How to Get a Good Government Job in MO
Interested in getting a government job in Missouri? With some of the greatest benefits, job security and opportunity for advancement in the workforce today it’s no surprise that many people would like to be employed by the Missouri government.
Fortunately for job seekers, there are many MO government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from entry level positions to highly specialized jobs that require years of training and expertise.
Benefits of Government Jobs in Missouri
One of the most appealing aspects of Missouri government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually comparable to averages in an industry, however when you are considering the extras like health insurance and paid time off government jobs are likely to out-do the private sector alternatives.
Missouri 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 portion of the overall compensation package that you need to be considering.
Where to Find Missouri Government Jobs
Despite the recent economic turmoil there are thousands of government job openings waiting to be filled. You simply need to know where to find 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 Missouri the Department of Labor sponsor’s the website CareerOneStop.org which supplies links to state-specific job sites. These sites will list both state-wide and local positions.
Applying for a Government Job in Missouri
In plenty of different ways applying for a government job is just like applying for any other job. However, there are specific requirements to take into consideration.
Citizenship – Most all government jobs are available only to U.S. citizens. There are 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 trying to get government jobs in MO. It’s common for people in government positions to have entry 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 searching for 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 Missouri are limited to people 18 years or older.