We call it “The Works!”

Includes: Consultation + Federal Resume + Cover Letter + USAJOBS Submission

PLUS EXTRA RESOURCE BONUSES:

eLearning Program + Military to Federal eBook + USAJOBS 3.0 Webinar with Kathryn Troutman, President

View the package here, along with other information about how we are helping veterans and military personnel to transition to civilian federal employment with books, training, and resume writing services.

]]> http://www.resume-place.com/2011/12/veterans-day-special/feed/ 0 http://www.resume-place.com/2011/08/10-big-mistakes-vets-make-applying-to-federal-jobs/ http://www.resume-place.com/2011/08/10-big-mistakes-vets-make-applying-to-federal-jobs/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:51:06 +0000 Kathryn Troutman http://www.resume-place.com/?p=12877            

Leaving a military career after 5, 10, or 20 years is traumatic. The career transition out of military is difficult no matter what your rank. The good news is that the federal government is basically just “the other side of the desk.” You’re going to take the “hands-on” skills and technical training from your military experience and convert it over to the policy, program, support, and administration side of the work you have been doing – maybe. The first federal resume after military is your most important resume and the most complex because you will translate your skills for a new career, mission, and customer.

Veterans are perfect for federal civil service positions because of their dedication to public service, the nation’s security, specialized expertise, knowledge of certain missions, technical skills and training, leadership, dedication, work ethic, attitude and willingness to learn and start-over. What’s more, these skills allow you to add 5 or 10 preference points to your application score.

However, sometimes transitioning veterans rush through the federal application and make several mistakes when applying for public-sector jobs

TOP 10 MISTAKES

1.) I only apply for jobs on USAJOBS (or CPOL or DONHR or WHS).

If you limit your search to just one agency or website, you are truly restricting yourself.

There are at least five major sites where you can create a profile, set up a resume builder, answer questions, and apply for a federal job:

- www.usajobs.gov – The official government jobs website, includes Air Force civilian positions
- www.cpol.army.mil – The website where all Army jobs are posted and where you would apply for an Army position
- military.com/careers – A commercial site that manages resumes and job postings for federal agencies.
- www.donhr.navy.mil – The website for Navy and USMC civilian positions
- www.whs.mil – Department of Defense civilian jobs are posted here as is the resume builder and application.

2.) I only apply for jobs without KSA narratives.

If you limit your search to applications that do not require KSAs, you will cut out many job opportunities with the Departments of HHS, VA, Interior, Commerce, Justice, Labor, Transportation and others. You will need to learn how to write KSA narratives and questionnaire essays for a successful federal job search. KSAs are just examples that demonstrate you have a certain Knowledge, Skill or Ability. You can use the KSA Builder developed by The Resume Place to write your “stories” that will demonstrate that you do have a certain knowledge, skill, or ability.

3.) I have never written a resume and I don’t know how to get started.

It’s time to find the position descriptions, old SF-171s, evaluations, NSPS self-assessments, training documents and build your federal resume. The author of this article has developed a free federal resume builder where you can build your work experience, education, training, accomplishments, certifications, and other information.

4.) Service before self. That’s what we are taught. I’m not used to bragging, so I usually don’t select the highest level in the questionnaires (or go on and on about accomplishments).

When you read the selection of self-assessment answers, be very careful to think about all of the experience you have. An EPA federal human resources specialist said this about the questionnaires and your choices: “Give yourself all of the credit that you can in selecting the answers in a Questionnaire.” The questionnaires are scored like an examination, so your skills at the highest level will be important to get referred for a position.

5.) My job was totally unique and I can’t write about all that I did in the last 5 years, etc.

This is a challenge because there is a unique military language with its own acronyms. However, you can write about the skills that you have, including instruction, planning, leading a team, mentoring, personnel operations, administrative operations, problem-solving, negotiations, advocacy, interpersonal skills, and technical skills. The military-to-federal resume requires a translation of skills to the new agency. Your past mission may not match, but the skills CAN match. And you can prove one year specialized experience, as long as that one year doesn’t require special mission knowledge. In other words, if you change from military to transportation, the transportation announcement may require experience in transportation.

6.) I have used the resume I developed from TAP class and it’s not getting me referred although I’m qualified for these positions.

