Federal Jobs Have Separate Opportunities for Different Candidates

Federal jobs are highly sought after for offering relatively greater security and better work conditions than private sector jobs during the recession. So, a federal job search may be a prudent thing to execute right now, if you are unemployed or in a private sector job that has precarious stability.

Federal jobs have always been attractive to those who are more worried over security than higher pay. However, people in ordinary times, other than the recession, made a federal job search only when they sought a position of authority, and not wealth. Traditionally, ambitious careerists have used federal jobs and positions as temporary strategic steps to gain an insight into government workings, and establish a congenial network within the corridors of power. Such persons leave federal jobs after a temporary stint of gaining experience and connections, and then join interested private sector employers where they can fruitfully realize the returns on their time spent in federal jobs.

If you are interested in federal jobs and thinking of making a federal job search, then it would be useful to be aware that the federal government has different stipulations, as well as relaxations for eligible candidates. Therefore, to make a successful federal job search you need to first see your category as a potential candidate and find out the eligibility conditions and relaxations available to that category of candidates. It is also good to be aware that federal jobs are not limited only to US locations, but have openings all across the world in U.S. embassies as well as welfare or other projects.



Besides general candidates, the U.S. government categorizes potential candidates further into four special classes including:

1. Individuals with disabilities
2. Veterans
3. Students
4. Senior executives

Each of these four classes of candidates have different eligibility criteria for federal jobs and separate programs, as well as opportunities, to absorb them into the government workforce. So, in case your situation fits one of the mentioned additional classes of federal jobs, then it would be fruitful to learn thoroughly about the opportunities associated with your category, before making your federal job search.

While the first three classes of federal jobs are self-explanatory, people on a federal job search are often confused by what the government means by a ''senior executive,'' and how being a senior executive can be of advantage to get federal jobs.

Federal jobs for senior executives are in the SES or Senior Executive Service. To qualify for jobs in the SES, a candidate must fulfill the specific professional qualification requirements for a position in addition to demonstrating the five ECQs or Executive Core Qualifications that apply to all jobs under SES. The five ECQs for SES that have been laid down by the Office of Personnel Management for all related jobs are:

• Ability to lead change
• Ability to lead people
• Results driven attitude
• Business acumen
• Ability to build coalitions

Federal jobs in SES are filled both by direct advertisement, as well as from any particular Federal Agency's SES Candidate Development Program from where candidates are absorbed without competition. So, if you are aspiring for jobs in the SES or other eligible category, it might better to search for available Candidate Development Programs while on your federal job search.