I have about 18 months left in the Navy and I was trying to look for government jobs. Does anybody know a good place to start looking?

Try a Local One Stop Job Market, there are veteran reps in there that have good leads on State and Local Government jobs in whatever area you are separating to. Those places are run by the respective state's Dept of Labor and all services are free. They can also provide resume and interview skills help.

USA Jobs for positions in Washington DC

A lot of positions in the government sector (either local, state or fed) are based on future needs addressed in the budget (1+ years out) or potential retirement of the current holder which could last longer. The best thing to do is get on the list and continue to job search. I got called into an interview with the County of San Diego 13 months after I applied for it. Make sure you also tailor your resume to hit all the requirements, if you meet them. Not hitting the basic requirements for a gov job is a good way not to get on the list.

The ONLY place you need to look is on USAjobs. All Federal jobs will be listed there PO3 (Join to see)

PO3 (Join to see) If you're dead set on getting out....here's my $.02

First of all, save your money...you need to save your money in the next 18 months. Oh yeah, did I mention...SAVE YOUR MONEY!

Next, decide if the "where" is important to you. If you're married, the "where" can be a huge thing once you're out. If you're single - not so much.

The websites listed herein are good - just don't sell yourself short when it comes to civilian work/jobs outside government. There are lots of agencies that still need contractors. Beware when dealing with a contractor - you have a job today, but when you go in tomorrow - not so much.

Believe it or not, get yourself set up with the VA before you leave the service. While you're at it, use a Service Officer from one of many Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) (VFW, DAV, etc) to help you with the process. Never deal with the VA alone! Ask one of the VSO's to be your advocate - they can check on the status of your claim and advise you as to what you need to do to speed up your claim. While there are horror stories aplenty in the news, there are pleanty of good things going on in the VA. While you may or may not have any physical issues you still may be eligible for VA healthcare. Apply! The VA healthcare system meets ACA (Obamacare) minimums and for the most part it's free. You might have to pay a co-pay but in most healthcare / insurance programs you pay a co-pay anyway..... Get an annual physical, keep your shot records up to date.... all free.... saves you a worry about getting health insurance.

Another thing - before you leave join a Veteran Service Organization - there are numerous out there. Some have requirements to join, others just a DD-214. While it seems crazy, you'd be surprised at the help available through the VSO's.

When you apply for a federal job there's always a point of contact listed on the job enumeration page. Call them, ask them for clarification of things you don't understand. Also, make sure your resume answers the job description - if the job is asking for a pilot your resume better have experience related to being a pilot. You're wasting your time applying for a pilot's job when all you know how to do is turn a lathe.

Get all the certifications that are related to a civilian job completed before you leave the service. If you need to extend in the service to do so - seriously consider it.

Finally...over the next 18 months start extending your network of people in the job areas you want to move into when you get out. Talk to them, ask them about the jobs your interested in. Apply for the jobs, even if you're still in the service. Federal jobs often take several months of processing until hiring date - this is where talking to the listed point of contact on the job listing pays off.

Qapla!

Navy Recruiter. Best government job there is.

Try looking in the Command you are currently in, or others like it. Many have Navy Civilian jobs equal to the rates that those whom serve there hold. Ultimately you will have to apply for a position and more commonly than not it will be on some type of website. Usajobs.com is an excellent place to start and a good source for building résumés.