Best way to get an entry level job on usajobs.gov?

I also forgot to add one more thing.

I also hear the "We are looking for someone with more experience" excuse.  How can I get/gain experience if I can't get a job? I really don't get that. I have a solid work history.

I thought IT jobs were very in demand?  Someone knowledgeable about that should suggest some job series for you to apply for.

One relatively easy way to start working for the federal government is to start with a seasonal career-conditional IRS job such as Tax Examining Technician or Contact Representative.  Hundreds to thousands are hired at once for these jobs, so sometimes you don't need to score that high, depending on the location.  If you are hired on a career-conditional (not temp or term) appointment, then you will have "competitive status" to apply for other, year-round jobs in the federal government as a status applicant.  However, the announcements for seasonal IRS jobs have closed for the year already.

Edited by spence - 23 Feb 2010 at 1:27am

Originally posted by jackbauer24 I also forgot to add one more thing. I also hear the "We are looking for someone with more experience" excuse.  How can I get/gain experience if I can't get a job? I really don't get that. I have a solid work history.

If you are in the IT field here is how you start getting experience. Volunteer. Does your church need help with their IT? Does your college need tutors for IT? Is there anyone you know that works in IT that could act as your mentor? Perhaps they could bring you into their business and let you shadow them. Lots of bosses wouldn' mind the free labor and you wouldn't mind the free experience. Start telling your friends and family that you will fix their computer problems. I did that and got so much business I opened up my own computer repair store. Put a sign on your car and advertise your services. Do it for less than everybody else, free if you have to. It is important you gain the experience. Join discussion groups or local chapters of computer groups. This will help you network into a position, even if it is just a volunteer position. Try the local Goodwill store. If you can't find anything, start buying computers and set up your own lab at home. Once you have amassed a good setup take pictures of it and bring them with you to interviews. One thing that can make up for lack of experience is an abundunance of enthusiasm and passion for your field. Practice by buying broken IT equipment and try to repair it. Also have you thought about getting a part-time job at one of the big-box retail stores in the electronics depts? You could try Best Buy or Staples. Also don't discount your experience in school, did you work in the lab, did you help maintain their networks or a lab network?

Look for entryl level career intern programs. DCMA has Keystone, Airforce has Palace Acquire.  Search USA Jobs with "Intern" as the key word.

Also you can look at studentjobs.gov...and search for intern positions.

Also, talk to your local federal agencies to see if they have any SCEP (if you are still in school) or FCIP (if you have graduated with a degree) positions.