Finding and Applying for a Federal Jobmoodyaandfrc/wp... · Keywords •HR specialists read for Keywords •Your resume will stand out with keywords 24 STEP 5: ANALYZE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Finding and Applying

for a Federal Job

Presented by

Airman & Family Readiness Center

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Special Federal Hiring Programs and Preferences

• Programs For Everyone

• Veterans

• Spouses and Family Members

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Programs for Everyone

Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) Two-year training program that can lead to permanent employment.

Direct Hire Agencies use direct hire authority when there is a shortage of qualified candidates or when there is a critical hiring need. You can get hired fast! Typical hiring program for job fairs!

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Programs for Veterans http://www.fedshirevets.gov

1. Non-competitive appointment, (i.e., no

competition, no rating and ranking, but must meet minimum qualifications)

2. Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)

3. 30%+ Disabled Veterans

4. Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

5. Competitive

6. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)

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Veterans’ Preference

http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

• Five or ten points added to the passing examination score of a federal application or rating of a veteran

• Veteran must be qualified for the job

• Does not guarantee a veteran a job

• There are exceptions to veteran’s preference

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http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/qaspouse/index.aspx

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Programs for Spouses and Family Members

Find the Right Job for You

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STEP 1: REVIEW THE FEDERAL JOB PROCESS

What Agency Do You Want to Work For?

Benefits of targeting 2-3 agencies:

• Narrow your job search

• Save time

• Ensures a good fit with agency mission and culture

• Each agency has particular set of application rules

• Excepted Service Agencies Jobs – may not be posted on USAJOBS. You must go to the agency website. See USAJOBS Info Center for a listing.

List of all federal agencies http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml

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http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml

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Which Job Titles Are Right For You?

Occupational Groups and Series • GS 000 – Misc positions - includes US Marshall and Police Officer • GS 100 – Social Science - Intelligence jobs • GS 200 – Personnel Management, including Military Personnel • GS 300 – General Administrative, including Secretary, Clerical,

Management and Program Analyst – popular analyst positions • GS 400 – Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences

Group • GS 500 – Accounting and Budget Group

http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/html/gsseries.asp

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What Grade Level and Salary is Right for You?

GS Schedule http://www.opm.gov/

oca/10tables/ indexGS.asp

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http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/indexGS.asp





What Grade Level and Salary is Right Based on Your Education?

How to determine your grade with education only:

• GS-4 – Two years above high school (or AA Degree)

• GS-5 – Based on Bachelor’s Degree

• GS-7 – One full year of graduate study or Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement

• GS-9 – Master’s degree or equivalent

• GS-11 – Ph.D.

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Use USAJOBS.COM to…

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1. Get helpful information – Info Center

2. Create an account to apply for jobs

3. Search for jobs

4. Manage your applications

Create an account on USAJOBS

• You do not need an account to search for jobs

• You must have an account to apply for jobs

• You may create 5 resumes and upload 2 resumes

** It’s best to use the resume builder!**

• Create search agents

• Upload documents once

• Pertinent data is stored

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Search for jobs on USAJOBS

Recommended search method:

• Geographic area preference

• Salary/grade level

• All agencies and All jobs in this area

or

• Search by Job Series Number Search

www.usajobs.com

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http://www.isajobs.com/

Applicant Eligibility

• If eligible, you will see more jobs returned in your search

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Analyze Vacancy Announcements

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Components of a Federal Job Announcement

• Agency Name • Title of Job, Grade and Geographic Location • Closing Date • Who Can Apply • Duties • Qualifications and Specialized Experience • Questionnaire • How to apply or the APPLY NOW link

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One Year Specialized Experience One year must equal 52 weeks, but need

not be consecutive.

EXAMPLE

Job Title: Logistics Management Specialist, GS-346-9

One full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is described as experience in logistics management operations that involve planning, coordinating, or evaluating logistical actions required to support a readiness program. Skill in integrating the separate functions in planning or implementing

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ON USAJOBS

Assessment Questions in Applications

Knowledge of the field of adult education and distance learning training. A I have not had education, training or experience in performing

this task. B I have had education or training in performing the task, but have

not yet performed it on the job. C I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was

monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

E I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

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Analyze Announcements for Keywords

• HR specialists read for Keywords

• Your resume will stand out with keywords

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STEP 5: ANALYZE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR KEYWORDS

Keywords for a Program Analyst may include: Conduct Studies

Performance Analysis

Evaluation, Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis

Writing

Briefings and Interpersonal Skills

Workforce Studies

www.Wordle.net

Keywords from Program Analyst

• System requirements

• System surveillance

• Monitoring, translating customer needs

• Test development

• Draft requirements documents

• Validate that changes meet customer needs

• Develop and maintain data systems

• Innovative information solutions

• Optimum utilization of standardized data processing systems

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Keywords from Police Officer

• Identify and arrest violators • Take charge of crime or accident scenes • Protect evidence and witnesses at the scene of an

incident • Take statements from witness • Interrogate suspects; detain witnesses and suspects • Booking procedures • Administrative duties • Support law enforcement function; prepare traffic

accident reports • Conduct traffic law enforcement • Investigating officer in responding to vehicle accidents

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Private Industry Resumes vs. Federal Resumes

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STEP 6: WRITE YOUR OUTLINE FORMAT FEDERAL RESUME

Private Industry Resume Federal Resume

Typically 1-2 pages 3-5 pages based on specific character lengths

Creative use of bold, underline, and other graphics

Text files, chronological, traditional format with no graphics. Use CAPS for enhancement.

