Your First Federal Job
The first rule about applying for a federal job is to make sure you have current information. We encourage you not to rely on information provided by others, because oftentimes they entered federal service under entirely different rules and practices than apply today, or they may not have the same preferences and entitlements as you. You want to ensure you're working with the most current information available, so do check with reliable sources, including this web site.
The first thing you want to do is learn what vacancies or potential vacancies are "out there." Most federal agencies are required by law to post notices of vacancies for positions lasting 60 days or more, for which they will consider anyone outside of the agency's current workforce. Some agencies are not required to list their positions as described above. These agencies include "Excepted Agencies" such as the FBI, CIA, and others whose rules are not the same as the majority of what is often termed "the competitive civil service."
To learn about employment opportunities with these agencies, contact their individual websites. Most are usually found under a very easily determined address, such as www.justice.gov (the Department of Justice).
Once you determine what's available, you need to identify the vacancies that interest you. You can view the vacancy announcement, see the qualifications required, and, in many cases, apply online. Just be sure to thoroughly follow the instructions listed on each vacancy announcement, as they will vary depending upon the agency, and their primary method of receiving application materials might be different from previous federal jobs for which you have applied.
Sometimes additional information is needed in order for the agency to process your application. Examples include: transcripts, DD 214, VA Form 15, questionnaires, etc. Read the instructions very carefully. Some agencies extend you the courtesy of contacting you to let you know what forms they require that you did not submit, but most do not. Information not submitted can result in your application not being evaluated, in which case you will not be considered for the position. Sometimes an agency provides contact information for the vacancy announcement. If you have questions, you can call or e-mail the contact person.
In addition to regular "competitive" positions, there are a number of special authorities, which allow agencies to hire individuals that fit special circumstances. This includes certain kinds of veterans: those who are recovered from a mental disability; those who have a severe physical disability; people whose undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is 3.5 or better; and others. You may qualify for special authorities pertaining to veterans, but don't rule out the other authorities! When you apply for a specific position, and your application is forwarded, your eligibility for special hiring authorities will be noted.
Almost all federal jobs require "examination" of one kind or another. Very few positions require "paper and pencil" tests these days, but some important ones (many in law enforcement, for example) do. Other jobs examine through an evaluation of your education and experience or demonstration that you possess certain knowledge, skills, abilities, or competencies associated with the position to be filled.
Typical Steps in Federal Recruitment
Whether applying for a permanent or non-permanent position, it helps to know that federal agencies use most, if not all, of the following steps during the hiring process:
Job Analysis: This process happens before you, the potential candidate, get involved. The hiring manager or supervisor describes the work to be done, and determines the knowledge, skills, abilities, or competencies required to do that work.
Public Notice or Vacancy Announcement: The agency gets the word out about its current or potential openings. They also include the dates that that applications will be accepted. Please note: If you are a 10-point preference eligible, you can file an application after an announcement closes. You should contact the agency that announced the position for further information.
Screening Applications: The agency human resources specialist, or, in some cases, an automated "expert" system, evaluates your application against the position's qualification requirements and determines your eligibility, and in some cases, your ranking, relative to other candidates.
Referral: The human resources office issues a list of qualified candidates to the selecting official. In some cases, positions are required to be filled from among the top three individuals with the highest score. This is not true for all jobs, but you may hear reference to "The Rule of Three." This is a legal requirement and, when indicated, agencies must follow this rule.
Interview: Most agencies conduct interviews of top candidates. Not all do. The interview can take place in person or by telephone.
Selection: A hiring manager may select from among a pool of qualified candidates. If you are selected, Congratulations! If you are not, you should keep applying for jobs that interest you. There is more than one opportunity for most well qualified people! If a selecting manager doesn't identify a good candidate on the first try, the process goes back to the recruiting phase.
Job Offer: An offer is made to the selected candidate, and if the candidate accepts, then a starting date is determined.
Probationary Period: The probationary period is the final part of the examining and hiring process. This is your opportunity to be sure you've made the right choice of employer, and the agency's opportunity to be sure you are a good match for the job. Most probationary periods last a year, but some agencies have longer or shorter probationary periods.
Please be aware that even in the best of circumstances, the federal hiring process can be lengthy. This is especially true for agencies that don't use an on-line system. Don't be discouraged! Most vacancy announcements list someone who can be contacted for additional information about a vacancy announcement, including the current status of the vacancy. Do reach out to them for an update.