Volume Number 2   -   Issue Number 18   -   Holiday Edition - 2004
 
 
*** SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION ***
Featuring: The Resume Place's Top 21 Job Search Tips
From Expert Federal Job Search Professionals World-Wide!



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The FEDERAL CAREER CORNER(TM) is a free bi-monthly e-newsletter sponsored by The Resume Place, Inc., Kathryn K. Troutman, President; Jessica Coffey, Managing Editor, editor@resume-place.com. Sign up now for the mailing list.
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WHAT'S IN THIS NEWSLETTER?

  • SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM KATHRYN TROUTMAN

  • RESUME PLACE SUCCESS STORIES

  • 'TWAS THE YEAR OF MY FEDERAL JOB SEARCH

  • FEATURE: The Resume Place's Top 21 Job Search Tips from Expert Federal Job Search Professionals World-Wide!

  • RESUME PLACE WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

  • SHARE THE NEWSLETTER WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS
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Season's Greetings from Kathryn Troutman



2004 was our "get ready" year for the Federal job search. 2005 is going to be THE YEAR OF THE FEDERAL JOB! With so many people retiring or almost retiring ... and government agencies finally waking up to the huge hiring efforts that are coming, this will be THE YEAR to "go Federal." The "Numbers Game" approach will continue -- many applications and announcements, but the results will be faster and more positive. My recommendations are to follow government hiring, agency changes, new initiatives and programs, and target the agency and job that you are seeking. Learn about how you can fit in and persevere with your research, writing, and networking until you break into government.

Good luck with your Federal career searches. We're here to help along the way. Thanks for reading our newsletter and books, and I hope to see you in a workshop or conference somewhere next year! Write us with your success stories!

Happy Holidays,

Kathryn, Federal Career Coach and President, The Resume Place, Inc.

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RESUME PLACE SUCCESS STORIES
  • RP Helps Another Jobseeker Land a Great Job with a Sharp Application Package!

    "Just wanted to let you know that my package was approved by OPM and I start my new job on Monday (Chief Information Officer at the National Labor Relations Board). You can 'rack up' another success story."


  • Resume Place Writer Goes Above and Beyond!

    "I got the job! We're negotiating the GS step level - FLRA offered the position at GS-14 level 1. Just as you recommended, I proposed a counteroffer at GS-14 level 10. Hopefully they'll accept my offer and we can get this Federal job thing going.

    Rich, I know you went beyond the call of duty to help me find and apply for this opportunity, and I will never be able to thank you enough."


  • Promoted to GS-13!

    "It sure was not quick but all our hard work and your advice did pay off. I was promoted to GS-13 last month. I'll be in touch next year and we can start working on a 14!!"
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'Twas the Year of My Federal Job Search

'Twas the year of my job search, and all through the house
Were rough drafts produced with my computer and mouse.
I had begun my research, bookmarked favorite pages on the Net,
In hopes that a Federal job I would soon get.

With the Federal Resume Guidebook leading the way,
I had my work cut out for me day after day.
Key words and competencies, KSAs too,
I never realized there was so much to do!

I listed my skills and wrote out my strengths,
I spent a lot of time and went to great lengths
To explain my experience and list accomplishments too,
I learned very quickly it's not just the "what," but also the "why" you do what you do.

Be results-oriented, show the money you saved,
Procedures you implemented, how your boss raved.
Jot down ideas, make lists you can use.
Give yourself many examples from which to choose.

The Federal resume format was easy to grasp,
I focused on what I did well in my present and past.
I included the necessary compliance details,
And added a summary to show off my skills.

Then I narrowed the field by going online --
Learn as much as you can and you will do fine.
I researched the agencies, vacancies, titles, and more;
If you break it into steps, it's not such a chore.

Once I knew my niche, I started searching the sites.
USAJOBS, FedWorld, and Monster kept me up many nights.
I found there were some jobs where I could mail the application in,
For all the others, I needed a computer to log in.

My electronic resume went to QuickHire, Resumix, COOL, and Avue.
I cut and I pasted, but no not with glue!
I focused on keywords and made it easy to read.
I wanted to show them that I'm the person they need.

