Tips on the Federal Job Process

Or How Do I Really Get To The Interview Stage?

Marianne Giltrud

November 5, 2011

Presidential Memorandum May 2011 Designed to Improve the Federal Recruitment

and Hiring Process. Making it easier to apply for a federal job.

Good News Bad News

Federal Hiring Managers do not have any input into the evaluation of applicants

The first “eye” that “sees” your application is a computer.

The next is the Human Resource employee. Third, is the hiring official. To get to this stage, your resume needs to be

focused and targeted to the job announcement.

Best Qualified???

Yes, KSA’s…..No, KSA’s Explicitly Call Out in Resume

Typically receives 80+ out of a possible 100 Point Value for demonstrated qualifications

Superior Ability =4 Satisfactory Ability=3 Barely Acceptable or Potential Ability=2 Some Value=1 No value-0

Roadblocks

Veteran’s Preference “Stoppers”-Priority Placement Lists and First

Consideration Multiple Lists of Eligible candidates Desire to promote from within Too many candidates….Too few jobs Hiring freezes and slow downs

Alas a silver lining?

How do I know?

If the announcement says… Public All Qualified US Citizens All Sources All groups of qualified individuals All qualified candidates US Citizens and Status Candidates

YOU MAY APPLY FOR THE POSITION-EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, HAVE NO PRIOR FEDERAL SERVICE, OR ARE WORKING IN AN EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION

Two Classes of Federal Employees Competitive Service

OPM, Civil Service Laws enacted by Congress. Candidates must meet all qualifications of the job.

Excepted Service Not subjected to Pay, Appointment, Classification

Rules in Title 5, U.S. Code FBI-GSA-STATE-CIA –May or May not advertise on

USA Jobs LOC --- Advertise on USA Jobs

2011 FLICC Competencies for Federal Librarians

http://www.loc.gov/flicc/publications/Lib_Compt/2011/2011Competencies.pdf

USA Jobs

FAQ’s https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Top_Ten_FAQ

What’s new at USA Jobs at http://

www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/What%27s%20New%20in%20USAJOBS.pdf

Advanced Search http://

www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Advanced%20Search.pdf

Saved Searches http://

www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Saved%20Searches.pdf

Resumes http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf

Executive Service http://

www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Senior%20Executive%20Service.pdf

Librarian Series 1410

Administrative and Program Series 301

Information Technology Series 2200

Job Announcements

Read everything, read it again, reflect, read it for key words.

Go Through Every tab Overview, Duties, Qualifications & Evaluations, Benefits & Other

Info, How to Apply Be aware of timetable. If it says at 11:50pm on Nov. 5, 2011, it

you turn it in at 12:00pm it won’t be accepted. Deconstruct the announcement

Identify Key Words based on the frequency in the announcement.

Think about the announcement….. What are key elements to the job? What are the skill sets required to do that? How can I translate or transfer

my skills to this announcement? Restate any questions from the job questionnaire in your resume.

IT Specialist Internet Series 2200

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for the position based on the qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relevant to the position, that demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Be specific, explain the why and the how. Look at the announcement and Map the Duties

and Skills

Duties and Skills Map

Duties of the Jobs Skills/Knowledge Required

Designs, develops and tests website.

Designs, develops and maintains web sites using Drupal CMS. Updates versions, customizes content, creates taxonomies.

Contributes content to the website. Skilled in network communication, client- server architecture, programming languages, testing and debugging code.

Acts as production coordinator for the web page, multimedia postings and for public national website.

Creates and maintains websites using, HTML, PHP, PERL JavaScript, XHTML, XML, and CSS.

Communicates with library wide communities‘ of practice.

Engages, connects and interacts with users to ensure web accessibility and ADA compliance.

Achievements

Created Association’s DRUPAL CMS website from the ground up. Awarded Best in Class for New Trends in Website Usability.

Created a Wiki to enhance communication between various stakeholder groups. Improved quality and quantity of face to face networking activities.

Constructed taxonomies, organizational frameworks, and structured content for easy access as well as improved look, feel and usability.

Frame Experience = Competencies Knowledge: Knowing about or understanding

something, learning through study or experience

Skills: Ability to perform something; knowing how to do something

Ability: Capacity to do something, an inherent mental or physical characteristic that helps someone do certain things. Paid and Non Paid Volunteer-Homemaker Capstone projects, practicum or internships Other work experience

Tell Your Story

Write in the first person. Use action words. Identify who you are dealing

with…..Management, Customers, Team Members

Show level of responsibility- Team Leader, team member, subordinate, providing support to management, etc.

Include specialized education or training that helped make you successful.

Include any awards or praise received.

Character Traits

Take control of your part of the application process. Be selective in applying for the jobs and spend the time to do it right. Focus your time and efforts on the jobs for which you are best

suited. Invest time and effort to create a strong, focused and targeted

resume. Create as many word and phrase matches as you can with the

announcement. Do everything they tell you to do within the time frame allowed. Be persistent. Keep trying.

Resources

Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group Subscribe by sending an email to

careers-in-federal-libraries@googlegroups.com. Job Announcements, Resume Reviewers, Discussions

New Feds on Facebook newfeds@groups.facebook.com

2011 FLICC Competencies http://www.loc.gov/flicc/publications/Lib_Compt/2011/2011Competencies.pdf

Education and Career Planning Wiki http://educationandcareerplanning.pbworks.com

Careers in Federal Libraries Slide Share Accountwww.slideshare.net/CareersinFederalLibraries/

Questions!

Good Luck and Best Wishes!