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HAPPY 2005!
GET READY FOR A GREAT FEDERAL JOB SEARCH YEAR!
FEATURE ARTICLE:
"Don't Come Up Short in Job Interviews...
Take Note of Your 2004 Accomplishments Now!"
Read the entire online newsletter here:
Federal Career Corner Newsletter, Early January 2005
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.
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WHAT'S IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Don't Come Up Short in Job Interviews...
Take Note of Your 2004 Accomplishments Now!
By Kathryn Troutman, Federal Career Coach
As a Federal Job Search Trainer, I often begin classes by asking students, "What have you accomplished?" It's not unusual for many attendees to draw a blank at first. Then I lead a brainstorming session about the kinds of things that would be accomplishments in their place of work. The point? - Achievements you can share with excitement are important elements of your job interviews, resumes and KSAs.
Can you make a list of your accomplishments for the past year? Or are your actions for 2004 just a blur? January is a good time to look back, remember clearly, and make a detailed record of your major 2004 achievements.
Below are 10 general categories for accomplishments you might have related to work. To jumpstart your thinking, I've paired these with examples of 2004 achievements for myself and The Resume Place team.
- Continuing education: Now, more than ever, it's important to stay on the cutting-edge of your field with education. Otherwise, you'll soon be in a backwards mode.
Example: Last year, I completed two outside career training certifications despite 30 years of experience working with jobseekers.
- Expanding what you can do: To be viewed as a valuable employee with potential, it's wise to keep expanding your skill set. Growing in your skills will also serve your goal of changing jobs.
Example: At The Resume Place last year, we added career coaching to our long-standing services of writing and editing application packages.
- Writing and being published: Many federal employees do some kind of writing on the job - tapping out training materials, legislation guides, procedure manuals, etc. Publication of your writing at work is an impressive way to show your ability to communicate.
Example: In 2004, The Resume Place Press published our newest title, The Student's Federal Career Guide.
- Accomplishments of your program in which you played a part: Look for solid illustrations of what your agency is accomplishing and how you are contributing.
Example: In a Library Journal article, my book Ten Steps to a Federal Job was noted as one of the top career books selling to libraries in 2004.
- How you helped provide info about your program/service: To be effective, agencies need to spread the word about what they do. How did you help get the word out to your customers, the American public, or Congress, etc.?
Example: I continued to have an active presence in the media in 2004, with four articles featured on Monster.com, quotes in Washingtonian magazine, an interview on www.parachuteassociates.com, appearances on FedTalk Radio, Fed News Radio and Federal Diary LIVE Online, and radio interviews around the country.
- Innovations in how things are done: Were you an innovator who made a change in procedures at your office or agency?
Example: Last year, I developed a method of combining teleconferencing with Web technology which we now use in distance learning courses around the world. This has contributed to the success of a new SES seminar series, as well as our FREE "Intro to the Federal Job Market" teleclasses for jobseekers.
- Contributions to or mentions on your agency's website: Did you write copy that was used on your agency's site, or were your accomplishments mentioned? Perhaps you conceptualized, designed, built, or maintained a site?
Example: The Resume Place launched the informative www.tenstepsforstudents.org website in 2004, while continuing to expand the popular www.resume-place.com website in its ninth year.
- Reaching new customers/clients: This past year, did you participate in developing new users for your agency's services?
Example: While continuing to train at government agencies, The Resume Place expanded by offering federal job search training at colleges and universities.
- Accomplishments linked to statistics: Find ways to quantify your successes. For instance, you might keep track of the number of customer contacts you have each month, or how many times you make preparations for briefings.
Example: In 2004, our Federal Job Search Certification program produced our 250th graduate and then some. And we will be adding even more through the four sessions on our 2005 calendar.
- Turning a responsibility into a team venture: In 2004, did you manage to bring other employees onto a project, developing a team and changing your role?
Example: In earlier years, I produced this Newsletter by myself. Last year, Jessica Coffey became its Managing Editor, and in December, I added Robin Quinn as an Editor and Publishing Consultant. Other members of The Resume Place team are Contributing Writers. My goal is to produce an ever-improving Newsletter that gets better and better at serving your needs!
Next time: In our mid-January Newsletter, I will show how Federal jobseekers use accomplishments to create powerful resumes.
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FEDERAL JOB NEWS
OPM Director Kay Coles James Resigns
On January 10, United States Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James submitted her letter of resignation to President George W. Bush effective January 31, 2005. Since 2001, James has served as the primary advisor to the President on all issues regarding pay, benefits, and personnel for the nation's 1.8 million Federal workers. According to The Washington Post, possible replacements for James include Ed Moy, White House Associate Director for Presidential Personnel, Albert C. Zapanta, Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board at the Defense Department, Stephen A. Perry, head of the General Services Administration, and others.
Read the Washington Post coverage by Steve Barr and Christopher Lee at www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63283-2005Jan10.html.
"More Agencies Gain Certification to Raise SES Pay"
Four government agencies have been given the go-ahead to raise SES annual pay to close to $160K. Read all of Shawn Zeller's January 7th GovExec.com article at: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0105/010705sz1.htm
U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Releases Latest Study -
"Managing Federal Recruitment: Issues, Insight, and Illustrations"
"The Federal Government’s human capital is its most important asset. Agencies cannot accomplish their missions without the right people with the right skills in the right jobs at the right time. Recruitment is critical to meeting this goal... Our data indicate that it is possible for the Federal Government to successfully compete for talent; it just has to be proactive and creative in its approach to recruitment." For the full report, log onto: http://www.mspb.gov/studies/rpt_managefedrecruit/index.html
Plenty of Federal Hiring in 2005!
