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• Apply for jobs in the federal government

Just starting out in your career? Start here.

As the largest employer in the U.S., the federal government has a variety of career fields to suit your skills and interests. Visit Early careers for guides, programs and opportunities to help you launch a rewarding career in the federal government.

Explore career fields that are hiring now.

The government is looking to fill positions that are in high demand. Find your opportunity to shape America's future.

• Mathematics
• Computer science
• Mathematical statistics

Engineering

Human resources.

• Human resources management

Business, industry and programs

• Acquisitions and contracting
• National Security

Social Science

Medical, dental and public health.

• Fishery biologist
• General natural resources management and biological sciences
• General physical science
• Health physics
• Federal tech portal
• Information technology management
• Cross-functional positions
• Cybersecurity
• Cyber effects
• Information technology
• Other cyber opportunities

Learn more about the federal hiring process.

Below is an overview of the federal hiring process. This process is in place to make sure all applicants receive fair and equal opportunity.

Create a USAJOBS profile

First, create and complete your profile to apply for any job on USAJOBS.

With a USAJOBS profile, you can save jobs, automate job searches, and manage everything you need to complete your application, including resumes and required documents.

Search for jobs

Once you create your profile, you can search for jobs.

It's best to sign into your profile before searching. Why? We can use your information to improve your job search results.

You can also use filters such as location, salary, work schedule or agency to narrow your results.

Review the job announcement

If you find a job you're interested in, read the entire announcement to determine if you're eligible and meet the qualifications. It's important to read the announcement because there are required qualifications you must meet and include in your application.

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

Read the How to Apply section of the job announcement before starting your application. Click Apply , and we'll walk you through a five-step process where you'll attach a resume and any required documents.

During the application process, you can review, edit and delete your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go so that you won't lose any changes.

Submit application to the agency

When your application is ready, you'll be directed from USAJOBS to the hiring agency's system to submit your application. Before you submit, you may need to complete other agency-required steps such as a questionnaire or uploading additional documents.

The time it takes to submit depends on the job you are applying for and the hiring agency's requirements.

You can check your application using the Track This Application link in your USAJOBS profile or contact the hiring agency listed on the job announcement.

Transition to agency

Agency reviews application.

The hiring agency begins reviewing applications when the job announcement closes. The hiring agency will review your application to make sure you're eligible and meet the qualifications for the position.

The hiring agency will place applicants into quality categories. Those placed in the highest category are sent to the hiring official.

The hiring official will review the highest qualified applications and select applicants to interview based on agency policy. The hiring agency will contact applicants directly to schedule interviews.

You may be interviewed by a panel, in-person, video or phone interview, and there may be more than one interview round. For example, an applicant may have a phone interview and then an in-person interview.

Scheduling an interview may take some time, depending on the number of applicants to interview.

Agency selects candidates

After all interviews are completed, the agency will select a candidate(s) and contact them to start the job offer process.

For those not selected, the hiring agency will update the job's status to Hiring Complete .

What jobs can you apply for?

Hiring paths help you understand what jobs you are eligible to apply for and why. You may fall under multiple hiring paths.

Explore unique careers with the government

Infrastructure jobs.

Intelligence careers

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• Recent graduates

Find jobs for recent graduates

Recent graduate programs.

The Recent Graduates Program is for those who have graduated, within the past two years, from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical program. This program offers one to two-year developmental experiences in federal agencies.

Many federal agencies participate in the Recent Graduates Program and post these opportunities on USAJOBS.gov.

Who is eligible?

You must apply within two years of getting your degree or certificate. If you’re a veteran and you can’t apply due to service obligations, you have up to six years after getting your degree or certificate to apply.

Have questions?

Please contact [email protected] with any issues or questions related to the Pathways Programs for recent graduates or contact the agency listed in the job announcement for questions about a specific recent graduate job.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about the Pathways Program .

This program is for recent graduates with an advanced degree—either a professional or graduate degree such as a master's, Ph.D. or J.D. This program accepts applications annually, usually in the fall and the announcement will be available on USAJOBS.

Learn more about the PMF application process .

You may be eligible if you:

• Have completed an advanced degree from a qualifying educational institution or program within the past two years of the annual application opening date.
• Expect to complete all advanced degree requirements, including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation, by August 31 of the next year, from the opening date of the annual application announcement.

Email [email protected] for questions related to the Presidential Management Fellows Program. If you have questions about a specific announcement on USAJOBS, please contact the hiring agency using the contact information in the announcement.

For more information about the program and how the application and selection process work, visit the Presidential Management Fellows website .

The Department of Defense (DOD) offers several programs and opportunities for recent graduates.

Learn more about recent graduate opportunities at the Department of Defense .

The Department of State offers internships, fellowships and other opportunities for recent graduates.

Learn more about recent graduate opportunities at the Department of State .

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science offers a laboratory internship for undergraduates and recent graduates who have a STEM related degree.

Learn more about the DOE undergraduate laboratory internship .

USAID offers paid internships and fellowship opportunities to students and recent graduates in Washington D.C. and in USAID Missions abroad. Learn more about USAID programs .

Why work for the federal government?

Make an impact.

You can make a difference in our nation and across the world in so many ways. Federal employees work across a variety of career fields to innovate technology, solve national security issues, fight disease combat climate issues, rebuild America’s infrastructure, and more.

Our commitment to diversity

The federal government strives to create a workforce that represents the full diversity of our nation and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Enjoy competitive benefits and pay

We offer flexible workplaces, student loan repayment and forgiveness, health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, retirement, vacation and more.

