As if looking for a government job isn’t nerve-racking enough, there are some unique elements to this type of job search that make it a different experience altogether. The rewards for working for your country and your community are plentiful, but in order to prove your value, you really need to go above and beyond as a job candidate.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE JOURNEY TO A GOVERNMENT JOB.

START WITH YOUR STRENGTHS

Federal job applications look very different from the type of application you may be used to submitting for jobs. A federal resume should be more detailed and more expansive than what your average resume template may currently have built out. The average resume for a job in the private sector is about 1-2 pages. A federal resume should be at least 10 pages long and include a detailed curriculum vitae of the work and projects you have accomplished to date. Include examples and success stories that help round out your work history. References and security clearances are also worth including right from the beginning.

The key is to focus on your exemplary work history with a focus on your key strengths as they relate to the job you are applying to. Highlight your accomplishments. Make sure you share successes. And show reviewers that you are truly committed to the job you have applied to.

BE OPEN TO RELOCATION

Let’s say that you’re looking for a government job and see one that really interests you, but it would definitely require a move. Don’t assume that it’s impossible to interview for the job if you don’t live there. Even in cases where postings say they are not considering candidates from outside the immediate region, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t apply. What it does mean is that the organization is not anticipating the need to cover any interview travel or relocation expenses.

That means that if you want to keep yourself in the running, you should include a phrase—prominently placed in your cover letter—that says that you are willing to relocate for this position and would be happy to travel to their location for an in-person interview. It’s important to inform reviewers that you are a serious candidate, ready to make a change in your life for this job, including the financial commitment that would entail.

MAKE YOURSELF THE OBVIOUS CHOICE

Government agencies often need to hire locally and quickly. If you make that a challenge for them to hire you and accomplish these goals, the odds will not be in your favor. While it is physically possible to start a new job in a new city just two weeks after you accept their offer, it does present certain challenges that you need to prepare to address. Make yourself the best choice and the right choice by instilling hiring manager confidence in your abilities and in your availability for an easy and quick onboarding process.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A GOVERNMENT JOB?

For more tips on how to land a government job, connect with the recruiters at US PRO today.