Subject: A Success Story for the Discouraged
Date: Jan. 2009
Success Story and email based on the Federal Resume Guidebook INSPIRATION and instructions …
Dear Kathryn,
I consider myself a professional writer. I’ve written articles and stories for publication, and figured I could swing my own resume. I scoffed at any type of professional help. Writing was just one area of strength in my current GS-07 government position, but I was ready to move up. And I searched, and applied, for 2 long years. I got 1 interview, no hires, and made the referral list about 5 times in 15 or so applications. A few attractive positions opened, and this time, quite discouraged and frustrated, I wasn’t taking any chances. I couldn’t squander anymore opportunities that were local because I was in no position to uproot and move from state to state for the right vacancy. So I bit the bullet and purchased the Federal Resume Guidebook. I read it in one sitting, and used the tips, tricks, and supplemental information to tweak up the resume I had worked so hard on.
In a matter of a couple hours, I thought it was ready for prime time and applied for 3 separate 9 / 11 positions. I made the referral list for all three, and got an interview call within weeks for one of them. I used the book to prepare for my behavioral interview, and nailed it, and got the job offer yesterday. I certainly can’t believe the results I encountered by simply applying the book. If I had bought it earlier and overruled my ego, I might be writing this letter much sooner. But I’m so very happy to write it now, and recommend the book to anyone who visits this site–the guidebook is worth every penny for federal employees looking for opportunity. Get the book. It’s the best investment you can make in your career.
Sincerely,
Fred V.
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February 2, 2009
Hi Kathryn, I prepared resumes for BOTH the husband and wife; both got federal jobs!!! Needless to say, they are happy with our service— Nancy Segal, Certified Federal Resume Writer
Happy New Year to you and yours! It’s been a while since last we spoke and I realize I didn’t tell you that, last October, my husband finally got hired on as a federal employee! The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives picked him up as a regulation writer of all things. He was pretty surprised since his resume doesn’t expressly reflect any writing experience but they are willing to teach him what he needs to know. The people who interviewed him really liked him and thought he was a good fit for their team. So the husband has been happily employed for the last few months.
Work is still going well for me at the Department of Transportation. Now that OPM has done away with the time-in-grade regulation, I plan on pursuing other positions at a higher grades regardless of being a GS-7 (soon to be 9 by May). Which does lead to my next question: how much it is to have my resume updated with my current position?
With the new administration coming in soon, I’m sure you are busy with new clients and getting them ready for potential federal employment. When you have time, I would love to discuss what it would take to get some work done on my resume.
Thank you!
Valerie Armstrong-CezarFederal Jobseeker: Private Sector to Federal
Previous Job Title: AVP Premier Client Manager at a top U.S. financial institution
Target Job Title: Financial Analyst, Compliance Specialist
New Federal Job Title: Procurement Analyst, GS-1102-12, DHHS, Washington, DC
Hello Kathryn,
I want to first start by saying THANK YOU for assigning me to Carla Waskiewicz. She is the best. I started working with her in October of 2008. She worked with me to transition my resume from private to federal. She is GREAT. She worked with me daily and helped me compose the best resume ever! She helped me with KSA editing and even job searching. She was always prompt in her responses and she was very patient with me. I applied to only 2-3 positions before being selected for an interview for a position as GS-12 Procurement Analyst with the Dept of Health & Human Services DHHS. I was offered the job AND a salary increase of $10K over my private sector salary. I will strongly recommend your company and especially Carla to family and friends. Thanks again. L.B.
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Date: March 2009
Disabled Veteran lands permanent position
Served as Volunteer for the last 15 years for Veteran’s Advocacy Organization
Lands Veteran’s Benefit Employment Permanent Position
Summary of a Disabled Vet’s Federal Job Search …
He is a disabled veteran of the first Gulf War, certified as 100% disabled, although you would not know this to look at him or talk with him. When I met him here at the office, he had not held paid employment in YEARS, but had been volunteering his time to help other veterans apply for benefits, appeal ratings decisions, etc.
Through this strictly VOLUNTEER work, he had met some people at the VA who encouraged him to apply for a Veterans Service Representative job so he would get paid for this type of work, but he really needed good materials that showed his qualifications based on the volunteer work. I think he found us through one of Kathryn’s books. With very little paid employment history, he had NO confidence at all even though he was really well qualified.
Anyway, I did a resume for him and 4 or 5 KSAs using some of his client stories and he was hired for the very first job he applied for and is still there.
I think his story is awesome—we get a lot of calls from veterans who are really confused, so I think this is a great example of using volunteer experience. Plus, I don’t think people realize that they can make a career transition based on volunteer work AND that a major gap in employment isn’t a fatal condition.
