Résumé and Job Search Help

      There are numerous websites to make special note of when looking for a federal job, but the most important place to start is www.usajobs.opm.gov. It’s a free site that allows you to create an account and apply for jobs using your online resume created block by block. This site lists most federal jobs across all of the departments. For example, it includes Department of Defense, Department of Interior, Department of Homeland Security, etc.  It’s a good place to check in with everyday but by no means the ONLY place to keep tabs on. You should also try to target the specific agency that has the kinds of positions you are interested in and qualify for.

     There are many options for searching on USAjobs and you should experiment with all of them. It’s best to really play around with the site so you understand how to best make use of it. You can learn about Job Series by looking here: http://federaljobs.net/occupations.htm. Searching by your preferred series allows for you to create an agent. The agent will email you every time a position in your interest range opens up. It saves you some work, but I still recommend checking on the site everyday for yourself.

     An important note I’d like to say here is to disregard what you hear other people say about applying for federal positions. Just because one person had a bad experience doesn’t mean you will have a bad experience. You just need to be smart about it and read the articles on this site that walk you through the process. I have successfully applied to and landed three federal jobs and have been interviewed for countless others. Obviously, the process does work, but some will try to discourage you from the start saying things like, “you have to know someone to get a job with the government these days” or “unless you’re a veteran, you won’t even get a second glance”. While using your network could indeed be helpful, it is not the ONLY way to get hired. And, veterans do get preference, but once you’re in the system, you also get preference after a year.

     Another thing people will complain about is the KSA’s. These are the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. What they boil down to are short essays describing your experience in a certain area. It’s not a big deal at all, but it would be helpful, if you absolutely hate writing and know that you don’t do it well, to get help from someone who can. People agonize over this, but with a little guidance, it doesn’t have to be that painful.

     As with any job search, it’s always easier to look for a job when you already have a job. If you are unemployed and hoping to jump into federal service, you may want to get something to hold you over for a few months while you apply for as many government jobs as you think you even remotely qualify for. It is estimated to take up to 6 months to get hired. It took an entire year for me to start my second federal job. Don’t be discourgaed, but be aware and plan ahead with your finances. Keep watching for more posts as I walk you through the federal application process step by step.

Related posts:

1. Analyzing a Federal Job Announcement