Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Now that we have the holidays behind us, it’s time to gear up for that all important job search.
Many of you might be considering application to the federal government. It’s a good move for solid employment; however, application to any government agency can be as complicated as doing your yearly tax return.
Here are some tips to remember:
1. You must have a job vacancy announcement to apply. Unlike the private sector, you cannot simply send a resume to every federal agency and hope to be considered. You won’t. You’ll be spinning your wheels. You need to look at job openings at the government’s website (you can do a google search for it). The vacancy announcement must still be open. If it’s closed, you’re out of luck. And, you must meet the requirements for the position. You cannot state that you’re willing to learn. Agencies want individuals with the required skills.
2. You must submit a resume in the format each agency requires. That might be Resumix (plain text unformatted) or by copying/pasting your resume into fields onto an online form. Each agency has their own requirements and you must meet them. If you do not, your resume won’t be considered.
3. Your content must meet the agency’s requirements. Unlike private sector resumes, federal resumes include vast amounts of data such as your supervisors’ names, work addresses, contact numbers, your social security number, high school data, etc. Be prepared to include everything the agency asks for.
4. You may have to answer questions such as KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities), ECQ (Executive Core Qualifications), etc. These are questions that require essay type answers. Not including them with your resume, if they’re asked for, will take you out of the race for the job.
5. Meeting every agency guideline when composing and submitting the resume, KSAs, ECQs, etc. If you do not, you won’t be considered for the position.
Many individuals feel overwhelmed by all that they must do in order to work for the federal government. However, that’s no reason to give up. If you feel you cannot do an adequate job of composing your federal resume and essay questions, then use a professional resume writer who’s trained to know the ins and outs of the federal application process.
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
With so few jobs being available in the private sector, many of you might be thinking of working for the federal government. Before you begin your job search there are a few things you need to know to make your efforts as successful as possible.
1. A federal job search is not like a private sector job search. Let’s say you’re seeking a banking job in the private sector. You tailor your resume toward that industry and send it to all the banking institutions in your area or in other states if you’re agreeable to relocation. A federal resume doesn’t work that way. You can’t write one resume and send it to various agencies (eg: DOD, FDA, FHA, etc.). Every federal job has a vacancy announcement (job position) with a unique number and requirements for it. Therefore, your federal resume will be submitted to one agency or institution only…not all of them.
2. Federal jobs may require additional documentation. These may be KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities), MTQs (Managerial and Technical Qualification Statements), or ECQs (Executive Core Qualifications). These are essay type questions that you must answer indicating how your background meets the requirements of the position.
3. Federal resumes are formatted for the Resumix system. Unlike formatted Word resumes that go to employers in the private sector, a Resumix resume does not have bolding, italics, special fonts, etc. It is unformatted, looking like an ascii or plain text resume (the kind you send in the body of an email). Some federal resumes may be formatted. It depends upon the job and the agency requirements.
4. Federal resumes may be lengthy – more than 10 pages – or they may have a strict word count.
5. They contain information you would never put in a private sector resume. That would include your Social Security Number, supervisor’s name, contact #, high school information, etc.
The above are just some of the major differences between a federal and private sector resume.
Before you begin your federal job search, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these differences. If you fail to follow guidelines, you will not be considered for the position.
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
As we all know, the federal government is constantly tinkering with its rules and regulations, adding to the complexity of what one must do in order to succeed within its realm.
It’s no different for their resume process. For years, the government has required a separate document entitled KSAs – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities – to be attached with the applicant’s current resume (in proper Federal format).
The rules have now changed. I’d like to say it was straight across the board for every single agency of the government, but that’s not always the case. In some instances, a candidate will still be required to submit separate KSAs. In others – and these are the new rules for some – KSAs are incorporated into the actual resume.
Confused?
Don’t feel bad. Lots of your peers are facing the same dilemma. Should I include my KSAs in my resume or should I answer the qualifying questions in a separate document?
It’s enough to drive one to distraction.
That’s where a professional resume writing service comes in. At ResumeEdge.com, our editors are trained in the most current federal requirements and they keep abreast of all changes that relate to government positions.
It’s not an easy task, but our editors know that federal openings go only to the most qualified and to those that follow all the rules.
Whether these new regulations will last is anyone’s guess, but while they do it’s best that you follow instructions, and if you need help allow a professional resume writer to shepherd you through the government application process.
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
By David Jensen, CPRW, CARW, CEIP
Government jobs are plentiful even in a down economy. They are also good career-oriented positions with advancement opportunities. Landing a government job is a complex process, but it is well worth the effort if you desire to work in the public sector. Many private-industry job applicants use a standard resume thinking it is the same or just as effective as a Federal resume when applying for a government job. This is not the case. There is certain information that needs to appear on a Federal resume that you would not include on a private-sector resume. The human resource professionals need to see certain information in your application materials in order for you to be considered for further review as an applicant.
Federal Résumés Require More Personal Information
The information you need to provide for a government application (often called a vacancy announcement) includes your full name, complete mailing address, social security number, and your country of citizenship. Vacancy announcements contain a list of what to include in your résumé. If you leave any information out such as your social security number, you might not be considered for the job.
Federal Résumés Need to Align with the Job Announcement
With a standard resume, you might use a qualifications summary to outline your skills and experience that relate to the job you are applying for. With a federal résumé, you use an objective statement that needs to include the job title and department, the position’s grade level (the job’s level of difficulty), and the job announcement reference number. Following the objective statement you include a list of your qualifications that apply to the requirements listed in the job description.
Adhere to all Application Guidelines
Each vacancy announcement includes a “How to Apply” section that tells exactly what application process you need to follow and what information you need to include. It is critical that you provide information for every category in this section because most résumés are electronically scanned before a hiring manager reviews them. The required information often includes your past supervisor’s name and phone number and if that person can be contacted. This section often asks for your highest employment grade level whether you are a veteran or a civilian employee. You won’t be able to provide this information if you are transitioning from the private sector so you could enter N/A. Do not leave any categories blank.
Standard resumes are commonly one-to-two pages. Federal résumés can range from two-to-six pages and must comply with the guidelines required by the government personnel offices. Federal employment can be a good career opportunity if you are prepared and willing to produce a Federal résumé package that promotes you as the “best qualified” candidate for your selected government position.
To request David for your federal or private sector order, please key in his last name (jensen) in the ’select your editor’ field of the online form.