A Washington Post "Jobs Live" radio show listener asked, "With all of the budget problems facing the government, what federal agencies, if any, will be doing any hiring in 2005?"
John Palguta, VP of Policy and Research for the Partnership for Public Service, replied: "Even without an increase in the size of the federal workforce, there's likely to be close to 100,000 members of the current 1.86 million non-postal service executive branch workforce who retire or otherwise leave government in 2005 and most of those people will need to be replaced. We also know that even if some agencies are facing some budget related staff reductions, others will need to add staff in response to congressional mandates and/or increased workloads. So, in 2005, the federal government will need to make a significant number of new hires. Also, since approximately 70 percent of current federal jobs are professional or administrative in nature (vs. clerical, technical, or trades and crafts), there are likely to be a good number of opportunities for highly skilled individuals and knowledge workers. Overall, however, competition for most of these jobs will also remain high so well-qualified applicants should not be discouraged if they are initially unsuccessful in their search for a federal job—there will be plenty of opportunities out there. I think you'll see some hiring, even if only replacement hiring, by most federal agencies."
To read the transcript of the radio program, "Government Jobs in 2005," click on http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32163-2004Dec3.html.
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MILITARY TRANSITIONS
- Corporate Gray Online provides free career transition services to the military community, including Corporate Gray Job Fairs.
- Military to Federal - Watch for new info for transitioning military personnel soon on our site, www.resume-place.com.
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QUOTEWORTHY
"Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to."
- Henry Van Dyke, American Poet and Educator (1852 - 1933)
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UPCOMING RESUME PLACE WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS & EVENTS
- Learn How to Write an Effective Senior Executive Service (SES) Package!
Considering applying for SES positions or a SES Career Development Program candidacy? Need inspiration, instruction, help, and direction with writing the best possible SES package?
Join us for a unique web workshop, "Writing a Senior Executive (SES) Package," with experienced SES trainer, consultant, and writer, Kathryn K. Troutman.
February 2005
- February 7: "Introduction to the SES Hiring Process"
- February 14: "Executive Federal Resume Writing"
- February 28: "Writing Outstanding Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)"
Cost: $300 per person; $250 per person for 3 or more participants from one agency.
Time: Mondays, 12 to 1:30 PM EST, on-line, utilizing www.startvisuals.com.
Class Size: Limited to 22, so register quickly!
- Attend The Resume Place's Four-Part Workshop Series:
"Take Control of Your Federal Career"
Led by Jessica Coffey, MEd; Certified Federal Resume Writer and Coach; Certified Professional Resume Writer; Managing Editor, Federal Career Corner Newsletter; Interview Coach.
Sign up for an informative, web-class 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.
*** Register 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" - Feb. 9, 2005
- Course 2: "Federal Resumes That Compete: The Newest Techniques in Federal Resume Writing" - Feb. 16, 2005
- Course 3: "Writing Your KSAs with the CCAR Model: Showcase Your Best Stories!" - Feb. 23, 2005
- Course 4: "Electronic Resume Writing Strategies: Keywords, Accomplishments & Standing Out!" - Mar. 2, 2005
Click here to find out more!
- Enroll in the Federal Job Search Trainer Certification Program
In today's challenging employment environment, people are turning more and more to career development professionals to bolster their efforts to land that new job. The Federal Job Search Trainer's Certification curriculum is designed to provide an additional service offering for employment trainers and career development professionals. Participants will learn how to create application packages for Federal jobseekers, including the Federal-style paper resume, the e-resume, and the KSA.
Sign up TODAY for February's classes!
Dates: February 16, 17, and 18
Hours: Wed., Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (working lunch on-site)
Location: Loyola College Graduate Center, Columbia Campus
Cost: $1095
- 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 for jobseekers on Wednesday, February 9th, at 12 noon, EST. It's a great time to ask all of your federal career questions. Sign up now.
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__________________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU, RESUME PLACE!
Translating Skills Into Real World Abilities
"The resume is beautiful! I can't thank you enough for all your hard work, and for taking my skills and translating them into real world abilities. I applied for my first position yesterday with the new resume. I know it will go a long way towards the goal of getting a new job in a bigger market."
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__________________________________________________________________________ SHARE THE NEWSLETTER WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS
Please share our newsletter with friends, customers, and co-workers!
Simply copy and paste the text between the stars below and send an e-mail - the entire newsletter can be read online.
Suggested Subject Line: From your name - The Federal Career Corner Newsletter, Early January 2005
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FEDERAL CAREER CORNER™, Volume 3, No. 1, Early January 2005
The latest Federal Job Search news from The Resume Place, Inc. and Kathryn Troutman, Publisher
Featuring: "Don't Come Up Short in Job Interviews...
Take Note of Your 2004 Accomplishments Now!," Federal Job News... and much more!
Read the entire online newsletter here:
Federal Career Corner Newsletter, Early January 2005
Sign up here for our free bi-monthly newsletter: SUBSCRIBE
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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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__________________________________________________________________________ THE MAILING LIST
Please mention our free bi-monthly Federal Career Corner newsletter to your colleagues and friends. Sign up now for the mailing list.
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