Gifts come in many forms – a kind word, a selfless promise kept, a kind deed. During this season of giving and receiving, do you have a preferred style of gift giving? Have you considered a non-traditional gift from an expert in their field? I’m talking about a gift of service – the gift of hiring a professional to help a loved one with their federal job search.
There are many professionals who support a federal job search, but where can you find one that is 1) a good fit for your needs, and 2) highly ethical and reputable? Keep in mind that you are in control – you select the person who you feel you can work with. So, how do you go about identifying those individuals, determining their level of expertise, and ensuring their personality meshes with yours?
Use Your Social Networks
The following information assumes you are already participating in social networks. If not, it is easy to set up a profile. Be sure to avoid sending an invitation to everyone in your contact list, and if you succeed at that, chances are good that you will be happy with your online experience.
LinkedIn is a great place to start. Complete a group search using the term “federal” or “U.S.” There are a number of LinkedIn Groups whose sole purpose is to provide federal job search and/or résumé writing support. The owners of these groups have set them up as outreach and can be contacted to work with you. (Keep in mind that this is their livelihood and they will want to contract for payment prior to providing in-depth information.) You will also want to check out the individuals posting to these groups to determine if they offer federal job search help.
Be sure to read the person’s LinkedIn “headline” and his or her summary. If you are okay with the way they present themselves, you can send them an InMail message to get started.
Google+
Google+ doesn’t yet appear to have attracted an active group of federal career experts. However, it has a small Federal Job Search community whose members typically work in this field. Careers in Government posts links to their federal job search articles here. Some of their authors are experts in applying for federal jobs.
Twitter only allows you to search by name or Twitter handle. An effective approach to finding out who to follow might be to review @USAJOBS followers, read their “headline” and see if any of them are federal job search experts. Careers in Government has a strong following on Twitter, where they also post links to their articles.
FaceBook is a good place to follow the USAJOBS postings, where select federal jobs are sometimes shared. In addition to posting about government jobs, federal job search information located on the USAJOBS Resource Center site is often shared. You’ll find Careers in Government posting there, too.
GovLoop.com
GovLoop is a social network for young people in government. GovLoop hosts personal profile pages, discussion groups and forums, blogs, photographs, videos, slide presentations, a wiki and two weekly podcasts. It offers a “Rock Your Resume” group with a résumé toolkit and an hour of résumé training. It also has a page with helpful information to enhance your federal career.
Online Blogs and Articles
Some of the people identified from the above sources also write their own blog. Read their blogs to determine if their approach matches your needs.
In Conclusion
Social networks are a great source for federal job search support. Why not check them out to see if any of them might be a useful resource for you? Keep in mind that when the person receiving your gift gets a federal job, yours will be the gift that kept on giving. It will have been the best and most lasting present of all.
Karol, I just had to give you a High 5 for this article. My church’s Career Development Ministry has been conducting workshops on Social Media and the Job Search as well. I loved your article. People really are missing a golden opportunity to give what some people need, but just don’t know how to ask for it. Imagine someone getting a card and on the inside it said, ” My gift to you is to help you find your career” -or something along those lines. You realize as do I, that finding your way into the Federal sector can make you feel you are in the Land of Oz. From listening to you in workshops, I hope others will seek you out because you are the Real Deal when it comes to getting into a government job. Great article as always. Can’t wait for your next one.
Hi De,
So many people give the gift of service as a way to show love and to minimize holiday expenses. My thinking is that the gift of a resume writing service will be a short term investment with long term results. I can’t think of a better way to show your love.
Warmly,
Karol
Karol,
What a great post. The concept of gifting someone with career help! You provided a large number of resources that will help someone navigating the federal job search maze. Thanks for being a conduit for ideas, information and resources. By following your tips an individual will be able to access jobs quickly and with more confidence that they are heading in the right direction. Keep up the great work in the federal job search arena.
Thanks Chris,
Yes, many people fail at their federal job search because they do not have the proper resources at their disposal. This article includes a number of ways to help people seeing federal employment.
Warmly,
Karol
Karol:
As usual, you have another great blog article. Your idea for this article is both creative and practical, and your knowledge of the resources to use in searching for the right professional is impressive.
Thanks, Paul,
I have seen federal resumes that you develop so know that you know your stuff. I appreciate kind words from someone I respect as an expert!!
Warmly,
Karol
Great overview about how to best harness the power of social media during the job search!
thanks again, Karol!
Thank you Sarah,
I appreciate your words of support and value your career expertise.
Warmly,
Karol
Hi Karol,
A terrific article filled with all kinds of practical ideas, which is par for the course with your work. I always look forward to your postings.
Thanks, Jack,
And I value your expertise in the career field. Thanks for your support!!
Warmly,
Karol
The author absolutely nailed it with this article!
If you have a friend or family member seeking a position with the federal government professional assistance is the only way to go.
Sadly it isn’t always the most qualified candidates that win these opportunities but rather the candidates that know the most about the federal hiring process.
A professionally written federal resume is a gift that continues to give year after year.
Karol,
As usual, your counsel is always right on, and again, timely. Having known and worked with you for the past 20+ years, you continue to demonstrate professionalism with pragmatic directness that is beneficial to anyone who chooses to follow it. Keep up the good work and excellent counsel.
Jim Ditt
Thanks Jim,
You know me well! My approach is always pragmatic, even when it is not pragmatic to make it so!! ;o) Thanks for your kind words of support. And thanks for the great work you do in publishing job fairs!!
