Federal Government Expected to Hire 273,000 New Workers Now Through Fall of 2012
KANSAS CITY, MO, (PRNewswire-USNewswire), January 25, 2010 - The federal government is hiring tens of thousands of new employees, according to a report titled "Where the Jobs Are 2009: Mission-Critical Opportunities for America," released by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service and cosponsored by Aon Consulting, the global human capital consulting organization of Aon Corporation.
The report represents job data from 35 federal agencies (employing more than 1,000 people), and found that from October 2009 through September 2012, these employers plan to hire approximately 273,000 workers in mission-critical roles (positions considered crucial by agencies to fulfill their essential obligations to the American people)*. This represents a 41 percent increase, compared to the three previous fiscal years.
"For job seekers motivated by a desire to make a difference and improve the lives of Americans, there are no better possibilities than those provided by our federal government," said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. "This report confirms that the job opportunities are there. People need to seize them."
The majority of new federal hires are expected to come from five professional fields, led by jobs in the medical and public health category, as well as in security and protection. The number of medical and public health openings projected from now through fall of 2012 is 53 percent higher than from 2007 through 2009, while the demand for security and protection positions show an estimated increase of 46 percent during that timeframe. Other top categories include compliance and enforcement, legal occupations, and administration and program management.
"It's important to note that while there has been considerable growth in mission-critical jobs, the government is not growing significantly larger in historical terms. By the end of 2012, with all new hires, our nation's workforce will still be smaller than it was in 1967," said Stier.
The largest increase in new hires from 2010 through 2012 will come at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). From 2007 through 2009, the VA needed about 30,000 new workers, but the department plans to recruit 48,159 new hires in the next three years. The Department of Homeland Security projects a jump from almost 48,000 hires in the previous three-year period to an estimated 65,730 new job openings between 2010 and 2012. The Department of Defense (including the Army, Navy and Air Force) estimates it will hire 43,514 new employees, an increase from the 35,000 it needed in the 2007 through 2009 timeframe.
Getting Hired by a Federal Agency
Many federal agencies will receive an unprecedented number of resumes for each of their job openings, including several from candidates who are applying for a public sector position for the first time. While standing out from the crowd is important in pursuing all jobs, there are a number of keys in doing so for the federal sector. Aon Consulting offers the following tips:
1. Start by visiting www.usajobs.com, which is the official jobs site for
the U.S. Federal Government. Much like private sector job sites, you
can review openings by keywords and set up job alerts. Review job
postings carefully, including qualifications, assessment processes, job
location and application closing dates. This information is important
in customizing a cover letter and communications, as well as in
completing applications and online questionnaires.
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JOB FAIRS:
February 2 - UMKC Job Fair; 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Ritz Charles Conference Center, 9000 W. 137th Street, Overland Park, Kansas; 785-577-4610; event is free for job seekers
February 10 - 2010 University Career Fair; 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.; The University of Kansas, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS; 785-864-4517; event is free for job seekers
February 12 - Kansas City Job Fair; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Intercontinental at the Plaza, 401 Ward Pkwy; event is free for job seekers; kansascity.localhires.com
February 26 - Overland Park Job Fair; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Holiday Inn Hotel, 8787 Reeder Road; event is free for job seekers; kansascity.localhires.com
March 30 - Employment Guide's 2010 Job Fair; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tony Aguirre Community Center, 2050 West Pennway Terrace, Kansas City MO; event is free for job seekers; 816-920-JOBS (5627)
March 31 - UMSL Teacher Job Fair; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Mark Twain Building, University of Missouri-St. Louis; 314-516-5111; event is free for job seekers
April 7 - The Heart of America Employer Fair; UMKC Swinney Recreation Center; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 816-235-5558; event is free for job seekers
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2. If you haven't held a public sector job in the past, demonstrate your
interest in the position by highlighting appropriate experience in
serving your community, town, school board, etc. In many cases, the
skills and commitment to public service will translate, based on this
experience.
3. Follow up on your application within the first two weeks after the closing date. With the number of candidates vying for these positions, research and follow up are critical to landing the new role.
4. Stay current on federal news that may impact your search by subscribing to the Federal News Daily e-newsletter at www.federaldaily.com, which is a news and resource site for federal employees.
5. Remember, you don't need to live in the Washington, D.C., area to work
for a federal agency. Nearly 85 percent of federal jobs are outside Washington, D.C. In addition, there are several international postings, if those are of interest. According to the Where the Jobs Are 2009 report, more than 44,000 federal employees are currently working abroad.
"This hiring surge comes at a time of high national unemployment and a renewed enthusiasm for public service," said Cecelia Evans, leader of the Federal Sector Practice for Aon Consulting. "This means there will be fierce competition for federal jobs, offering the government a chance to select high-caliber talent, reinvigorate civil service and build a workforce for tomorrow."
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Employers Expect Uptick in Hiring in the New Year
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