Certified Federal Job Search Trainer Location Date Mr. Jeffrey Hanks, Instructor GET INSPIRED! Based on Jobseeker s Guide 3 rd Edition, Ten Steps to a Federal Job Kathryn Troutman, The Resume Place, Inc., www.resume-place.com, Version 4.0 August 2009
Why Go Federal? Serve the public interest Benefits are great Health & life insurance Retirement Vacation & sick leave Pay is competitive Stable employment. Not affected so much by economic ups and downs Great workplace flexibility programs (e.g., telework, alternative work schedule)
Why Go Federal? THE GOVERNMENT IS HIRING! Total new hires in FY 2008: 302,924 TOP HIRING AGENCIES in FY 2008: Department of Defense: 106,387 new employees Veteran s Administration: 52,746 Department of Homeland Security: 30,461
Embarking on a Career Campaign STEP 1: Network STEP 2: Review the Federal Job Process STEP 3: Research Vacancy Announcements STEP 4: Analyze Federal Core Competencies STEP 5: Analyze Vacancy Announcements STEP 6: Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume STEP 7: Write Your KSAs & Cover Letter STEP 8: Apply for Jobs and Submit Your Resume STEP 9: Track & Follow Up STEP 10: Interview
BUT BEFORE ALL THAT Accomplishment Freewriting Why write your accomplishments down? To remember and document specific examples of your actions and the results of those actions To serve as a master list that can be used to prepare tailored resumes To serve as a cheat-sheet during interviews To gain confidence (Whoa, I ve done all those?!...) Page 8
Accomplishment Freewriting Why are accomplishments so important? Help you get the job Set you apart from your competition They boost your rating Most importantly, they re the basis for selection
What Do Supervisors Consider When Making Selections? * Prior work experience 71 25 Interviews 69 36 Quality of the application 39 46 Level of education 38 44 Reference checks 36 41 Major field of study 34 28 Recommendations 20 37 Reputation of school Written tests 10 7 19 19 Great extent Moderate extent Source: MSPB s The Federal Selection Interview: Unrealized Potential, February 2003
Networking Other people, especially current and former Federal employees, are the best source of basic information and insider tips. Who do you know? Can they hire you now? If not, how can they help you? What connections do you need to make? Page 11
Networking It s developing relationships It takes time and effort Look at it as an investment You ll never know what someone can do for you And vice versa (a relationship is a 2-way street)
How to Network Talk with Federal supervisors and employees Federal contractors Friends and relatives minister, rabbi, imam, teachers, professors, classmates Conduct exploratory interviews Attend job fairs Know special hiring programs applicable to you Page 13 - Activity
Explore Special Hiring Programs/Preferences Veteran s Recruitment Act (VRA) 30% or more disabled veterans Military spouse preference Certain former overseas employees Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 Federal Career Intern Program Direct Hire Pages 10 to 12
Attend a Job Fair What can you learn at a Job Fair? New federal job listings Changing agencies About the federal agency or office mission Insight about the jobs Pages 14 to 15
Attend a Job Fair Write your Job Fair Script and Resume Write your script Practice your script Be convincing Be friendly and speak clearly Focus resume toward two to three jobs Easy to read, one or two pages Page 15
Attend a Job Fair What else can you learn at a Job Fair? Corporate recruiters present Corporate Gray Job Fairs http://www.fedjobs.com/chat/jobfairs.html
Pages 16 to 19 Sample Job Fair/Networking Resumes
Review the Federal Job Process Agencies Job Titles Grade and salary Who can apply Page 20
Target the Right Job Determine your grade or salary level Determine if you qualify for a certain job title or series Review the list of agencies Target job title, grade, and preferred agencies Page 21: Set your job search goals
What Are Your Target Agencies? Choosing 2 or 3 agencies helps you: Learn How to Apply Learn agency missions Pages 22 to 26
What Job Titles Are Correct For You? Learn about Occupational Groups and Series Sample Series: GS 000 Misc positions - includes US Marshall and Police Officer GS 100 Social Science - Intelligence jobs GS 200 Personnel Management, including Military Personnel GS 300 General Administrative, including Secretary, Clerical Management and Program Analyst popular analyst positions in government Pages 23 to 35
What Grade Level and Salary is Right for Your Experience? How to determine your grade with education only: GS-4 Two years above high school (or AA Degree) GS-5 Based on Bachelor s Degree GS-7 One full year of graduate study or Bachelor s degree with superior academic achievement GS-9 Master s degree or equivalent GS-11 Ph.D. Page 36
What Grade Level and Salary is Right for Your Military Experience? Page 37 Important! This chart is just a guide. It is not used to determine whether you qualify for a job or not. What you did and how you describe it do.
