Articles
Federal Hiring, Government Jobs and the Job Search Process
Kathryn Troutman’s Analysis of the new USAJOBS 3.0 Includes Improvement Reviews for the USAJOBS 3.0 Profile, Resume Builder and Resume Upload.
Learn how to find a job in the Obama administration! View this page for a collection of articles and useful information on landing a government job!
Navigating the Federal Job Jungle By Joyce Lain Kennedy, Chicago Tribune – Kathryn Troutman is quoted in this article discussing the new fifth edition of her renowned book – Federal Resume Guidebook.
Federal Hiring: “We have gotten off of KSA island” By Joe Davidson, Washington Post — Kathryn Troutman is quoted in this article addressing the one year anniversary of hiring reform.
President Obama’s State of the Union Speech: The Industries, Jobs, Competencies and Education That Will Help Your Career in 2011 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/02/prweb5017804.htm
My 2010 Top Training Recommendations for Competitive Feds and Future Feds What training or courses can I take to make me more marketable for a federal job or promotion? http://www.fedmanager.com/current_e-report.php#1569
Get Constant Updates on Federal Jobs By Joyce Lain Kennedy http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/JoyceLainKennedy/2010/02/28/get_constant_updates_on_federal_jobs
Twelve Biggest Mistakes of Federal Job Seekers Your Mission: To Get a GOOD Job. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/5826-12-biggest-mistakes-of-federal-job-seekers
With a Tweet, Can You Meet Next Employer? By Joyce Lain Kennedy http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/JoyceLainKennedy/2010/01/31/with_a_tweet,_can_you_meet_next_employer
Tip of the Week Seven Tips to Protect Your Federal Job http://www.fedmanager.com/article.php?ID=1484
Is there a job for you in the federal government? Yes! But it’s not easy to get. Here’s the big picture. http://www.resume-place.com/2009/08/is-there-a-job-for-you-in-the-federal-government/
Federal Job Hunting Is Like a Sport: You Have to Play to Win (and Learn the Game) Do’s and Don’ts for Federal job seekers who want to bring their “A” game. http://www.resume-place.com/2009/01/gsa-schedule/
Kathryn Troutman’s Top Nine Best Ideas from the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act of 2009 The newest and hottest trends in Federal hiring reform, straight from Congress. http://www.fedmanager.com/article.php?ID=1238 A Clever Fed Job Search Strategy A scenario to maximize your federal job search success. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,173682,00.html
Federal Jobs Increase The federal government is hiring — start looking for your dream job. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,171770,00.html
12 Biggest Mistakes of Federal Job Seekers If you are a first-time federal jobseeker, feeling desperate for a good, stable job, read this list of mistakes and avoid them http://govcentral.moNovember 10, 2009nster.com/benefits/articles/5826-12-biggest-mistakes-of-federal-job-seekers
How To Navigate The Federal Job Maze Top five strategies to be a successful candidate http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-05-22/business/0905210093_1_troutman-federal-resume-federal-job-postings
Judging Samuel Alito: An Analysis of His 1985 Federal Job Application What can you learn from a Supreme Court Justice’s job application? http://content.worcesterworks.monster.com/resume-writing-basics/government-public-service/Judging-Samuel-Alito/home.aspx
Career Change and Job Search Strategies
8 Federal Career Strategies for the Almost Retired Here are a few tips to keep the year moving along, challenging and productive. http://www.myfederalretirement.com/public/305.cfm
Don’t Be Shy: Let Your Experience Shine Confidence is a key part of every job search– here’s how to find yours! http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/6612-dont-be-shy-let-your-experience-shine
Midlife Federal Job Searches: What’s the Best Approach? Seven key steps for mid-life extreme career change. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/1149-midlife-federal-job-searches-whats-the-best-approach
Need career advice? Ask Kathryn Kathryn answers questions about job applications, KSAs, resumes, SES, and SF-171s. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0499/041399b2.htm
Applying for your own job How to apply for — and get — your own federal job. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0699/061599cc.htm
The future of federal careers Why electronic resumes are the future of federal hiring. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1299/120799cc.htm
Let’s talk about you Kathryn’s plans for her column are all about you and your interests . http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0100/010400cc.htm
Take the job quiz Are you ready to change jobs or even careers? Find out here. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0800/082900cc.htm
Take career control A great to-do list for career development and improved performance on the job. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1000/101700cc.htm
An hour a week Invest an hour a week in career training, get promoted and earn more. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1000/102400cc.htm
Going back to school How to pick the school, program, and subject that’s right for you. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0200/020800cc.htm
Education v. experience Don’t make it “either-or” — get both! http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0200/021500cc.htm
Military to Federal
Never Wrote a Resume in Your Life?Learn why the resume is the most important document you will write after your military service.
