Posts Tagged ‘federal resume preparation’

What Federal Agencies Look for in Job Candidates

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

By David Jensen, CPRW, CARW, CEIP, ResumeEdge.com Editor

Government agencies can provide great opportunities for long-term employment. While seeking employment with a government agency can be complex, you can give yourself an advantage in the job market by learning what agencies look for in job candidates.

What Expertise do Government Agencies Need?

Given the latest developments in global communications and homeland security, there is a demand for skilled employees in cyber security, intelligence, foreign languages, diplomacy, and law enforcement. However, beyond these skill areas, agencies want candidates who have a clear understanding of the organization’s mission and objectives. For example, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency all have overlapping involvement in energy and environmental conservation issues.  

When President Obama took office, there were a number of issues he pledged to address during his term. Some of these items include:

• The nation’s transportation infrastructure
• International diplomacy and trade relations
• Homeland security
• Environmental awareness and global warming

Whatever items are on the President’s “To Do” list, there is likely a government agency assigned to handle the issues. When seeking job candidates to work with these agencies, hiring managers are looking for people who are innovative and willing to present ideas. They also want people who are knowledgeable and passionate about the issues that impact global societies such as clean and affordable energy, health and nutrition, and secure Internet usage. You can improve your employment prospects with government agencies when you strive to learn what they are doing to achieve their goals.

Learning More about What Agencies are Looking for

You can learn a lot about various government agencies by reading newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and the Federal Times and reviewing government Web sites such as the Office of Personnel Management site at www.usajobs.opm.gov or other information at www.firstgov.gov. Look for sections that highlight the specific concerns and “hot topics” that are of particular interest to the current administration.

When faced with new issues, government agencies don’t have all the answers. Due to the Freedom of Information Act, information about the objectives and methodologies of government agencies is available to the public. You can learn about the current events and which agencies have programs to address these issues. Once you learn about what your target agency is doing and what they still need to do to accomplish their objectives, you can present your knowledge, skills, and abilities as a solution to their problems.

Government agencies focus their efforts and obtain funding to address the issues that are of interest to the nations’ leaders. To be a successful government job candidate, it’s important that you present yourself as someone who is knowledgeable of these issues, is a team player, has ideas for solutions, and possess a stellar federal resume and accompanying documents.

To request David for your federal order, please key in his last name (Jensen) in the ’select your editor’ field of the online form.

Why a Standard Résumé Won’t have a Chance with the Federal Government

Tuesday, January 26th, 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 Jensen for your federal resume product, simply select his name in the drop-down menu of the ’select your editor’ field.