How does one start looking at govt/DoD jobs?

tdean

i dont even know where to start....where/how would i apply? what skills are needed? would i be starting all over or is the salary livable? i've got mcse, sec+ and im finishing my ccna now. i have 8 years experience as net admin.

just trying to figure out what career path to take.... security or voip, or just continuing on as the "jack of all trades, master of none" net admin.

:

vanquish23

www.usajobs.gov

That site will explain the federal pay tables, and what benefits you get. If you have a BA degree, you start at GS 7.

reloaded

I'd also look at companies that are contractors to the government in the IT arena: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Harris, Raytheon, BAE, etc.

Jordus

Also realize that about 80% of the jobs posted dont really exist.

They are real jobs, but the are only listed for sake of legality. Around 80% of the time someone inside has gotten the job already and HR is just making its rounds to keep within the scope of the law.

Its sad, but true. and I know this from experience.

unsupported

A good site to see what jobs are out there (and some of them do require a security clearance, or the ability to get one) is Security Clearance Jobs - ClearanceJobs.com. It is a Dice company.

Good luck.

jryantech

How does one start looking for a job to throw away there life with?

fixed.

Haha, in all honestly government is last option IMO

tdean

thanks guys... so, maybe the govt jobs arent the way to go? basically, i'm trying to get out of the 60-65K rut im in. i think i may need to specialize? i was also thinking about either mgt (how do i get experience?) and also CISA, but the starting salary is in the 50's for those positions, so that would be a step back as well.

undomiel

jryantech wrote: »

fixed.

Haha, in all honestly government is last option IMO

Why? What's wrong with it? It's a perfectly legitimate place to work.

jryantech

undomiel wrote: »

Why? What's wrong with it? It's a perfectly legitimate place to work.

Again IMO,

From the outside government jobs look very demanding and not as relaxed. Not to say that is a bad thing but some people can get very stressed from it.
Overall without going into my rants about how you should enjoy your life, try new things and create. A government job just seems like a one way road.

In all honestly a Government Job is my 'default' if nothing else works out.

LarryDaMan

jryantech wrote: »

Again IMO,

From the outside government jobs look very demanding and not as relaxed. Not to say that is a bad thing but some people can get very stressed from it.
Overall without going into my rants about how you should enjoy your life, try new things and create. A government job just seems like a one way road.

In all honestly a Government Job is my 'default' if nothing else works out.

Wow, you seem narrow minded. Most government jobs in IT are the same as any other IT job. What is your opinion based on? As a matter of fact, many places have federal staff and civilian staff working side-by-side. Same job, just a different title. Some of these feds are the most "laid back" people around! Have you ever worked in a government workplace?

In this economy, the attraction to a fed job is about stability and job security.

Mrock4

Although I am military, I work for a civilian organization (obviously a gov't organization) that is staffed mostly by government contractors. I have about 150 co-workers, only a handful are military, the remainder are contractors. The gov't contractors have a nice gig going on. For what it's worth, I've been around these guys for 5 years working alongside (and supervising in one position), and I fully intend on getting out to become one at least until the economy steadies. Gov't contracting is not a bad time, at least in my experience.

Your mileage may vary but those are my observations. I'd highly recommend anyone who has an opportunity to get a clearance get a gov't job to do so.

vanquish23

Don't knock the government, they can pull money out from anywhere. You will also have full benefits and even if it is a contract job, your chances to get back on or extend are high. I wont have a hard time getting into one, and the clearance, which I have the highest, will help out alot.

Again, having a degree will help with the pay scale and promotion

jryantech

Wow, you seem narrow minded. Most government jobs in IT are the same as any other IT job. What is your opinion based on? As a matter of fact, many places have federal staff and civilian staff working side-by-side. Same job, just a different title. Some of these feds are the most "laid back" people around! Have you ever worked in a government workplace?

In this economy, the attraction to a fed job is about stability and job security.

I might be narrow minded but what you said sounds very socialist.
Lets all just work for the government, eh?

Fact is I never said I wouldn't work for the government nor did I ever say a government job would be bad.

dynamik

That didn't sound socialist at all...

