Graduating Students and Entry Level Candidates

I am especially proud to support the increasing number who fall into this category of applicants seeking federal civil service jobs. I characterize a number of different groups into this category yet each client grouping has its challenges when attempting to find employment. I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by those who are attempting to secure a federal job within the entry level range between Pay Band 01/2 and GS 01-11 positions. For most, the opportunity to receive an annual salary [based on Washington DC area with COLA] from $19971 to $75864 along with exceptional benefits is worth pursuing.

 

Graduating High School and University students are a big part of the entry level audience. This segment includes those who lie between their senior year in high school and senior year in college. Energetic, independent and proud members of the "Generation Y / Millennium segment", these aspiring young men and women are preparing to enter a workforce plagued by chronic unemployment and the devastating effects of our worst recession since the great depression. Not a pretty picture by any sense or definition and the outlook is not expected to be rosy for the near term. Many who have obtained bachelors and masters degrees from recognized universities are finding work unattainable or simply unavailable within their degree programs. Individuals will be competing for positions primarily listed within the Special Programs job categories and the Special Categories Entry Level and Hiring Event programs.  These include:
 
-Agency Scholars Program
-Academic Semester Interns
-Undergraduate Training Programs
-Financial Management Leadership Program
-Cooperative Education Program 
-Recurring Entry Level Vacancy Announcement Notices
-Periodic Job Fairs held throughout the United States

 

Emerging Spouses and single parents are another major group. Male or female, husband or wife, single, married or increasingly divorced, they have many reasons for entering or attempting to re-enter the workforce and find steady work with economic security. Military spouses, stay at home moms, those newly arrived to the area… all are searching for a decent salary, medical benefits and full time employment. Individuals frequently compete for positions within the Administrative, Health Services, Financial Services, and Technicians job categories.  This segment may also of course compete against those job categories listed previously under students and vice versa.  Spouses and parents are also a large percentage of those attending Agency Job Fairs as well as maintaining applications within the entry level special category program announcements.  Positions routinely include:
 
-Administrative Management Specialist
-Administrative Support Assistant
-Human Resource Assistant
-Intelligence Technology (IT) Technician
-Library Technician
-Executive Assistants

 

Transient, unemployed or realigned workers are growing in numbers as a result of the deep recession.  Individuals being reassigned or laid off as companies downsize or go out of business must retool themselves to enter new job markets or remain competitive.  Many now fall into an overqualified category where once unemployed, it is difficult to find similar work that requires their decades of training and experience. This segment frequently applies against almost all job categories listed previously under students and spouses, and are often competitive for Pay Band 03/GS 08-11 positions.  A distinction made here is that individuals within this segment who have extensive training and background experience would automatically be focused by our representatives towards Pay Band 03 - 05 or GS/GG-12 through 15 positions outright.  These particular individuals discussed here are those who have not yet obtained such credentials.

 

Fortunately, all is not quite so bleak and there are strong opportunities to be competitive within the Federal Government. Yes, and to be absolutely clear, the challenges are there and the odds can be steep at times. I work closely with entry level clients encompassing all of these segments. And for the record, I work just as closely if not more so than with clients competing for Pay Band 04/05 or GS 13-15 positions. My efforts are not solely tied to high Pay Bands/General Schedule Grades as sources of income; my contentment lies with you and seeing your satisfaction when you attain your particular employment goals.        

 

I will work closely with you to articulate your strengths, education and previous work experience. All of those summer and part time jobs, training within child services and teaching, or administrative services experience are important factors that we use to prepare strong resumes.  I remain confident FCPS is best positioned to market you competitively within this segment. And please remember, the discussions above are meant to illustrate general groupings and segments of clients and the common positions which they can compete for.  I am proud of our ability and proven success marketing clients across the full spectrum of Federal vacancy announcements.  Many times I have placed individuals under our full service turn-key program into jobs that they were previously unaware of.   
 
With fairness and a candid assessment of the challenges entry level applicants face, I highly recommend you look carefully at a full service, turn-key support package that provides sustained assistance for a full 365 day period.  This is without question the most economical and advantageous option for aspiring entry level/Pay Band 02 candidates.  It will enable you to attain multiple application submissions, maintain a highly refined resume and in particular receive repetitive interview preparation sessions for each duty position you are called for.  Compare the alternatives and please weigh the advantages and differences between fee simple and full service support.