Contact: Kathryn Troutman or
Sarah Blazucki
(410) 744-4324

Getting a Good Job in a Bad Economy
Workers who pulled their careers out of a private industry slump share advice and encouragement about finding Federal jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore, MD--

[Baltimore, MD - January 31, 2003] Americans sizing up their career outlook for 2003 will find little encouragement in recent economic news. Of the 8.6 million people who remained unemployed in December, a stunning 3.2 million have been out-of-work 15 weeks or more-and about 1.9 million have been jobless in excess of 25 weeks. Where can jobhunters find reasons for hope? Some have found it in Federal employment. The Federal government is the largest employer in the US. The most recent Office of Personnel Management (OPM) survey counted 2.7 million civilians in the Federal workforce.

What motivates people to persevere with applying to the Federal government, a confusing process that Paul Light, the VP and Director of the Brookings Institution's Governmental Studies, likens to a tough climb? Reasons applicants sought Federal work included good pay, benefits, the ability to change jobs within government, a preference for public service over corporate competitiveness, patriotic duty, as well as opportunities for advancement, education and professional development.

So how do you begin a Federal job hunt? According to Light, "First you have to find the mountain, then equip yourself for the journey." Four people who've recently made the "journey" from private sector to Federal employment agreed to share their experiences, hoping to inspire others embarking on their Federal job quests. All of them "equipped" themselves with advice from Kathryn Kraemer Troutman's website (www.resume-place.com) and book, Ten Steps to a Federal Job: Navigating the Federal Job System (290 pages, The Resume Place, October 2002, trade paperback with Mac/Win CD-ROM, ISBN: 0-9647025-3-3 $38.95), which Light declared as "the best guide you can find for the challenge."

WRITER ESCAPED BEING JOBLESS IN SEATTLE;
SPIRITS NOW SOAR AT MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
Dale* could see that his 25-year career in public relations writing was taking a nosedive along with the Pacific Northwest's aerospace industry. But it wasn't just diminishing private sector opportunities that pushed the writer towards Federal employment. He knew from his early career experience in the State Department that civil service could provide the security he needed and the flexibility he was looking for. (*This successful jobseeker asked that his name be changed for the article.)

Challenges
"Writing the KSAs and Federal Resume was a hurdle at first," said Dale. "I copied the section 'Context, Challenge, Action and Results' from Kathy's book, Ten Steps to a Federal Job, and pasted it onto my computer monitor. Whenever I wrote a KSA, I referred to it often. It really helped me focus on what was important. After that, every new version kept getting better. I never would have known how to do a Federal Resume and those crazy KSAs without the use of the Ten Steps book and Kathy's website," he concluded. (A KSA is an "essay" the applicant writes about his or her Knowledge, Skills and Abilities as they relate to a specific job.)

Rewards
"When I got my Federal job as a Public Affairs Specialist at the Museum of Flight, I was delighted! It took me a year, and at least 35 applications, but it was worth it. I've always been a big museum buff and working at one is a huge kick for me," exclaimed Dale.

"I like the benefits-especially the fantastic retirement. I'm 51 years old and feeling I have a secure future is great!" Dale explained.

"Also, I like working in government because you can be anything-from cowboy to scuba diver to diplomat. Throughout your career, you can have a taste of various types of jobs and potentially a huge number of agencies. You don't have to be stuck in one company a long time, just to keep from losing benefits. Plus, I prefer the not-for-profit environment to the cutthroat, corporate greed atmosphere. In government, we're just here to serve people-what could be better?" asked Dale.

Tips
"Learn all you can about the Federal application process," recommended Dale. "Be open to accepting a job at a slightly lower grade or salary than you had originally wanted. After the probationary period, you can move about in government."

"You can be anything with the Federal government-from cowboy to scuba diver to diplomat."

FORMER PEOPLESOFT CONSULTANT NOW CONTRIBUTES
TO INTERNATIONAL AID
Teresa had planned to go into government service after graduating with her MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in 1999. She became discouraged about Federal job opportunities, however. "So I accepted the PeopleSoft consultant position," Teresa said.

When the economy slumped and PeopleSoft lost business, Teresa sensed a layoff in her future. Encouraged by a friend's success with Kathryn Troutman's advice, Teresa submitted her first of seven applications in July 2001. In August, she interviewed with the US Agency for International Development. They offered her a position in September, contingent on a security clearance. PeopleSoft laid her off just in time for Christmas. One day later, her security clearance came through.

Challenges
"One of the biggest challenges in looking for a Federal job," Teresa contends, "is figuring out the vacancy announcements. Studying Kathryn Troutman's books and website covered how to understand the vacancy announcements, which helped me write my Federal Resume and KSAs," said Teresa.

