The Learning Curve: How Internships Can Revive A New Generation

The Learning Curve: How Internships Can Revive A New Generation

In August of 2002, I was somewhat unsure of the direction I was going to take my career, and my life.  I had recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with my MPA.  I had also just completed my work study program with the Social Security Administration. ...

Managing in the Public Sector: Seven Steps for Stellar Success

Managing in the Public Sector: Seven Steps for Stellar Success

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. – Oscar Wilde Do you associate managing with more-is-less, I’m doomed, and it’s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it? Does thinking about all your managing duties make you queasy? Take heart! And a Pepto-Bismol while you’re...

Bagging Your Online Baggage

Bagging Your Online Baggage

I still remember the day that my sister-in-law taught me how to use the Internet. I learned about Google and Yahoo and how easy it was to find people, places and things. As recruiters, we used to have to dial hundreds of phone numbers to find candidates to fill jobs,...

Count Your Lucky STARs:  Showcasing Accomplishments on Your Resume

Count Your Lucky STARs: Showcasing Accomplishments on Your Resume

One of the biggest mistakes federal job candidates make is failing to sell themselves through accomplishments. Some candidates believe that listing accomplishments is only done on résumés in the corporate world. Not true!  Actually, a résumé for a position in the...

Succeeding in a Downsized Organization

Succeeding in a Downsized Organization

For generations the hallmark of government employment has been rock-steady job security. Career public sector employees often cite job security, together with generous retirement and fringe benefit packages, as factors which initially attracted them to their jobs and...

Reengineering Government is No Longer a Myth

Reengineering Government is No Longer a Myth

Government outsourcing, or privatization, is a central strategy to the notion of reengineering government which has been widely discussed and written about since the 1970s.  However, while recession-choked cities and counties are now looking closer at outsourcing,...

Avoiding the Serial Applicant Syndrome

Avoiding the Serial Applicant Syndrome

Step 1: Don’t apply for the job. Step 2: Repeat, as needed. Sometimes your job search can feel like a numbers game - the more applications you send in, the better the odds that you’ll land that dream position, right?  Well, what may have worked when you were in high...

Impact of Federal Elections on Local Employment

Impact of Federal Elections on Local Employment

At least one interpretation of former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil's declaration that "All politics is local" suggests that while people may support or reject an issue on a national basis, they tend to actually vote in ways that impact them locally.  If you...

Communication Is Critical In Change Management

Communication Is Critical In Change Management

Much has been said since 2008 – and still is, today – about the devastating impact upon governmental budgets brought on by the foreclosure and property tax calamities. In fact, I don’t believe enough can be said about it. Having once served as Public Information...

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