Determining Your Salary Level Based on the 2009 General Schedule: http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/html/gs.asp Based on Pay Banding Pay Schedule: varies by agency Pages 38 to 39
Page 40 How HR Determines Qualification
Research Vacancy Announcements for Jobs Page 44
Learn How to Search USAJOBS More than 30,000 jobs posted right now on www.usajobs.gov! Best search system: 1. Geographic area preference 2. Salary/grade level 3. All agencies 4. All jobs in this area 5. YES (for Merit Promotion positions) Page 44
Critical Announcement Features Follow the Directions! Title of Job, Grade and Geographic Location Closing Date Who Can Apply Location/Duty Station Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Duties Qualifications How to apply Look for these features in the sample announcement on pages 47-51 Page 45
Agency Websites Visit the websites of the 3 agencies you re interested in applying Some job vacancies are not posted on USAJOBS, but are posted on agencies websites!
Page 52 Federal Core Competencies
What Are Core Competencies? They are characteristics affecting performance, such as: Skills (expertise) Knowledge (information) Self-concepts (attitudes, values, self-image) Traits (behavior patterns) Motives (thoughts driving behavior) Page 52
Core Competencies Are Your Value-Added Skills Veteran s Administration Competencies U.S. Marine Corps Competencies Interpersonal Effectiveness Customer Service Flexibility/Adaptability Creative Thinking Systems Thinking Support deployment requirements Meet and anticipate training Shape land, sea and airspace training Support Force protection Provide effective command and control
What Are Your Core Competencies? Pick three to five core competencies from the book, or try to think of your own! The most successful writing style is to write about your experiences using the language of the target jobs. Pages 53 to 57
Analyze Vacancy Announcements Page 58
Why Is It Important to Find Keywords? Keywords can help you write topnotch resume and KSAs tailored to the job you re applying for Keywords are important for DOD resume recruitment systems. Between 5 and 7 keywords and skills are usually critical. Keywords can result in Referrals, Selections and Interviews. Utilizing correct keywords and language can GREATLY increase success.
What Are Keywords? Nouns, proper names, verbs Nouns are most popular, i.e., trainer, facilitator, project manager, team leader, supervisor, negotiator, contract specialist
Where Do You Find Keywords in the Vacancy Announcement? Mission statement Duties Qualifications required How you will be evaluated
Techniques to Find Keywords Break out a highlighter. Research two to five announcements for keywords and skills. Copy and paste vacancy into a word document and break it down. www.usajobs.gov/
Page 58 Keyword Example
Page 59 Analyze a Few Announcements to Find Patterns
Can You Find More Keywords? Analyze the example in the book to see which keywords the authors may have neglected. Pages 60 to 61
Page 62 What Are YOUR Keywords?
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume Your federal resume is your job application, job examination, and sometimes the job interview. Page 64
Page 65 Federal vs. Private Industry and TAP Resume
What to Include in Your Federal Resume Job Information Personal Information Education Work Experience Other Qualifications Page 66
Page 67 Federal Resume Dos and Don ts
Sample Federal Resumes Family Member Federal Resume Too short, pg. 68 Big block, pg. 69 Best Outline Format, pg. 70-72 Military Service Member Federal Resume Too short, pg. 74 Big block, pg. 65 Best Outline Format, pg. 76-79
Once you have written your federal resume, you are 80% ready to apply to any federal job. Two federal resume formats: Paper formatting for faxing and mailing Outline resume for copying and pasting
Getting Started on Your Resume EPRs/OPRs Awards packages Transcripts (VMET) Verification of Military Experience and Training https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/vmet/index.jsp
Federal Resume Outline Summary quick reference, top qualities Employment history Title of Job, 5 key skills, Accomplishments (at least 1) Education including professional development Awards Honors, ribbons, etc.