10 Steps to a Government Job – For Military Service Members Candidates who have served our country in the Armed Forces have a huge advantage over those who have not.
10 Big Mistakes Vets Make Applying to Fed Jobs Learn what to avoid when transitioning from the military to a federal career.
From Combat to the Private Sector: Resume Tips for Making the Transition to Private Industry Four key strategies to translate your military experience into a marketable private-industry resume. http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Resume-Writing-Tips/Resume-Combat-to-the-Private-Sector/article.aspx
Military to Federal Resume Tips http://govcentral.monster.com/education/articles/2150-military-to-federal-resume-tips
Unemployment Among Young Veterans Much Higher Than National Average Avoid these and translate your skills for a new career, new mission and customer. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,181447_1,00.html
4 New Federal Careers for Guardsmen These career paths are perfect for today’s returning Guardsmen and women. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,176137,00.html
Federal Jobs Increase Federal positions are increasing and baby boomers are retiring — the time to apply for a great federal job is now. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,171770,00.html
Schedule A Hiring Persons with Disabilities Articles
Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities and Federal Career Advancement with the Schedule A Program http://www.fedmanager.com/current_e-report.php#2418
It’s National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month! http://www.resume-place.com/2010/10/its-national-disabilities-employment-awareness-month/
Federal Disabilities Hiring http://www.resume-place.com/2011/10/federal-disability-hiring-road-paved-with-good-intention/
Federal Resumes
Judge Alito’s SF-171 from 1985 http://media.monster.com/mm/usen/content/public/alitoletter1985.pdf
How to Write Resumes for Federal Job Openings Applicants Must Include Targeted Keywords and Fit Job Requirements http://writing-resumes.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_resumes_for_federal_job_openings
What Are Your Career Keywords? Learn, find, and use career keywords to make the cut and get the job. http://www.federaldaily.com/jobs/keywords.htm
Expert Tips for a Stimulus Plan Resume Do this now to find and get the perfect Federal job for you. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/6952-expert-tips-for-a-stimulus-plan-resume?page=1
Highlight Relevant Experience on Your Resume Tailor your resume to match these latest hot Federal hiring trends. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/2234-highlight-relevant-experience-on-federal-resumes
Managing Your Resume on USAJOBS How to check the status of your federal job application online — and what it means. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,172209,00.html
The Fed Keyword Quiz Learn, identify, and use keywords to get your resume noticed and referred. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,169525,00.html
Top 10 Resume Mistakes Avoid these major resume errors common to stressed-out job seekers. http://www.resume-place.com/2009/07/ypic-mistakes/
One more format: the Resumix Questions and answers about the Defense Department transition to Resumix. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1099/101299cc.htm
Goodbye KSAs John Wines, Defense Finance and Accounting Service Human Resources Director, introduces the DFAS Automated Resume, Recruitment & Selection System. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1299/122199cc.htm
Are you down with nouns? Tips for using job-related nouns to develop great Resumix-ready resumes. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0300/032100cc.htm
Just read the directions Federal job announcements are absolutes, NOT general guidelines. The answer as to whether an applicant meets minimum eligibility requirements is yes or no. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0300/032800cc.htm
Career training the Marine Corps way Questions and answers from training nearly 1,000 civilian military employees in the new Resumix system. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0400/042500cc.htm
Fiddling with your resume How to overcome resume writing challenges. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0500/052300cc.htm
Choosing your resume format Electronic vs. paper — which resume format is right for you, and how to use them? http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0500/053000cc.htm
Get cracking on your resume Here’s a list of the first things you should do to write a winning federal resume: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0299/020299b4.htm
Resume writing, part two How to create a winning resume outline. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0299/020999b1.htm
Resumes part three: Target practice How to target your resume by using key words from federal job announcements (or any job announcement, for that matter). http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0299/021699b1.htm
“Plain English” resume writing How to write so your job, your resume, and your achievements are understood. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0399/032399b1.htm
Sell yourself with key words and phrases Use these words and phrases to show you’re an action-oriented federal professional. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0399/033099b3.htm
The art of the resume It’s tough to write a good resume — here are some key tips on how to do it. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1199/111699cc.htm