• Work schedules and workplace flexibilities

Hiring resources to get you started

• How do I write a resume for a federal job ?
• How does the application process work ?
• What do I need to know about the job announcement ?
• How is finding a job in the government different than the private sector ?
• What is the difference between eligibility and qualifications ?
• Do I need a background check or security clearance ?
• How long does it take to get a federal job ?
• How do I search for jobs ?

Other Hiring Paths

• Open to the public
• Federal employees
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• Senior executives
• Special authorities
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA
• Family of overseas employees
• National guard and reserves
• Native Americans

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Pathways Program

Students and recent grad opportunities.

Whether you are still in school or just starting out in your career, we have many opportunities for you to make a meaningful difference while building your skills. Get a job at the U.S. Department of Labor!

We work collectively to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States, improve working conditions, advance opportunities for profitable employment, assure work-related benefits and rights, and much more. Please review the Federal Occupations by College Major to help you determine what Federal Occupations correlate to your education. Whatever your interest, there's an opportunity at the Department of Labor for you.

Internship Program

The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking bright, innovative, and results-oriented individuals to join our Pathways Internship Program. As an Intern, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job training and experience related to your field while pursuing your education. Internship can be seasonal (spring, summer, fall or year round). At the successful conclusion of this program, you may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career conditional position. Interns may work full-time or part-time schedules.

Ideal candidates for DOL internships are individuals pursing undergraduate or graduate degree programs in various fields (e.g. business administration, management, economics, public policy, political science, international relations studies, accounting, financial management, medical, information technology/information systems, human resource management, pre-law and law.) Candidates will be considered on the basis of the applicability of their education and experience.

• Find current internships

Recent Graduates Program

The Recent Graduates Program provides developmental experiences in the Federal Government. It is intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who, within the previous two years, graduated from qualifying educational institutions with an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree as well as certificate from qualifying educational institutions. To be eligible, applicants must apply within the previous two years of degree or certificate completion except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree or certificate completion to apply. For more information about Federal employment information for veterans, go to OPM's Feds Hire Vets website.

• Find current Recent Graduate Jobs

Federal Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for College Students with Disabilities

The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) is a resource coordinated by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense. The program connects public and private sector employers with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to show their abilities in the workforce. DOL may use WRP to fill temporary and full-time positions in a variety of fields. If you are interested, inquire with your school’s disability services or career services coordinator. For more information, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy Workforce Recruitment Program .

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

For more than three decades, the PMF Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) candidates. Executive Order 13562 expands the eligibility window for applicants, making it more "student friendly" by aligning it with academic calendars and allowing those who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years to participate. It also directs OPM to set eligibility requirements, minimum qualification standards, and to make the PMF experience more robust and substantive for participants. For more detailed information please visit www.pmf.gov

All DOL PMF opportunities will be posted on OPM’s PMF Talent Acquisition System (TAS). All PMF Finalists for the current year should have received their log-in credentials directly from OPM.

Student Volunteer Program

The Department of Labor (DOL) has a student volunteer program that offers students an opportunity to experience and support our important mission to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights. The programs are generally 8 to 10 weeks and the work schedules are flexible. The program exposes students to DOL leadership and other officials.

Ideal candidates for DOL student volunteers are individuals pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree programs in various fields. Participating students must receive a stipend from an academic institution or organization as compensation for their work, or receive commensurate course credit towards graduation. Positions may be full or part time, and in a variety of fields.

Information on other types of DOL agency specific scholarships, internships, fellowships, and full time hiring programs at the Department of Labor will be posted on this page when available.

If you do not see a program listed that matches your skills, interests, or timeframe, please visit USAJOBS (the federal government's official job site), for additional entry-level and student job opportunities at the Department.

Exclusive Postings

Agencies have the option to post Pathways job announcements on USAJobs, agency career sites, or other job boards. Exclusive job postings are stored within USAJobs but do not appear in USAJobs searches. The postings below list the unique job posting URLs that are shared with targeted talent pools.

Current Postings:

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS. A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Current Job Openings

Student trainee (human resources specialist), gs-0299-5/7, student trainee (business operations specialist), gs-0399-07/09, program analyst, gs-0343-13 mp, interdisciplinary (supervisory environmental scientist), general engineer (program director), statistician (supervisory program director), program manager (station oversight manager), gs-0340-14 mp, program manager (station oversight manager), gs-0340-14 de, business operations coordinator, gs-0301-14 mp, student trainee (management analyst), gs-0399-5/7/9.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Homeland Security Careers
• Students & Grads

Recent Graduates

Just completed college, graduate school or military service and looking for a great career? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is hiring!

The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who have up to six years after degree completion to apply). Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year (unless the training requirements of the position warrant a longer and more structured training program). Here are some key provisions of the Recent Graduates Program.

This webpage only offers information on hiring programs at DHS. Additional entry-level job opportunities can be found on USAJOBS , the Federal government's official job site.

Acquisition Professional Career Program

Acquisition Professional Career Program is an entry-level program for college graduates designed to develop future Department acquisition leaders for the more than $20 billion worth of goods and services annually in support of the Department's mission, the third largest procurement budget in the federal government.

Financial Professionals Program

Are you in college or a recent graduate and interested in a career in finance? If so, the Department of Homeland Security’s Financial Professionals Program (FPP)  is for you!

The DHS Chief Financial Officer community has a unique opportunity for individuals to discover their niche in the Financial Management area. The FPP features four, 6-month rotations to various finance-related offices within the 14 DHS Chief Financial Officer agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

By applying for the FPP, you'll be enrolled in this DHS Chief Financial Officer two-year developmental program. This is a paid internship with the opportunity for promotions.

Presidential Management Fellows

Presidential Management Fellows , designed for graduate-level students, this program aims to attract to the federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. The PMF program is spans the entire federal government and is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Eligibility

• Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.
• Academic Engagement