Meanwhile, your life is on hold as you wait. It's wise not to quit your job or sell a home before your confirmation is definite, the PAI recommends. You must be a technical expert and skilled manager with a tough skin. Past appointees say not to underestimate the difficulties of working in government. You should be clear about what you want to achieve and whether the sacrifices are worth it.
Many challenges lie ahead.
For example, the federal government is nearing its worst employment crisis in recent memory. About half of all government employees will be retiring or be eligible for early or full retirement in the next four years, according to a Senate Governmental Affairs report. This amounts to 900,000 employees out of a work force of 1.8 million. After years of warnings about downsizing and its chronically low pay levels, the government already has trouble filling openings. Because of past hiring freezes, few junior and middle managers are qualified or ready to take over for long-time managers who are retiring.