A downshifted economy and volatility within the private sector have many job seekers shifting their focus to government jobs. According to a new CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,900 workers completed in June, 88 percent said they were interested in jobs within the public sector. Forty-one percent reported that they are interested in jobs within the Federal government, while 47 percent said they are interested in jobs within state and local government.

The economic stimulus plan has helped to bring more attention to job opportunities in the public sector. More than one-third (34 percent) of job seekers surveyed said that the economic stimulus plan made them more interested in positions within government.

When asked what most appealed to them about working for the government, job seekers pointed to job stability (21 percent), training opportunities (16 percent) and a chance to make a difference (13 percent).

"In an uncertain market, job security is a huge selling point for workers," said Chuck Loeher, vice president of Government Solutions at CareerBuilder. "Sixty-one percent of job seekers we surveyed said they think government jobs are more stable than private sector positions; a desirable asset in a tough economy."

In addition to stability, learning opportunities, and community impact, job seekers said that government organizations can make their job offers more attractive by clearly carving out career paths (11 percent), offering flexible schedules (10 percent) and conveying a sense of ownership in one's position (10 percent).

When asked what could deter them from applying for public sector positions, workers pointed to office politics or red tape (37 percent) and the fear that they'll be replaced when a new administration is instated (13 percent). Concerns over the government's ability to pay as much as the private sector (12 percent) and offer upward mobility (5 percent) were also cited.