How to Get Hired in Washington

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I'm 51, about to graduate with a masters in psych, concentration terrorism and security, GPA 3.6, but without a padded resume.
I suspect ageism applies as much in the federal government as it does anywhere else with entry level positions. Hopefully, I am wrong.
I'd like to spend the remainder of my working years serving our country, but the reality may mean I need to stay in private business and not utilize the specialized knowledge I've worked so hard to gain.
I'll check back and let you know if I got hired or not.

Mick Malkemus of CA 3:43PM March 02, 2010

You're not lucky. You're an engineer. There's such a dire need for them right now that folks are fighting to get them so it's not surprising that you got a job so quickly from the government. The rest of us though are likely in trouble.

Justme of AK 9:53PM November 08, 2009

I got a job from USAJOBS.gov. I too heard that you needed to know someone, I did not. I applied, once. I got emailed an offer 3/4 months later. Guess I'm fortunate here. I was very careful to send in exactly what they asked for (including transcripts), but I did not alter my resume in any special way. I just put the truth. I'm an engineer.

Employee of GA 11:44PM October 12, 2009

If only the average American really knew how the process worked.

keep wishing of AL 9:52PM September 16, 2009

Wow! Average Citizen,
Do you think this is truly a race issue. I am also an African American Veteran with an advanced degree who cannot get a job through USA JOBS- I think it is more of a family network cousins sisters brothers of those chooing the referral list. Please remember althoug not in your unit alot of African Americans also choose to serve their country (the majority of us don't collect welfare check your statistics) Really if all we have to fall back on when times are tough are racist rants we are never going to get anywhere. Times are hard for everyone not just you. Maybe it's your wonderful attitute keeping you from a ob. Find a new excuse: News Flash, African Americans have degrees and goals as well! We all have the american drea to care for our families pay the bills and enjoy life. Quit using us to turn the dream into a nightmare. We all have to support each other through this crisis caused by our politicians they will be the last to suffer but what comes around goes around. We must support our new administration and become a part of the solution not just yak about the problem.

A real veteran of DC 3:56PM September 03, 2009

Wow I guess African Americans didn't serve in your unit- However remember they do server and those with advanced degrees are not even getting federal jobs. Find a new excuse buddy it is tough for everyone and I doubt it has to do with race. It just may be your attitude.

A real veteran of DC 3:48PM September 03, 2009

Dear Citizen,
I completely agree with you. I am a white male, not a veteran and pretty young (25 years old.) This is my dream to get on federal payroll. I am a college student. I was told by federal recruiters at my school that it is next to impossible to navigate the red tape of the federal hiring process. The jobs for U.S. Government are the BEST in the world. These jobs are stable, provide you with benefits, retirement, everything one may wish for. If I was to get an offer in government, I will jump out of my pants and celebrate that occasion for the rest of my life.
I think given the state of U.S. economy, nothing will change for better, only for worse. Private sector will contract, employers will become bitchier and people will have to pay more lip service to keep their jobs in whatever the industry. I hate kissing ass. I hate private sector.
Federal employment is the only hope. It is the only job to really dream about and fight for.
Sincerely,
Average Citizen, 02/05/09 11:12 pm

Average Citizen of NY 11:13PM February 05, 2009

What a Joke!
I have been applying for jobs at usajobs for 3 years.
I am a vet with 10% disability which should give me preferential treatment right? WRONG!
Folks I am here to tell you, if you don't know someone in the department your applying for or have a harvard degree dont expect to get hired.
The fact is 9 times out of 10 your going to be ignored and when you find a job you could possibly get it's in alaska making 9 bucks an hour.
Vets traditionaly could depend on at least a USPS job, not anymore. They only want minorities who are on welfare and white males are not welcome, veteran or not.
Thanks uncle sam, apparently I am good eough to be in the army and die for you as a white male, I'm just not good enough to get a decent job from you when I served my time.

Kevin of OH 6:11AM December 13, 2008

I am presently a government employee, but it took me a long time and many, many applications to get in. I was told by friends before I got hired "It's a numbers game, just keep applying and eventually yours will come up." I suggest that applicants focus on the job that they are applying for and make their application, especially the resume, stand out from the crowd. Go through the Job Announcement and pay attention to the details - minimum required information and documents. Find a "recommended" or example format and stick to it, most agencies are using text scanners to hit on key words related to the position (Hint: USE KEY WORDS from the Announcement itself and from doing online research about similar positions). Make sure that you check your spelling throughout - most jobs require above-average literacy, as you represent the agency, and somebody who has less experience will be chosen over somebody that can't spell - or check their work for errors. DO NOT LIE or over-state your experience or education - you can be dismissed at any time for lying or fraud. Another key point is: don't over-value your worth - be willing to take a lower starting salary. There are typically over 100 applicants for the average, mid-level position (that number is probably higher now, though) and, all things being equal, the lowest "bidder" will win. Don't worry, if you do your job well your pay will increase at a fairly predictable rate. Remember that you are serving the public, so pay won't be the highest and there's not a lot of glamor, but you'll have a job through good times and bad.

R H of CO 10:22AM November 20, 2008

I assume that you're aware that you're being fed PC comments by your sources. As a long-time Fed, I can assure your that things are not as straightforward as you present them. For all the talk about openness and officials' willingness to consider both mid-career applicants and young up-and-comers with new ideas (even though most are recycled concepts that have been repackaged, though the sweet young things believe they're SO new), as part of the new "cool" government, you must understand that this is self-protective boilerplate doubletalk. The whole idea of "cool" government jobs is ludicrous. The bureaucracy as usual will hunker down and make nice nice with the latest crop of political know-it-alls, and we will all agree to pretend that "something new under the sun" has arrived. I recommend reading "Bureaucracy," the classic 1989 work by James Q. Wilson; it's depiction of bureaucratic reality is timeless.

Jeremiah of IL 8:14AM November 20, 2008