The perfect resume has never been more necessary than it is now in this age of increased competition in the job search marketplace. More than ever you need to have an impressive resume topped with an equally impressive letter of intent or cover letter to catch the eye of the person who is hiring. Since this will be the first contact you have with a potential employer it is critical to make a good first impression. Having a great cover letter will get you the opportunity of a job interview and a real chance at getting the job you have applied for. Having a less than stellar cover letter means your resume will go straight into the reject pile.
Below are some of the top tips on writing the ideal letter of intent for employment.
1. Be sure to use a high quality paper that shows you mean business.
2. Write the letter in a business letter format, showing your professionalism.
3. Be sure to have names, titles, company name and address exactly right. If you make an error on these things, it makes a poor impression.
4. Start with a proper salutation to show respect.
5. In the body of your letter, be sure to include an introduction of yourself, relevant information such as your skills, education and pertinent job experience. Tell why you are a perfect fit for the job you are applying for. Provide your contact information so the individual does not have to rifle through your attached resume looking for it. Mention your availability and the ideal way to reach you.
6. Use a closing and sign your letter.
7. Be sure to proofread the letter for mistakes. Grammatical errors, spelling errors and other obvious flaws in a letter of intent leave a bad impression.
8. Keep the letter short and to the point. Those handling resumes will only take the time to read shorter letters.
You may also want to avoid the following errors when writing a letter of intent for employment.
1. Don’t include personal information.
2. Don’t talk about your weaknesses.
3. Don’t mention salary unless specifically told to do so.
4. Don’t mention why you left other jobs.
5. Don’t mention other companies you have worked for by name in the cover letter unless they are recognizable, significant and impressive.
6. Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Customize your letter of intent for each employer you contact.
7. Don’t include too much information or too many details. Hit the highlights and leave them wanting to learn more.
A well written letter of intent for employment can make or break the process of getting an interview. Your letter and resume are supposed to entice potential employers to want to get to know more about you. Make the right impression with a flawless letter of intent and you will be one of those who make it to the next step, the job interview. Master the art of the letter of intent for employment and your chances of finding the perfect job will sky rocket.
View sample letters of intent.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Resume Distribution: Save Time Job Searching
Job seekers everywhere are trying to find new and innovative ways to improve their job search efforts. In an economy where unemployment is rising, companies are cutting back, fewer businesses than usual are starting up and downsizing is the norm, there are more people searching for work than there has been in quite a while. Families are tightening their belts and spending less, while trying to reduce debt they accumulated when the economy was good. More and more people who depend on commission are finding that their household income has dropped significantly. Many households that had a stay at home parent are now faced with that person needing to return to the workforce in order to make ends meet. For all these reasons and more, competition in the job market is fierce.
Resume distribution is one of those relatively new services that developed along with the rise in Internet use for finding jobs. Today’s job seekers use the Internet almost exclusively in their job search efforts. There are online job boards that are updated in real time with new jobs as they become available. Professional recruiting services all have web sites and do much of their work online. Individual company websites list job openings, as do online classifieds and many other sites. For the job seeker however, visiting all the possibly pertinent sites and posting your resume can be extremely time consuming.
That’s where resume distribution services come into play. In exchange for paying a small but reasonable fee, a resume distribution service will blast your resume to multiple sites at once. They will target hundreds and possibly even thousands of recruiting firms, corporations, hospitals, large businesses and other employers. This helps to save an incredible amount of time in your job search because you reach a huge number of possible employers at once. It is an especially useful option for anyone who is looking for any job that comes along and fast. The downside is that you have no say in where your resume is sent and it may or may not end up helping you get a job.
To overcome the problems associated with widely blasting a resume, targeted resume distribution services began. While basically the same as the regular resume distribution service, the targeted one gives you the option of selecting who will receive your resume. You can narrow down the recipients according to industry, salary level, position types and more. You even have the option of specifying the companies and recruiters you truly want to have your resume. While a much more effective way of finding a job you actually want, this service is more costly than the original resume distribution service.
If you are out of a job or simply looking for a new one, put technology to work for you. Select the type of resume distribution service that fits your needs and get started. In no time your job search will be wide open and you’ll be on the fast track to being amongst the newly employed.
Resume distribution is one of those relatively new services that developed along with the rise in Internet use for finding jobs. Today’s job seekers use the Internet almost exclusively in their job search efforts. There are online job boards that are updated in real time with new jobs as they become available. Professional recruiting services all have web sites and do much of their work online. Individual company websites list job openings, as do online classifieds and many other sites. For the job seeker however, visiting all the possibly pertinent sites and posting your resume can be extremely time consuming.
