You’ve just landed an interview for a government job. Congratulations! Now what? You may be nervous and not sure what to expect. But with some basic preparation, you can make your government job interview success. Preparing for a government job interview is not difficult, but to be successful it does require some time and research.
GOVERNMENT Interview Questions & Answers! (PASS your Government Job Interview at the 1st ATTEMPT!)
Why do you want to work for the government?
In any government job interview, you can expect a question about why you’re interested in government positions.
If this is going to be your first federal job, you’ll need to explain why you’re choosing to pursue government jobs instead of working in the private sector.
Don’t just say you like the idea of working for the government. That’s easy to say but doesn’t communicate much commitment or passion to the hiring manager.
Instead, talk about your commitment to public service, to serving your country, etc.
You want to talk about commitment, pride, giving back, and public service.
You can say that you admire government workers and those who serve the public and that you’ll find more meaning in a government career.
Or, if the above isn’t quite true for you but you have another genuine reason for wanting to serve the public and work a government job, then name that.
If you served in the military, you can mention this, too. Talk about one or two key ways that you found your military service fulfilling, and then discuss why you hope to continue serving your country in a civilian job.
All job candidates should be ready to clearly answer why they want to work for the government, regardless of background.
Example Answer:
When did you realize you wanted a career in government?
You can expect the hiring manager to ask when you first considered a career in government.
It’s best to be honest. If you’ve known you want a federal government job for years, say so, and briefly explain why.
However, if the idea came to you recently, it’s okay to say that as well.
The key is to show you’ve thought about why you want a government job.
In your federal job interview, it’s best to show that you’re focused primarily on obtaining a government job.
There are some exceptions. When I was a recruiter in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, I’d come across candidates who had never considered working for government agencies, but were open to beginning the interview process to discover more about public sector jobs.
While a hiring manager wouldn’t immediately rule them out if they said, “Actually, I was mainly considering private sector jobs until your recruiter contacted me,” it’s still best to enter your federal job interview with tangible reasons as to why you are excited about and attracted to working in the federal sector.
Why do you want to work at this agency?
Bad answer: “Everyone knows your Department is cool, and I think it will look great on my resume.”
Good answer: “The work that you did in the Haiti earthquake relief efforts inspired me to study humanitarian issues in the first place, which is why my internship was focused on humanitarian and aid issues. I believe my passion and experience would be a great asset to your agency, and know I would look forward to coming to work each day in a job like this where I know Im making a difference.”
Dont make it all about you, but find a way to spin it so youre telling them why you would make a great contribution to their team and agency.
Government Job Interview Questions and Answers
Many government job interviews rely upon behavior-based questions, meaning that they will ask you about your past job performance and behavior. You may be asked federal interview questions that begin with “tell me about a time when…”. This is where having done your research will come in handy.
If you know the company and what they’re looking for in the job, you can anticipate the sort of questions you’re likely to be asked. Practice your answers out loud, being sure to keep them concise. Humans tend to have limited attention spans, so your interviewer(s) will start to lose attention if you meander for too long in your answers.
As with any federal job interview, focus on your experience, skills, and positive attributes as they relate to the job. Rehearsing your answers will help ensure that you remain thorough yet concise.
Specify your government experience first, then list your business experience or other experience second. Even if it is out of the reverse chronology, the hiring manager will want to see your federal positions first.
In federal government job interviews, many interviews will follow the Uniform Guidelines for Employee Selection. This means that all candidates will be asked the same questions and in the same order. A byproduct of this is that the interview may feel robotic, and there may not be too many follow up questions unless clarification is needed. The good news is that the interview questions themselves may be readily available online, so you can prepare even more thoroughly for what you are likely to be asked.
FAQ
How do I pass a government interview?
- Do your research. …
- Prepare specific examples. …
- Expect unique questions or tasks. …
- Direct your attention to everyone. …
- Review the agency’s rules. …
- Align your vision and goals. …
- Practice with a friend. …
- Study your resume and cover letter.
What kind of questions are asked in a government interview?
- Why do you want to work for the government? …
- Why do you want to work at this agency? …
- Tell us about yourself. …
- Why did you leave your last job? …
- What do you think of your previous boss? …
- This position is less senior than your last one.
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What attracted you to our company?
- Tell me about your strengths.
- Tell me about your strengths.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Tell me about a time where you encountered a business challenge?
Why should we hire you government?