The private-industry resume is shorter than a typical federal resume. The bullet style, one-line description resume won’t be as effective for a federal resume. The recommended format is the outline format. This features your top skills that are transferable to the new position. You could write your description in five or six small paragraphs with headings such as: trainer / instructor; team leader and supervisor; emergency operations planner; interpersonal skills and liaison; administrative operations. These five skills are the most transferable. After you create the outline of your duties with five or six sentences to describe each, you can add two or three accomplishments that will include your outstanding services in your operation.

7.) I didn’t know I had to tweak and edit my resume for each announcement.

With the Army website, www.cpol.army.mil, you could apply to 10 jobs in one day very easily because this system is a Resume Only application with a Self-Nomination online form. But you really should slow down and read the announcement carefully to find the keywords for your resume because the HR specialist will be looking for these keywords throughout your resume. If you haven’t edited each resume with keywords, your resume may not get referred. You can apply quickly, but why bother if you don’t edit and tweak the resume to make sure the keywords are included?

8.) I have accomplishments embedded in the duties section.

Military personnel will write one huge “block of information” for their duties and include the accomplishments somewhere in the middle of the paragraph. This type of content will be difficult to read and difficult for the busy human resources specialists who want to find the best qualified applicants. There is a difference between a regular duty and an accomplishment. They are both important on the federal resume. But the accomplishments are critical if you are to stand out as the most qualified candidate.

If you have had a job for over two years then you have probably been involved with special projects, problem-solving, new programs, new initiatives, new computer programs to improve efficiency, and staff changes. Accomplishments might include your assignment to a task of managing a special operations, situation or program, implementing new processes, and achieving a result. These accomplishments should be written separately from the duties, so that it is clear you have performed more than your position description and you are worthy of a promotion. Furthermore, you want to let the HR specialist know that you’re a federal employee who can resolve problems, take care of customers very well, and achieve and exceed support to the mission.

9.) I didn’t realize that my 5 or 10 point preference really makes a big difference.

Yes, most military personnel will have 5 point preference for service within the last 3 years. Military personnel with disabilities may have a 10 point preference for their application. Your 5 or 10 point preference can give you an advantage over a candidate that does not have preference points.

10.) I can’t take personal credit for the work of my team, so what should I write?

The “team mentality” of federal employees and supervisors is not going to get you hired. It’s time to take credit for your contributions as a leader. Before you apply, ask yourself the following questions: Would the project have been successful without you? Did you set the agenda? Establish priorities? Assign tasks? Solve the problems as they occurred? Brief senior executives on status? Manage resources throughout? Create reports and analyze progress? Lead the team members to meet deadlines and review the quality of their work? Did you “babysit” the group on occasion? Then you need to take credit for leadership, innovation, new ideas, methodologies, policies, procedures, project management strategies that YOU developed and implemented. You are the leader of the team, program, project or group. Write about your leadership and the outcome of the group you lead.

The government has on average 100,000 jobs everyday posted on the main website: USAJOBS.GOV. Consider these positions seriously. They are worth your time and patience. There are good books on federal resume writing and federal job search strategies. Studying federal resume samples and KSAs can help you master the federal job search process and result in a career that can change your life.

Need help with your veteran federal resume? Ask for a Free Federal Resume Estimate from The Resume Place!

Consider the Military to Federal Career Guide Print Book or eBook … Order Here!

Ms. Troutman is the well-known author of the “Ten Steps to a Federal Job” book series. She has also designed her own five step guide to designing and writing a PPP Resume.

The resume is similar to the USAJOBS resume, but it has distinct differences. Probably the most notable is that it is written and formatted for a human being, not for the USAJOBS Resume Builder. There are other important differences as well, so if you’re using PPP, you need to make sure you know exactly what you are doing.

Ms. Troutman is the Federal Resume Writing Workshop Leader for the BRAC Center in Crystal City, VA. The BRAC Center provides assistance to BRAC-impacted workers in Arlington County, VA. The Resume Place, Inc., gives free estimates for Priority Placement Program Federal Resumes.

The Federal Resume Guidebook, 5th Edition includes a chapter on writing the PPP Federal Resume for your information.

