Federal Hiring Basics
Federal hiring can feel confusing because it uses specific terms. This page explains the basics in plain language so you can read job announcements with more confidence.
Eligible vs. Qualified
Eligible means you meet the basic requirements to be considered (for example: you're a student, a recent graduate, or you meet citizenship requirements).
Qualified means your resume shows you meet the specific requirements in the announcement (education, specialized experience, or both).
GS Levels and Pay
- GS is one common pay scale (not used for every job).
- Lower GS levels are often more entry-level; higher levels require more experience.
- Pay can change by location (locality pay). Always check the announcement for the final range.
Job Series
A job series is like a career family. Example: 2210 is a common IT series. Series help you search smarter and compare similar roles across agencies.
Pathways Programs
- Internship: for current students.
- Recent Graduates: typically within a set window after graduation.
- Presidential Management Fellows (PMF): for advanced-degree candidates.
Specialized Experience
This is the "proof" section. The announcement lists what experience counts. Your job is to show matching proof using internships, projects, coursework, research, part-time work, volunteer work, and outcomes (what you did, how, and what changed).
Tip: If you don't recognize a term in a job announcement, paste it into Ask Gov AI and ask: "Explain this requirement in plain language and give me an example bullet for a student."