Volume Number 2     Issue Number 2     January 20, 2004

		The FEDERAL CAREER CORNER(TM) is a bi-monthly, free e-newsletter sponsored by The Resume Place, Inc., Kathryn K. Troutman, President; Jessica Coffey, Managing Editor, editor@resume-place.com. The Federal Career Corner newsletter will be sent to you regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month -- for FREE! Please tell your friends and colleagues. REMEMBER – The Resume Place’s President, Kathryn Troutman is the Monster Federal Career Coach at Monster.com. Ask questions and read responses at http://forums.monster.com/forum.asp?forum=3336 __________________________________________________________________________ WHAT'S IN THIS NEWSLETTER? WHAT'S NEW FROM KATHRYN HAVE YOU HEARD?... ...AND DID YOU KNOW? FEATURE ARTICLE - Ten Steps to a Federal Job with Kathryn Troutman FEDERAL CAREER Q&A SES TIPS FROM SUSAN CUSTARD CAREER PRO INFO THE RESUME PLACE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES __________________________________________________________________________ WHAT'S NEW FROM KATHRYN Kathryn Troutman, “Monster Federal Career Coach” & President, The Resume Place __________________________________________________________________________ HAVE YOU HEARD?... There are always exciting things happening in the federal job arena. We will try to keep tabs on some of the big ones and share them with you – President Bush’s plans for U.S. space initiatives, and NASA, are taking off! The fundamental goal of this new vision is to advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust space exploration program. Read more about where the space program is headed at http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/explore_main.html. NASA employs 17,700 civil servants and generates thousands of high-tech jobs in the private sector. To better align with President Bush’s vision of the U.S. space program, NASA will create four new offices (could mean more jobs!): The Office of Chief Engineer, The Office of Health and Medical Systems, The Office of the Chief Information Officer, and The Office of Institutional and Corporate Management. To read more, go to http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/jan/HQ_04024_alignment.html. "The Federal Government needs new talent, new energy, and new creativity to do the work of the 21st century. Your journey to success begins here!" (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI25.asp) - Kay Coles James, Director U.S. Office of Personnel Management __________________________________________________________________________ ...AND DID YOU KNOW? USAJOBS (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/) now has 15,621 federal jobs in its database. Best Places to Work in the Federal Government -- Check out this site, a list created by the Partnership for Public Service and the Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation based on the 2002 Federal Human Capital Survey conducted by OPM, http://www.bestplacestowork.org/. Take note of NASA’s impressive ranking. Federal Job Search Trainers are volunteering their time to provide free federal job search training to jobseekers. If you know of a local library that could use this program, please contact the library manager and ask if a free program can be offered. Federal Job Search Trainers will come to the libraries for free to deliver 2-3 hour training programs. Write to kathryn@resume-place.com with library manager contact information. The Resume Place offers FREE TELECLASSES. Join Sarah Blazucki, Resume Place Client Coordinator and Assessment Expert for an hour of free discussion about federal job search basics. Ask questions and learn about how The Resume Place can help you write the best package and apply correctly for Federal jobs, http://www.resume-place.com/workshops/teleclasses.html. The next class is this Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 12 noon, est. The World of Acronyms: Moving on to “B”-- BEA – Bureau of Economic Analysis, http://www.bea.doc.gov/ BLM – Bureau of Land Management, http://www.blm.gov/nhp/index.htm BNA - Bureau of National Affairs, http://www.bna.com/ BOP - Federal Bureau of Prisons, http://www.bop.gov/ BPD - Bureau of the Public Debt, http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/ __________________________________________________________________________ FEATURE ARTICLE TEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOB, Part 2, Kathryn K. Troutman As you may recall from the first five steps we highlighted in the last newsletter, this is THE FEDERAL JOB SEARCH YEAR for private industry applicants, returning Iraqi and other military personnel, family members at military bases, new graduates, and students! In a nutshell, here’s what you have to do to land a Federal job (to read more, grab a copy of Ten Steps to a Federal Job, http://www.resumeplace.com/booksandbuilders/bk_10steps.html): The first five steps included (if you missed them, visit our newsletter archives at http://www.resume-place.com/careercorner/index.html) -- 1. Networking 2. Reviewing the Federal Employment Process 3. Finding Your Vacancy Announcements 4. Determining Your Federal Core Competencies 5. Analyzing Your Key Words in Vacancy Announcements And now for the final six steps -- 6. Writing your Federal and Electronic Resume Finally! After researching keywords from vacancy announcements and determining the correct job title in government, you can write your federal resume. Tip No. 1: Language should match the announcement. The real trick to writing a