A study used two approaches to assess new college graduates' attitudes and perceptions about federal employment. The federal government's image and competitive posture among new graduates were discussed with placement officials at 13 colleges and universities. A questionnaire survey was administered to individuals who graduated during the 1991-92 academic year from four other universities (985 usable responses). The individuals surveyed had received bachelor's degrees in the areas of engineering, business and management, social sciences, agriculture, natural resources, mathematics, and health professions--the areas of study of about 80 percent of new federal hires with college degrees. Most college placement officials said new graduates did not view the government as an attractive employer. Reasons mentioned for graduates' attitudes were as follows: low, noncompetitive starting salary; burdensome and lengthy hiring process; inadequate and ineffective federal recruiting; poor image of government work and employees; and lack of information on federal job availability. Graduates generally confirmed placement officials' views. They generally believed the factors important to them in selecting an employer were more often present in nonfederal employment than in federal employment. Their views of the federal government were not based on firsthand information. (Appendixes include objective, scope, and methodology; list of colleges visited; profiles of the four schools in the survey; and questionnaire responses.) (YLB)