Rewards
Teresa obtained an IT position at an agency that has been involved in everything from parachuting relief supplies into Afghanistan to teaching people in underdeveloped countries how to improve their crop yields, develop clean water supplies, and create business opportunities.

"As a consultant, I worked very long hours and spent a lot of time traveling. I've always loved living in Washington, DC, but I couldn't be home to enjoy the city."

"Now, I work with an agency in DC that's doing something good for people. And I have time for community involvement and to develop my other interests. I work with bright, talented people. And, this may sound kind of corny, I feel proud that I'm doing something vital for my country," Teresa asserted quietly.

Tips
"Be patient. To get a job in the Federal government, you have to persevere, but it's definitely worth it," Teresa stated enthusiastically.

"I work with bright, talented people. And I feel proud that I'm doing something vital for my country."

A GAL IN KALAMAZOO TEN STEPS HER WAY TO FEDERAL JOB
Lana, a single working mom, had raised her children and paid off her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She fully expected to retire from SPX, where she had worked for 26 years, assisting the engineers who designed emission-testing devices.

"I thought my job was secure-in spite of the economic problems in our region," said Lana. But the local plant closed. After she fulfilled a SPX contract to train people at other plants to do her job, prospects seemed slim for a 58-year-old woman without a college degree. "I don't mind telling you-I was scared," confessed Lana.

Challenges
Instead of KSAs and resumes, required for high and midlevel positions, Lana submitted complex forms. "You can't always tell from an announcement what's important. Kathy's books and Internet advice helped me identify crucial details. Yes, the application process was lengthy but worth every second it took to fill out all the forms correctly," Lana insisted.

Rewards
Last fall, Lana celebrated her 59th birthday and her first anniversary at the Department of Defense at the Federal Center in Battle Creek-a 30-minute commute from her home. Lana's blueprint reading and technical skills qualified her for the DOD's cataloging division. "We handle everything for the war-fighter-from nuts and bolts to Humvees and helicopters," declared Lana proudly.

"I like the way government encourages employee training and development. Everyone's so supportive. In private industry, you sink or swim. I look back and ask myself, 'Why didn't I do this 20 years ago?'" Lana shared.

Tips
"Dot every 'i' and cross every 't.' Take your time to do the application correctly," she urged. Attitude helps, too, she suggested. "Instead of dwelling on how the process should be, I thought of it as a game-a test to see if I could follow directions," Lana chuckled.

"Instead of dwelling on how the process should be, I thought of it as a game-a test to see if I could follow directions."

WORLDCOM CASUALTY'S CAREER REVIVED BY MORE
LUCRATIVE FEDERAL JOB
Lucy, a 35-year-old Worldcom casualty with a MBA and a BA from Southeastern University, sent out her first Federal application at the end of May 2002. In August 2002, the USDA's Agriculture Research Services in Washington, DC offered Lucy a position as a Financial Manager.

Challenges
Lucy felt concerned about the Federal Resume and the KSA. She had to tailor them to each of the 30 jobs for which she applied.

"My KSAs worked! I learned about the Federal job application process from both the Federal website (www.usajobs.opm.gov) and Kathy's books. Her instructions were especially useful for preparing the Federal Resume and KSAs based on vacancy announcement and for following up. By following her Ten Steps, I finally stood out among 65 qualified applicants and got the position! I was told I was among the top 10 selected for an interview. I was so excited!" exclaimed Lucy.

Rewards
Lucy's Federal benefit package is much greater than it was at Worldcom, and her starting salary exceeded her highest rate at Worldcom by 30%.

"I have more of a sense of stability. Also, the government provides opportunities for me to enroll in all sorts of training classes and to pursue further advancement. I am really proud of being a civil servant and that I can make contributions to our country," Lucy concluded.

Obviously, Lucy was very well qualified for the position; however, had she not communicated her qualifications in a way that Federal human resources expected, she would not have scored so highly.

Tips
"Treat every Federal job application as if it were a college open-book examination," advises Lucy. "Don't use canned statements in resumes and KSAs. Keep trying and never give up."

A WORTHY CHALLENGE
All of our applicants adhered to the motto "Never give up," a good axiom to keep in mind when engaged in any long-term project. The gears of the application review process can move slowly, partially because of understaffed human resource departments.

"The Federal hiring system operates to fill specific openings. It wants to see that you are qualified for… a particular vacancy…," explained Eric Yoder, whose articles appear in The Washington Post. "It's process-driven," Yoder admitted, "but probably no worse than applying to work at a lot of major corporations."

With the great numbers of Federal employees rapidly reaching retirement and an increasing need for staff of all levels and specialties to support Homeland Security efforts, opportunities will continue to open for thousands of new people. If you persevere and submit good applications, there's a good chance that one of them could be you.

To interview Kathy Troutman, contact Sarah Blazucki
(410/744-4324; sarah@resumeplace-com) in Baltimore.