Warmly,
Karol
Hi Angie,
Give the gift that gives on giving, right? And I understand that your resumes are considered to be among the best!!
Warmly,
Karol
What a great idea for a Christmas present!
Hi Kitty,
As a retired U.S. Department of ED employee, you know federal organizations. Thanks for your vote of confidence!!
Warmly,
Karol
Excellent advice Karol. What a tremendous gift to give someone.
Thanks Terri,
It’s a great gift to give yourself as well!! Self-efficacy, right?
Warmly,
Karol
Hi Karol!
As always you are the bomb.com. Your amazing gift to pay it forward to help someone else is remarkable. The ability to help identify professional strength, talent and skill is awesome.
I’m intrigued by your article as it has piqued interest here (I will be contacting you). Professional assistance is very encouraging and I will pass this along. Great plan for a new year!
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for your vote of confidence! I am so glad you are happily working and enjoying your new job.
Warmly,
Karol
Great post, Karol! You hit the bullseye with this article. I continue to be impressed with your knowledge and expertise on the federal hiring process. Thank you for always being willing to share it!
Thanks, Lourdes,
I am a bit of a show off, and sharing good information is a positive way I deal with what might otherwise be a negative characteristic!!
Warmly,
Karol
Thanks Karol for these wonderful tips on how to research and connect with relevant government groups. Networking is the #1 way to expand your professional territory. Enhancing one’s expertise is the #2 professional focus!
The Federal Job Search is doable with expertise from Karol Taylor ! Way 2 GO !!
Thanks, Debra,
I could not agree more!
Warmly,
Karol
Hi Karol,
Thanks for sharing good tips and ideas for those who may be interested in a federal career (or who wish to give the gift of federal career services to a loved-one). The points about ensuring a good mutual fit and expertise/knowledge of the professional are especially important.
Thanks Shahrzad,
Just as I shared with Debra, I could not agree more!! Both of you are such strong experts in the career field.
Warmly,
Karol
Giving a Gift of Service from a Professional. What a wonderful thought Karol. Too many gifts have such little value and just add to a collection of junk in our lives. Thank you for the article. Well done!
Thanks for your comments and support, Michael!!
Too many people are too passive about their federal (and any) job search. A coach can show candidates not only how to get a job, but also how to build a strategy for their careers. Great idea for the gift that keeps on giving.
Thanks, Anne,
A Job Search is difficult territory to transverse alone. Obtaining support for an otherwise overwhelming task is always a good idea!!
Warmly,
Karol
Karol: Thanks for this informative overview. You come highly recommended. As someone just starting a search for a Federal job, getting that initial step in the right direction is so important. Your knowledge has no doubt saved me quite a bit of time.
Thanks for your support, Laird.
I appreciate your keen insight!!
Warmly,
Karol
Hi Karol….this is a great article with excellent tips about using social networks as part of one’s job search. While many struggle applying the #1 job search tool, “networking” your message will offer useful guidance of how to use their online connections to generate job leads. Those who are introverted may give greater welcome to such strategies as they are not as draining. Thanks for sharing and happy holidays!
Thanks for your insight and unique perspective, Brian. As you know, I think highly of your work and value your expertise — especially in the federal arena!!
Warmly,
Karol
You’ve highlighted the most important aspect of job hunting in the federal sector. The Federal job application process is highly specialized. You can’t apply for jobs on usajobs.gov using the same techniques that you use to apply for jobs elsewhere. What you don’t know about it can hurt you – as any mistakes or omissions on your application mean that you will not be considered for the job.
There are some good resources mentioned here. It behooves you to research and put these recommendations into practice on your next federal job application.
The Federal job search is a dynamic field and candidates need to remain current on trends. This is a terrific gift for anyone pursuing a Federal career. I felt it was necessary in my search, saving time and pursuing opportunities in the most efficient way.
You hit the nail on the head Karol! Meaningful employment is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Working with an expert like Karol Taylor help to patiently shape my resume through valuable feedback sessions which finally resulted in a finished marketable product. The distribution of the resume by me landed several interviews. Then, I received an IRS employment offer. My career is back on track and moving forward. Thanks to Karol expertise and knowledge.
Thank you for assembling this fantastic advice and helpful websites.
I’ve found the USAJobs Facebook group to be especially helpful!
Awesome advice Karol! These are some very helpful tips on how to search for a Federal position.
Karol,
Your suggestion are useful, practical and easy to understand and incorporate!
Karol, thank you for sharing these great suggestions. Navigating the federal job market can be quite intimidating and out of reach. Your coaching makes it seem more achievable. Something else I have appreciated about you is that you’ve tried many of the approaches that you recommend. Looking forward to your next entry!
Karol,
This is a great post as you provided several relevant strategies in which one can effectively navigate the federal job search process. It is my belief that utilizing a diverse approach combining both traditional and innovative techniques can increase the likelihood of success. You cover these potential venues for searching in an accessible and practical manner. I will be sure to reference this post if an opportunity presents it self in which this information would be useful. Thanks again.
-Seth C.W. Hayden
Karol, I agree with all the comments others have left. You truly have made Career Counseling a lifelong career and you do keep on giving! Thank you for all you do for all of us!
Hi Karol,
Wonderful post! You have enriched the lives of so many federal workers across government with your career advice and coaching that you are the gift that KEEPS giving. I absolutely agree with all the other posts and with over 24+ years in the leadership development field your perspective and suggestions are always welcome! Thank you for all you continue to do!!