What stops you from getting a government job?

Asked by: Aric Kunde DVM  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (2 votes)

The government wants to ensure you are “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States,” which no doubt you are! If you land a job with access to sensitive information, you'll most likely have to get a security clearance, too.

What disqualifies you from getting a government job?

Drug Use and Bad Debt

The most common suitability issues that arise during the review process are past unlawful use of drugs and failure to comply with financial obligations.

What will prevent me from getting a government job?

You can't work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record
  • Certain federal laws, like those prohibiting treason, carry with them a lifelong ban on federal employment.
  • Other federal laws prohibit federal employment for a certain number of years.

What makes you not suitable for federal employment?

Dishonest Conduct:

Examples include: theft, acceptance of a bribe, falsification of records, falsification of employment documents, and deliberate financial irresponsibility with continuing, valid debts of a significant nature. Financial irresponsibility is only an issue if it rises to a level indicating dishonesty.

Is it hard to get hired by the government?

It is hard. Federal government jobs typically come with a lot of job security, good pay, and good benefits, so naturally, they attract a lot of applicants. They also have a long, very bureaucratic process that they have to follow in order to hire anyone.

Why 96% of People FAIL to Get a Government Job (How to Succeed)

41 related questions found

What is the easiest government job to get?

Here are 15 jobs working for the government that you can get with a high school diploma:
  1. Lifeguard. ...
  2. Library assistant. ...
  3. Data entry clerk. ...
  4. Court reporter. ...
  5. Administrative assistant. ...
  6. Postal clerk. ...
  7. Census taker (enumerator) ...
  8. Social services assistant.

Why is it so hard to get a government job?

Competition. Getting a federal job is often very competitive. There are many qualified applicants vying for a few positions. It is important to have excellent qualifications and to stand out from the crowd if you want to land a federal job.

What disqualifies you from a federal background check?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

How are most federal employees hired?

There are two streams of federal hiring: competitive service and merit service. Much of federal hiring occurs under the merit system, which is closed off to the general public.

What is non competitive status for a federal government job?

Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) is a special hiring authority through which Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) can be appointed to federal positions without competing with the general public. This makes it easier for federal employers to hire qualified candidates.

What would make you fail a federal background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

What credit score is needed for a government job?

While there is no specific minimum credit score for government jobs, federal, state and local governments often run credit checks on prospective employees to gather more information about their behavior.

What will disqualify me for an employment IRS background check?

3.2. 1 Felony or misdemeanor convictions, either individually or in the aggregate, demonstrating fraud, dishonesty, theft, evasion, unlawful disclosure of information, unauthorized access to data, or a violation of a public trust.

What prevents you from getting a government job?

You may not be eligible for certain federal jobs because specific statutes or laws prohibit employment depending on the crime committed. For example: Certain federal laws, like those prohibiting treason, carry with them a lifelong ban on federal employment.

What shows up on a government background check?

The appointment of any civilian employee to a position in the Federal Government is subject to a background investigation. Examples of factors investigated with a background evaluation are an applicant's employment history, past illegal drug use, and previous records criminal.

What disqualifies you from a government clearance?

More specific conditions that may endanger your security clearance include: A history of deceptive or illegal financial acts like embezzlement, tax evasion, and fraud; Failure to satisfy your debts; and. Financial problems caused by gambling, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse.

What is the rule of three in federal hiring?

3318) on the Federal Government's abil- ity to sustain hiring based on merit. Known as the “rule of three,” that law requires managers to se- lect new employees from among the top three available candidates rated and referred to them by an examining office.

How long is the hiring process for government jobs?

People in the HR office create a list of highly qualified candidates who, at minimum, meet the basic qualifications required and send it a selecting official, that is, the person who chooses candidates to interview. Most agencies strive to fill their open positions within 80 days or sooner.

What is a red flag on a background check?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

How far back is a federal background check?

Federal Regulations

Under these regulations, most employers can only consider criminal records for up to seven years. This ensures that individuals aren't penalized for past mistakes as they seek new career opportunities. In general, this is a good rule of thumb to follow.

What is a disqualifying offense?

"Disqualifying offense" means a conviction for: Any offense that is a felony; a sex offense as defined in this section; a crime against children or persons as defined in RCW 43.43.

What is the most easiest government job?

List of the Top 10 Most Easy Government Exams in India
  • SSC CHSL (Staff Selection Commission Higher Secondary Level Combined)
  • SSC MTS (Staff Selection Commission Multi-Tasking Staff)
  • SSC Stenographer (Staff Selection Commission Stenographer)
  • State PSC Exams (State Public Service Commission Exams)

How do you get hired by the federal government?

This is a quick summary of how the federal application process works when you use USAJOBS to apply for positions.
  1. Create an account with login.gov. ...
  2. Create a USAJOBS profile. ...
  3. Search for jobs. ...
  4. Review job announcement. ...
  5. Prepare your application in USAJOBS. ...
  6. Submit your application to agency. ...
  7. Agency reviews application. ...
  8. Interview.

Is it hard to get a local government job?

Unlike the private sector, which may skip or re-order certain steps to fast track a hire, the public sector typically moves methodically through a series of prescriptive steps for every position it hires. This is largely why it can take several months to land a public sector job, even for an entry level position.