Then came the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities statements (the KSAs),
Many agencies require some form of them these days.
A chance to write out, in first person, what you have done --
To sell yourself as the very best one.

Oh my, what a year it has been!
From the beginning to the very end.
And after the wait to hear from HR (it is getting better) --
I have an interview lined up to prove that I'm a go-getter!

With the help of The Resume Place, the 10 Steps, and their Federal Guide,
This Federal job search wasn't such a bad ride.
One last thing I'd like to say as I head out of sight,
"Happy Federal job search to all, and to all a good-night!"

-- Jessica Coffey, Editor

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FEATURE:
The Resume Place's Top 21 Job Search Tips
From Expert Federal Job Search Professionals World-Wide!

    WRITING YOUR FEDERAL RESUME
  1. "Make sure you add accomplishments to your resume - accomplishments are what set you apart from the competition." -- Carla Waskiewicz, RP Writer


  2. "Make sure the length of employment in a job is proportional to the length of the job description. If you have held a position for 7 years, the description for that job should be twice the length of a job that you held for 3 years." -- Karen Jones, RP Writer


  3. "Examples, examples, examples! Every job experience should have at least one example of a project that relates to the job announcement. A two-three sentence summary of a relevant project personalizes the resume as well as highlights your practical experience for the intended position." -- Karen Jones, RP Writer


    4. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH



  4. "Yes, it is frustrating trying to 'break in' to Federal employment if you don't have some type of special eligibility, such as previous military experience. However, be flexible -- look at more than one agency; do your research on what's out there, and where the jobs are. And FOLLOW UP!" -- Lana Smith, Community Readiness Team Leader/Spouse Employment


  5. "Know your agency! Do some research and be prepared to ask intelligent questions about the agency to which you are applying. Think of some ways you could make a difference and be ready to present them in an interview." -- Carla Waskiewicz, RP Writer


    6. APPLYING FOR FEDERAL JOBS



  6. "Remember to collect your source documents ahead of time when creating your resume/applying online." -- Lana Smith, Community Readiness Team Leader/Spouse Employment


  7. "[When applying online] save your resume -- on disk, in cyberspace, somewhere -- so you do not have to start from the very beginning each time you apply." -- Lana Smith, Community Readiness Team Leader/Spouse Employment


  8. "Be Sure You Are Actually Qualified Before You Apply! One of the most important issues potential Federal job applicants must address is whether they are 'minimally qualified' for the job at the grade they are considering. This issue must be faced early when deciding whether to apply for a particular white-collar (GS or equivalent) job.

    'Minimally qualified' for a GS or equivalent job means, of course, having the job-related experience or education (or a combination of both) specified for the position, or the stated proficiency levels if the position is assessed based on competencies. Minimum qualifications standards are published on OPM's web site at www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/index.htm. They also can be somewhat inferred from each vacancy announcement. But 'minimally qualified' also means having the equivalent of 1 year of experience at the next lower GS (or equivalent) grade level, or education that can be substituted for that level of experience.* Agencies cannot ignore this '1 year at the next lower grade' requirement. Therefore, potential job applicants should carefully review the requirements and examples of work for both the job at the grade level they want to pursue AND at the the next lower grade.

    Applicants may find it necessary -- or at least prudent -- to lower their sights to get that first Federal job. If the career ladder for the job they are seeking is good enough, the lower grade and pay for the first year will be worth accepting for the long term gain."

    *This requirement does not apply to Wage Grade, or blue-collar, jobs.

    -- Harry C. Redd III, retired Federal HR Specialist now consulting with and writing for The Resume Place


  9. "Have you ever met anyone who actually reads all the fine print on those little 'privacy notice' pamphlets that come with your bills? Probably not. It's all legal stuff, right? That stuff we don't really need to know if we understand the basic idea. Sometimes, new surfers of Federal job vacancy announcements get that same feeling. What IS all this? What does it all MEAN? The difference here is that you DO need to read all that stuff -- IF you want to get a job.

