As anyone with the slightest knowledge of the United States federal government can tell you, “FedGov” is a fascinating ecosystem of organizationally complex agencies; unique rules, expectations, and practices; and staff of virtually every professional stripe one can imagine.
Entering the federal world of work is challenging by itself, but surviving it — and yes, even thriving in it, can be especially so.
Below are some tips to navigate the waters of a federal government career:
Know Your Role
Study your job description — know it like you know your home address: Rote.
Learn the Ropes
Familiarize yourself with the hierarchy, departments, personnel, and leadership where you work. Know who does what. Know the ‘official way’ to do things — the rules. But also get savvy as to the inner ways/practices of your organization. Know the ropes — and use them to get the job done well.
Aspire
Anyone can do mediocre work. Aspire to do superior work. Know what constitutes “meeting minimum performance expectations” and devise a written plan — that you revise/update as needed (but at least once per month) laying down a path for you to “exceed performance expectations” — day in and day out.
Feedback
Actively seek performance feedback from all stakeholders. Identify areas for professional improvement. Embrace constructive criticism.
Communicate Clearly — But Lead with Your Ears
Communicate clearly, concisely, and diplomatically. But practice the skill of active listening — listen more and speak less. Be attentive, and don’t let your mind wander while in conversation.
Stay Engaged and Adapt
Stay informed about developments in your field, your workplace and the government at large. Get involved in the broader mission of your employer. Adapt: Don’t resist positive change, embrace it. Remain open-minded, and be willing to adapt to new policies, procedures and challenges as they arise.
Network
Networking is crucial for career advancement in FedGov. Build positive professional relationships with everyone. That’s right: e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. Also, attend industry events, join professional associations and groups, and seek out mentorship opportunities to expand your network and learn from others.
Embrace Upskilling
Learn, learn, learn. Just because you got the job, it doesn’t mean you will advance without upskilling. Identify interesting career pathways. Leverage internal and external resources to seek advice; take courses and workshops; use online resources to get up to speed on particular subject areas and tools; get certified in a relevant skill.
Work Ethic
Don’t be on time, be early. Don’t show up 90% of the time, show up 100%. Stay late sometimes. Go the extra mile. Consistently demonstrate that you are someone that can be relied upon. Take ownership of your work. Always exhibit the best version of you.
End Thought
Nurture your career as if it were your favorite fern or pine plant, remembering that if they never get water and sunlight, they wilt. Those that do, and consistently, survive and thrive.
Jerry Cooney, “Jer” to his friends, has spent his career serving in various capacities within Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in HR from Cornell and is a Senior Certified Professional in HR (SHRM-SCP) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).He began his career at a small firm in Manhattan and has since gone on to work with such famous names as Amazon, Siemens, General Electric, and Amtrak. Jer is originally from Islip, New York, but now calls Philadelphia home. He is a huge baseball fan.
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