Have you been wondering what your career should be? Perhaps you’ve thought about a government career, but you’re not sure you are cut out for it?
A career in local government is an excellent decision for many people. It’s working for a smaller number of civilians than state government officials, but that doesn’t make it any less important. A high focus on community is essential to make a real difference.
The question is, is it right for you? First of all, you need to understand the different roles in local government. Here are some of the most common:
- Economic Development Director
- Librarian
- City Planner
- Police Officer
- Engineer
- City Attorney
- Deputy Manager
- County Administrator
Before you decide whether you should work in public service, you should first know the direction that you want to take. Do you want to work with kids? Are you interested in public health? By having a direction, you are more likely to find the role that suits you.
What is Expected of Those Wanting to Work for the Government?
Getting a job in local government isn’t always easy – nor should it be! There are many responsibilities, which means recruiters need to know that you are the perfect fit. Here’s what will be expected of you:
A Good Education
Depending on the role itself, you don’t always need a high-level degree in a particular field. It is handy to have a good education behind you, though. This makes your resume stand out and shows the people hiring that you are capable and knowledgeable. If you want to work in the public health sector of local government, you might consider a Masters in Public Policy and Leadership. This would give you the skills you need to flourish in your career.
Job Search
Searching for a local government job might seem overwhelming, but when you have focus, it is doable. You can use the website governmentjobs.com to search for city and county state government roles.
Interview
Preparing for the interview process is essential. Recruiters of government roles are fastidious when hiring. You should look presentable, prepare your answers to common questions, and prepare some questions of your own. Nailing the interview is essential if you want to beat the competition!
Ongoing Learning
Working for the government means accepting that you’re a lifelong learner. Communities change and grow, after all, and there are always new things to learn. While you might not go back to college, you will have to keep up with the latest government trends and learn from your peers.
Signs that You Should Choose a Local Government Career
Before you start applying to multiple government positions, you should first see if you tick off these signs that you’re the right kind of person.
You Are an Organized Individual
Organization skills are a must if you want to work in government. There will be lots of deadlines to hit, and if you fall behind, you may end up getting a lot of people down. If you are highly organized and can manage your workload well, you might make an excellent professional in local government.
You Like to Witness the Results of Your Work
Many local government roles, such as police officers and nurses, get to see first-hand the positive impact that they have on the community. It’s a very rewarding experience and allows you to stay motivated. If you like to see the results of your work in real-time, these kinds of roles may be right for you.
You Work Well with Others
Many local government jobs require you to work alongside lots of other people. For this reason, you should be a team player rather than someone who prefers to work alone.
Community Matters to You
If you don’t feel passionate about the community around you, chances are you are not the right fit for most local government roles. If you genuinely care about your community and are motivated to help it grow, though, it’s a sure sign that a government career will help you flourish. Working for the government is all about bettering communities and tackling issues, and it takes people who are passionate about that to make those things happen.
You Like to Keep Busy
Do you want a job that allows you to sit back and slack? If so, working in local government isn’t your ideal career path. Working for the local government means putting the time in. You might have to work overtime sometimes. You may need to put in an extra-long week during the busiest month. If these things don’t put you off, and you genuinely like to keep busy, then a government role could be your calling.
You Are Completely Dedicated to Your Work
Do your career and your work deeply matter to you? When you have a project, do you throw yourself in until you can safely say you’ve given it all you have? If you are a dedicated individual, you have the right personality for many local government roles. They require a lot of hard work, after all.
You Can Make Decisions
Some people are terrible at making decisions. They dwell too long, look to others for the answers, and wind up wasting too much time in the decision-making process. For many government roles, that doesn’t fly.
When you work for the local government, you must be able to make good decisions promptly. If that sounds like you, you already have one trait that makes a desirable government employee.
People Listen to You
Do you notice that when you start speaking, people tend to stop and listen? Many government roles require the ability to communicate effectively. Take police officers as an example. When they speak with civilians, they need to be heard. If you have the quality that makes people listen to you naturally, it’s a sign that you could be suited to a local government role.
One of the Careers Stands Out to You
It’s great to know that you want a job in local government, but which one? There are lots of different local government careers to choose from. If one of the careers stands out and you feel like you are qualified enough for it, that’s a sure sign that it’s right for you.
Tips for Securing a Local Government Role
If you have concluded that you are a perfect candidate for a local government career, you need to figure out how to attain one of those roles. It’s not always as easy as sending in an application and receiving the good news! Here are some tips for securing the government role of your dreams:
1: Get an Education
A high education helps you stand out. Find a degree that suits the career path you want to go down. Some government roles require less education than others, so make sure you do your research first. You might need a master’s degree, or you may be OK with a high school diploma alongside work experience.
2: Improve Your Resume
Your resume will either make or break your chances of acquiring the role you want. Government recruiters place a lot of weight on resumes, so make sure you spend enough time making yours as appealing as possible. Be sure to include all relevant education, experience, and volunteer work, and make sure it’s easy to skim read.
3: Prepare for the Job Interview
Once you have landed a job interview, you must figure out how to impress. That means dressing well, speaking confidently, answering questions with ease, and asking your own. Be interested in the role and listen to what the interviewer has to say. They want genuinely passionate people!
4: Make Plenty of Connections
For many people, their first government job is not their last. You might not get the exact role that you want in the beginning, but that doesn’t mean you won’t eventually. The key to doing so is making connections.
Whether you are still in education or in your first government role, make connections with as many people as possible – especially those working where you want to be working! These connections may help you secure the local government career of your dreams down the line.
5: Work on Your People Skills
More often than not, it’s the people with excellent people skills that get the best government roles. That means, if you want to succeed, you must work on how you deal with people. You want to be approachable, confident, and a great communicator to win people over. It makes a difference!
Figuring out whether working for the local government is the right choice for you can be tricky. It helps to understand what is expected of you, as well as your own traits and whether they fit into the role.
If you have a particular local government role in mind, do plenty of research into the application requirements, desirable skills, and necessary work experience. The more you know about a career, the more you know whether or not it suits you.
