About the Author

Foreword

Introduction to Government Employment

The Diversity of Government Jobs

What do all these people do? For what kinds of governments? The past and the future. How governments are organized.

Rewards and Frustrations of Government Employment

Earnings. Disadvantages. The major reward.

Hiring Procedures

Federal hiring processes. Merit systems. Real world hiring considerations. Types of job announcements. General requirements and tests.

Succeeding in Job Searches

Developing effective resumes and application forms. Work sheets. Sample resume. Writing intriguing cover letters. Sample cover letter. Performing well on tests. Winning at interviews

Locating Jobs

Where to start. Finding announcements. Using other employment resources

Running for Office

Deciding to run. Building a staff and raising money. Learning from others

Jobs Throughout the Government

Professional occupations. Accountants. Clerical occupations. World processors and administrative assistants. Other clerical occupations. Craft and blue-collar occupations.

Administration, Legislation, and the Court System

City managers. Legislators/council members. Assessors. Judges. Court reporters. Lawyers. Paralegals

Police and Correction Jobs

Police officers. Other police protection occupations. Correction departments

Computer Jobs

Programmers, systems analysts, operators

Education

School principals. Elementary and secondary school teachers. Cooks. Other education occupations

Fire Protection

Firefighters. Another fire department occupation: emergency medical technician

Health and Hospital Jobs

Public health nurses. Health inspectors. Homemaker/home health aides. Hospital jobs

Road Construction and Maintenance

Civil engineers: Other highway and construction occupations

Housing and Community Development

Construction inspectors. Urban planners

Library Jobs

Librarians. Library technicians and aides

Natural Resources, Parks, and Recreation

Foresters. Park rangers. Other parks and recreation occupations

Postal Workers

Postal clerks. Mail carriers and related positions. Postmasters

Sanitation, Transportation, and Utilities

Sanitation workers. Transportation. Water and wastewater treatment plant operators

Welfare and Human Services

Social workers

Planning for Tomorrow

Where will the jobs come from? Choosing and preparing for an occupation

Appendix A: Further Reading

Appendix B: Associations

Appendix C: Federal Job Information Centers

Appendix D: Commonly Used U.S. Office of Personnel Management Forms