Government and Public Service Job Search Timeline

In many ways conducting a job search for a position in the public sector is very much like looking for a position with a for-profit or not-for-profit organization. There are, however, some important differences.

The hiring cycle for positions offered by for-profit companies that recruit on campus is very predictable. For-profit companies that do not recruit vary considerably in their hiring cycles. Most government agencies cannot anticipate their staffing needs until a few weeks before an opening will become available, which is why networking is such a critical component of the public sector job search. Important exceptions to this rule include the Foreign Service, which conducts its initial test to begin the lengthy process of application approximately once each year. In addition, the Peace Corps and other government entities participate in the on-campus CWS Recruiting Program.

The Wellesley Not-for-Profit and Public Service (NFP/PS) Career Fair is held in the spring. Students interested in public service work are advised to conduct research, complete and refine their resumes and cover letters, do internships, and network with potential employers during their undergraduate years. The importance of networking cannot be over-emphasized, particularly for students who would like to work on Capitol Hill, as vacancies are often filled through word-of-mouth.

Below is a timeline for exploring government and public service careers and conducting a job search in this sector.

First, Sophomore and Junior Years:

Explore your interests though internships, community and public service projects, lectures, course work and programs. For example, if you are interested in state politics, you might intern one summer with a member of the state legislature, the next with your House representative, and take courses focusing on the American political process to learn more about the functioning of state government.

Senior Year

September

• Explore career interests and goals through self-assessment and have a follow-up meeting with a counselor.
• Attend CWS workshops to review your cover letter and resume.
• Check the Department of State Web site to find out the test date for the Foreign Service exam if you are interested in becoming a member of the Foreign Service.
• Attend one of the recruiting meetings in case you would like to interview with any of the firms or government entities that recruit on campus. Click here to view past participants in the CWS Recruiting Program.
• Sign up for the not-for-profit/public service (NFP/PS) e-newsletter for Seniors or Juniors by registering with MyCWS and selecting either not-for-profit and/or government as a sector(s) of interest. Also visit the NFP/PS conference on FirstClass for job and internships listings.
• Be on the lookout for Federal Career Intern Programs (typically full-time, two-year positions) by searching both USAJOBS and individual departments of the federal government.

October-November

• Research potential employers and conduct informational interviews.
• Use the Wellesley Network; register in the CWS Library or on your own.
• Participate in the Shadow Program.

December

• Finalize your resume.
• Compose at least two cover letters, either for practice or actual use.

January/Wintersession

• Research potential employers and conduct informational interviews.
• Use the Wellesley Network (W Network) to connect with alumnae.
• Meet with agencies in preparation for the spring NFP/PS career fairs.
• Create a Shadow experience.
• Spend time in the city or geographic location in which you might want to live.

February-March

• Research organizations participating in the NFP/PS career fairs.
• Plan to attend several not-for-profit career fairs, especially the one on Wellesley's campus.
• Check out other job fairs sponsored by organizations such as Idealist.org that are held throughout the country.
• Check MyCWS for current job listings in public service sector targeted for Wellesley students.
• Check USAJOBS for positions with the federal government.
• Send out resumes and cover letters as well as letters of inquiry to potential employers.
• Schedule interviews with potential employers during Spring Break.

March-April

• Check MyCWS and USAJOBS to find current listings of jobs in the public service sector.
• Continue to use the Wellesley Network.
• Conduct informational and job interviews during Spring Break.

May

• Continue to conduct informational and job interviews until you land the job you want.
• Check MyCWS and USAJOBS to find current listings of jobs in the public service sector.
• If you do not find a job, consider accepting an internship as a way to gain more experience and to establish contacts within an organization.

June-July-August

• Many new alumnae begin job searches after graduation. The Center for Work and Service is open in June and August (closed in July). Counselors are available to meet with alumnae by appointment. For-profit, not-for-profit, and public service job listings on MyCWS are kept current throughout the year.