Looking for a federal job? Here is a resource perfect for you.

By Joyce Lain Kennedy

Workplace Q&A | Tribune Media Services

Dear Joyce: I am very interested in becoming a federal employee, and I am willing to relocate. What could I expect to earn in the federal service as an experienced worker? – M.R.T.

Pay can vary by geographic location. In the Washington, D.C., area, the average entry-level federal government job (GS-9) pays $51,000 to $67,000; the average mid-career position (GS-12), $62,000 to $82,000; the average senior-level position (GS-13), $89,000 to $115,000. This answer comes from Kathryn Troutman, president of The Resume Place, a consulting and writing services firm in Baltimore. A noted federal-job expert, Troutman writes plenty more that you’ll want to know in her blog on resume-place.com.

In a recent blog about free information sources, for example, Troutman offers an hour-long orientation webinar on the arcane challenge of federal job hunting, a resume builder to use on USAjobs.com (a job board listing open federal positions), a “keyword tree” of useful terms for your federal resume, and more. If you’re very interested in marching in the federal job band, don’t miss this excellent resource.

Beware dead-end trap

Finally! Got a job offer after five intense months of scurrying around, but the salary and benefits are way under the going rate. How bad are things looking for the next several months? Should I take the job and be glad to have it?  – K.K.

The oracles who whisper in my ear don’t expect the job market to grow over the next several months or so. And some don’t see the sun breaking through for several years!

Senior management consultant Paul Facella , author of “Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald’s: The 7 Leadership Principles that Drive Break Out Success,” is an advocate of avoiding dead-end jobs. He says that when an offer is substantially below market rate, the wise candidate checks the company’s fiscal condition:

“Unless this is a start-up and they are giving you the chance of a lifetime to get in from the ground floor, which is a very risky proposition to begin with, cheaping out on paying you and denying you decent benefits are red flags.”

Ranking top two-year degrees

What are the most popular two-year degrees – that is, the associate degrees – awarded at community colleges nationally? – S.Q.

According to the latest figures (2006-07) from the National Center for Education Statistics, in order of the rounded number of degrees awarded that academic year, they are:

1. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities (250,000 degrees conferred)

2. Health professions and related sciences (145,500)

3. Business, management and marketing (116,100)

4. Engineering-related technologies (29,200)

5. Security and protective services (28,200)

6. Computer and information sciences (27,700)

7. Visual and performing arts (20,200)

8. Multi/interdisciplinary studies (15,800)

9. Mechanics and repairers (15,500)

10. Education (13,000)

Check out “The Community College Guide: The Essential Reference from Application to Graduation,” by Debra Gonsher and Joshua Halberstam (BenBella Books, $14.95; thecommunitycollegeguide.com)..

Have a question? Contact Joyce Lain Kennedy at Jobs Today, The Los Angeles Times, P.O. Box 60164, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0164 or e-mail jlk@ sunfeatures.com.