successful federal resume is making sure that the descriptions of your duties matches the language in the vacancy announcements. Tip No. 2: Have two federal resume formats. As you begin to look at federal vacancy announcements you will see that some instructions will tell you to MAIL or FAX your resume, so that would be a formatted “paper”-style resume. The other instruction format would be to submit your resume on-line or through a resume builder. That format is an electronic format with no formatting, indentations, or changes in typefont. Tip No. 3: Remember “compliance” details. Be sure to add certain information to your federal resume, including your Social Security Number, Citizenship, Veteran’s/Military experience, street addresses, and zip codes for employers for the last 10 years. Tip No. 4: Utilize samples. Look at federal and electronic resume samples if you can, to make sure your format and content is as good as it can be. Review federal resume writing books at your Career Transition Center, Base Library, or local bookstores. 7. Writing Your KSAs and Cover Letter Some announcements will request Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA) Narratives and others will not. A typical KSA narrative would be, “Ability to Communicate Orally”. What they are asking for here is a ½ to 2/3rds page narrative about how well you communicate. You should give an example or two about how you have lead or been a member of a team. Or have performed training, instruction, briefing, community service, problem-solving, negotiating, or leading a meeting or team! You should give specifics about the project, including the situation, your actions, and the RESULTS. If you give specifics the HR staff will hopefully like your story, be impressed with your skills, and rate you as “Best Qualified”. A Cover letter can be written and submitted with paper applications. The letter should include more than transmittal information. You should write about what your major strengths are and what you can offer the organization. Try out The Resume Place’s free, inspiring Cover Letter builder: http://www.resume-place.com/fedres_builder/cover_letter/ 8. Applying for Federal Jobs! Now you’re ready to apply for jobs! This could be THE most challenging part of the Ten Step process to landing a great Federal Job. Be patient and carefully read the directions in the application for “how to apply”. You will find various ways to apply, including fax, mail, email, copy and paste into a webpage “field”, or copy and paste into a resume builder. Remember that most every agency has its own database and application process. So if you submit your resume to one agency, like EPA, you will need to submit your resume to each agency separately. If you have both paper and electronic resume formats, you will be in good shape for the various instructions. One more tip: If you see an announcement asking for resume and "Questions" – save time for the questions and submit your package a day early so that you can meet the deadline! 9. Tracking & Following-up on Applications Many federal jobseekers do not know that they can contact the HR person about 30 days after application submission. If there is a name and contact number on the announcement, it’s good to write an email or check on the status of the application. It can give you valuable information about the entire announcement. 10. Interviewing for a Federal Job If you land an interview you are in good shape. Prepare for the telephone, one-on-one, or panel interview with research on the agency, in-depth review of the announcement, and your application package. Practice speaking your resume and KSA statements out loud just for practice. If you have worked through these Ten Steps, you will be ready for your Interview. Good luck with your applications! Keep at it! Apply for at least one job per week until you are hired! More on the 10 Steps is available in Ten Steps to a Federal Job & CD-ROM available at http://www.resume-place.com and other booksellers. If you order from The Resume Place in the next 2 weeks, you will also receive a complimentary first-edition, pre-publication copy of Kathryn’s 60 minute audio (worth $29.95 when it is published) with the same name. Kathryn speaks the 10 steps in just 60 minutes, in a fast-paced, interesting, and complete summary. Get inspired, motivated, and get rolling in your 10 steps to a great new Federal job! __________________________________________________________________________ QUOTEWORTHY If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well. - Martin Luther King, Jr. __________________________________________________________________________ FEDERAL CAREER Q & A WITH KATHRYN TROUTMAN Q: I'm a newbie when it comes to applying for several government positions. I have no idea how to effectively prepare a KSA. Any pointers would be much appreciated. A: The best tip for writing KSAs is to give examples that will demonstrate your knowledge, skill, or ability. If they ask about your ability to plan and coordinate, then you should write about a time when you had to plan or coordinate something. Write about your role as the coordinator, and the title of the meeting/conference. How many people attended, where it was, and what you did. Then write about the results. Was it successful? This is a story-telling request and they want to see if you can write and focus your answer to prove that you can walk in and "plan and coordinate." There are two KSA examples at http://www.resume-place.com. Just look at the writing style and follow this. Good