Before beginning a purchasing job search with a government agency, a person should analyze their skills and aptitudes. Purchasing jobs require an individual who is analytical, organized, and detail oriented. It is very important that a purchasing professional be objective when making daily business decisions so as to remain within the established budget criteria. They must also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as miscommunication between the purchasing department and a vendor can result in a dire financial and legal repercussions.
Once skills and aptitudes have been established, a candidate should determine what level of position they will be seeking. The government purchasing department has many personnel levels, often beginning with entry level Purchasing Assistants, and then moving up through different titles such as Associate Buyer, Buyer, Procurement Analyst, and Purchasing Manager. If a person has held purchasing jobs in the past, he or she will have an easier time identifying what level of employment they should seek. If this is a new field for a candidate, it is usually recommended that the purchasing job search begin with entry level positions.
Now that the prospective employee has determined that he or she will be a good fit for government purchasing jobs in general, and identified what specific position they will be seeking, it is time to decide if they will be focusing their search on federal or local government. Federal government purchasing jobs are available throughout the country, but even more options will be available to the candidate if they also consider the local public sector, such as government at the city and county level.
In order to obtain one of a government purchasing job, it is generally required that the applicant possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in business, finance, or related field. For higher level purchasing jobs with supervisory responsibilities, a Master's degree along with a minimum of five years of experience is often preferred. In addition, it is important for the candidate to tailor their resume to the needs and preferences of the particular position and government body before submitting their application. Reading the job posting carefully and researching the organization and department prior to submitting the application will ensure that the applicant is taken seriously in the selection process.
If a person is truly interested in obtaining a government purchasing job, he or she should be sure that their skills and aptitudes are a good match before beginning their purchasing jobs search. Once this has been established, it is only a matter of conducting the right research, obtaining the right education, and being willing to start in an entry-level position. If all of these steps are followed, an individual can enjoy a fulfilling career as a government purchasing professional.
