Sometimes, it’s difficult for the federal government to fill an open position, either because the skill set is hard to find or because the job location is less than ideal. When this happens, the feds can look to their current employees and offer relocation incentives to help attract the best candidates to fill these positions.Read… Read more »
Recruitment incentives are another of the 3R bonuses available to federal agencies to help them find the most talented individuals to fill open positions. Here, we discuss when this incentive can be applied and whether you may be able to qualify for or use one. What are they? Recruitment incentives are paid to newly appointedRead… Read more »
Because the federal government can’t always compete with the private sector on wages, it has some tools at its disposal to ensure that agencies can recruit and retain the best possible candidates. These include relocation, recruitment, and retention bonuses, also known as 3R payments. Here, we focus specifically on retention incentives to help you understandRead… Read more »
Although most federal jobs are located in the United States, upwards of 30,000 Americans are working as civilian employees for the federal government overseas. Some of the top agencies for overseas hiring include the Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of State, Peace Corps, and theRead… Read more »
There is arguably no more important skill for government career growth than networking. And doing it well can be the difference between landing a promotion or big project and being stuck in place. Here are 20 networking tips to get you started: Practice: Especially if you are shy, or have trouble speaking about yourself, practiceRead… Read more »
At various levels the federal government, there are structured, comprehensive career development (or mentoring) programs, like the Presidential Management Fellowship Program. Your agency might have its own version, but mentoring can be far less informal and structured, so long as it benefits both sides. If you are considering becoming a mentor to a new employee,Read… Read more »
As you near retirement age, there are a number of different factors you’ll likely be thinking about. You might realize that you aren’t as financially prepared to retire as you had anticipated, you might have trepidation about not having something to occupy your day, or you might just really like your job. If you fallRead… Read more »
Back in June, the president issued a directive to all executive level departments, calling on them to expand the use and availability of flexible work arrangements that make it easier for employees to enjoy greater work/life balance. “In doing so, we can help ensure that the Federal workforce is engaged and empowered to deliver exceptionalRead… Read more »
Retiring from federal service can be as simple as picking a date on a calendar, but there are certain days to retire on that are more beneficial and can ensure you’ll receive the maximum benefit due to you. When you’ve decided that you are both financially and mentally prepared for retirement, there are some keyRead… Read more »
If you’re considering applying for your first federal job (or if you’re hunting for a new one), don’t plan on using a traditional resume. There are a number of specific things the feds are looking for that don’t usually apply to the private sector. What follows are some tips on how to rework your resumeRead… Read more »