 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(BALTIMORE, MD - February 27, 2004) - As a Federal Career Trainer, Author and Human Resources consultant, Kathryn has a few ideas and insight for current feds to land on their feet in their federal career 2004!
As a Federal Career Trainer, Author and Human Resources consultant, Kathryn has a few ideas and insight for current feds to land on their feet in their federal career 2004!
OPM's Recruitment One Stop: Lots of talk about this wonderful new e-gov recruitment system. I predict that it will happen for some of the competitive agencies who use QuickHire, USASTAFFING and Avue systems. It will not happen for Resumix DOD agencies. ROS is a new application system where a job applicant can complete one Resume Builder at one place, then the particular agency will receive the resumes from the ROS database. It will be good for applicants, even if all agencies do not participate. We'll get it straight eventually.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT ON-LINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Will not get any better. Applicants will have to gain more insight into the various on-line systems, so that they can figure out how to apply and submit the right materials. Writing on-line application instructions is hard for the human resources staff. They don't have an on-line writing department with usability experts who write the announcement and instructions. They write the instructions themselves and it's very difficult. And it's going to get worse with ROS. With ROS, the agency will want more information than the ROS system will specify. So the applicants will have to struggle to find out how to apply through ROS, then submit the desired information to the specific agency HR.
ELECTRONIC RESUMES: will be the ultimate federal application for more than 80% of all jobs. You will need to learn how to maximize the available space with your best accomplishments and most relevant skills. Learn and use your keywords! Cut out the boring, mundane details that put the HR folks to sleep!
KSAs: even with the evolution of the electronic resume, KSAs will still be needed in the form of Questions, Essays, Examples and even downright KSAs. But KSAs are great! They help applicants write about their success stories and improve their confidence!
HOTTEST AGENCIES: Department of Homeland Security is it! Hiring, restructuring, reorganizing, and changing. Listen to the news to keep up with the busy agencies. FEMA, CDC, HHS, DOT - they're in the news and hiring!
A-76 AND MEO-AFFECTED EMPLOYEES: It's here to stay. Get ready with a great federal resume / electronic resume. Get ready to jump now. Stay competitive. Stay in school. Look for your next job everyday! Be flexible about whether you stay in the MEO or go elsewhere. Keep your job search survival techniques up all the time!
PERSONAL MARKETING / NETWORKING: Better stay friendly with everyone. You will need your friends, referrals and good quotes from special projects and job duties. Think “Marketing” all the time. Quit being comfortable in your job. Those days are over. Collect complimentary emails, get quoted, ask for visible projects, smile, walk faster, bring in colorful flowers, kiss up. Do it all for the sake of government job survival and your retirement.
WRITING AND TALKING: Get help where needed. Join toastmasters, take a writing class, keep your skills up! Talking and writing can get you everywhere. Be articulate, positive, clear, confident, happy, and forward thinking. Can't say enough about speaking and writing skills!
COMPUTER SKILLS: HTML or other web skills can be helpful in most federal agencies. Databases, Excel and PowerPoint are hot. If you're not good at these programs, take a class. Keep up with it!
CONFERENCES: Even if they cost $$ and take time, find one or two and GO. Take a business card or one page resume and be ready to meet people. Smile, be active, go to classes, participate in classes, listen, talk to people sitting near you (I mean it) and take notes. Keep the agenda and list of people who have attended. You never know when you want to write to them again. Look good and smile.
READING AND RESEARCH: Read books and articles on current events, political events that affect your agency and your job. Stay on top of what your boss is reading. Consider reading a couple of books he or she is reading. Popular interview question: Who are you most impressed by? What book are you reading? Get ready. It better not be Madonna's new children's book.
EXERCISE: Ugh. I know. But stand tall, walk as briskly as you can and stay healthy, that's the bottom line. It will make you look confident and happy. This is good for a jobseeker. Healthy is productive.
LOOK FOR YOUR NEXT JOB: Read vacancy announcements for potential positions once a week. Stay in the know about your next job and the skills that could be needed. Do not wait for a notice, press release or anything rumors about competition.
This article is written by Kathryn Troutman who works with current and future feds who want to land or keep a federal job. Kathryn trains federal employees who are affected by A 76 and MEO restructuring and helps people stay employed, grow their careers or change careers. The above insights and recommendations could help a current fed be less stressed, worried and fearful if the organization is restructured or competed. Getting ready is the bottom line, as well as staying educated in the newest, most important job skills. Kathryn is available for motivating Career Management training U.S.-wide.
 |
