Are you interested in the federal job listing? If you have not considered a position with the federal government and are unemployed or looking for a good employment opportunity, you may want to consider this possibility.
With the current economic environment, most sectors have shrunk in terms of jobs over the course of the last 3 years. Construction, retail, manufacturing, health care, education are all below their employment numbers compared to a couple of years ago. The federal government is one of the few sectors currently growing. Many state and local governments are either on a hiring freeze or have introduced furlough because of lack of taxes collected to keep the budgets at recently normal levels. The good news is that the federal government, due in large part to the $800 billion stimulus package, is aggressively adding positions.
Beyond the economic troubles at the time of this post, there is an additional reason to be aware of the federal job listing. The Unites States has an aging population. This fact means that there is a time in our not too distant future for a potential surplus of positions at the federal level. Baby boomers will not stay in positions forever. Because this is such a large population the availability of positions may reach beyond the supply of employees the country has to offer; meaning that over time the competition for each position will decrease.
What will one find on the federal job listing? One will find a list of open federal positions within a designated geographic area. For example, if I am curious about the types of federal positions available in Nashville, Tennessee, I can conduct a search within the federal job listing (http://www.usajobs.gov/) to see what is available. The types of positions include everything from basic entry level to finance, construction and agriculture.
Are you skilled with construction? Do you have experience with renewable energy? Are you versed in manufacturing? Do you have strong office and clerical experience? Whatever your skills and experience, the recommendation is to look at the federal job listing to identify potential opportunities. There are many positions available, yet they will be highly sought after.
Reviewing the federal job listing is simply the first step toward solidifying a position within the federal government. The next step consists of completing a federal application, which is much different than what you may be familiar with in the private sector. The entire application and hiring process at this level compared to the private sector is quite different and, if applying, you need to be aware of the nuances to ensure you have greater success with your application submission.
Competition for these positions is likely more competitive than those in the private sector. The reasons for this include: a higher sense of job security; these positions are advertised, which will attract the masses; again, this is a sector that is currently growing and advertising opportunities.
When you take into account the current job realities and the not so distant future possibilities, being aware of the federal job listing and understanding distinctive hiring process works may pay off for you now or into the future.
Good luck with your search!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What if you are a baby boomer? A close friend of mine is experiencing age discrimination, without being able to prove it. This person is finding that they are over qualified and always getting to the final interview but in the end the job has been going to a younger person that can help the company for 30 years as opposed to this person who would only be there 10. My question is are there Federal Jobs available for people in their early 60′s?
Thanks for the question!
Age discrimination is a common practice right now. I don’t agree with it, but I understand it as the cost of labor continues to decrease and the talent pool continues to deepen. To answer your question, it’s going to be an uphill battle for your friend. At the end of the day, it’s about minimizing or eliminating employment risk on the part of the employer. Our mature workforce has to do a better job of selling their skills/talents/education/experience in overcoming employment risk and alleviating the fears of the hiring authority of whatever bias they have toward an older worker. This applies to both the private and public sectors. Your friend may want to consider lending their skills in a “contract” role or “consulting” role.