Federal hiring myths
I must move to Washington, D.C. if I want to work for the Federal Government
False: About 15% of federal jobs are in the Washington, D.C. metro area while approximately 83% are found in multiple locations throughout the country and the remaining 2% are outside the United States.
You need a security clearance to qualify for a federal job
False: Not all jobs require a security clearance. You can find this information in the job announcement.
However, all Federal positions require the candidate to undergo a suitability adjudication process to determine if the individual is suitable for Federal employment. This means that in addition to meeting the qualifications of a job announcement, an individual is determined likely or not likely to be able to carry out the duties of a Federal job with appropriate integrity, efficiency and effectiveness.
The job announcement looks like it has been written with someone in mind
False: The job announcement is written by the hiring manager with the assistance of the Human Resource (HR) Specialist. It is written to include the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the position.
You can't work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record
False: People with criminal records are eligible to compete for the vast majority of federal jobs. During the hiring process, Federal agencies are generally required to consider people with criminal records IF they are among the highest rated candidates and can comply with the job requirements.
There are some exceptions, because specific laws or statutes prohibit employment, depending on the crime committed. For example:
- Certain federal laws, like those prohibiting treason, carry with them a lifelong ban on federal employment.
- Other federal laws prohibit federal employment for a certain number of years.
- The Bond Amendment imposes restrictions related to national security positions.
Learn more about working for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record.
You have to know someone to get a federal job
False: You do NOT need to know someone to get a federal job. If you are qualified for a federal position, you can write a competitive resume. Make sure you add your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments (KSAs) into your resume and answer the questionnaire giving yourself all the credit that you can. You have to apply correctly following the directions. You CAN get "best qualified" and "referred to a supervisor" without knowing anyone in the government.
You need to tailor your resume to each position
Partially true: Tailoring your resume is not required. However, you must demonstrate in your resume that you're qualified for the position. Remember, this is the only information the Human Resource (HR) Specialist has to determine if your resume should be forwarded to the hiring manager.
Are resumes for federal jobs scanned for keywords by an automated system?
This is partially true. Real people, human resource specialists, do look at resumes. Some agencies also use an automated system to review applications. For the agencies that do use an automated system, the resume review process has two parts:
- An automated application review process that looks at all the required areas of your eligibility and qualifications for the job.
- A review by a human resource specialist of your resume to verify the information in the application.
Federal hiring myths
Are resumes for federal jobs scanned for keywords by an automated system?
I must move to Washington, D.C. if I want to work for the Federal Government
The job announcement looks like it has been written with someone in mind
You can't work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record