Government jobs are posted on USAJobs.gov, your state's civil service website, and individual agency career pages

USAJobs.gov is the federal government's official job board. Every civilian position with the federal government — from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the National Park Service to the Social Security Administration — posts there first. You create a free account, upload your resume, and can set up email alerts for specific job titles, locations, or agencies.

State and local government jobs are not on USAJobs. Your state has its own civil service portal, usually called something like "State of [Name] Jobs" or "[State] Career Center." You find it by searching "[your state] government jobs" or by visiting your state's main website and looking for a "Careers" or "Employment" link. County and city jobs post on their own websites — search "[your county] jobs" or "[your city] jobs" directly.

Some agencies also post on their own career pages before or alongside USAJobs. The FBI, CIA, and military branches have separate recruitment sites. The U.S. Postal Service posts on USPS.com. If you know which agency interests you, go to their main website and look for "Careers" in the footer or top menu.

Key Takeaways

  • USAJobs.gov lists all federal civilian jobs; your state's civil service website lists state positions; county and city jobs post on their own sites.
  • Federal jobs require a resume uploaded to USAJobs and often ask for a cover letter, but the process itself is usually a form you fill out on the site.
  • Many federal positions require a background check, drug test, and security clearance, which can take weeks or months after you are selected.
  • State and local jobs may have different timelines and requirements — some move faster than federal positions, others slower.
  • Government jobs often list a salary range and benefits upfront, so you know the pay before you explore.

What information you need before you search

Have your Social Security number, driver's license number, and employment history ready. Government applications ask for exact dates you worked at each job, your supervisor's name, and the reason you left. If you have not worked in a while or have gaps, write down what you were doing during those periods — school, caregiving, illness, or unemployment are all acceptable to list.

If you have a criminal record or have been fired, do not skip those questions. Lying on a government process is a federal crime. Most agencies care more about honesty than the offense itself — they will ask about it in an interview, and you can explain the context then. Hiding it is grounds for when ready disqualification and possible prosecution.

Gather copies of any certifications or licenses you hold. If the job posting says "must have a valid driver's license" or "nursing license required," you will need to show proof. Some jobs ask for transcripts from college or trade school — you can order these from your school's registrar for a small fee, usually $5 to $15.

How to read a federal job posting and understand what you are being asked to do

A USAJobs posting has several sections. The "Duties" section describes what the job actually involves. The "Qualifications" section lists what experience or education the government requires — read this carefully, because if you do not meet the minimum, your process will be rejected automatically before a human sees it.

The "how the process works" section tells you exactly what documents to submit. Most federal jobs ask for a resume and a "cover letter" or "statement of interest" — usually one to two pages explaining why you want the job and how your experience fits. Some ask for a questionnaire where you rate your own skills on a scale. Answer these honestly; they are used to rank candidates, and lying will be caught during the interview or background check.

The "Salary" line shows the pay range. Federal jobs are classified by grade — a GS-5 is entry-level, a GS-7 or GS-9 is mid-level, and a GS-12 or higher is senior. The same grade pays the same amount nationwide, though some high-cost cities like San Francisco or New York get a locality adjustment on top. The posting will say which grade this job is and which step within that grade you would start at.

The "Closing Date" is when the process window shuts. Some jobs stay open for a few days, others for weeks. Once the date passes, you cannot explore. Set a phone reminder a day or two before if the job interests you.

Differences between federal, state, and local job searches

Federal jobs move slowly. After you explore, it can take two to four weeks for the hiring agency to review applications. If you pass the initial screening, you might wait another two to six weeks for an interview. The entire process from process to job offer often takes three to six months. State and local jobs vary — some move as fast as private-sector jobs (two to four weeks), others take just as long as federal positions.

Federal jobs almost always require a background check and drug test before you start. State and local jobs usually do too, but not always. The posting will say what is required. Federal jobs also often require a security clearance, which adds weeks or months to the timeline and involves interviews with investigators.

Pay and benefits differ. Federal jobs come with health insurance, a retirement pension, and paid time off spelled out in the posting. State and local jobs vary widely — some offer similar benefits, others offer less. The posting should list what is included.

