Government Jobs
Careers in public service
With career paths spanning public health, engineering, policy and artificial intelligence, government jobs offer opportunities for Cowboys of all majors. Whether you are just starting out or building on your experience, federal careers let you do meaningful work that affects communities across the country.
Government roles combine purpose with stability, offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and clear pathways for advancement. You will have the chance to work on large-scale, innovative projects while developing skills that transfer across agencies and locations nationwide.
From day one, you are not just building a career, you are making a difference.
Federal resumes
Federal resumes are longer than private-sector resumes and should include a detailed overview of your experiences, including dates, hours worked, experience level and specific examples.
Federal resume essentials
Work experience
- Relevant experience (jobs, internships, volunteer work, leadership)
- Employer details (name, location, title, dates, hours per week)
- Key responsibilities and measurable accomplishments
- Optional: supervisor contact and salary
Education
- Schools attended and degrees earned (from accredited institutions)
- Optional: GPA, relevant coursework, projects, presentations, honors and other academic achievements
Additional information
Use the two page limit to highlight your most relevant skills.
Include:
- Certifications and job-related training
- Language skills
- Professional affiliations and publications
- References
Finding federal jobs
Explore federal career opportunities by industry to better understand where your skills fit. From science and engineering to public service and administration, the federal government offers a wide range of career paths across agencies and disciplines. Browse federal jobs by career field to discover roles aligned with your interests and qualifications.
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Create your account
Create a USAJOBS profile, upload your federal resume and set job alerts to stay updated on openings.
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Search for jobs
Use filters like agency, location and job codes to find roles that match your interests and qualifications.
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Review job postings carefully
Check each posting for eligibility requirements, including required experience and grade level.
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Prepare and apply early
Some roles close quickly, so have your materials ready and submit your application as soon as possible.
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Strengthen your application
Tailor your resume for each job, highlight key qualifications with bullet points and save copies of postings for reference.
After the application
Federal interviews
- Prepare in advance. Practice with a mentor, research common questions and use mock interview tools.
- Study the agency and role to tailor your responses.
- Highlight relevant experience with clear, specific examples.
Negotiating
- Negotiate before accepting the offer.
- Clearly communicate your accomplishments and value.
- Request a higher grade level if your qualifications support it.
- Review federal pay and benefits.
Background checks
- Background checks are commonly required for federal positions.
- Plan time for fingerprinting and required paperwork.
- Ensure your information is accurate and complete.
- Hiring often proceeds quickly after clearance steps begin.