Have you ever considered working for the US government but found the mere idea of this vast, multi-pronged entity a bit overwhelming? Perhaps that’s because the government is this vast, multi-pronged entity. But with a little information, the idea of working for the government becomes a lot more accessible. If you’re most familiar with the corporate world, a corporate/government comparison will help shed some light on what it’s like to be a civil servant.
To begin with, the government is the nation’s largest employer. No one corporation employs more people than the US government. And, contrary to what many believe, not all federal government jobs are located in Washington, DC. Only about 15% are based in DC while the rest are found in thousands of locations throughout every state, the US territories and in most foreign countries. And due to its numerous functions, the government offers a diversity of occupations, though most are white collar, in a variety of work environments, from offices to VA hospitals to national parks and shipyards.
The government’s application process is very complex, requiring extra patience and legwork. After wading through thousands of job vacancy announcements to identify the appropriate opportunities, you apply separately for each position with a resume tailored to each job’s specific requirements. Strict adherence to procedures and application deadlines is highly important. Once you submit your application, you may wait up to three months for a response—a lot longer than the wait in the corporate world.
On the plus side, the government is more flexible with qualifications. Years of experience may often replace college education. Even senior level government positions may require no college degree, while comparable corporate positions would. Further, the government hires people at all levels of experience: inexperienced high school graduates, college students, retiring veterans, GEDs and PhDs. The government is also more likely to hire older qualified workers, unlike the private sector which values youth.
Government salaries are comparable to their corporate counterparts. The government offers locality pay, which means your salary reflects your area’s cost of living. Like corporations, the government offers night differentials for employees working the night shift. However, the private sector tends to offer top executives greater incentives: much more money than government executives in similar roles, plus bonuses, commissions, and stock options.
The government is known for strong employee benefits, which are the same for every employee, whereas top corporate executives often receive special added benefits. Government employees receive, among other benefits:
- thirteen sick days per year that roll over
- ten paid holidays and vacation time that increases over the years
- flexible work schedules and teleworking options
- options for extending healthcare coverage to parents, adult children, and other family members
Some government agencies also offer public transit subsidies, recruitment bonuses for exceptional hires and hard-to-fill jobs, student loan repayment, and relocation assistance. Perhaps most important, the government’s retirement benefits are secure, unlike the private sector these days. Government pensions are based on salary and years of service, and health insurance continues into retirement.
If the government is known for anything, it’s bureaucracy. Everything that happens in the government involves a strict hierarchal structure and committee approvals. Working for the government, your entire job is subject to rigid guidelines and procedures. However, these protocols are designed to protect jobs from elimination and employees from being fired, which fortunately adds up to job security.
Due to the government’s vastness and bureaucratic layers, change happens very slowly, and risk taking is not valued. Because decisions are made largely by committees, government workers seldom receive the accolades for individual accomplishments that private sector employees may be given.
Government employees receive full training as well as educational opportunities, sometimes with time off and full or partial tuition reimbursement. Although it may be difficult to transfer to another government position due to the same complexities involved in the initial hiring process, good employees will advance. And while today’s corporate jobs are increasingly subject to downsizing, job security is one of the most significant advantages of government employment. Thus, government jobs offer the luxury of planning for the future.
