Government Jobs 101: Kanika Tolver Provides Tips on Securing Government Jobs

Kanika Tolver

Last week, The HBCU Career Center hosted a free webinar called Call to Serve: How to Land a Job in Government with HBCU alumna, CEO and author of Career Rehab, Kanika Tolver. During the webinar, Tolver shared tips on how college students and graduates can land jobs within government agencies. Tolver, a Bowie State alumna, has over 17 years of experience working with the federal government, making her way to top-level positions. Read on for the biggest takeaways from the Call to Serve: How to land a Government Job.

Tip #1: Create an account at USAJobs.gov

To begin the job search process, Tolver recommends creating a profile on USA Jobs. Once you create an account, you’ll be able to search for open job positions across the nation, plus, you’ll be able to save jobs and job searches. In addition, you’ll be able to apply directly to government jobs through the portal and be notified if your application makes it to the next step in the hiring process. 

Tip #2: Build a resume designed for government positions

To increase the chances of an HR specialist viewing your resume, you must build a resume within the federal government’s online template. A resume tailored to federal government positions can be developed with the help of the Federal Resume Guidebook. Tolver strongly recommended that instead of uploading a PDF of your resume, that you use the form provided in the digital app: “It's very important to put all of this information [work experience and educational background] in this format because the USA Jobs system scans it [your resume] in a certain way. So, it’s very important that as you enter each job on your resume that you use the same format,” Tolver states. 

Tip #3: Look for internship opportunities

A great way to gain work experience within the federal government is to obtain an internship, which can sometimes lead to a permanent full-time position. At the beginning of her career, Tolver worked with the federal government through the Pathways program as an intern: “I went through the summer hire program with the government. I was a government intern, starting as a GS2, and now I’m a GS14 in the government.” Students can check out internships through the USA Jobs website and reach out to their local state departments to see if they have any openings. 

Looking for a job or internship? Create a job alert to connect with employers looking to recruit HBCU talent.