government pay scale, and a job’s GS can tell you a lot about who can expect to be hired for that role.
If you’re not finding the job for you on our site or USAJOBS, consider visiting GoGov for tips on finding other federal government or civic service opportunities.
APPLY
You found an opportunity! Now what?
Federal resumes are lengthier and more detailed than private-sector job resumes. Make sure you gather the information you’ll need before starting the USAJOBS Resume Builder - keep it on hand to guide you through the process. No 1-page resumes here - it’s crucial to include as much relevant information as possible, drawing on verbiage used in the job description. This ensures that those doing the hiring see your application when they are searching through many applications.
After completing your federal resume, many positions may require further essays, questionnaire responses, and other materials depending on what the government agency is looking for.
Finally, it’s time to hit submit, so make sure you accurately complete your application.
INTERVIEW
Your application is in. What to expect?
While timelines may vary for different roles, you can generally expect a similar sequence of events for a federal government position if you meet the basic qualifications.
Before you know it, your hard work pays off and it’s time for your interview. The federal government uses a variety of interview formats, so prepare with mock questions and be on your game with post-interview etiquette.
NEGOTIATE & DECIDE
Congratulations! You’ve got an offer.
Don’t forget, negotiating isn’t just for the private sector, so make sure you are aware of the ways that you can ask for the salary, scheduling, and benefits you deserve.
Some roles will require a background investigation and/or security clearance.
Prepare yourself with what to expect throughout the process and how you can be ready for each next step, which will be different depending on the level of clearance the role requires.
JOIN
Welcome to your new government job!
There are myriad resources to assist government employees within their roles and provide professional development. Be sure to check out the Office of Personnel Management.
Ready to learn more?
Amiko Matsumoto (Director of Talent, Partnership for Public Service) and Leia Washington (Associate Manager, Partnership for Public Service) explore various pathways into the public sector for students and recent graduates.
Webinar run time: 1 hr 16 min
Jennifer Anastasoff (Executive Director - Tech Talent Project), Brian Whittaker (Director of Design & Development - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), Amanda Martens (Recruiter - U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) and Gwen DeFilippi (Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff of Manpower, Personnel and Services - U.S. Airforce) as they discuss strategies to help federal HR professionals effectively hire mission-critical talent, such as technologists and cybersecurity experts.
Webinar run time: 58 min
Amiko Matsumoto (Director of Talent, Partnership for Public Service) and Leia Washington (Associate Manager, Partnership for Public Service) discuss options for pivoting to public service in mid-career.
Webinar run time: 1 hr 5 min
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