    Unfortunately, Federal job announcements are not always prioritized: Here Are the Ten Things You ABSOLUTELY need to do to get this job. Many times, a requirement for the job is buried on page four in Paragraph 37. Remember that perfect job you thought you found -- and were already printing your resume -- when you hit page three to find out that 'Fluency In Swahili' is required! Shouldn't that be on Page One at the Absolute Beginning of the announcement? Of course, it should. Read everything first. On your second read, it gets -- a little -- clearer.

    It's true that many times the lingo in the announcement is unintelligible to the novice applicant. Ask. Call the person listed in the announcement -- that's a requirement now -- they have to give you access to a human who can tell you what some of the esoteric government words mean. (Make a list of all your questions before you call. Tell the contact person you have about ten questions and what would be a good time for you to call. If he wants to leave for lunch in five minutes, he may not be extremely cooperative. Hey, it's not the MAJESTY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT you're talking to -- it's just one person at one desk. Just like you.)

    The valuable exercise we encounter here is that reading ALL of the announcement and studying ALL of the Duties of the job for which you are applying will not only prepare you to submit a resume that coincides with their needs, but it will teach you the vocabulary you will need for The Interview and...it prepares you for working for the government. Would YOU hire someone who didn't follow all the instructions On How to Get This Job? No. That's why they won't take your application the day after the announcement closes. If you can't make that deadline, they probably can't depend on you to make all the deadlines that are a daily routine in government work.

    That Federal manager who needs a new employee thinks that if you are serious about getting the job, you will be serious about submitting the proper application for that job."

    -- Hans Petersen (Career Government Employee), Executive Editor - The Resume Place


    10. REENTERING GOVERNMENT



  10. "Kathryn, I have a suggestion. Stems from my own experience reentering government at the high step 14 level. If circumstances permit, get a job with a support-services contractor whose staff are in daily contact with officials of the target agency. You get to know them and vice versa. I was a Systems Consultant for a firm that provided full-service management of data processing for the agency. Took me 18 months to become directly hired." -- Bill Partridge, RP Writer


    11. AUTOMATED SYSTEMS



  11. "I really think people need to understand how different resume systems can be and how they will effect the resume submitted. RESUMIX systems do not allow KSAs as separate documents and expect the KSAs, Core Competencies, and accomplishments to be addressed in limited space. For example, the Air Force allows 1500 characters including spaces and the Army allows 2000 characters. It's possible but a good challenge." -- Tracy Snider, Ramstein Family Support Center


    12. PERSISTENCE IS KEY



  12. "Be persistent. You will get many rejections before getting an offer." -- Lana Smith, Community Readiness Team Leader/Spouse Employment


  13. "Apply for every job for which you are qualified. Don't give up!" -- Carla Waskiewicz, RP Writer


    14. FOLLOW-UP



  14. "Don't be afraid to follow-up on your application. If you haven't heard anything in 3-4 weeks. Follow-up to find out where you are in the process." -- Carla Waskiewicz, RP Writer


    15. THE INTERVIEW



  15. "The Federal resume is only the first step getting your foot in the door. The interview is the most crucial. Never turn down an interview even if you don't want the job. The more you interview, the better you get at it." -- Rich Westfield, RP Writer


  16. "For interviews, there are always questions everyone asks. Get a good book (the 'Knock 'em Dead' series) and study possible questions. Anticipate questions, know how you're going to respond before the question is even asked." -- Rich Westfield, RP Writer


    17. NEGOTIATING



  17. "If you do land a Federal job, don't immediately accept a step 1 salary if it means a pay cut. Negotiate." -- Rich Westfield, RP Writer


    18. PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE



  18. "Get professional help. The Federal hiring process is complicated, and you cannot figure it out without help. Federal resumes are longer, the hiring process takes longer, and the rules sometimes don't make sense." -- Rich Westfield, RP Writer


  19. "Read Kathryn's books and follow her pointers!" -- Lana Smith, Community Readiness Team Leader/Spouse Employment


  20. "My best tip would be... If you have the even slightest doubt about putting the Federal Resume Package together yourself, hire a 'Certified' Federal Resume Writer who is trained to do this for you. The adage 'a penny saved is a penny earned' -- in this case -- does not serve you!" -- Sharon Hasslocher, Resumes Worth Reading.Com, Certified Federal Resume Writer & Job Coach


    21. FOR CAREER PROFESSIONALS



  21. "I added some exercises to my training for Career Professionals, including having them create a handout -— taking each of the Ten Steps and then brainstorming key points that they wanted to share with their jobseeker clients.

