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.
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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.
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Posted in Federal Resume Writing, KSA Writing, www.USAJOBS.gov
by Kathryn Troutman on May 16th, 2011 | No Comments - Make a comment »
Federal Hiring Reform, which is to be implemented by Nov. 8, 2011, includes a directive that human capital officers should “eliminate all requirements of separate narratives from initial applications.” Most federal vacancy announcements are compliant and do not require separate written narratives for Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) in initial applications. However, most vacancy announcements are still including KSAs for open positions and advising that you include accomplishments in your resume that demonstrate your KSAs. These mini-KSA narratives, or “KSA accomplishments,” demonstrate that you are best qualified for a certain position.
The big challenge of adding KSA accomplishments into your USAJOBS federal resume is space. Each work experience section in the USAJOBS Resume Builder allows 3,000 characters, including spaces. You have to decide how much space will be dedicated to your keywords, duties and responsibilities, and how much will be dedicated to your KSA accomplishments. How do you describe an impressive KSA accomplishment when you may have been in your position for 5 to 10 years? Last week, during a federal resume writing class I recommended that applicants write 1,500 characters about their job responsibilities and 1,500 characters on their KSA accomplishments, or any combination that will add up to 3,000 characters. But, both duties and KSA accomplishments are critical to get best qualified for a position.
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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.
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Posted in Federal Job Search, Federal Resume Writing
by Kathryn Troutman on January 12th, 2011 | 6 Comments - Make a comment »
Federal jobseekers need to have confidence in the USAJOBS automated application system for federal promotions. These comments and complaints are the most prevalent among federal jobseekers. It’s time to debunk the myths and apply for more federal jobs the right away.
True or False?
USAJOBS resumes are scanned for keywords by an automated system.
NOT TRUE.
USAJOBS federal resumes are scanned real people, by HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALISTS who actually read the resumes. And HR specialists do read for keywords. The HR specialists either read the resumes on the screen or print them to review, then determine the Best Qualified and prepare the List of Certified Eligible Candidates for the supervisor.
True or False?
On USAJOBS announcements, the KSAs were eliminated on Nov. 1, 2010.
MOSTLY TRUE.
Most federal agency Human Capital Officers are attempting to comply with the 11/1/10 Executive Initiative by President Obama, to eliminate the separate written narratives – KSAs – from initial applications. This is a recommendation, not a law. So, you will still find the KSAs written in the vacancy announcement. There could be instructions to include examples or language in your resume or it’s possible that you may have to write them later if you are referred to a supervisor.
Additionally, the KSA accomplishments will be critical for your Structured Interview with a federal agency.
Here is some good news: The long written KSA narratives will mostly be eliminated, but the short four- to six-line mini-KSAs are going to thrive with these accomplishments inside the federal resume.
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