FREE Federal Resume Builder http://www.resumeplace.com/fedres_builder/federal_one/
Federal Resume Facts 2-5 pages in length Includes compliance details: SSN, Citizenship, Veterans Preference Work History: Job title, employer's addresses, include city, state and zip, name of supervisor, salary, hours per week, and duties and accomplishments Education information: (College and High school) Awards Skills (e.g., computer skills, language skills, typing) Certification or Licenses
Federal Resume Tip Use More Nouns! Use more nouns and titles in your text: WRITER, EDITOR, MECHANIC, FACILITATOR SUPERVISOR, TEAM LEADER, COUNSELOR, COORDINATOR, DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR
Outline Federal Resume Tips No Formatting No bold, italics, bullets, underlines Flush left, ragged right Small paragraphs (6-8 lines) Use ALL CAPS to highlight Page 81 For more facts and tips
Write Your KSAs & Cover Letter This is your opportunity to expand on your best experiences and skills. Page 82
KSAs Have Many Names Part two of many Federal applications will require Questions, Answers, Essays, Examples, and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities narratives Page 82
Definition of a KSA Knowledge: An organized body of information, usually of a factual or procedural nature, which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. Skills: The proficient manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data, people, or things. Observable, quantifiable, measurable. Abilities: The power to perform an activity at the present time. Implied is a lack of discernible barriers, either physical or mental, to performing the activity. Page 83
Importance of a KSA KSAs are Rated and Ranked Scores can be 5-3-1, depending on your answers. 5 is the highest score! KSAs can prove your performance based on past experience! Page 83
Rules for KSAs Give one good example per KSA Use a different example if possible for each KSA Typical length is half to two-thirds of a page Pack in the information; edit the text Page 84
Rules for KSAs Write in the first person I Spell out acronyms Quantify your results and accomplishments Use examples from all parts of your life Proofread Use the KSA Builder in the CCAR format: http://www.resume-place.com/ksa_builder/template/ Page 86
CCAR Formula Story-Telling Style Context What was the situation? Challenge What were the challenges? Actions What were your actions? Results What were the results? Page 86
Page 87 Sample KSAs From Announcements
Three Kinds of KSAs Short KSAs Longer KSA in CCAR KSAs in the resume Page 88 to 95
Importance of a Good Cover Letter Passion Letter of Interest Special Considerations Why Hire Me? Compelling Stand Out Page 96
Apply for Jobs and Submit Your Resume Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages. - George Washington Page 98
Application Formats Paper application Resume only with application questions Resumix + Supplemental Data Sheet Optional Form OF-612 Electronic Resume and Occupational Task Questions DoD Enterprise Staffing Solution Page 99
Pages 100 to 101 More Than 50 Ways to Apply for a Federal Job!
USAJOBS Resume Builder Sample Pages Pages 107 to 110
Outline Format Resume, KSAs, Self-Assessment Questionnaires Faxes of Additional documents Follow the directions for each agency s instructions for How To Apply
Resume Only with Application Questions Internal agency system - several Homeland Security agencies, CIA, NSA
Track and Follow Up on Applications Page 116
Follow Up Techniques Paper applications Electronic applications Call, fax, email, or write What if you get a You Are Qualified letter? Page 117
Page 118 Practice the Voicemail Script
Page 119 Follow Up Online
Page 120 Follow Up Online
Page 121 Follow Up Online
Interview for a Federal Job It takes practice, research and preparation for a successful job interview. Page 122
Be Prepared! Many people make the CERT list, but don't get hired because they can't talk about their experiences well enough. Use your list of accomplishments to help you remember all the wonderful things you ve accomplished! Do practice runs with a friend. Page 123
Types of Interviews Telephone Individual Group/Panel Page 124
Practice Your Accomplishments for the Behavior-Based Interview! Job-Related Open Ended Behavioral-Based Skill and Competency Based Page 126
Example of a Behavioral Interview Question Competency: Interpersonal Skill Definition: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Question: Describe a situation in which you had to deal with individuals who were difficult, hostile, or distressed. Who was involved? What specific actions did you take and what was the result?
Get Hired! Physical presence Eye contact, professionalism, clear speaking Smile, have enthusiasm, demonstrate interest