How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job

Jobs

JOBS...JOBS...JOBS: No matter how bad the economy gets, the federal government hires and promotes hundreds of thousands of professionals every year. Moreover, a massive retirement wave will open up an additional 500,000 jobs by 2013. Openings are located throughout the nation, and range from entry-level to executive-level positions.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW GRADS, MINORITIES AND WOMEN: The federal government is rolling out new internship programs and recruitment programs faster than Starbucks is opening up new coffee shops. Some of these programs target undergrads and grad students; some target women and minorities. Many programs offer outstanding training opportunities. Because so many experienced feds are retiring, new recruits are moving up quickly.

U.S. News & World Report describes a government job as "a terrific deal" and includes "government manager" on its list of best careers.

GREAT SALARIES: The average fed earns a salary that meets or beats his/her private industry counterpart - - in almost every job category. Moreover, many agencies pay up to $60,000 in tuition reimbursements, and some jobs pay hefty signing and relocation bonuses.
FORGET THE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES: Federal jobs offer modern flexibilities, like telecommuting and alternative work schedules. Most federal offices are sleek and fast -- not dusty and musty as commonly portrayed. And oddball caricatures of feds like Neuman on Seinfeld and Cliff Claven on Cheers are outdated. Today, most feds are tech-savvy, intelligent go-getters.
BE A DO-GOODER: September 11 has renewed interest in public service. A recent federal job fair in New York City, for example, drew about 15,000 people and the line circled Madison Square Garden four times. No matter what job you work as a federal employee, you will impact large numbers of people and vast resources.
STABILITY: The steady career tracks (feds rarely get laid off!), secure pensions and excellent benefits offered by federal jobs are unparalleled during this era of downsizing, outsourcing and pension scandals.
HAVE A LIFE: The federal government is one of the few places where you can work an exciting job, earn a competitive salary and still have a life. Most feds stick to a 40-hour work week.