Federal Job Applications: How to Identify Federal Job Openings and Preparing a Targeted Federal Resu

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Federal Job ApplicationsHow to Identify
Federal Job Openings and Preparing a Targeted
Federal Resume

• Presented by
• Nancy Wallace, TSA Career Coach
• July 15, 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
• private database with membership options and
  resources to purchase
• special resources for transitioning military

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Online Resources

• www.federaljobsearch.com
• easy search by state and occupation
• information on number of jobs open in each state
  by career field
• http//federaljobs.net
• includes retirement planning assistance and
  detailed information on Veteran's benefits,
  handicapped employment options, and special
  emphasis hiring programs
• Department and Agency-specific websites

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Online Resources

• Searching 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)
• Adequate time to carefully complete application?

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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/administrative
  staff

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Federal Vacancy Announcements

• Carefully follow all directions completely
• 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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Targeting Your Federal Resume
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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/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,
  spacing, plain text)

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Your Federal Resume

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

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Additional Resources

• TSA Career Coaching Website Handouts
• Career Coaching
• Print materials
• Career websites
• http//www.resumeplace.com/fedres_builder/federal_
  one/ (Free Resume Builder)
• http//www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/
• http//federaljobs.net/applyfor.htm
• DC area university websites

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Questions?

• For additional guidance, contact TSA Career
  Coaching Service
• visit www.tsacareercoaching.com
• call 866-619-3697
• For specific questions about an application,
  contact the HR representative listed for that
  vacancy announcement.