Government Work

BowlJar · March 2015

Greetings!

I am curious if it is possible to get government work with only an associates degree for formal training? I have certifications, and now some work experience but I was wondering if a Bachelors is essential. It may be a moot point being that I am 4 classes away from my BS at WGU but I would really like to transition to government work as a career trajectory.

I have looked at USAJOBS.gov and seen some jobs I feel I'd be qualified for but am unsure of degree requirements.

Thanks!

higherho · March 2015

Yes it is possible. Only thing though is with Government employee's (not contractors and depending on the GS level) requires a bachelors degree for anything GS 11 and above.

JAM8588 · March 2015

The biggest hurdle to a civilian job can be getting someone to look at your resume. Write it to match the requirements as much as possible, word for word. Knowing someone inside helps tremendously - you can get your resume right to the person who needs to see it. Sometimes the adverts are written with someone specific in mind - they're just posting it because they have to. I'm a contractor for the government, and I've seen some of my co-workers transfer to civilian, mainly because they knew someone. Networking really helps. I've been kicking around the idea of switching, but I'm waiting to finish my degree to see if this is where I want to stay. It's good work if you can get it. Good luck to you.

kiki162 · March 2015

Where are you located Bowl?

It's possible depending on what the Gov't job market is around you. Also depends on whether you want to stay in the competitive or excepted service. You have the min. for 8570, which is a plus. Most of the time however it's always the ones /w preference that get the job.

mjsinhsv · March 2015

Not sure if I would go for GS with all the sequestration cuts looming.
Would be a good gig if you can get in the right agency though.
Normally they do request a 4 year degree but that can be waived by the hiring manager if they like you.

The good thing about working GS is once you make it past your one year probabtion, you never have to work another day in your life.

BlackBeret · March 2015

Sadly that's so true. Contractors do the work and get the money. GS employees get stability and an easy life, but not quite as much money. Take your pick.

the_Grinch · March 2015

I work in State Government and there are various jobs that require just high school. Most will want the bachelors and since you're close I wouldn't be too concerned about it. I didn't know anyone when I got in on the Federal side and I worked really hard. The idea that government workers don't do work really needs to stop (saying this in general not in regards to comments on the topic). Are there some that do nothing? Of course. But no more then any other place I've worked in on the private side. I know if my agency didn't do actual work the state would be in a world of hurt financially.

Nemowolf · March 2015

the_Grinch wrote: »

I work in State Government and there are various jobs that require just high school. Most will want the bachelors and since you're close I wouldn't be too concerned about it. I didn't know anyone when I got in on the Federal side and I worked really hard. The idea that government workers don't do work really needs to stop (saying this in general not in regards to comments on the topic). Are there some that do nothing? Of course. But no more then any other place I've worked in on the private side. I know if my agency didn't do actual work the state would be in a world of hurt financially.

Seriously. Those are a dying breed as Governments find themselves strapped for cash and not able to afford the glut. Advice for anyone on the outside looking in: Slowly, and I do mean slowly, agencies will become more and more like the Private Sector in that IT departments will run like the Private Sector even if the operations and business end do not. Ive seen folks in my department retire with no notice because they don't want to run with the newer, younger more motivated generation of workers. If you can't handle the workload in the Private Sector, it doesnt get easier just because your in the Public sector.

Also ... The level of Government you are trying to get into will determine the level education that may be the "minimum" to get your resume/application seen. I work for a state level agency and our help desk asked for a Associates but we only ended up taking resumes to the next level that had Bachelors and above. If there was fewer folks with more education, some of the folks with Associates would have ended up taking up the interview slots.

BowlJar · March 2015

Thanks for all of the information everyone!

I live in Northwest Iowa (which is important because I border different states). I have always liked the idea of benefits associated with government work as well as the idea of civil service hence my interest.

GForce75 · March 2015

In regards to usajobs, speak to someone who has been hired through it. I always heard that there is a system that also scans for certain keywords. The upside to GS work is the government pays for a lot of your training. I have seen so many contractors who suddenly lost their contracts and lost everything because they could not maintain the lifestyle (due to being cut). Go the safe route, unless you have a lot to fall back on or if your really good at saving (and not have a large family to support)

kiki162 · March 2015

GForce - Yes most of their systems for GS spots get run through the system. Best thing to do when submitting for spots is to NOT have bullets for your resume, and instead have run on sentences. Dropping "big words" in there helps too. If you have certs and the job requires it, put your cert ID in there, as that also helps. I've gotten picked up twice for GS spots doing it this way.

Contractors are a good gig, but short term, and restricted in what your allowed to do or touch. Yes the gov't can be a good gig for some if you like a stable lifestyle and a pension if you can put up with 20-30 years. If you get bored easily, and are looking for a hefty pay raise, don't bother.

olaHalo · March 2015

I work for a school district and their requirements are degrees on actually pretty light for non-teaching technical and management jobs

yeah yeah · March 2015

higherho wrote: »

Yes it is possible. Only thing though is with Government employee's (not contractors and depending on the GS level) requires a bachelors degree for anything GS 11 and above.

News to me. I know plenty of 14's and 15's with only a HS degree.

higherho · March 2015

^ I do as well. But most of those people already worked in the government. Once your in, it's easy to level up. You only need 52 weeks in each rank to get the next one (12 and above). Now for people applying from the outside and coming in; is a little different. You either have the experience to match that grade rank or degree and sometimes they post that the degree is required.

rcsoar4fun · March 2015

The government hires people with no degree all the time. Having said that, hiring for most organizations right now is pretty slim. Most are hiring internal only or outside with vet's preference.

Write your resume the closely match what is listed under "Specialized experience". Sadly much of getting selected requires playing the automated resume scoring game. Next it goes to a staffing specialist, who also have no idea what the job is about besides what is listed.

Most jobs will then come a questionnaire. Now this sounds bad, but you pretty much have to put "expert" on everything, because that is what everyone else does. It sucks, but that is the game.

If you get to an interview keep in mind many organizations are very "canned" in the way they interview. Everyone gets asked in the same questions. They often will not ask you to elaborate, so make sure your answers are complete. Finally, if you get an opened ended question or as asked if there is anything else to share, do so. Sell yourself and why you would be a good fit.

Government Work

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