luck. Q: I just received a rating in the mail for a federal position I applied over a month ago. This particular announcement was advertised on the OPM website and was open just for 2 weeks. There were 2 vacancies to this announcement but at different levels--GS 7 & 9. The notice of rating says that I am "eligible" and my resume has been referred for consideration for both openings. It further says my eligibility is valid for 90 days only and it will automatically expire after that. My question now is what are my chances of getting an interview; and then getting hired for any of these positions? Is there something else I can do to improve/increase the chances? Thanks. A: Well, if it were me, I'd write a note or email to the name of the recruiter on the announcement. I'd write this: Dear ____________, Thank you so much for my Notice of Rating. I am very pleased to be considered for this position. I am still available and interested in being interviewed at your convenience - by phone or in person. Thanks again for the information, it great to know I was qualified for the job. Sincerely, you This might not help, but maybe it will. I always think it's good to communicate. Maybe you will stand out. The notice you received does NOT mean you will get an interview, you don't know if you're going to be in the top list of Best Qualified candidates. But why not write the letter. It certainly could not hurt. __________________________________________________________________________ SITES TO SEE Here are some websites we think are worth checking out -- http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov/ - Search for jobs at NASA. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI48.asp - There are a lot of great federal jobs out there, but you still need to be on alert for Federal Job Scams. “Information on job vacancies with the Federal Government and the Postal Service is provided free of charge. However, many Americans are victimized by scam artists selling information about Federal job opportunities.” http://www.opm.gov/oca/04tables/html/gs.asp - 2004 General Schedule Salary Table http://publicservice.monster.com/articles/youngpeople/ - an article on how the federal government may be Getting Youthful, “…these days, both statistical and anecdotal evidence point to the potential for a quasi-youth movement in the government job sector. You might well want to consider becoming a part of that movement, for more reasons than one.” Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach http://www.resume-place.com – a link to the leading experts in writing successful federal packages for both private industry to federal applicants and current feds seeking promotion. __________________________________________________________________________ SES TIPS FROM SUSAN CUSTARD ECQ Preparation Over the next several columns, we will be discussing successful development of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) – using OPM’s CCAR model! The CCAR model – Challenge, Context, Action, Result – is the model that OPM recommends to SES applicants to develop their ECQ responses. The ECQs are a required part of any SES application; the great thing about developing ECQs is that once they are done, in general, they can be used for any SES position – since they are the same from vacancy announcement to vacancy announcement. In the upcoming columns, we’ll be breaking down each ECQ and it’s corresponding leadership competencies and discussing how they fit together in the development of an ECQ statement. So – work with us over the next several newsletters to learn more about ECQs and the keys to their development! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teleclass: The Senior Executive Service - What do you want to know? Come spend an hour with the SES experts at The Resume Place to enhance your knowledge of the Senior Executive Service! Within that hour, as a group, we'll cover the following exciting topics: An overview of the SES; The application process; The selection process; Current challenges to getting selected; Interviewing; and Answers to your questions. The price of this workshop is $50.00. For additional information or to sign up, go to http://www.resume-place.com/workshops/ses_teleclass.html Quote from an SES applicant who utilized The Resume Place’s services: "I enjoyed working with Susan and found the process interesting in that it was a new process for me, yet boring because of the repetition of the application questions. Susan made it bearable. I learned a lot from her." __________________________________________________________________________ CAREER PRO INFO For federal career advisement and training success stories and strategies. I’d like to announce a web conference/teleclass – first one – for a USAJOBS.OPM.GOV WEBTOUR Announcement analysis The Resume Place has launched a NEW newsletter, the Federal Career Pro News, designed specifically for Certified Federal Job Search Trainers (CFJST), Certified Federal Resume Writers and Coaches (CPRWCs), and career professionals who are helping jobseekers target, research, and land Federal jobs! The newsletter will include training strategies, new sources for Federal job information, book reviews, and other information to make it easier to deliver quality federal job information and services to your clients. So take the next step and sign up to become a Certified federal Job Search Trainer (CFJST) or a Certified Federal Resume Writer and Coach (CFRWC) today! Federal Job Search Trainer Certification Program (CFJST): http://www.resume-place.com/workshops/certification.html Register now -- the next dates for the Federal Job Search Trainer Workshop are: February 4, 5, 6; April 21, 22, 23; June 23, 24, 25 Federal Resume Writer & Coach Certification Program (CFRWC): http://www.resume-place.com/workshops/fedrescertification.