How To Find Government Jobs in 6 Steps (Plus Job Types)

Individuals from a variety of backgrounds and educational fields may find interesting job opportunities by working in the United States government. This can be a rewarding career choice for those who want their work to affect the public. Sometimes, it's challenging to find your ideal job in government, but it's often worthwhile because of the benefits and variety of jobs available. In this article, we review the benefits of working for the government, list different government employment opportunities and explain how to find government jobs in six steps.

Benefits of government jobs

There are several benefits of working for federal or state governments. Here are a few benefits of government jobs to consider:

Impact

Working for the government can give you the chance to affect the world around you. You may work to help solve issues that affect everyday lives. You might also choose to complete work that addresses larger issues, including global warming and national security. Whatever your area of interest, you may enact legislation or carry out projects that improve your community and the world. Related: Learn About Being a Civil Servant

Career development

Another benefit is access to new resources and opportunities for career development. For example, you may gain access to seminars or workshops that allow you to gain new skills and knowledge. You may also work to expand your network. The contacts you make may include high-level government officials like mayors, governors or senators who may be beneficial additions to your professional network. Read more: 7 Tips To Improve Your Career Development

Compensation and benefits

Government jobs can pay well and many come with a variety of benefits. Many government jobs also require some level of confidentiality, which may generate greater separation between home and work. This can help individuals to establish a healthy balance between work and life, which may help them be happier and more productive in both areas. Some benefits include:

Health care
Social security
Life insurance
Employee assistance programs
Child care and parental leave

Variety of career fields

The government holds a lot of opportunities for individuals in varying fields. You may find employment in politics, research, law, national security, public affairs, veterans affairs and a wide range of more specific government programs. These employment types also result in various relocation options. Many federal government employees work in Washington, D.C., but state or local government employees work in cities across the United States and abroad. Related: 18 Types Of Federal Government Jobs (Including Benefits)

Student loan assistance

Many government jobs offer student loan repayment programs to help individuals with student debt. After making payments for approximately 10 years, government employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This program forgives the rest of the debt, which may make a big difference in the finances of those with student loan debt. Read more: Working in Government: Pros and Cons

How to find government jobs

If you want to work in a government job, it may be helpful to follow these six steps:

1. Determine your field of interest

Narrowing down your specific area of interest can be an important first step to finding a job. This can help keep the process manageable and ensure that you're both qualified and interested in the jobs for which you apply. To help you determine which job you may be most interested in, you can research the different duties, lifestyles and compensation packages. Related: How To Identify Your Career Interests

2. Network and form connections

Networking means making professional connections and building relationships for professional purposes. This can be useful in finding a job because individuals may share openings at their company or in their field. They may also be willing to refer you for the position, which often increases your chances of being seriously considered as an applicant. When you apply for jobs, you can ask your network if they know of any openings. You can expand your professional network by contacting individuals who work in government in your field of interest and inviting them to connect with you. Consider joining professional networking social media groups or attending an in-person networking event. You can also attend talks or other events intended for people in your industry intending to talk to new people. You may then contact these individuals later and reference your meeting to begin your conversation. Related: 10 Tips To Help You Build a Network (With Benefits)

3. Gain experience

Government jobs are highly selective in their hiring processes. Completing an internship in your field may help elevate your chances of being considered. This can also be a useful way to expand your skill set, meet new people and get direct experience in your field. Some employers consider their interns for full-time positions after their internship is complete. They might also provide other career development advice, professional references or information about job openings, which can all be useful in finding a government job. If completing an internship isn't a possibility for you, consider shadowing another person in your field. Shadowing involves following an employee throughout the day to observe and learn about what they do. You may also ask them questions about their work or career path. This can provide many of the same professional development benefits as an internship with a lighter demand for your time and attention. Related: 40 Great Internships for College Students

4. Make an account on USA Jobs

It's required for any applicant for a federal government position to apply through their account on the federal government's job application website. This ensures that the right person reviews all applications properly. You can make an account by navigating to the website and clicking the "Create an account" button. You can then supply relevant contact information to set up your account. Use your account to search for relevant jobs, start applications and check your progress.

5. Search for open jobs

You can search online for government jobs by perusing the USA Jobs database. Adjust the location to find open positions in your area. You may search this database by job title, department, agency or occupation. Alternatively, you may find government jobs by searching directly through government website hiring pages. For example, if you know you might like to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you can search the website for job openings. Related: 10 Political Researcher Skills (Plus Job Duties and Salary)

6. Apply for government jobs

If you found your job through an online search, you're likely to find application instructions alongside the job description. If you found the job opening through a reference, you can ask for the best way to put forward your application. When submitting your materials, include your most updated resume, cover letter and references. Follow the application instructions as carefully as possible to ensure you include all the information they requested. Related: Government Jobs Explained (And Rewarding Roles To Consider)

Types of government jobs

Government jobs span many industries and fields. Some of these positions involve working in your community at the local government level. Others work at the state level, balancing local issues with federal ones. Finally, there are federal government positions that concern matters of national importance. Here are a few types of government jobs that you may consider:

Social work: This field involves connecting individuals in need with resources to help them live their daily lives. You might work with veterans, the justice department or the social security system or apply for social work jobs at lower governmental levels that include child services or foster care, medical settings or schools.
Education: You may find employment with the government teaching elementary school, working with the children of military personnel or educating those with special needs. You can also engage in education research, develop related policies or work within the justice department to help incarcerated individuals gain the education and skills to function well in society upon release.
Research: There are government researchers who work on technology and help the U.S. stay updated with technological advances. Some of these researchers may research engineering, natural and social sciences, public health or economic research to help guide the U.S. toward functional and sustainable policies.
Medicine: Government employees with experience in the medical field may perform hands-on medical work for veterans, work in the Department of Public Health to craft public policies or work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help identify pandemic and epidemic threats. Another branch, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has jobs that help protect human and environmental health.
Security: There are many security-related positions available within the government. Those interested in working in security at a federal level may join a federal intelligence service like the FBI or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), or work in prisons as a correctional officer, therapist or educator.
Law: The judicial branch of the government provides many jobs related to law, like public defenders and federal litigators. Law experts may also use their knowledge and training to find a career in politics.
Business, politics and foreign policy: Those interested in working in business and politics may join many government organizations as economists, treasurers, accountants, political affairs officers or human resources employees. Some may pursue a path in politics to become an elected official, like a member of the United States House of Representatives, a senator or a foreign diplomat.