8 Guidelines for an Effective Government Job Search

The government job search is a very complex procedure. You have to visit a number of web sites; and submit innumerable application forms and resumes at submission pools. You have to follow several difficult procedures for contacting recruiters and agencies, which can get you easily discouraged and irritated.

Government jobs are an exceptional prospect with thousands of jobs becoming available through retirement of employees every year. The estimate is that about a third of the existing workforce retires, paving way for huge need for filling up vacancies. This is a fantastic opportunity for people like you to try and grab government jobs. The government will naturally like to get back its full workforce by vigorously recruiting talented public servants. Here are certain guidelines to do government jobs search:

1. Search for a job that suits you
   You have to realize what type of job your qualifications will actually fetch you in government service. The government job network and its requirement are huge and you have to be clear about your suitability. Remember, the government rules are stringent and they follow them like religion. They look for the most talented people for a certain position. You have to get habituated to searching for your kind of job using several standard search methods.
    
2. The way to search for government jobs
   Job aspirants seem to think of government as a single entity and that it employs all people directly. But this is not so. Each government department is an independent entity, and hence you can not look for job opportunities at just a few fixed places. Each department will have its own recruiters and agencies, and you have to go and search at each and every location for any possible job openings. Yes, it will be a daunting task and an exhaustive one too. Websites run by the offices of personnel management cater to majority jobs. Student internships, clerkships, etc should be found at a different web site. Likewise, an exhaustive listing of jobs will be located at another site. Job seekers should check all indexes in these agency sites.
    
3. Focus Your Search
   There will be a number of job openings in several branches of government such as legislative, judicial, executive branches, etc. Of all the branches, the executive branch will always have the highest number of vacancies to be filled up. And within the executive branch, there are a large number of departments and agencies. These agencies' staff strength varies anywhere from a fewer than 100 people to over 300,000 people. The government manuals will help you narrow your search. The manual gives details about each and every agency and their locations.
    
4. Get Yourself Ready
   For any job, you have to fill up an application correctly and attach your resume, along with a cover letter if necessary. Organize and train yourself in filling up government job application forms. You will be required to attach so many papers, certificates, affidavits along with it. Remember, incomplete or partially-filled applications are liable to be rejected. Follow the instructions thoroughly provided along with the application form. Sometimes, you will be asked to state your skill sets, knowledge, etc., in a particular form.
    
5. Opt for Short-Term Service
   You can take benefit from short-term career opportunities in several ways. Participants in certain government career programs are taken for a two-year stint. After completing the programs successfully, they will be taken permanently. Such short-term programs are legal honor programs, government management fellow programs, government career intern programs, etc.
    
6. The Best Time to Apply
   The best time is when the government has hirings with summer deadlines. The government agencies look for fresh talents on the campuses and elsewhere. So, be prepared with your filled-up applications with all necessary attachments for the initial screenings.
    
7. Patience Pays
   Government job selection process is a fairly long drawn out affair. Government, with all the red tape at its disposal, cannot move as fast as private sectors in processing and completing job employment process. So, there is no point in getting frustrated and dejected. Have patience, and you may get your desired opportunity.
    
8. Certain useful Philippine government web sites
   Search for jobs in government job sites like mom.gov.sg, the official website of the Ministry of Manpower, and vog.gov.sg