During these hard economic times, many are looking for stable employment. Currently there are over 100,000 jobs that are virtually free of the pressures of the private sector and the economic downfall. Where are these jobs? The US government. 

For those interested in working for the government, this book provides guidance on the application process, government culture and its unique office politics, and how to navigate as you move up the government ladder.

Bottom Line: A useful tool for those interested in entering government and those seasoned within government from application to retirement.

Author: Stewart Liff

Publication Date: 2009

Publisher: AMACOM, American Management Association

What It Covers: Working for the government offers many advantages: great prospects for professional growth, job security, an attractive array of benefits, and the opportunity to help other citizens-but it also presents unique challenges.

Organized into three sections: 1) getting in, 2) getting off to a good start and 3) plotting your career, Liff logically helps those who are interested in landing a government job, how to survive, and how to thrive. He also provides common sense guidance from making a good impression (dress, appearance, attendance and attitude) to fitting in. Much of his advice can easily be translated into any workplace. 

Liff takes from his personal experiences and provides various anecdotes throughout the book to support his advice. His personal pearls of wisdom tend to be somewhat opinionated but are complemented by his years of experience within human resources.

For those within government, the book provides an good resource into the inner workings, looking for that next job when you get tired or bored of your current position, seek advancement, or prepare for retirement.

Recommended For: Anyone interested in government and/or employment in federal government.

About the Author: Stewart Liff, began his career with the federal government in 1974.  A veteran of the federal workforce with 32 years of human capital experience within various federal agencies from the General Services Administration (GSA) to the Department of Defense (DoD).  He rose through the ranks to become a member of the government's senior executive service.  His other books include "Managing Government Employees."

Excerpts:

"The first step in beginning your government career is to get in.  That is the hardest part of the process, and it can be so frustrating that people often give up and never make a really good faith effort to secure such a job."
"Clearly, government at any level offers plenty of career opportunities."

"The relationship that you build with your supervisors, especially your first-line supervisor, will go a long way in determining the success of your career, as well as your overall satisfaction with the job."

"In my experience, people who are disconnected from the political realities of government and do not understand what is truly going on tend to come up with all sorts of absurd reasons why decisions are being made."

"Flexibility is an important component of any career.  If you start with the government, find that you are in the perfect career field, and have no desire to explore any other path, congratulations; you are a lucky person...if you later decide to go into management, the more exposure you have to other career fields the better able you will be to manage a broad-based operation."

"It is the mindset that often determines success or failure...Life is not fair, and successful people understand that...your job is obviously important, but it is not everything."

Suggested Backdrop: The unemployment office waiting room, perhaps? Really, the place isn't important, but the time is. If you are fed up with your current job, or worse yet, facing a pink slip, then this book is just what you need.

OhMyGov! Rating:  An easy read. 3.5 out of 4 stars.