Don't Give Up

Don't Give Up


Federal hiring procedures are constantly changing. but
each agency's personnel office should have the most up-to-date
information. If there is a best way to look for a Government
job, it is to try every method you can for getting a foot in
the door. Know your own qualifications and make sure you meet
the requirements for getting hired. Visit as many agencies as
you can and find out if they're hiring. Leave copies of your
SF 171 if possible, even if they're not accepting applications
for a specific opening. Keep adapting your strategies to the
ones that seem to work best.



And never underestimate the power of your personal
network. Ask family members and friends about opportunities
that crop up in their offices. Talk to people you know who work
for the Government and find out what they do. Meet with people
who may have lots of contacts, such as your college professors,
and talk to the people they know. Networking is an important
tool in the vast Federal work force.

Above all, be flexible. No matter where you look for a
job, you can expect setbacks along the way. You're guaranteed
to get the runaround more than once, but don't get discouraged.
If you are qualified, your persistence will pay off.


For More Information


Reading this article is just the start of your Federal job
hunt. Now you're ready to move on. Below is a list of resources
to provide you with specific information about tests, job
vacancies, and application procedures.

OPM publishes the Federal Career Director, containing
general employment and special hiring program information,
profiles of Federal agencies, and an index of college majors.
You can find the Directory at libraries, OPM offices, and
Federal Job Information centers. OPM also publishes brochures
on topics ranging from the Federal Cooperative Education
Program to the summer Employment Program. To receive them,
write

OPM
Career Entry Group
1900 E Street NW.
Washington, DC 20415

To receive Qualifications Information Statements for ACWA
positions and information about job vacancies, special hiring
programs, salaries, and benefits, call the Career America
Connection, (912) 757-3000. You can call this automated message
service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Material requested by
telephone is usually mailed within 24 hours. Or, write

Office of Personnel Management
Staffing Service Center
P.O. Box 9800
Macon. GA 31298-2699

You can also visit any OPM office or Federal Job
Information Center.

If you live in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, call
the Washington Area Service Center's automated phone system at
(202) 606-2700 for testing schedules and application materials.
The Office of Washington Examining Services schedules most
tests on a walk-in basis, and the automated message gives the
schedule. You can also follow the instructions on the message
to receive the sample questions and Form B for the group for
which you would like to take a test.

For exams in groups 1 and 2, and for exams in all groups
in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
contact the OPM office in those regions for information and
applications. Positions are filled locally, and you may have to
file separate applications in each area you want to work.

Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) numbers are also
available in each region. They are listed on information sheets
available through OPM's Federal Job Information Centers.

If you have a personal computer, modem, communications
software, and telephone line, you can access the Federal Job
Opportunities Bulletin Board, (912) 757-3100. Information about
examinations currently open and vacancy announcements
nationwide can be scanned on line or downloaded to your
computer. Although not as comprehensive, OPM regional bulletin
boards are available in six areas. They, are

(202) 606-1113 Washington, DC, area
(404) 730-2370 Southeastern States
(215) 580-2216 Northeastern States
(313) 226-4423 North Central States
(214) 767-0316 Mountain and Southwestern States
(818) 575-6521 Western States

Many agencies also publish information about themselves
and occupations that are especially important to them. Contact
agencies directly to receive these brochures.


The Largest Agencies


The following executive departments and independent
agencies employ the great majority of Federal workers.

Agriculture Department
Office of Personnel, Room SM-7
AG PROMENADE
12th Street and Independence Avenue SW.
Washington, DC 20250-9650

Air Force Department
NCR-SPTGDPC, CPO 1100
The Pentagon. Room 5E871
Washington, DC 20330

Army Department
Hoffman Civilian Personnel Office
Hoffman Building II, Room 1S39
200 Stovall Street
Attention: ANCP-HPR
Alexandria, VA 22332-0800

Commerce Department
Office of the Secretary
14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
Room 5001
Washington, DC 20230

Defense Logistics Agency
Staff Director, Civilian Personnel
Cameron Station
Alexandria, VA 22304-6100

Education Department
Personnel Office, Room 1156
400 Maryland Avenue SW.
Mail Box 4645
Washington, DC 20202

Energy Department
Office of Personnel
Forrestal Employment Branch AD114.2
1000 Independence Avenue SW.
Washington, DC 20585

Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street SW.
Washington, DC 20460

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Room G-4000
550 17th Street NW.
Washington, DC 20429-9990

General Services Administration
18th and F Streets NW.
Washington, DC 20405

Health and Human Services Department
Office of the Secretary Personnel Office
Cohen Building, Room 1037
330 Independence Avenue SW.
Washington, DC 20201

Housing and Urban Development Department
Employment Office
Room 2258
451 7th Street SW.
Washington, DC 20410

Interior Department
Personnel Office
Office of the Secretary
Room 5456
1849 C Street NW.
Washington, DC 20240

Labor Department
Frances Perkins Building
Room C5516
200 Constitution Avenue NW.
Washington, DC 20210

Justice Department
Personnel Office
Room 603
633 Indiana Avenue NW.
Washington, DC 20531

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Room 5017 FOB6
400 Maryland Avenue SW.
Washington, DC 20546

Navy Department
Secretariat/Hq. Civilian
Civilian Personnel Branch
Pentagon Division, Room 4D-434
Washington, DC 20350-1000

Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street NW.
Room 1447
Washington, DC 20415

Small Business Administration
Personnel Office
409 Third Street, SW., Suite 4200
Washington, DC. 20416

Smithsonian Institution
955 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Suite 2100
Washington, DC 20560

State Department
(Civil Service positions)
Employment Information Office
Room 2819
22nd and D Streets NW.
Washington, DC 20520

Transportation Department
Central Employment Information M-18.1
Room 9113
400 7th Street SW.
Washington, DC 20590

Treasury Department
Departmental Offices
Personnel Resources, Room 1318
Main Treasury Building
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20220

Veterans affairs Department
810 Vermont Avenue NW.
Washington, DC 20420