Making the Move to Government

Every aspect of our nation-from the economy to the healthcare system to the world of politics-has changed since September 11th and the weeks that have followed. Of course, the job market (logically) felt the effects of everything else moving in response to the attack.

One of the most evident changes is the swift flow of job seekers turning to the government (and government contractors) as their next source of employment. As government and military offices dole out huge contracts on a nearly daily basis, government contractors and consultants are looking to fill thousands of job openings with qualified candidates-employees that they were having incredible difficulty finding even two months ago.

Today, times have changed. Job seekers-many reeling from their past experiences at dot-coms and hi-tech firms-are back out on the market, and government work suddenly appeals to them. It's stable, important, meaningful. The change in mindset of so many workers will be met with a significant change in work environment as well. New hires, making the shift from private industry to the government sector, have to adapt to the modifications in work environment and on-the-job expectations.

First of all, there are the simple changes-like jeans and sneakers no longer being status quo. In fact, a shirt and tie is standard in the government sector. Gone are the days of two-hour lunches, game rooms and Friday happy hours. Instead, workers can often expect 9-5 work hours and the traditional cafeteria/break room.

The actual mindset in a government office also fosters a different set of expectations. Security clearances are one of the realities for many government projects. The clearances can sometimes take months-even years-to go through, but are necessary for the safe and secure completion of important assignments.

Then there's the idea of a different "chain-of-command." The government sector is much more inclined to use a military style for management, focused on top-down leadership, a strong respect for superiors and more focused, individual goals. Companies with 800 team members working on a project expect each person to do their job-and that's it. There is often little time for the open communication and multi-tasking so popular in start-ups over the past few years.

For all of the on-the-job changes that come with a move to government work, most new hires are finding that it will take time to get used to. But that it's also a source of security they've never experienced working anywhere else. The fact is, there is a huge need for thousands of employees to work on these projects, and with today's market everyone seems pretty willing to evolve in order to land a job with what is now one of today's most popular employers-the United States of America.