Can you think of ways you might conduct a campaign – any kind of campaign? Three styles immediately come to mind: political, advertising, and fundraising. Your federal job search can be understood this way: In a political campaign, someone is selected based on written and verbal advertising that promotes his skills. If selected, he gets paid. Your federal job search campaign is comparable: Your skills are marketed on a résumé, validated in the interview, you’re selected, and as a result, you get paid!
But how do you make this happen? What are some strategies for managing your federal job search in a way that meets your desired outcome? You need a plan!! Below are specific actions to take:
- Have a well-developed, up-to-date résumé (#1 in the builder), and NEVER use it to apply for a job (more later). Use the builder for the following reason: federal HR needs specific information to complete their paperwork. If your résumé does not include that information, there will be no review, and thus no referral to the hiring manager. For each and every application, duplicate résumé #1, then customize it by adding key words (specialized experience and competencies), and use this résumé to apply for the position. Be sure to delete it after your application has been accepted, making room for the next.
- Keep a federal job application “library.” Double check to make sure your application package uploaded properly, then copy and paste your résumé to a Word document. Be sure to save a copy of the Vacancy Announcement, too. Make the file easily identifiable so you can use it to prepare for your interview.
- Use your Occupational Series (four-digit code) found at OPM.Gov on the saved search function. Two series that need to be narrowed further are 0343 and 2210. Add relevant key words to these. To identify your specific occupational series, review the following article and read about qualifications.
- Save relevant documents to your USAJOBS account. USAJOBS only allows for low-resolution documents (limited space), so include as much information from them as you can on the résumé builder, even if it is duplicative.
- Network. You are poised to post a highly competitive federal application package. How will the hiring official know your name? Here are some ideas:
- You know someone who knows a federal hiring manager in your field – ask around. Then ask that person to give the hiring manager a copy of your résumé. Do this prior to job postings to avoid any semblance of pre-selection. If the supervisor responds that they are not currently hiring, suggest that the supervisor hold onto it in the event that those circumstances change. Don’t do this after a job has been posted, the appearance of pre-selection will put the supervisor’s job at risk. He or she will not under any circumstance accept it.
- Join Toastmasters, Inc. Almost every federal agency has one. Employees might be willing to share your résumé with their boss.
- Complete a Google search to find a professional federal organization related to your field. Use key phrases like “federal ‘your field’ organizations”.
- The Office of Personnel Management offers a list of approved professional affiliations. NASA offers a list as well.
- Develop two powerful tell-me-about-yourself / why-should-I-hire-you pitches to use while networking. The first pitch will be fewer than 12 words in length and should be used when introducing yourself. Develop it in a way that helps the other person to understand your skill set. It should address your major tasks – not everything you do, which is how you can narrow it to 12 words. The second pitch should take between one and two minutes to share, and can be used when the entire networking group is making introductions. Again, be sure that every word counts, and do your best to sound professional. (This pitch can also be used in an interview.)
All job searches need a plan, but a private sector plan will not be effective in a federal search. The above tips are designed to address the unique federal job search process. They provide powerful insight on how to develop a strategy for managing a successful federal job search campaign.
Karol this article provides powerful insight into obtaining our desired federal career. I find it all to often that people believe it is the luck of the draw that is misleading. One must truly treat it as a campaign an take control of the situation to achieve their desired goal. You cannot be lazy nor get discouraged. If not hired for the job you put in for hit the campaign trial again. This article puts forth the need to see your search as a process not a submission of the same resume for each job inquiry. You truly define the process thank you.
Karol,
What a great post on finding a federal job. I am certain that the expert advice you provided will benefit
Those seeking government jobs.
Wonderful and useful information.
The process of building the resume is a barrier to many
Keep it coming
I especially was excited to read STEP 5, Networking. Federal job seekers sometimes forget about this very important step.
Here is another organization to network with:http://www.nagconline.org/
Here are some possible others: International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) http://ipma-hr.org/; Training Officer’s Consortium http://www.trainingofficers.org/; and the Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD) http://www.astd.org/.
Great post, Karol. I like your tips on how to network within the federal government. I will be passing these along to my students.
Karol,
As always, great advice! Networking and a spot-on resume aren’t just options for the federal job search. You MUST put in the effort if you really want the job. There is too much competition to submit a sub-par resume, and if my clients say they know someone on the inside, I’m always much more confident of their chances.
Thanks for sharing!
Tina
Karol, this is great information with very practical action steps especially number 1 and 6. I will definitely pass this on to my students. Looking forward to see more.
Thanks to Karol for sharing these very useful insights. While the article is about federal jobs, a lot of the advice is true for private sector jobs too (such as networking in your field and sharing your resume with a target company BEFORE there is any posting listed). Of course, the advice specific to federal jobs in critical and needs to be followed for success in this area. Listen to Karol’s advice. It is right on point.
Excellent article Karol! Many job seekers really struggle with navigating their Federal Job Search. Great information here and solid advice.
I have a personal and professional relationship with Karol Taylor. I must say, each time she presents something to the world, it is needed and right on time. I applaud you Karol for always being such an innovative leader, peer and friend. This article again is important info that people in all sectors need to read. I repeat your FB posts, Twitter comments and whatever else you share with us. Very well written my fiend.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Karol! It’s always helpful for candidates to understand how to approach the federal job search. Your specific tips will help them be more competitive as applicants.