Late-career changes are an increasingly common trend, with many job seekers finding federal work attractive. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) emphasizes that demand for federal jobs is increasing.
More than 625,000 federal employees participated in the survey, and job satisfaction is at its highest level in five years. Employee engagement scores were an impressive 72% positive overall, and support between federal employees and their managers was an impressive 80% positive. With ratings like these, it’s no surprise that more job seekers are choosing government work.
Why consider a late career change to the Federal Government?
At Serving Those Who Serve, we’ve identified the key reasons why a federal job is a great opportunity for career changers, especially those approaching retirement age.
Job Stability
While no sector is immune to the cuts, government jobs are known for being stable. Average tenure of U.S. private sector employment Their average length of service is 3.7 years, compared with 7.5 years for federal employees.
Work-life balance
Many workers from the private sector Government Benefits Addresses work-life balance needs, including generous vacation policies, work-from-home options, and alternative work schedules.
Career Enrichment and Public Service
Workers are attracted to government jobs because of the inherent rewards of serving the public and contributing to the national interest, which is especially appealing to late-career job seekers looking for an opportunity to give back to their community.
Financial incentives and federal benefits
Federal jobs offer competitive salaries ( Recruitment, Retention and Achievement Awards), the availability of federal benefits often attracts late-career changers.
For example, a federal employee can retire at age 62 after five years of service and: 1) get an inflation-adjusted Federal Employees Retirement System 1) Lifetime access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FERS) (although at a smaller amount after five years of service).
This is a big advantage for those starting later in their Fed careers, since most people in the private sector are able to continue working into their 60s thanks to private health insurance before they become eligible for Medicare at age 65.