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: I receive your free newsletter and utilize the advice often in assisting my clients with navigating the 'resumix' system. Some of the new spouses arriving here do not have immediate access to computers/Internet. May I print copies of the free newsletter to distribute to the Newcomers Orientation and Welcome group once a month to get them hooked and searching? A: If the Federal Career Corner newsletter can be of use to you or any of your clients in a hard copy format, please feel free to make and distribute copies. It may also be helpful to encourage them to sign up for this FREE newsletter for when, and if, they are able to access the Internet. Sign up for the Federal Career Corner at http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs.aspx?customerid=18651 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.federalhandbooks.com/handbooks.htm - Free handbooks for federal employees (useful, too, for those providing federal career assistance) offers handbooks with detailed information regarding federal pay and benefits, rights of military personnel, transferring to other federal jobs, retirement resources, and more. __________________________________________________________________________ THE RESUME PLACE SUCCESS STORIES We recently heard from a client with a disability: "I started applying for positions using the USAJobs web site, and then I read about 'Schedule A' and the various processes that go along with it. By February of 2003, I still had not received even a call. I found the Resume Place on-line and contacted them for assistance. A nice lady named Laveta Casdorth gave me two resume critiques and I felt that the resume was strong enough to continue. At this point, I began a targeted campaign, sending my resume, transcript, Schedule A certificate, and a cover letter to every selective placement officer on your list. I also still continued to apply for positions on the web site. I'm pleased to inform you that I (recently started a new job with a federal agency)… I can honestly say that if it were not for the Resume Place, I would still be looking today. The Resume Place (gave) me excellent ideas on my federal application, and also was very helpful in terms of resources to help me land the right job. Thank you!" "Dave Raikow here, Resume Place writer and newest GS-0401-11 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration! Finally I have full-time employment in my chosen career of science. And after being a student for so long it feels good to enter the workforce. You know, maybe it sounds silly, but its thrilling to have full benefits including health and retirement. Thank you for all the practical advice outlined in your books. If it weren’t for the 10 Steps to a Federal Job System, I might still be looking for a job. To everyone out there looking for a Federal job, USE THE 10 STEPS SYSTEM! It works!" __________________________________________________________________________ THE RESUME PLACE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES @ http://www.resume-place.com/shop/ Books (http://www.resume-place.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=2916cc92749ad507090c275754c8a98a) THREE BOOKS -- SPECIAL PRICE: Ten Steps to a Federal Job & CD-ROM, Federal Resume Guidebook & PC Disk, and Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook & CD-ROM, SPECIAL: $99.95 + POSTAGE - Save $20.90 TWO BOOK SPECIAL: Ten Steps to a Federal Job & CD-ROM + Ten Steps Jobseeker Guide. Order the award-winning text and companion workbook. Plan your federal campaign with exercises, employment salary charts, and agency name listings. Two Book Special: $50 + postage. Federal Resume Guidebook & PC Disk: In this second edition of the first book on Federal Resume Writing, you’ll get Federal resume and KSA samples along with step-by-step instruction to maximize your success with a federal job application. *(2nd Edition Special $25.00 + $5.00 s/h. Supplies are limited.) Federal Resume Edit and Design Have you written your Federal resume, but would like a professional editor and designer to improve your draft? Send us your draft and for just $250, we'll edit and design your federal or private industry resume. http://www.resume-place.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=49b4819720199bb90ab4820dab6b7eec Assessment Guide The best way to get help with your Federal Resume, Resumix, QuickHire resume, KSAs or other application is to complete our Assessment Guide. The Guide is here: http://www.resume-place.com/assessment/ __________________________________________________________________________ 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. Send your ideas to Jessica Coffey, Managing Editor, at editor@resume-place.com. __________________________________________________________________________ THE MAILING LIST Please refer our free bi-monthly Federal Career Corner newsletter to your colleagues and friends. Sign up for the mailing list __________________________________________________________________________ PRIVACY STATEMENT Your privacy is your business, and our goal is to protect it. Please read our Privacy Statement for more information here.
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