The art of the resume, part two Advice and examples of tight, concise, well-written federal resumes. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1199/112399cc.htm
En route to a new resume Career and KSA tips and advice from 4 days of Federal career training http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0900/090500cc.htm
Test your resume writing IQ Take this quiz to see how much you really know about federal resumes. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0900/091200cc.htm
Obama Jobs
The Obama Transition: The Hottest Jobs, Majors and Agencies Keywords and key agencies for finding a job in the Obama Administration. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/4616-transition-hottest-jobs-majors-and-agencies
Want a Job in the Obama Administration? Five smart moves for those interested in the hot Obama jobs. http://www.resume-place.com/obamajobs/RP_articles/ObamaJobs-HolidayHomework11-25-08.pdf
Resume buzzwords: ‘Creative’ and ‘change’ The best words to get your resume noticed by the Obama Administration. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/YeasandNays/Resume_buzzwords_Creative_and_change.html
Boss Barack Where and how to look for the new jobs in the new administration. http://www.newsweek.com/id/168694
How to get a job in the Obama administration Jobs and resume advice for new federal job seekers. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27476450/
KSAs
KSAs Out, TalentLink in at Homeland Security “The Federal hiring process needs to be reformed.” http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/18715-ksas-out-talentlink-in-at-homeland-security
The art of writing a KSA — your best accomplishment record (AR) stories Case study and sample KSA illustrate how to master this requirement. http://www.resume-place.com/2009/09/the-art-of-writing-a-ksa-your-best-accomplishment-record-ar-stories/
Best Ways to Answer Federal Self-Assessments Familiarize yourself with these job-specific questions to ensure you answer them to your best advantage and prove your eligibility for the job in question. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/2370-best-ways-to-answer-federal-self-assessments
KSAs in the Resume
KSAs within the text of the resume Find out the best way to incorporate this information into your resume. http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/ksas-in-the-resume/article.aspx
Questionnaires
Learn How Best to Answer Federal Self-Assessment Questions Familiarize yourself with their format to ensure you answer them to your best advantage. http://http://career-advice.jobnoggin.monster.com/job-search/getting-started/Federal-Self-Assessment-Questions/article.aspx
NSPS
Smarter Self-Assessments Ten crucial steps to ensure your best possible NSPS self-assessment. http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?filepath=/dailyfed/0808/082808pb.htm
SES
Land yourself in the SES How to become a senior executive in the Federal government. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0599/051199cc.htm
A strategy for reaching the top How to write your ECQs and get into the SES http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0599/051899cc.htm
Mind your ECQs Understanding and mastering Executive Core Qualifications. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0599/052599cc.htm
Get the entrepreneurial spirit Truly great senior federal managers are entrepreneurs! Here’s why. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1099/101999cc.htm
Federal Job Interviews Will You Be the Best-Prepared Candidate? How to prepare for a job interview that could change your life. http://www.federaldaily.com/jobs/prepared.htm
Federal Salaries: How to Talk Your Way Up the Scale Understand and negotiate your best Federal salary. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/385-federal-salaries-how-to-talk-your-way-up-the-scale
How to Make Your Government Interview a Success Seven great ways to prepare for that Federal job interview and get that job. http://govcentral.monster.com/benefits/articles/340-how-to-make-your-government-interview-a-success
Prep for a Federal Job in 5 Days Start to finish, how to prepare for the best possible interview. http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,171057,00.html
‘How Old Are You?’ Readers Tell Job Interview Tales How to handle potentially sensitive age-based interview questions. http://marketing-jobs.theladders.com/career-advice/How-Old-Are-You-Job-Interview-Tales
Tactics for Handling a Panel Interview Be prepared and prevail even when you’re outnumbered. http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-preparation/handling-panel-interviews/article.aspx
Get ahead — be strategic! Study your target agency’s strategic plan to maximize your job chances! http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0699/062299cc.htm
Interviewing tips, part one Key interview tips from an executive search firm in our area. Don’t miss these! http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0699/062999cc.htm
Interviewing tips, part two More key interview tips from an executive search firm. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0799/070699cc.htm
How likeable are you? In getting hired, your “likeability” is at least as important as your qualifications. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1199/113099cc.htm
Dial up a new job How to prepare and master panel telephone job interviews. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0800/082200cc.htm
To contact Kathryn Troutman about writing articles for your publication, email Kathryn at kathryn@resume-place.com.