When Jeremy Denton (my favorite sample in the book), separated from the USMC Crew Chief after 5 years, Jeremy decided to leave the aviation and helicopter industry and apply for entry- to mid-level positions in project management, program analysis and team work. Jeremy went to college on the GI Bill and completed his a BS degree in Political Science and began his government job search toward GS 7/9 positions as a Program Analyst or Administrative Specialist.

Here are three tips for writing an excellent federal or private industry resume for former military personnel. These tips were covered in the sample resume in the book. Jeremy’s “before” resume is on the eCD-ROM. And there is an amazing turnaround with the Before resume and After Resume. Ask for the book to see the before & after.

1. AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS - In addition to listing the actual award, write one or two sentences about why you got the award. The reasons you received the award could help an employer determine if you have the skills or competencies for their position. Write the accomplishment in your Work Experience section, showing that you received awards for outstanding service.

“As a USMC Crew chief, LOGGED 1,200+ FLIGHT HOURS WITHOUT A SINGLE LOSS OF LIFE OR AIRCRAFT during two tours in Iraq and in the United States, including during combat conditions. Earned numerous recognitions, including Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous Air Medals. Participated in armed interdictions, border patrolling, medical evacuations of military and civilians, and special operations.”

Under the AWARDS section, list the Recognitions again:

“Navy/USMC Achievement Medal, 2007; 2 Iraq Campaign Medals, 2007, 2004; 16 Air Medals; USMC Good Conduct Medal, 2006; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 2004; National Defense Service Medal, 2003″

2. FEATURE YOUR BEST COMPETENCIES – Your specialized military skills may not be directly transferrable to a job in private industry or government, but your transferrable competencies WILL be very useful to your next employer. In the military you have become a team leader, scheduler, trainer, mentor, project leader, problem-solver, critical thinker, analyst, and you have proven your interpersonal skills. Write the competencies so that they stand out! Example:

“SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION: Performed daily inspections on assigned aircraft; assisted in preflight inspections performing final checks; monitored aircraft performance during flight; assisted as a lookout and advised pilot of obstacles and other aircraft.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: As Helicopter Mechanic, performed inspection and maintenance duties on various aircraft systems, including the fuel, flight control, rotor, utility, and power plant systems; checked cockpit controls, switches, and safety devices.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Analyzed weight, mission, cargo and prepared aircraft for maximum defense. Utilized evaluative and technical skills in operating aircraft mounted weapons systems.”

3. FEATURE YOUR SPECIALIZED TRAINING - The military provides some of the best leadership and technical training in the country. The training is impressive and can give the supervisor information about the types of technical skills you have developed in the service. These skills could be useful in your next career. This training is aviation oriented, and he will pursue positions that are not in the aviation industry, but Jeremy is including it in his resume, to demonstrate his technical training. Examples:

“Naval Aviation Air Crewman Candidate School at NATTC, NAS Pensacola, FL; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School at Brunswick, ME; “A” and “C” school, CH-53E Crew Chief Training Syllabus at CNATT MAR Unit, MCAS New River, NC; “C” school, CH-53E Crew Chief Training Syllabus at CNATT MAR Unit, MCAS New River, NC; Plane Captain (PC) Ground syllabus for type aircraft.”

CHECK OUT OUR VETERAN FEDERAL JOBS FACEBOOK PAGE!

Many BRAC-affected Department of Defense (DOD) workers send their resumes to the PPP to help land a new federal position. This resume, needed for the PPO service, is similar to the USAJOBS federal resume, but there are distinct differences. The tips below will help you maximize the services of the PPP human resources specialist in locating a position for you.

1. Study Chapter 10 of the DOD PPP Operations Manual (1998). Determine the match between your occupational series and the option codes. Option codes are used for registration for the PPP, to more specifically define qualifications and help clarify job requirements.

Your PPP federal resume needs to demonstrate specialized skills in 2 or 3 occupational series for which you are qualified. This will ensure that your PPP counselor and panelist can help you land a new federal position that you will be qualified for, while utilizing your experience and qualifications.

View Chapter 10 of the DOD PPP Operations Manual.

2. Write a statement of “objective” on your PPP Federal Resume. The statement of “objective” listed below is an example of an individual who was classified as an Electronic Technician, but performed IT Specialist duties for many years. He was successful in landing an IT specialist position through the PPP.

