The federal government of the United States has around a hundred thousand jobs lying vacant at any given point in time. Unfortunately, a large number of such jobs vacancies are not filled because many prospective candidates believe that the eligibility criteria are too high. Furthermore, many aspiring applicants also think that the whole process is too convoluted to be worth the effort. 

However, this is certainly not the case. On the contrary, depending on the nature of the job, just about any American citizen or green card holder can apply as long as he or she fulfills a few basic criteria. For example, if you fulfill the criteria, you can apply for the jobs with the US Postal Services to secure your future.

Is It Worth It?

There is one significant drawback. And that is the extended waiting period as the vetting and shortlisting process takes place.  At times, the waiting period can extend up to 18 months. While this might feel like a very long period of time, you can rest assured that it is really worth the wait and the effort. 

This is largely due to the fact that federal jobs are not just mere jobs per se, but a lifelong career that comes with multiple benefits. Most of them include full healthcare for the whole family, paid vacation, life insurance, sick leaves, post-retirement pensions, training, and lots of other even more lucrative benefits.

However, it cannot be stressed enough that you should apply only for those jobs for which you have the relevant qualifications.  For example, if you have just finished high school and are looking for your very first job, you cannot apply for a director level position in the US Postal Services.

Apart from that, you will also have to submit a very specific type of pre-approved resume format and also pass all of the tests that are associated with that specific position.

Most federal government jobs are usually divided into three broadly defined categories:

 The Competitive Service

This is the single largest source of federal jobs in the US. In fact, it is the most popular option when anyone wants to make a career working for the government.

The Senior Executive Service (USSES)

Recruitment for this tier is not easy since it consists of the top executive level positions in the US government. There is a huge battery of tests and eligibility criteria that applicants must clear before they would even be considered for a position in this service.

   The Excepted Service

The ‘excepted service’ is almost exclusively reserved only for those jobs that are considered to be outside the “traditional” government sector. As a general rule, the ‘excepted services’ typical include highly sensitive positions in agencies that work for the safety and security of the American state.

Conclusion

Acquiring a position in the federal government is not going to be easy. It will require months of preparation and planning. However, in the end, it’s all worth it because the benefits that come with these jobs can secure your future for life.