Mary Carroll-Mason, Certified Federal Resume Writer
Greetings Dottie,I submitted everything last night and got this response today! I am so excited to be considered for this position. J
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Date: 5/2009
Job Seeker: Private Sector seeking Federal or Private Sector Position
Previous Job Title: Organizational Consultant, Financial & Business Process Analyst
Target Job Title: Federal: Program Analyst; PI: Fraud Examiner/Forensic Accountant
Private Sector Consultant Lands New Job within Three Months
Dear Carla,
I just wanted to thank you for the excellent private sector and federal resumes you created for my job search. It was clearly the key to being selected for an interview and landing a new job so quickly in very tough economy. My new position as Partner with an accounting advisory and consulting firm that works with Federal and law enforcement agencies and banks is the perfect job for me. You are truly talented and I appreciate your abilities to underscore and market my strengths in a professional manner. JM
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The Resume Place helped me complete a significant career change. I was employed for almost 20 years as a professional chef. As the years wore on so did my body. I decided to move to federal employment and went to one of Kathryn’s information sessions. We met about a month later and started to explore ways to convert my career information into a federal resume. It was a challenge, because a good federal resume is a whole different animal from a good private sector one. Kathryn matched me with an excellent writer and about a year after contacting Kathryn, I landed a Program Analyst position with FEMA (GS 11). I was promoted to a GS 12 within 16 months after that. I really believe that without Kathryn’s help, I wouldn’t be where i am today…..Thanks again.
My hat is off to The Resume Place. I am a 62 year old architect with a 30 year private practice that fell victim to the economy. After two months and 9 resume submittals with limited success, I discovered you online and finally learned how to speak “government”. After your coaching, cajoling, and editing, I submitted six more applications. The end result: six “referrals” for further consideration, 3 interviews so far, and better yet: my accepting this morning a GS 13 position. They offered me a GS 13-1, but with your advice, I negotiated a step 5! The money I spent with you was the best money I ever spent. No, make that “invested”. Thank you so very much.
I want to THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work on my resume. You will be glad to know that I was selected for the position I applied for last month (Jun 08) as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst. There were 126 applicants. It has been a long wait, but definitely worth it. I appreciate what you have done for me more than you know.
You may remember that you helped me with some interview coaching for a USDA position about 1 1/2-2 weeks ago. The interview went well, close to what you described.
The information you gave me was very helpful. Yesterday I was offered the position, and I have accepted. We will be moving to Puerto Rico in a few weeks.
Regarding EPA, I was interviewed for all three positions. I received a call from the Science Advisor for EPA to inform me that I am the “preferred” selection for the Chief Scientist position. I am still absorbing it, and again, thank you for your help!
Yes, this is all very exciting and wonderful!!! I am still on cloud 9!!! []’s help throughout this process has been invaluable!!! I originally applied for this position (open continuous) 11/14/07 at 2:37 p.m. and officially accepted my new wonderful job on 2/15/08 around 3:47 p.m. I will absolutely recommend you guys to anyone who is looking to be a successful job hunter!!!
Thank you for your assistance in this. I wanted to inform you that I scored a 100 with my application and I started yesterday. Thanks again. I have already encouraged others to use your service.
As you were aware, yesterday morning I went for a job interview onsite to meet everyone at the Dept. of Interior. To my surprise, everything went so smoothly. At the end of the day, I accepted the job. The most important thing is, to thank you for working so hard for me and guiding me through all these confusing rules and regulations. I thank you for listening to me and being so patient with me and my problems. I will never ever forget you. You played an important role in my life, and I owe this job to you. As long as I am able to work and function, I will keep your phone number with me. I do not know what will happen in the future, but if I need to change my job within federal jobs, I will definitely give you a call to upgrade my resume. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Last October, my husband finally got hired on as a federal employee! The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives picked him up as a regulation writer of all things. He was pretty surprised since his resume doesn’t expressly reflect any writing experience but they are willing to teach him what he needs to know. The people who interviewed him really liked him and thought he was a good fit for their team. So he has been happily employed for the last few months.
I want to thank you and Elizabeth very much for all of your hard work on my resume and KSAs. I was in the federal system at one point and then left the federal system for a private job. After a few years, I wanted to get back in to the federal system, but I was not having any luck in the application process. So after three years of sending out resumes for federal jobs, I decided to contact you for help. Within five months of meeting with you and Elizabeth, I applied for a position with the federal government and had an offer. Your attention to detail and guidance in the federal resume format was extremely beneficial and I look forward to working with you and your staff in the future. Thanks again for your help!
It took almost a year but I did finally get the job. There were about 10 applicants and then 4 interviews. I got feedback from one of the selection panel members that my resume was the best one he has seen at clearly stating my experiences and accomplishments. Thanks for all your help.
FYI- Lots of good news today.
I want to first start by saying THANK YOU. [My resume writer/coach] is the best. I started working with her in October of 2008. She worked with me to transition my resume from private to federal. She is GREAT. She worked with me daily and helped me compose the best resume ever! She helped me with KSA editing and even job searching. She was always prompt in her responses and she was very patient with me. I applied to only 2-3 positions before being selected for an interview for a position as GS-12 Procurement Analyst with the Dept of Health & Human Services DHHS. I was offered the job AND a salary increase of $10K over my private sector salary. I will strongly recommend your company to family and friends.