Looking for a new job in government can be a tricky proposition for individuals who either have or don’t have experience in the public sector. Federal resumes are set up differently than traditional private sector resumes, and the job search itself has tangible differences when compared with a job search in the private sector.

Nuances of a federal job search aside, there are many opportunities for individuals looking to make the transition into the public sector or individuals looking to make both lateral and upward moves in the government. There are many perks to working for the government, too, including significant job security and benefits.

Among the many government agencies that one that look for employment, the most popular are the Agency Department of Health and Human Services, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Intelligence Community, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State, to name a few.

When it comes to conveying yourself as a great candidate for the federal job, it is important to take note of a few line items upfront. First, federal resumes are different than private-sector resumes. This is important to remember and is a common mistake job seekers make when looking for work in the government. There is additional information, such as paygrade, that a federal employer will need to know before they can make a decision on your candidacy. Second, job candidates for public sector roles need to be ready for in-depth background checks that go far beyond anything expected in the private sector. Lastly, job seekers need to be prepared for a longer-than-average job search period.