    I borrowed some websites from your newsletters (thank you!) because many of the people are in offices near military bases. I also had them write KSA’s in the class in a group and then do presentations on them. They loved it. It was such fun."

    -- Leigh Moore, LMSW, PHR, CPRW, Trainer, Career Coach, Writer
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RESUME PLACE WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
  • Attend The Resume Place's Four-Part Workshop Series:
    "Take Control of Your Federal Career"

    Join us for an informative, webclass based on the Federal Resume Guidebook -- we'll walk you through the steps so you can effectively search for Federal jobs, create an outstanding Federal resume, develop competitive KSAs, and understand how to apply for federal jobs using automated systems.

    *** Sign Up Today for Our February/March 2005 Classes! ***

    All classes held on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST

    • Course 1: Vacancy Announcement Search & Key Word Analysis - February 9, 2005


    • Course 2: Federal Resumes That Compete: The Newest Techniques in Federal Resume Writing - February 16, 2005


    • Course 3: Writing Your KSAs with the CCAR Model: Showcase Your Best Stories! - February 23, 2005


    • Course 4: Electronic Resume Writing Strategies: Keywords, Accomplishments & Standing Out! - March 2, 2005

    Click here to find out more!


  • Learn More about Federal Resume and KSA Writing Basics, Where to Find Federal Jobs, and How to Analyze Announcements

    We know the Federal Job Search process is complex and we can help! It's easy to dial a telephone number and listen to a Federal job search expert talk about federal jobs, applications, and announcements. You can join a small group of jobseekers and learn how the government fills positions, how you can find and analyze the job announcements, and how to apply successfully.

    The Resume Place will offer a FREE hour-long teleclass on Wednesday, January 12th, at 12 noon, EST. It's a great time to ask all of your federal career questions. Sign up now.
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A final holiday thought... the best gift you can give this holiday is the gift of extending yourself to someone who needs a smile, words of encouragement, or a well-deserved acknowledgement. On that note, thank you for tuning in to The Federal Career Corner in 2004. We look forward to sharing our Federal job search knowledge with you in the new year.

Happy holidays from The Resume Place.


*** First Edition 2005 - Contributions Needed ***
"Savvy Tips for Government Career Moves"

The newsletter's first edition in 2005 will focus on Moving Up and Around in a Government Career. If you have any savvy strategies or tips for Getting Promoted or Networking for Success in Government, please send them to editor@resume-place.com. Let us know if we can quote your name, title or agency! Share your insight with our 8,000 readers! Thanks, Jessica Coffey, Managing Editor
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SHARE THE NEWSLETTER WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS

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Simply copy and paste the text between the stars below and send the e-mail! The entire newsletter can be read online!

Suggested Subject Line: From your name - The Federal Career Corner Newsletter, Special Holiday Edition 2004

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FEDERAL CAREER CORNER™, Volume 2, No. 18, Special Holiday Edition 2004
The latest Federal Job Search news from The Resume Place, Inc. and Kathryn Troutman, Publisher

Featuring: The Resume Place's Top 21 Job Search Tips from Expert Federal Job Search Professionals World-Wide!... and much more!

Read the entire online newsletter here:
www.resume-place.com/newsletter?vol_2_issue_18.html

Sign up here for our free bi-monthly newsletter: lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs.aspx?customerid=18651

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FEDERAL CAREER CORNER NEWSLETTER

Please write to us with websites, success stories, job search tips, article ideas, and questions that we can use in the Federal Career Corner Newsletter. Send your ideas to Jessica Coffey, Managing Editor, at editor@resume-place.com.
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