RELATED August 16, 2023 Presidential Transitions are a Perilous Moment for National Security May 31, 2023 The State of Public Trust in Government 2023 May 17, 2023 The Good Government Connection: Linking the Employee and Customer Experiences Back to Reports A New Call to Service for an Age of Savvy Altruism: Public Attitudes About Government Service August 4, 2004 Understanding how to best recruit and hire a talented and motivated federal workforce is of critical importance. This study’s key conclusions include: Despite long-standing negative stereotypes about government work, the research shows that Americans have a favorable impression of the federal government. The choice of words used to describe federal employees makes a huge difference. A perception that the federal government is overly bureaucratic is the major hurdle that must be overcome in order to attract top talent into government. Job seekers are searching for a culture that promotes creativity and innovation. Future recruiting must blend a call to public service with a picture of the practical benefits of working for the government. Supporters of improved recruiting and retention of federal workers on both sides of the aisle must make a real investment in reaching out and educating Americans. Download (329k)