2010 Curriculum & Agenda

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Day 1: Ten Steps to a Federal Job

Morning Session, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Coffee and light breakfast items, 8:00-8:30 am

Instructor and Attendee Introductions
About the CFJST Program
About the CFJST Books and Resources

TEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOBâ„¢ PowerPoint Presentation by K. Troutman

Warm-up Exercise: Write one accomplishment and share with a small group
Text: Jobseeker Guide, 3rd Edition

• STEP 1: Focus Your Federal Job Search
• STEP 2: Networking Success
• STEP 3: Target Your Top Accomplishments
• STEP 4: Find the Perfect Job Announcement
• STEP 5: Identify Your Keywords

Lunch on-site, 12 to 1:00
Afternoon Session, 1:00-4:00 pm

• STEP 6: Master the Federal and Electronic Resume
• STEP 7: Conquer the KSAs and Questionnaires
• STEP 8: Apply for Jobs
• STEP 9: Make Sure to Follow Through
• STEP 10: Interviewing 101

Ten Steps Close Out Summary and Discussion of the Course Curriculum and Instruction activities

Day 2

Morning Session, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Coffee and light breakfast items, 8:00-8:30 am

FEDERAL JOB SEARCH CONSULTATION AND HIRING PROCESS
Sandra Lee Keppley, Federal Human Resources Instructor

Anatomy of a Federal Job Search Consultation

Get To Know Your Client

USAJOBS and Federal Hiring Process:

• Merit Systems Principles
• Understand GS Salary Tables
• Explore Classification Standards
• Short Exercise: Find your own series of interest
• Discuss HR Processes and Jointly Explore OPM and USAJOBS Website
• Where the Jobs Are
• Competitive vs. Excepted Service
• Appointment Authorities:

• Direct Hire
• Federal Career Intern Program
• Presidential Management Fellows
• Individuals with Disabilities
• Student Career Experience Program
• VEOA
• VRA
• Disabled Veteran (30% +)

• Federal Hiring Factors of Interest
• How Applicants are Rated and Ranked:

• Determine Eligibility
• Determine Minimum Qualifications
• Assess KSAs
• Role of Veterans’ Preference
• Rule of Three
• Category Rating

• Veterans and Federal Employment
• Military Spouse Employment Preference
• Short Exercise: Find an announcement that identifies an opportunity for Noncompetitive Appointment for Certain Military Spouses
• Explore Specific Vacancy Announcements:

• Discuss Format
• Explain pay plans, series, and grade structures
• Review Major Duties and key words
• Review Specialized Experience and key words
• Discuss KSAs/Questionnaires/key words
• Discuss role of classification/qualification standards
• Review How To Apply Instructions

Class exercise to pull up instructor-named announcement and pull key words as instructed

Lunch is provided 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Summarize concepts discussed.
Examination Review for final day.

Break class into pairs and begin consultation exercise. Each will take turn at role playing the consultant and the client. As complete each segment, the pair will report out relative to the experience and learning points.

HR Session Close Out Summary and Discussion

Afternoon Session, 2:30 – 4:00 pm

CCAR KSA WRITING
Learning how to interview clients and write your own KSAs based on Past Performance Accomplishments
Short On-line Exercise: Using KSA CCAR Builder, write your own KSA

USAJOBS AND TALENTLINK (DHS) BUILDERS
Practice finding announcements and builders on popular federal online builders.
Short On-line Exercise: Using your USAJOBS account, go to Talentlink and find the questionnaires for a specific announcement

Day 3

Morning Session, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Coffee and light breakfast items, 8:00-8:30 am

FEDERAL RESUME WRITING IN THE OUTLINE FORMAT
Review of the Outline Format for Federal Resume Writing
Create your Outline for Work Experience with Keywords

FEDERAL RESUME ASSESSMENTS, CASE STUDIES
Review a vacancy announcement and client resume draft to determine qualifications and strategies for writing a competitive application.
Group Exercise: Analyze 2 cases and discuss in groups.

Afternoon Session, 1:00 to 4:00
Lunch on your own.

TEN STEPS TO A FEDERAL JOB – PRACTICE INSTRUCTION
Review of the Ten Steps
Instructor Practice: In two groups, share teaching, one step per person

Examination and Evaluation

Certification and Logo Agreements

Presentation of Certificates

Summary and Closing Notes