For decades, the government has hired at lower grade levels and encouraged employees to work their way to the top. But a study released yesterday suggested that agencies are increasingly turning to job seekers from outside the government to fill upper-level jobs.[...]
The majority of the people hired for upper-level positions had substantial work experience and, to some extent, might not be considered as true newcomers to government.
About one-third had worked for a federal contractor, and 16 percent had served in the military and Coast Guard. An additional 23 percent said they joined the government after working in the private sector.
