Post on 31-Oct-2014
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Certified Federal Job Search TrainerLoyola College, Columbia, MD
April 11, 12, 13, 2007
Kathryn K. Troutman, InstructorHouse Rules:
Bathrooms – down the hall through the doors
Snack Room - downstairs
Participate – ask questions
GET INSPIRED!
Why go Federal?
THE GOVERNMENT IS HIRING!
TOP HIRING AGENCIES FOR VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS:
Department of Defense: 87,453 new employeesVeteran’s Administration: 26,088
Department of Homeland Security: 23,204
STEP 1: Networking
STEP 2: Review the Federal Job Process
STEP 3: Find Federal Vacancy Announcements
STEP 4: Core Competencies
STEP 5: Find Keywords in Vacancy Announcements
STEP 6: Write your Federal Resume
STEP 7: Write KSAs & Cover Letter
STEP 8: Apply for Federal Jobs
STEP 9: Track & Follow-up
STEP 10: Interviewing
Embarking on a Career Campaign
Accomplishment Freewriting
New Training Programs Improved, Efficient Operations Outstanding Customer Service
Mission Management Teamwork
Emergency PlanningSaved Money
A Big Problem is Solved
Page 8
Accomplishment Freewriting
Why are accomplishments so important?
• To remember and document your ideas and actions • To gain confidence • To show that you have completed many projects that are
difficult and worthwhile• To give specific examples of your ideas and actions• To stand out above competitors
Networking
Other people are often the best source of basic information and insider tips.
Networking – Who do you know?
Page 11
Networking
Who do you know?
How can they help you?
What connections do you need to make?
Networking – Who do you know?
Handout activity
Explore Special Hiring Preferences
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/
Ref 5 CFR 315.608
VRA, Veteran’s Reemployment Act allows for some direct hires!
Military Spouse Preference, Spouses rank higher than Vets only overseas.
Networking – Who do you know?
What can you learn at a Job Fair?
New federal job listings
Changing agencies
About the federal agency or office mission
Insight about the jobs
Networking – Who do you know?
Page 15
What can you learn at a Job Fair?
Networking – Who do you know?
Veterans can get HIRED
VEOA is a hiring authority that is frequently used for DIRECT HIRE at job Fairs
Corporate Gray Job Fairs
http://www.fedjobs.com/chat/jobfairs.html
Write your Job Fair Script and Resume
Write your script
Practice your script
Be convincing
Be friendly and speak clearly
Focus resume toward two to three jobs
Easy to read, one or two pages
Networking – Who do you know?
Page 15
Review the Federal Job Process
AgenciesJob Titles
Grade and salary
Review the Federal Job Process
Page 20
Federal Job Target Worksheet
Target Agencies
Target Job Titles and Series
Target Grade and Salary
Review the Federal Job Process
Page 21
What are your target agencies?
Choosing 2 or 3 agencies helps you:
Learn “How to Apply”
Learn agency missions
Review the Federal Job Process
Pages 22 to 26
What job titles are correct for you?
Learn About Occupational Groups and Series
Sample Series:
GS 000 – Misc positions - includes US Marshall and Police OfficerGS 100 – Social Science - Intelligence jobsGS 200 – Personnel Management, including Military Personnel GS 300 – General Administrative, including Secretary, Clerical
Management and Program Analyst – popular analyst positions in government
Review the Federal Job Process
Pages 28 to 35
What grade level and salary is right for your experience?
How to determine your grade with education only:
GS-4 – Two years above high school (or AA Degree)GS-5 – Based on Bachelor’s DegreeGS-7 – One full year of graduate study or Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievementGS-9 – Master’s degree or equivalentGS-11 – Ph.D.
Review the Federal Job Process
Pages 36 and 37
What grade level and salary is right for
your military experience?
Review the Federal Job Process
Research Federal Vacancy Announcements
Page 44
Research Vacancy Announcements for Jobs
Critical Announcement Features
Follow the Directions!
Read the announcements!Title of job, grade and geographic location
Closing DateKnowledge, Skills and Abilities
DutiesQualificationsHow to apply
Research Vacancy Announcements for Jobs
Page 45
Practice finding key elements in these four vacancy announcements.
Research Vacancy Announcements for Jobs
Pages 46 to 50
USAJOBS
www.usajobs.gov
Best search system: 1. Geographic area preference
2. Salary/grade level3. All Agencies
4. All jobs in this area
Research Vacancy Announcements for Jobs
Federal Core Competencies
Analyze Federal Core Competencies
Page 52
Core Competencies are your value-added skills.
Analyze Federal Core Competencies
Veteran’s Administration Competencies
Interpersonal EffectivenessCustomer ServiceFlexibility/AdaptabilityCreative ThinkingSystems Thinking
U.S. Marine Corps Competencies
Support deployment requirementsMeet and anticipate trainingShape land, sea and airspace trainingSupport Force protectionProvide effective command and control
Pages 53 to 57
What are your Core Competencies?
Analyze Federal Core Competencies
Page 55
Select five or ten core competencies from the book, or try to think of your own!
Finding KEYWORDS in your Vacancy Announcements
The most successful writing style is to write about your experiences using the language
of the target jobs.
Analyze Vacancy Announcements for Keywords
Page 58
Why is it important to find keywords?
Keywords are important for DOD resume recruitment systems.
Between 5 and 7 keywords and skills are usually critical.
Keywords can result in Referrals, Selections and Interviews.
Utilizing correct keywords and language can GREATLY increase success.