No federal elements required (i.e., SSN, supervisor’s name and phone, salary, veteran’s preference, etc.)

Federal elements required (i.e., SSN, supervisor’s name and phone, salary, veteran’s preference, etc.)

Short accomplishment bullets focused on results

Accomplishments focused on the details of how you attained the results

Branded “headline” Focus on KSAs and competencies required in the announcement

Keywords are important Keywords are imperative

Focus on accomplishments; less details for position descriptions

Use blend of accomplishments and duties description with details

Profit motivated, product oriented, select customer base

Fiscal responsibility, grants, budgets, cost control, implementation of programs, legislation, serve the American public

Resume Example: Before - Short, Bullet-Points

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Resume Example: Before - Big Block

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Outline Format for Federal Resumes

• Keywords are in ALL CAPS

• Organize your PARAGRAPHS to match the

duties and qualifications from announcement

• Add accomplishments and special projects

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Resume Example: After - Outline Format

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Knowledge

Skills

Abilities 32

STEP 7: KSAS IN THE FEDERAL RESUME AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRES

KSAs: Gone but not entirely

However…KSAs may still be required in

• multiple-choice questionnaires

• the resume

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Use the CCAR format to Write Your KSAs / Accomplishments

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Context

The context should include the role you played in this example. Were you a team member, planner, organizer, facilitator, administrator, or coordinator? Also, include your job title at the time and the timeline of the project. You may want to note the name of the project or situation.

Challenge

What was the specific problem that you faced that needed resolution? Describe the challenge of the situation. The problem could be disorganization in the office, new programs that needed to be implemented or supported, a change in management, a major project stalled, or a large conference or meeting being planned. The challenge can be difficult to write about. You can write the challenge last when you are drafting your KSAs.

Action

What did you do that made a difference? Did you change the way the office processed information, responded to customers, managed programs? What did you do?

Result

What difference did it make? Did this new action save dollars or time? Did it increase accountability and information? Did the team achieve its goals?


CCAR KSA in the Resume

TEAM LEAD AND TRAINER : Trained 5-10 military and civilian personnel having a variety accounting functions. Recognize when others need assistance. Coordinated technical phone assistance and troubleshooting. Modified training module to suit specific needs of three major military commands.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENT: Served as initial point of contact for establishment of Oracle-based SABRS Management Analysis Retrieval Tool System (SMARTS) application. Trained 30-40 personnel prior to launching application on individual computers.

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KSA/Accomplishment in the Assessment Questionnaire Write one example that

demonstrates your skill

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Apply for Jobs

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STEP 8: APPLY FOR JOBS WITH AUTOMATED RECRUITMENT SYSTEMS

• Read all instructions carefully

• Make sure you are eligible for the job

• Make sure you are a good fit for the job

• Call the HR representative of the agency if

you have questions

What Do Supervisors Consider When Making Selections?

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10

20

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38

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69

71

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19

37

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41

44

46

36

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Written tests

Reputation of school

Recommendations

Major field of study

Reference checks

Level of education

Quality of the application

Interviews

Prior work experience

Great extent

Moderate extent

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Source: MSPB’s “The Federal Selection Interview: Unrealized Potential,” February 2003


Important Tip – Term & Temp

• Be sure to check off that you will accept Term, Temporary, and Permanent federal positions, so you do not lose consideration for important one year or four-year temporary jobs.

• Many federal positions posted initially as Term or Temporary are later converted to permanent positions.

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STEP 8: APPLY FOR JOBS WITH AUTOMATED RECRUITMENT SYSTEMS

What Happens Now?

• HR reviews applications

• HR reads any essays included in the questionnaire

• HR Applies Veterans’ Preference and Scores Application

• “Best qualified” applicants are referred to the selecting official for consideration

• Manager reviews applications, interviews, and makes selection

• HR Extends Job Offer

• Background Investigation is Initiated

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Track Your Applications Online at USAJOBS

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STEP 9: TRACK AND FOLLOW UP ON YOUR APPLICATIONS

A Federal Job is Within Your Reach!

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Documents

Finding and Applying for a Federal Jobmoodyaandfrc/wp... · Keywords •HR specialists read for Keywords •Your resume will stand out with keywords 24 STEP 5: ANALYZE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS