Do you have any tips for applying for Federal employment?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 13:46:07 -0400

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for applying for Federal employment? I live right down the road from several major AMEDD commands. My old unit used to have resume classes, but it was too far to drive. I am in the MSC as well in the NG. Could that help? Just looking for something new.

Response by LTC Tim Ellis made Aug 29 at 2016 2:23 PM

LTC Tim Ellis — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 14:23:44 -0400

Look carefully at the job announcement in USA Jobs, tailor your resume to address the skills they are looking for, translating military speak to civilian language. If there are some DACs or contractors at the AMEDD command, ask them to look at your resume, odds are they have been thru Transition Assistance program when they got out of service and could give some pointers. Also, know that the Federal hiring process can take months, I applied for some jobs in January and was contacted for interviews during the summer. good luck in your search.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2016 2:34 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 14:34:32 -0400

Most federal employment is going to require you to navigate the USAJOBS website. It's a couple of years old, but another RallyPointer put together a Slideshare with some tips: http://www.slideshare.net/ajhoisington/usajobs-32184292 , courtesy of Aaron Hoisington.

USAJOBS

A little power point to help navigate through USAJOBS and get noticed.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 29 at 2016 4:33 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:33:01 -0400

Apply through USAJobs website.
Read job announcements carefully making sure they are open to people in your situation. Also pick out key words in the announcement that occur often or primarily define the job functions. You'll need these later to customize your resume.
Develop a customized resume for each position. Include key words from announcement as often as they will fit in.
Provide resume through USAJobs or follow other directions in the announcement.
Monitor status of you application through USA Jobs
If you are selected for interview, review the announcement, your resume, and information about the organization before the interview.
If interviewing in person: be on time (5 mins early) and wear a coat and tie or female's equivalent
If phone interview: make sure you are ready to answer on time and interview in a quiet environment so there are no distractions for you or for the person on the other end of the phone
Ask the interviewer any questions you may have about the job or organization before you leave interview. Ask what to expect next.

There's lots of other information on RP about landing a government job. Search for the subject and read inputs.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Aug 30 at 2016 4:11 PM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:11:29 -0400

Keep at it! I have been trying for years. Sometimes I get calls or moved to the next phase and sometimes i don't, but the only way to get there is to keep trying!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 30 at 2016 10:51 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 10:51:13 -0400

Just out of curiosity, why are you focusing Federal employment, it has the best benefits and security, but at the price of advancement. Unless you are eligible for SES, it doesn't give you all the options available in the private industry. I worked civil service for six months and that was because that was how long it took me to find a good job in private industry, never looked back.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Mar 18 at 2018 6:09 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 18:09:59 -0400

Know someone. I applied for a job with the VA and it was given to a friend of the one hiring, who had half my qualifications and wasn't a veteran.