I’m about six months out from getting my B.A. in history. Should I wait until I have my degree in hand before I send out job applications for government work, or is it possible to put on my resume my expected graduation date and send out the application beforehand?
Thanks for any help.
I can only speak for my state, but applications requiring a college degree, a certain amount of experience or even a driver’s license are specific about when an applicant must have the degree ,experience or license. It might be required at the time of application, or as of the test date ,or even just prior to appointment.
But if you can do it, start early. I once applied for a state position (in Oregon, if it matters). They called me back to tell me I was selected for an interview…more than eight months later, long after I’d taken another (and far better paying) job. The wheels grind slow.
This. Also, many state jobs don’t require a degree. Not sure what job with the state would require a history degree, but I’d definitely start looking and applying ASAP due to slow reaction times. Also, in California anyway, most state jobs require you to take a general test and be put on a list, and then they hire from that list.
So, first look up what’s available, and then look at the requirements. Sometimes the tests here are only held once a year, and almost always nowhere near where a person lives or will work, so lots of planning is involved.