Federal jobs are posted on one site (USAJobs). State jobs are scattered across your state's portal and individual agency sites. Local jobs are on city and county websites. This means you have to search multiple places to find all the jobs in your area.

How to create a strong resume for government positions

Government resumes are longer and more detailed than private-sector resumes. A one-page resume will not work. Include your full contact information at the top, then list every job you have held, with the exact dates you started and stopped, your job title, your supervisor's name, the organization's name and location, and a description of what you did.

Use the language from the job posting. If the posting says the job requires "customer service" and "data entry," use those exact phrases in your resume when describing your past work. Government applications often use keyword-scanning software, and matching the language increases your chances of passing the initial review.

Include any volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs. Government employers care about total experience, not just full-time positions. If you worked part-time while in school or volunteered for a nonprofit, list it with the same detail as a paid job.

Do not include a photo, personal information like your age or marital status, or references on the resume itself. The process will ask for references separately, and you can provide them then.

What happens after you submit your process

You will receive a confirmation email saying your process was received. This does not mean you have been reviewed yet — it just means the system accepted your submission. Save this email; it contains your process number.

The hiring agency will then screen applications against the minimum qualifications. If you do not meet the stated requirements, you will receive a rejection email. If you do, your process moves to the next step, which varies by agency. Some agencies rank candidates by their questionnaire answers. Others send all may have access to candidates to a hiring manager for review. Some conduct phone interviews first, others go straight to in-person interviews.

You may not hear anything for weeks. Federal agencies are not required to update you on your status. If you want to know where your process stands, you can log into USAJobs and check the status there — it will say "Received," "Under Review," "Referred," or "Not Selected." State and local agencies vary in how much they communicate.

If you are selected for an interview, the agency will call or email you. Have your phone number and email address correct in your process. If you miss the call or do not check your email for a few days, they may move on to the next candidate.

Where to search if you have a criminal record or employment gap

Do not assume you are disqualified. Many government agencies hire people with records or gaps. Some positions — law enforcement, security clearances, work with children — have stricter rules. Others do not. The job posting will say if there are restrictions.

When you explore, answer the questions about your record or gap truthfully. In the cover letter or statement of interest, briefly explain what happened and what you have done since. If you were incarcerated and have since completed a program or held steady work, say that. If you had a gap because you were caring for a family member or dealing with illness, say that. Honesty and evidence of stability matter more than the event itself.

Some states and cities have "ban the box" laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history until later in the hiring process. If your state has this law, the process may not ask about your record at all — you would only discuss it if you are offered an interview. Search "[your state] ban the box" to learn about this applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to explore through USAJobs even if I know someone who works at the agency?

Yes. All federal jobs must go through USAJobs, and all applications are reviewed against the same criteria. Knowing someone may help you understand the job better or get information on your process, but you still have to explore officially. Some agencies have internal job boards for current employees, but external candidates must use USAJobs.

What if I do not have a college degree but the job posting says "degree required"?

Read the full qualifications section. Some postings say "degree required" but then list an alternative, like "four years of work experience in a related field." If you have the work experience, you may be able to substitute it. If the posting says only a degree will work, you do not meet the minimum and should not explore — your process will be rejected automatically.

Can I explore for the same job multiple times if I do not get it the first time?

Yes. If the job is posted again, you can explore again. Your previous process does not affect your chances. However, if the job is still open and you were already rejected, explore again will not change the outcome — wait for it to be reposted with a new closing date.

How long does a background check take for a federal job?

Background checks typically take four to eight weeks, but can take longer if there are issues to investigate or if the agency is backlogged. A security clearance adds another two to six months. The agency will tell you the timeline after you receive a job offer. You usually cannot start work until the background check is complete.

What if I live in one state but want to explore for a job in another state?

You can explore for federal jobs anywhere in the country through USAJobs. For state jobs, you can usually explore to other states' civil service portals, but some states prioritize or only hire residents. Check your target state's job portal to see if there are residency requirements. Local jobs almost always require you to live in that city or county, or to be willing to move there before you start.