Pros
Good pay considering the opportunities that are not available in the private sector with the current state of the economy. Good benefits. If your in with the right clique, opportunities are limitless.
Cons
Lack of career development. After completing a BS and MS in accounting, I was still unable to get a better job (Revenue Agent). Currently working on a MS in Taxation, hopefully this helps. This organization is very keen on years worked and the use of performance evaluations in selecting individuals for jobs. If you challenge your evaluation, this will lead to a hostile working environment (be careful on challenging evaluations). Nepotism and cliques gain advancement opportunities as opposed to the best qualified job applicant. Motivation killer. Advice for future employees, fake it to you make it. I also would like to point out something fishy. If you look on USAJOBS, you will begin to notice that there are more jobs available for those in position of GS-9 to GS-15 while the position below GS-9 are not as many when compared. Hmmmmmm. We are in a current hiring freeze but yet the position available for GS-9 and up, exceed the number of positions for employees GS-7 and below. For the 2013 year, are bonuses are being cut. Two years ago, they eliminated are tuition reimbursement. In my opinion, I think the GS steps are next on the chopping block to reducing the so called imaginary federal budget that exist but yet the IRS collects the most revenue in the federal government. Many people within the job have a nasty attitute, who could blame them after the cons of the job.