The person who actually has experience with the topic at hand is more credible (IMHO ).

jryantech

dynamik wrote: »

That didn't sound socialist at all...

The person who actually has experience with the topic at hand is more credible (IMHO ).

Completely agree. I never said I am more credible and have stated that what I post is in my opinion.

But "In this economy, the attraction to a fed job is about stability and job security. "
Is a bit socialist because it's forcing people to turn to the government for a stable job.

TravR1

IMO the government is trying to lure more people in to government jobs. They are also creating a lot more government jobs. They have been doing this for years now, expanding government. I think they are trying to weaken the private sector.

I would agree this whole moment is socialist. But I'd never blame a person for going to work for the government. Government employees are still needed, and people need jobs. I put the blame on those power-hungry fat cats in Washington.

johnnyg5646

I work for the government and I love it. Granted the money doesn't get quite as high as it can get in the private sector. But, i only work 35 hours a week with 4.5 weeks of vacation a year and benefits for life after 10 years. So, I guess when it comes to government work you have to decide if you want to be comfortable and make average money or make a lot of money and work a little harder. It all depends on your values IMHO.

Either way good luck!

tdean

i guess im still confused. how does one get "clearance?" can i still post my resume on one of those site linked above?

johnny, what do you do that you love so much? my problem is finding jobs in the IT field that arent exactly "net admin" ....

Mrock4

Generally, you either apply for a position requiring a clearance, where the employer foots the bill to get the clearance (not the preferred method for them, as it's expensive for the employer), or you are hired with an existing clearance (generally ex-military)..cheaper for the employer, not to mention faster.

bhs00

I am just about to start a DOD contract job with SAIC. I applied online, they gave me an interview and hired me. They foot the bill for my clearance. I haven't started yet but it is a definite upgrade from where I am currently. Wish me luck.

johnnyg5646

tdean wrote: »

i guess im still confused. how does one get "clearance?" can i still post my resume on one of those site linked above?

johnny, what do you do that you love so much? my problem is finding jobs in the IT field that arent exactly "net admin" ....

Sorry it took so long to respond. I'm a network technician. I'm still pretty low level, but i've only been out of college for 3 years. To get in, I had to take an exam before I could interview for the job. The exam wasn't a test. It was basically just a paper explaining how I was qualified for the job. Once I got that passing grade I could apply to the job. I found all of this information on government websites. It takes a little looking around. Honestly, the hardest part is figuring out how to apply.

There are tons of jobs that you could apply to. It all depends on the experience you have. Project management is huge if you want to get around net admin. Good luck!!

the_Grinch

Just to clear something up, BA/BS = GS-5. A year of graduate study or a 3.0/3.5 (depends on the job) = GS-7. You'll be hard pressed to get into the gov without a lot of experience or a degree. There are some jobs out there, but most of the time they are looking for the degree. As far a socialism by the government giving jobs, that's just a load of crap. I can promise you that most of the people will work for the government for a year or two and once the economy turns around they will jump ship. Government has gotten a lot better pay wise, especially when you factor in locality.

Paul Boz

Government jobs provide the best over-all job security you can get (unless you live in California right now). The drawback is that it is often very difficult to get competitive compensation when compared to the private sector. you have to deal with stringent pay / raise latices, you are often over-looked and treated like a number (depending on what agency you work for and how many are employed) and in many cases your qualifications are based more on what you have than what you know. With all of my Cisco certs I'm not as valued as a guy with a BA in history and my promotion opportunities are limited.

Also, many facets of the government do not use anywhere near cutting edge technologies. I personally prefer to work with the latest and greatest and government jobs just don't provide that.

It just comes down to what YOU want in a job. I see what I just wrote and do not find government jobs appealing. I may have described your ideal situation, however.

Oh yeah, don't let the allure of "ooooooooh top secret military government networks booyah!!" influence you. There are just as many highly secretive and important networks outside of the government. I do penetration testing and social engineering on banks and credit unions around the country. My job lets me basically compromise and attempt to break into bank networks and facilities, which are highly secure and regulated.