Analyze Vacancy Announcements for Keywords
Analyze Vacancy Announcements for Keywords
What are keywords?
Nouns, proper names, verbs
Nouns are most popular, i.e., trainer, facilitator, project manager, team leader, supervisor,
negotiator, contract specialist
Page 59
Techniques to find Keywords
Break out a highlighter.
Research two to five announcements for keywords and skills.
Copy and paste vacancy into a word document and break it down.
www.usajobs.gov/
Analyze Vacancy Announcements for Keywords
Analyze Vacancy Announcements for Keywords
Can you find more keywords?
Analyze the example in the book to see which keywords the authors may have neglected.
Pages 60 to 61
Write your Federal and Electronic Resume
Your Federal Resume is your Job Application, Job Examination, and sometimes the job interview.
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Page 64
Get to know Federal resumes:
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Spouse Spouse
Active Duty Active Duty
Pages 65 to 77
Once you have written your federal resume, you are 80% ready to apply to
any federal job.
Two federal resume formats:
Paper formatting for faxing and mailing
Electronic resume for copying and pasting
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Page 64
Getting Started on your Resume
EPRs/OPRs
Awards packages
Transcripts
(VMET) Verification of Military Experience and Training
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/vmet/index.jsp
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Federal Resume Outline
Summary – quick reference, top qualitiesEmployment history – Title of Job, 5 key
skills, Accomplishments (at least 1) Education – including professional
developmentAwards – Honors, ribbons, ect.
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Federal Resume Database Systemhttp://resumedb.resume-place.com/ffsc
Username: fleetandfamily
Password: getajob
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Federal resume facts:
2-5 pages
Includes compliance details: SSN, Citizenship,
employer's addresses, supervisors and salaries for 10 years, education information,
plus city, state and zip.
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Page 80
Federal resume tip:
Use More Nouns!
Use more nouns and titles in your text:
WRITER, EDITOR, MECHANIC, FACILITATOR SUPERVISOR, TEAM LEADER, COUNSELOR, COORDINATOR, DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Electronic Federal resume tips:
No Formatting
No bold, italics, bullets, underlines
Flush left, ragged right
Small paragraphs (6-8 lines)
Use ALL CAPS to highlight
Write Your Federal and Electronic Resume
Page 82
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Write your KSAs & Cover Letter
This is your opportunity to expand on your best experiences and skills.
Page 84
KSAs have many names
Part two of many Federal applications will require Questions, Answers, Essays,
Examples, and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities narratives
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Page 85
Definition of a KSA
Knowledge: An organized body of information, usually of a factual or procedural nature, which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible.
Skills: The proficient manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data, people, or things. Observable, quantifiable, measurable.
Abilities: The power to perform an activity at the present time. Implied is a lack of discernible barriers, either physical or mental, to performing the activity.
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Page 85
Importance of a KSA
KSAs are Rated and Ranked
Scores can be 5-3-1, depending on your answers. 5 is the highest score!
KSAs can prove your performance based on past experience!
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Page 87
CCAR Formula – Story-telling style
Context – What was the situation?Challenge – What were the challenges?
Actions – What were your actions?Results – What were the results?
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Page 88
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Rules for KSAs
Give one good example per KSAUse a different example if possible for each KSA
Typical length is half to two-thirds of a pagePack in the information; edit the text
Page 86
Write your KSAs and Cover Letter
Rules for KSAs
Page 86
Write in the first person “I”Spell out acronyms
Quantify your results and accomplishmentsUse examples from all parts of your life
Proofread
Find examples of KSAs on the On-line FedRes Database!http://resumedb.resume-place.com/ffscNavy FFSC Username: fleetandfamily
Navy FFSC Password: getajob
Apply for Jobs and Submit Your Resume
“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”
-George Washington
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
Page 102
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
Pages 104 to 106
More than 50 ways to apply for a Federal job!
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
Quickhire, Avue and USA StaffingEPA, USGS, Library of Congress,
GSA, Border Patrol
Electronic Resume, Occupational, and Task Questions
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
Internal agency system - several Homeland Security agencies, CIA, NSA
Resume Only with Application Questions
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
Optional Form OF - 612 is still accepted by a few agencies, but not recommended
SF-171 - eliminated in 1995
Not recommended ever.
Other ways to apply
Apply for Federal Jobs and Submit Your Resume
I have no education in this taskI have had education, but I have not performed this task
I have performed this task with close supervisionI have performed this task independently.
I have supervised this task, trained others and am consulted by others as an expert.
QuickHire and Other Self-AssessmentsAre you a 5?
Page 108
Tracking and Following-up on Applications
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 114
Follow-up techniques
Call and leave voicemailWrite emails
Fax distinctive faxes to get information on applications
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 115
Practice the Voicemail Script!
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 116
Follow-up online
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 117
Follow-up online
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 118
Follow-up online
Track and Follow-up on Applications
Page 119
Interviewing for a Federal Job
It takes practice, research and preparation for a successful job interview.
Interview for a Federal Job
Page 120
Be prepared!
Many people make the CERT list, but don't get hired because they can't talk about their
experiences well enough.
Interview for a Federal Job
Page 121
Types of Interviews
Telephone
Individual
Group/Panel
Interview for a Federal Job
Page 122
Practice your accomplishments for the Behavior-Based Interview!
Job-RelatedOpen EndedBehavioral-BasedSkill and Competency Based
Interview for a Federal Job
Page 124
Get hired!
Physical presenceEye contact, professionalism, clear speakingSmile, have enthusiasm, demonstrate interest
Interview for a Federal Job