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Applying for Federal Employment

Applying for Federal Employment. What you need to know (Overview of basic process & some details that could derail you). Steve Freedman October 20, 2008. Common Fallacies. Your private sector resume works here You will always get a response My resume is enough to apply

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Applying for Federal Employment

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  1. Applying for Federal Employment What you need to know (Overview of basic process & some details that could derail you) Steve Freedman October 20, 2008

  2. Common Fallacies • Your private sector resume works here • You will always get a response • My resume is enough to apply • I was a _____ I should be able to get a similar senior position with ease • I’ve always been a _______ so those are the only positions I can qualify for

  3. For First Timers

  4. With some exceptions these are Tampa Rates There are also special occupation rates & in some cases performance-based pay scales Expect about a 3% increase this January

  5. Maximum SES pay rates effective January 1, 2009

  6. The Federal Resume • White space & visual appeal are nice, but it’s the content that matters and you want more, rather than less. • Details are important. If a year of qualifying experience is required and you put Jan 2007 through Jan 2008 as your work period you’ll get credit for Jan 31, 2007 through Jan 1, 2008 and come up 1 month short. (Think literal & obvious, there will be no judgment calls in interpreting your resume. If it doesn’t say it, don’t expect credit.)

  7. Federal Resume • Kitchen sink versus Targeted • How often are you going to apply? • How much time are you willing to spend? • Write at the high school/college level in terms of reader comprehension • The resume must meet minimum qualifications (screener) before it can reach a hiring official • Do use buzz words (in addition) because some agencies use AI on resumes.

  8. Application Process • Submit EVERYTHING that you are asked to submit or your application WILL BErejected. (submission by either closing date or other specified date) • 99% of jobs will be advertised through www.USAJOBS.gov • From there the data is transferred to Agency applicant intake systems (like Peoplesoft). Some may come back at you asking for more info, most won’t.

  9. Application Process • When the data is in the hands of Agency personnel they will either do a manual or automated run of the data against the hiring official’s criteria & establish a Best Qualified (BQ) List. These are the only names that will move forward. • In most cases the hiring official is restricted to a rule of 3 and veteran hiring preferences.

  10. Knowledges, Skills & Abilities • This is the crux of the Federal hiring process & what is used to rate & rank applicants. • Ability to demonstrate oral and written communication skills sufficient to formulate and present arguments and advisory opinions to senior staff and to represent management positions to agency staff. • Answer fully and descriptively if you’re asked for a narrative response. (don’t count on interpretation) (Shakespearian prose will get less points than descriptions of written technical publications, policy papers, or “white papers.”) - Literal • Save your narrative responses into a composite KSA.doc file so you can retrieve common Q&As without reinventing the wheel each time.

  11. Interview Process • The same questions have to be asked of each candidate. There are merit standards in the public service that are higher than those in the private sector. Expect more adherence to avoiding prohibited (discriminatory) questions. • Interviews may be conducted by phone, in one-on-one in person, or in panel interviews. • Rarely will someone be flown in at govt. expense for an interview.

  12. Selection Process • Definitely send in a thank you for the interview letter (just as important as private to help you stand out & gives you an opportunity to add more about yourself) • Depending upon the Agency & the hiring manager’s position in it, he/she may be able to make the decision, or may have to provide a prioritized ranking to his/her superior. • Sometimes there’s a call back to interview with the next level manager, but not as often as with the private sector.

  13. Tentative Selection • Occasionally a firm offer • More often an offer pending a background check, a discussion with previous employers, a drug test, etc. • If a security clearance is required, that can take anywhere from weeks to months to get accomplished. Complete your forms accurately & quickly return them.

  14. You’re Hired ! ! ! • Work schedule options • Health care options • Long term care options • Retirement contribution options • Life Insurance options • BEFORE YOU DECIDE ON WHAT OPTIONS TO TAKE – go to www.OPM.gov and read up on them

  15. OPM • The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is THE HR organization for the government and it delegates some HR responsibilities to the Agencies • Use their subject site index to find everything you wanted to know and more about Federal employment

  16. Where Do I go to Find Federal Jobs? • www.USAJobs.gov(subcontracted to Monster) • It’s alerts are ineffective, but you can setup bookmarks • You can bookmark occupations • agencies • by zip code • This is not perfect searching software, consider double bookmarks to ensure you cover what you want. • FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

  17. You’ve Found a job you like • Read each tabbed section carefully • Look for hidden requirements (not in the How To Apply section) • If they list KSAs, copy & paste them into a Word document. If you need to do a manual answer you’ll be prepared, if you have to do an automated response to multiple choice or a fill in narrative you’ll be prepared.

  18. A word about “Status” • There are limitations on some jobs as to who may apply • A Status candidate is generally one of the following (current Federal employee, former Federal employee, someone who’s been through a formal testing procedure, special hiring authorities, & in some cases vets). • Non-status candidates – anyone can apply

  19. A Word about “Area of Consideration” • An agency has the ability to restrict who may apply in terms of geography or organizational component • Area of Consideration – Tampa commuting distance • Area of Consideration – Only DoD employees • Area of Consideration – Only VA employees working in Bay Pines, FL Officially, this is related to limiting costs, but it might also favor a local applicant

  20. Remember I said about 99% of all Federal jobs are posted on USAJobs? Well, If you go the site on the following slide you’ll find every Agency listed, including those that by law have some legal exception to posting on USAJobs.

  21. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions that come up after this presentation. Steve Freedman 727-360-7049 HR@StevenRFreedman.com

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