Job seekers turn to government jobs

CareerBuilder conducted the survey of more than 2,900 workers which found 88 percent said they were interested in pursuing jobs in the public sector. Broken down, 41 percent said they were interested in jobs with the federal government, while 48 percent said they would be interested in jobs in state or local government. More than one-third (34 percent) of job seekers surveyed said that the economic stimulus plan made them more interested in positions within government. Respondents said government organizations can make job offers more attractive by: clearly carving out career paths (11 percent), offering flexible schedules (10 percent) and conveying a sense of ownership in one's position (10 percent). But, there are some deterrents to working in the public sector. When asked what could deter them from applying for public sector positions, workers pointed to office politics or red tape (37 percent) and the fear that they'll be replaced when a new administration is instated (13 percent). Respondents also had concerns about the government’s ability to pay as much as the private sector (12 percent), while a small number (5 percent) worried about their ability to move up in their career. Chuck Loeher, vice president of government solutions at CareerBuilder, in a news release, said: "In an uncertain market, job security is a huge selling point for workers. Sixty-one percent of job seekers we surveyed said they think government jobs are more stable than private sector positions; a desirable asset in a tough economy."