Federal Job Applications: Identifying Vacancies Targeting Your Resume

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Federal Job ApplicationsIdentifying Vacancies
Targeting Your Resume

• Presented by
• Julie Kasten, TSA Career Coach
• June 12, 2008

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Online Resources

• www.usajobs.opm.gov
• comprehensive listing of positions across
  agencies
• information about the federal employment
  process
• free
• no information about many federal internships
• www.fedjobs.com
• www.federaljobsearch.com
• Department and Agency-specific websites

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Online Resources

• Searching for positions within TSA?

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Find the Right Job for You

• ID Vacancy announcements
• Consider your experience, skills, education
• Which jobs match your background?
• Job titles, Series numbers
• Who may be considered
• Duties, Qualifications and Evaluation
• Open period (application deadline)

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Applicants Responsibilities

• Read the ENTIRE vacancy announcement
• CAREFULLY follow application instructions
• Determine your eligibility for position
• Selective Placement Factors
• Quality Ranking Factors
• MARKET yourself through your application
• Track your application(s)

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Federal Vacancy Announcements

• Highlight the announcement number
• Read the Duties section several times.
• Underline key words and phrases
• plans, develops, monitors and executes
  actions
• interprets guidelines and provides guidance
• provides leadershipfor clerical/admin staff

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Federal Vacancy Announcements

• Follow the directions, even if they seem
  confusing
• Make no assumptions different agencies,
  different systems
• Submit an e-friendly version of your federal
  resume along with any requested materials
• Respond to any specific vacancy questions or KSAs
  

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Your Federal Resume

• Majority of Departments/Agencies want electronic
  federal resumes
• Tailor resume content to each application,
  according to the duties and qualifications listed
• Refer to handouts
• Federal Resume Checklist
• Electronic Resume Example

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Your Federal Resume

• Analyze the Duties and Qualifications sections to
  identify key words/phrases
• As far as reasonably possible, incorporate these
  key words/phrases within your resume
• Customize your resume for electronic scanning
  (i.e. place phone numbers on separate lines)

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Your Federal Resume

• Include ALL required US-OPM components
• Focus content on relevance to the position
• Describe accomplishments rather than listing
  duties
• Quantify where possible

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Questions?

• For additional guidance, visit www.tsacareercoachi
  ng.com or call
  866-619-3697
• If you have specific questions about an
  application, contact the HR representative listed
  for that vacancy announcement.