CAREER OBJECTIVES: Information Technology Specialist (Customer Services, Networking, Application Systems), GS-2210-11 OR Electronic Technician GS-0856/0802-11. PPP Skills Options Codes include: CSP, NET, ASW. Competencies include: Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Team Lead, Problem-Solving and Technical Competencies.

3. Find the classification standard used by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for your occupational series. Identify keywords in OPM’s classification standard that can be used to write your federal resume duties and responsibilities sections.

4. Add accomplishments to demonstrate you have specific experiences and competencies. The accomplishments will help the PPP human resources specialists understand the complexity and level of your experience and provide them the information they need to select your next position.

5. Format the PPP federal resume for a human resources specialist – not an automated system. Your resume for PPP can be a printed, formatted resume. It can include bold type, underlines, indentations and bullets so it is easy to read, but don’t overdo it. Use at least 11 point font. There is no particular length for the PPP federal resume, but it is recommended to keep the length between four to six pages.

Your PPP federal resume is important for your next career move following BRAC. Follow these tips, so your resume will stand out and result in a position referred from the PPP.

View general PPP information.

My book and curriculum, Ten Steps to a Federal Job™, is a favorite because of the 10 steps “campaign process” for this highly complex job search method. The curriculum is utilized in hundreds of military bases worldwide because it is easy to teach, learn, and follow.

I created the “Numbers Federal Job Search Strategy” curriculum when my daughter, Emily, and I were teaching senior NASA Engineers how to write Senior Executive Service applications. We had two days to get two ECQs written. We examined the numbers – 5 ECQs, 28 Leadership Competencies, 10 pages, 2 pages, and set time-lines for each and every writing step. In two days, the engineers had written at least two ECQs and were actually having a great time with their production and ideas.

Which numbers are your favorites? I have underlined my typical training numbers.

FEDERAL JOB SEARCH PROCESS

10 – number of Steps to a Federal Job, developed by Kathryn Troutman

USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER

5 – number of resumes in the USAJOBS builder

WORK EXPERIENCE IN USAJOBS

5 – average number of pages for a mid-career federal resume

3,000 – characters for the USAJOBS Work Experience “job block”

2,000 – characters for duties (recommended for Job #1)

1,000 – characters for accomplishments (recommended for Job #1)

7 – maximum number of jobs (recommended, but not a limit)

10 – years to write details about your work history

20 – years to write fewer details about (write less about the second 10 years of your work history)

30 – years to write even fewer details about (try not to include dates back to 30 years)

KSA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

340 – characters for a good KSA accomplishment length in a federal resume

CLOSING DATES FOR JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

11:59 pm ET – typical closing date time for most USAJOBS job announcements

APPLICATION SCORES BY FEDERAL HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALISTS

110 – top score for a veteran with a disability

105 – top score for a veteran with veteran’s preference

90 – minimum score for Best Qualified

80 – minimum score for Qualified

70 – minimum score to be referred for any federal job

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRES

3 – possible ways to receive an E, the highest level in the ApplicationManager.gov Questionnaire

INTERVIEWS

2.5 – minutes for the average length of an answer to a question in a Behavior-Based Interview

30 – minutes for the average length of a Behavior-Based Interview

5 – the best possible score for an answer in an exam format Behavior-Based Interview

FEDERAL JOB SEARCH APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT TIME

3 – hours to find your documents

5 – hours to write your first federal resume

3 – months to find a federal job

10 – hours per week to search for job announcements and apply for jobs

30 – applications to submit before getting an interview (maybe)

SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE APPLICATIONS

5 – Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for a Senior Executive Service (SES) application

28 – Leadership Competencies for the ECQs for an SES application

KATHRYN TROUTMAN

9 – authored books on federal resume writing

1996 – wrote first book on Federal Resumes – Federal Resume Guidebook

1996 – created the first website for federal resume writing, www.resume-place.com

Your federal resume is the most important career document you will write as you pursue your new federal career after military service.

First, you have to find the position that’s right for you. Second, you have to write a federal resume that demonstrates you are at least minimally qualified for the job. YOU will have to make this happen.

This past summer, we just released the second edition of our Military to Federal Career Guide, which is a short, easy-to-use book to help returning veterans apply for federal jobs — particularly jobs that they are uniquely qualified to do because of their military experience.

