What is one's best advice for a veteran wishing to gain employment with the DoD?

SGT Chaz Wellington — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 12:58:48 -0400

I am transitioning to cybersecurity and wish to work for the DoD.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 30 at 2016 1:31 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:31:23 -0400

To my knowledge, possess any of the one CompTIA certifications.
- A+
- Network +
- Security +

I believe those certifications are mandatory when working within a government network.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 30 at 2016 2:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:35:04 -0400

NETWORK

Response by TSgt Torrence Harris made Mar 30 at 2016 3:04 PM

TSgt Torrence Harris — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 15:04:59 -0400

Be specific with It certs of your career. If you still have time complete Defense Acquisition University certs as well. Research the companies. Don't expect a call as soon as you hit "Send" Be professional and brief when leaving messages. Have a professional voice message on your phone for missed calls. Be sure to mention your clearance level. Read the job description. If you don't have it--you don't have it! some items are negotiable/some are not. That's why they're REQUIREMENTS. email more questions to us at [login to see] .

Response by SSG Derek Scheller made Mar 30 at 2016 4:26 PM

SSG Derek Scheller — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:26:09 -0400

For Cybersecurity GIAC certs are key. A Comptia Sec+ isn't bad and can get you in most doors but the GSEC will help more as well as a CEH or CISSP look up 8570.01m and the IASE website for the baseline certs to start your career.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 30 at 2016 6:57 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:57:58 -0400

There's a long list of "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to seeking a Fed job through USAJOBS. Don't let anyone tell you the drill doesn't need to be done because the HR system won't care what kind of pucker factor an organization has. So look at the GS series applicable to your skill set and read the classification standards on the OPM site. Then cruise through USAJOBS and look at the types of positions out there and read carefully what the job descriptions are and what Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) they're focusing on. Then take a look at any pedigree requirements like credentials, degrees, etc. Finally look at the area of consideration to make sure you fall into it. If you don't, that's an early don't pass Go or collect $200 reject. Your resume must be RESPONSIVE to the announcement.

Notice I left resume to the end? The reason is you do the above first is so you have a clue as to how to orient your resume to be responsive to a position you're attaching it to. Resume writing on USAJOBS is another whole set of issues but keep in mind that the HR person won't see your resume unless the RESUMIX system creates enough hits to spit yours and others out for them to create a "Cert" to send to the hiring manager. So if the announcement says you work on X, your resume needs to say you do A, B, and C that are components of X, or creates X. or what makes up X. RESUMIX is certainly looking for X so that's a hit. A, B, and C are for human consumption later on. Also RESUMIX won't hit on "I maintained AN-SPA-Whatever-Stroke Whatever-Mod Whatever" unless the position clearly calls for it. So know the technobabble should be a small part that's summarized vs. writing a tome.

BTW you can save several resumes to your account and then attach the best one for any given position or tailor one later while keeping the others untouched.

What happens after your resume winds up on a Cert will depend more on whether or not there is a panel or just the hiring manager and whether or not interviews are conducted. The world spins different on each configuration. Another long topic.

Also make sure you're not lying on your resume. Your clearance expires the day you get out so the resume better say "held" vs. "hold" if you're out. Don't worry. If you're hired, the security office will get you back on track.

Enough for now but suggest you get mentoring on navigating the USAJOBS maze....

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 31 at 2016 6:55 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 06:55:43 -0400

There is no shortcut. You need to download the USA Jobs resume and shape your your information, loading it into the system after making an account. You then go through the search and save process within the site and save search for areas of interest that you are qualified for. You should also reach out to someone you know who has been successful and have them review your resume. Your resume must be reshaped (appropriately) based on the focus of the duties. Do not restrict yourself o DOD, there are many great Federal organizations that you may qualify for, DHS is a great example. Good luck in your endeavor.

Response by PO3 Rick Kundiger made Apr 1 at 2016 2:04 AM

PO3 Rick Kundiger — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 02:04:06 -0400

I see you have Sec+. As a former DoD hiring official I can say that getting a job depends significantly on your experience in Cybersecurity. A Sec+ is a start, but it is an entry level cert and is actually required for almost anyone working in IT, so it alone doesn't do much. Experience is a big factor in security, so if you don't have much you're going to need to get some.

You should apply for any IT job to get started building experience. It most likely won't be a cybersecurity job per say. However, all IT jobs are cybersecurity to a degree. After you get that job find the information assurance people in your organization and begin learning from them and volunteering to help with things. That is the fastest way to learn and also to be noticed as a "forward leaning" person who they may want to hire for a security position when one becomes available.

Oh, and the biggest thing to do when applying for DoD jobs is be willing to go anywhere. If you want a specific job in a specific location at a specific grade you may need to wait until people retire, and then wait some more. If you are willing to go anywhere in the world, then you have a lot more options. Especially if you are willing to take a job in a place no one wants to go.