Posted in Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing, KSA Writing
by Kathryn Troutman on May 23rd, 2011 | No Comments - Make a comment »
REGISTER FOR KATHRYN TROUTMAN’S HIRING REFORM WEBINAR ON JUNE 3, 2011!
One year ago, John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and President Obama made bold moves to improve the application process for federal jobseekers by eliminating the dreaded Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) narratives from federal applications. Kathryn Troutman and The Resume Place, the leading experts in Federal Resume Writing and Career Consulting, witness firsthand the effects and confusion that government job applicants face regarding Federal Hiring Reform and the supposed elimination of KSAs in federal applications. Receive advice and tips from Ms. Troutman and The Resume Place on how to handle KSAs in the federal resume with the newly published fifth edition of the “Federal Resume Guidebook.”
Federal Resume Guidebook, 5th Edition by Kathryn Troutman
It’s no secret that the federal application process is a daunting task for most jobseekers, especially considering that applying for federal jobs is a totally different beast than applying to positions in the private industry. The separate KSA narratives required to apply for government jobs have kept many highly qualified applicants from applying for these positions. The Resume Place provides expert advice regarding federal resume writing and how to deal with KSAs in the applications for federal positions.
One year ago, President Obama published an Executive Order mandating human resources specialists eliminate the dreaded Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) narratives from the first-time federal application by November, 2011.
On Thursday May 19, 2011, Kathryn Troutman addressed the National Press Club to discuss how the lingering effects of the recession combined with the Obama administration’s reform of the federal hiring process, has resulted in more Americans than ever applying for federal positions.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing, KSA Writing, Vet Federal Resumes
by Kathryn Troutman on May 19th, 2011 | No Comments - Make a comment »
For federal workers affected by Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC), the Priority Placement Program (PPP) provides career transition assistance. The PPP is a 45-year old career transition assistance service that retains and reassigns federal workers to relevant positions if a worker is unable to relocate to a new agency location or the position is eliminated. The PPP has proven effective and has placed more than 250,000 federal employees to date. The PPP human resources specialists will review your resume, qualifications, specialized experience KSAs, option codes, grade and series to assist with career transition.
Many BRAC-affected Department of Defense (DOD) workers send their resumes to the PPP to help land a new federal position. This resume, needed for the PPO service, is similar to the USAJOBS federal resume, but there are distinct differences. The tips below will help you maximize the services of the PPP human resources specialist in locating a position for you.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in ECQs, Federal Job Info, Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing, Interviewing, KSA Writing, Self-Assessment, Vet Federal Resumes, www.USAJOBS.gov
by Kathryn Troutman on April 21st, 2011 | No Comments - Make a comment »
This week I have been teaching “Federal Job Search – By the Numbers” to hundreds of current and former military personnel who are about to be separated or retired and would like to land the best government jobs in America.
My book and curriculum, Ten Steps to a Federal Job™, is a favorite because of the 10 steps “campaign process” for this highly complex job search method. The curriculum is utilized in hundreds of military bases worldwide because it is easy to teach, learn, and follow.
I created the “Numbers Federal Job Search Strategy” curriculum when my daughter, Emily, and I were teaching senior NASA Engineers how to write Senior Executive Service applications. We had two days to get two ECQs written. We examined the numbers – 5 ECQs, 28 Leadership Competencies, 10 pages, 2 pages, and set time-lines for each and every writing step. In two days, the engineers had written at least two ECQs and were actually having a great time with their production and ideas.
Which numbers are your favorites? I have underlined my typical training numbers.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Federal Job Info, Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing
by Kathryn Troutman on January 27th, 2011 | 3 Comments - Make a comment »
Listening to President Obama’s State-of-the-Union speech, I was looking for specific ideas, hope and inspiration for jobs for Americans for 2011.
What did the President say about Jobs in America for 2011?
What industries, jobs, competencies and education can help you with your career in 2011?
Here’s my analysis of the speech and what’s important for job seekers who are looking for competitive jobs and industries for today and in the near future:
- Many of President Obama’s ideas won’t mean new jobs for at least another five years down the road. However, these jobs will likely be the wave of the future, so in order to prepare for this wave, think about what you will do today to prepare for the jobs that will be available, especially if you thinking about what to major in in college, or about preparing for a career change.
- Best competencies and keywords for 2011: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Imagination, High Performance, High Expectations, Efficiency
- Critical for Success: Specialized Education and Training (Math and Science), Languages, Computers
- Hot Job Industries: Clean energy, high-speed internet, high-speed rail, exports, domestic construction, biomedical research, research and development, renewable energy, electric cars, transcontinental railway, information technology, global business, teacher, trainer, education, government
- Important Government Fixes: Some redundant federal agencies, government spending, improve efficiency in government, sell some government lands, DOD spending, freeze government employee salaries
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Federal Job Info, Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing
by Kathryn Troutman on December 27th, 2010 | 3 Comments - Make a comment »
As we count down to 2011, here are my Top Ten federal job search resolutions to help you get a quick jump start back into your federal job search as soon as the holiday festivities are over.
10. Get inspired! Read a book about an expertise that you have.
Find a book on a topic of interest, such as leadership, management, teamwork or supervision. If the book is inspiring, you might feel more energetic and proud of your past accomplishments – which will translate into a good mood and higher confidence. Looking for a federal job? Here’s a great list of Federal Leadership Books!
Sometimes, job interviewers will ask you what you are reading now. You better get ready for this one. Books on leadership, history, or a topic that supports your non-profit or volunteer work would be perfect for the interview (not political books).
9. Be systematic with your online job search strategies.
Keep a list of your favorite webpages, and check them every day, or, at a minimum, once a week, for positions that could be of interest.
You can waste time at the computer if you don’t have a clear list of sites that you visit regularly and search strategies that work. Limit your time on searching for jobs, so that you can move AWAY from the computer and be productive in other ways.
Read the rest of this entry »