I wanted to share some key pages from this book on how to get started writing a military to federal resume. Click on the pages below to download the PDF version of these pages. If you want to read the entire book, you can buy the print book or download the eBook here.

Also, in honor of America’s veterans, we are having a special discount on all Veterans Federal Resume services. Thank you for all that you have done for our country.

Jorge Delgado, Wan Embrey, Todd Burkholder and Jose Fiallos, Command Career Counselors; Kathryn Troutman, Certified Federal Job Search Trainer Founder CFJST Training: Naples, Italy, Aug 2010

“It’s a very stressful time,” admits Jeremy Denton*, a veteran remembering his return from Iraq after serving there in the Marines. “As chaotic as being in the military might be, you knew where you were going to be. Once you’re on your own, there’s no safety net.”

It certainly is a tough time for GIs to be coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, with the recent dismal US employment reports of 130,000 jobs lost in July. Jeremy observes, “When you transition, if you don’t have a plan, you’re going to fall on your face.”

Shirley Victa, Regional Education Services Coordinator Fleet and Family Support Programs; Glovinia Harris, Regional Work / Family Life Coordinator, CNR Europe Africa & SW Asia; and Kathryn Troutman, President and Founder of The Resume Place (www.resume-place.com), have a plan for federal job search training!

It’s called “Ten Steps to a Federal Job.” This step-by-step approach to finding federal employment is an integral part of the Federal Job Search Certification training she is taking “across the pond.” Known as the “federal jobs guru,” Troutman has been hired by the Fleet and Family Services Centers of the Navy to appear at three European locations to train their employment readiness counselors – in Naples, Italy; Sigonella, Italy; and Rota, Spain.

“The federal government is the number one popular employer for separated and retired veterans,” says Troutman. “With this training, when the transition counselors have their military customers come in — and there will be many with the drawdown in Iraq in process — they will be able to help them in a more efficient, empowering, and informed way.”

The Ten Steps curriculum is currently being taught by transition counselors in all branches of the armed services at over 100 bases around the world, to separating and retiring military, and their accompanying spouses.

Locations include Bahrain, Guam, Japan and Alconbury, England. However, in the past, the counselors had to travel to attend The Resume Place’s certification program. Now Troutman is bringing the training right to the three Navy bases (Naples, Italy: August 16-20/Sigonella, Italy: August 23-27/Rota, Spain: August 30-September 2).

“This training will give the transition counselors updated knowledge, including the latest on federal hiring reforms,” notes Troutman. “President Obama came out with new programs for federal hiring of both veterans and their accompanying spouses. We’ll be covering how federal job applications are handled throughout the whole process.”

Troutman sees the possibility of federal employment as being more important than ever to veterans, as separating military face an uncertain future in a down economy. “Training like this could help reduce vets’ suicides and make it easier to overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” And she applauds the changes in spousal hiring. “The spouses would like to get a federal job as it helps them transition to new employment from base to base,” Troutman says. “This can help the military have a better quality of life by bringing more income to families.”

The certification training includes licensing of a new updated Ten Steps to a Federal Jobs Powerpoint presentation, designed as a three-hour workshop.

“The Ten Steps and the Powerpoint presentation make this material easier to cover,” explains Troutman. “It gives the counselors a structure to use to teach federal job searching. And for the jobseeker, it helps them realize that this is a campaign, and each step is important.”

Also associated with the Federal Job Search Trainer certification is the use of the new 4th edition of a workbook called the Jobseeker’s Guide. Covering all Ten Steps, this Guide includes useful federal resume samples in Troutman’s “Outline Format” that integrate keywords from federal vacancy announcements.

Troutman will be the lead trainer at the 3-day Certified Federal Job Search Trainings in Europe. She heads up The Resume Place, a resume writing and federal job search consulting company in Baltimore, and is the author of six federal career guides, including her latest Military to Federal Career Guide, 2nd edition. Accompanying her will be Emily Troutman, a Ten Steps Trainer and the co-author of The Student’s Federal Career Guide, and Sandra Keppley, a Human Resources expert, who will cover the bulk of the federal hiring changes and reforms.

“It’s important to be able to create a strong foundation when you get back,” notes armed services veteran Jeremy. “And this is especially important for the guys who have a family. Though the military pay isn’t that good, it gets to be pretty substantial when you add up all the benefits such as medical coverage and housing allowances. Having the ability to be trained and prepare yourself to get a good job at home with good benefits is definitely vital.”

