How to Get a Good Government Job in CA
Interested in getting a government job in California? With some of the greatest benefits, job security and opportunity for advancement in the workforce today it’s no real surprise that many people would like to be employed by the California government.
Fortunately for job seekers, there are many CA government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from basic level positions to highly specialized jobs that require years of training and expertise.
Benefits of Government Jobs in California
One of the most appealing things about California government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually comparable to averages in an industry, however when it comes to the extras like medical insurance and paid time off government jobs are likely to out-do the private sector alternatives.
California government job benefits to consider include:
- Insurance
- Paid time off
- Sick leave
- Job security
- Retirement benefits
Even if pay isn’t as competitive as working for-profit companies, the benefits are a part of the overall compensation package that you ought to be taking into consideration.
Where to Find California Government Jobs
Despite the recent economic turmoil there are thousands of government job openings waiting to be filled. You just need to know where to locate them.
There are a number of websites where you can find government job postings and submit an application for them online. USAJOBS.gov is the official website for locating jobs in the federal government but it also has helpful information and advice on getting a government job . If you’re interested in government jobs within California the Department of Labor sponsor’s the website CareerOneStop.org which supplies links to state-specific job sites. These websites will list both state-wide and local positions.
Applying for a Government Job in California
In plenty of different ways applying for a government job is like applying for any other job. However, there are particular requirements to take into consideration.
Citizenship – Nearly all government jobs are available only to U.S. citizens. You can find exceptions, and at the federal level there are agencies that will consider non-citizens. There’s a special hiring process for non-residents and employability requirements that has to be met.
Background checks – You are likely to have a background check done when applying for government jobs in CA. It’s quite normal for people in government positions to have access to sensitive information which explains why background and drug tests are typically a part of the hiring process.
Qualifications – Pay attention to the qualifications section of a job posting. Government jobs can be competitive and the government is only hiring highly qualified individuals. There's what’s known as KSAs which are given during the hiring process for many government jobs. KSA means knowledge, skills and abilities.
Age limit – Most government jobs in California are restricted to people 18 years or older.