For more info on the Certified Federal Job Search Trainer Program, go to http://www.resume-place.com/training/certification-programs/.

Note: US-based Certification Training is available on Sept. 14-16, 2010 at Loyola College, Columbia, MD; and Sept. 21-23, 2010 at Little Rock AFB, Little Rock, AR.

Interested in hosting a program?

This program is available to be presented at your base, state, country or site! We recently presented the program at Charleston AFB, Yuma Private Investment Agency, Yuma, AZ and Lemoore, CA.

Minimum of 10 participants required at your site (computer room).

Email us at training@resume-place.com.

*Jeremy Dutton is an actual veteran whose case study appears in the Military to Federal Career Guide. His name and some identifying details have been changed.

Eases the Process of Starting a Career in the Federal Government, July 10, 2010 By JD, USMC This Amazon.com review is from: Military to Federal Career Guide, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

“After 4+ years in the Marines I was ready for a break and ready to take advantage of the experience my military service gave me. Like all Marines (and I suspect other transitioning Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel) I was made to go through a rushed TAP/ TAMP class on how to get out of the military and be successful as a civilian. After I was forced through yet another power point numbing series of classes punctuated by mock interviews and civilian attire inspections, and after I was mentally preparing to EAS; my unit was deployed for 8 months. I got home and left the Corps 2 weeks after returning to CONUS.

I hate long rambling reviews so I’ll try to get to the book. After I worked my way through school with the help of my GI Bill (that didn’t pay nearly all my education expenses) I found myself lacking a real plan. I started looking into careers in the Federal Government and was baffled and frustrated by USAjobs, Army Resume Builder and all the competition from those snot-nose kids whose parents paid their way through college while I was enjoying MRE’s and bottled water in a place whose name they never will care to learn. I got lucky and stumbled across an early run of the second edition of this book after it came out at the NY Book Expo of America last May. I worked through the book and the CD and I found the process much more manageable. What made it easy were the sample resumes from actual military personal.

I could use their resumes as a starting point for mine. Like them, I found actual jobs on USAjobs and worked the language of the posting into my resume and cover letter. Then there are instructions in the book on how to submit your resume and how long you can expect to wait before you hear back. Additionally there are interview tips and pointers on how to follow up on submitted applications. Finally, in summation, I am personally satisfied with my results after putting in the effort and working through this book, hopefully you will be to. If not, that’s OK. Just hope we both don’t go out for the same opening. Cheers.”

Kathryn Troutman rolled out the 2nd edition of the Military to Federal Career Guide, 2nd Edition at the Book Expo of America in NYC last week. The second edition is VERY different from the first edition. The new book is 130 pages and is $18.95 and STILL contains a CD with sample in Word to use as templates. The samples are all from E-5 and E-7 military careers that are transitioning into federal services. It is easy to read and will be very helpful to the returning and separating military. Photos by Zoey Troutman.

The expected turnout of librarians was really disappointing, but we always learn something about book publishing to bring back to our publishing and distribution services at The Resume Place, Inc. We found out the librarians have to PAY to come to the BEA now. And the librarians usually come to BEA on weekends. But we will find other ways to meet with librarians.

Since Fleet Week was going on in NYC at the same time, we took 10 of our books down to the Iwo Jima and signed and gave away books to the military personnel on the ship and the CH53 helicopter crew chiefs. Read more about the Autographing.

Zoey Troutman and Kim Schmitt are looking at the Miltiary book at Justin’s sample resume. This is the lead sample in the Book. CH 53 Helicopter Crew Chief, E-5, Jeremy is leaving USMC to go back to finish college degree. And is seeking Program Analyst position at Government Printing Office. We featured TEAMWORK, CRITICAL THINKING, PLANNING, COORDINATING and other competencies that are transferrable to a civil service position.

I met Joe McCarthy, author of Checks for Vets, a guidetook to help wartime service veterans and their surviving spouses receive VA pensions to pay for long-term care. Tips for Veterans are posted on his website.

The Military to Federal Career Guide, 2nd Edition will be available in all major booksellers in August 1st. There are a few pre-publication copies available for previewing. Please write to kathryn@resume-place.com for a free copy of the book.