That’s where resume distribution services come into play. In exchange for paying a small but reasonable fee, a resume distribution service will blast your resume to multiple sites at once. They will target hundreds and possibly even thousands of recruiting firms, corporations, hospitals, large businesses and other employers. This helps to save an incredible amount of time in your job search because you reach a huge number of possible employers at once. It is an especially useful option for anyone who is looking for any job that comes along and fast. The downside is that you have no say in where your resume is sent and it may or may not end up helping you get a job.
To overcome the problems associated with widely blasting a resume, targeted resume distribution services began. While basically the same as the regular resume distribution service, the targeted one gives you the option of selecting who will receive your resume. You can narrow down the recipients according to industry, salary level, position types and more. You even have the option of specifying the companies and recruiters you truly want to have your resume. While a much more effective way of finding a job you actually want, this service is more costly than the original resume distribution service.
If you are out of a job or simply looking for a new one, put technology to work for you. Select the type of resume distribution service that fits your needs and get started. In no time your job search will be wide open and you’ll be on the fast track to being amongst the newly employed.
How to Describe Weaknesses in Job Interviews
Human resources professionals, recruiters and others who interview job applicants seem to have a fondness for that much-dreaded question about how you would describe your own weaknesses. As much as those hiring love to ask the question, almost every job seeker hates to answer it. Describe your weaknesses is a double-edged sword of a question. There is no one right answer to it. However it is definitely one of the most important questions you will face in a job interview.
Before a job interview it is critical to have a response ready for the weakness question. Failing to answer the question or giving a lame off-the-cuff answer will not cut it. Those who are hiring know that the weakness question is no secret and therefore they expect you to have a prepared response.
When describing weaknesses in a job interview, keep the following tips in mind:
- Don’t describe perfectionism as a weakness. Once thought to be the perfect answer, it is overused and is clichéd.
- All humans have weaknesses, including the person interviewing you, therefore choose to describe an actual weakness that you have and give real examples. However, be wary about which weakness you choose to divulge. Do not mention weaknesses that make you look like an absolute terrible choice as an employee. Avoid talking about mental instability or things that would make someone question your values, morals and integrity. The weakness however should be one that is work-relevant.
- Be sure to mention exactly how you are working to overcome your weakness. It shows great character that you are self-aware enough to be conscious of your weaknesses and have a plan for overcoming or compensating for them.
- Describing past weaknesses and showing how you have overcome them is always a great way to treat this question.
Remember to keep in mind the type of job you are applying for and the skills required for it. Mentioning the fact that you are non-confrontational may not be a plus for someone in a customer service type of position, but may be okay for a computer programmer. Being talkative may be a drawback for an accountant or actuary. However, it is definitely a plus for a salesperson. Choosing a weakness that is actually a strength in disguise for the job you are applying on is a very smart tactic.
Some weaknesses that are acceptable to divulge, depending on the job you are applying for and the way you present them include the following:
- Competitive
- Impatient
- Too Demanding
- Lack of Organization
- Not Detail Oriented
- Critical
- Sensitive
When dealing with the weakness question in an interview, above all be honest. It is easy to detect lies, especially for those who frequently interview potential job candidates. Have a great answer ready and answer the question with confidence. After all, we really do all have weaknesses. Being able to admit to it and show your dedication to self-improvement proves that you are great employee material. .
Get more job interview tips at JobGoRound.com, where you can also read reviews of the best resume writers.
Before a job interview it is critical to have a response ready for the weakness question. Failing to answer the question or giving a lame off-the-cuff answer will not cut it. Those who are hiring know that the weakness question is no secret and therefore they expect you to have a prepared response.
When describing weaknesses in a job interview, keep the following tips in mind:
- Don’t describe perfectionism as a weakness. Once thought to be the perfect answer, it is overused and is clichéd.
- All humans have weaknesses, including the person interviewing you, therefore choose to describe an actual weakness that you have and give real examples. However, be wary about which weakness you choose to divulge. Do not mention weaknesses that make you look like an absolute terrible choice as an employee. Avoid talking about mental instability or things that would make someone question your values, morals and integrity. The weakness however should be one that is work-relevant.
- Be sure to mention exactly how you are working to overcome your weakness. It shows great character that you are self-aware enough to be conscious of your weaknesses and have a plan for overcoming or compensating for them.
- Describing past weaknesses and showing how you have overcome them is always a great way to treat this question.
Remember to keep in mind the type of job you are applying for and the skills required for it. Mentioning the fact that you are non-confrontational may not be a plus for someone in a customer service type of position, but may be okay for a computer programmer. Being talkative may be a drawback for an accountant or actuary. However, it is definitely a plus for a salesperson. Choosing a weakness that is actually a strength in disguise for the job you are applying on is a very smart tactic.
Some weaknesses that are acceptable to divulge, depending on the job you are applying for and the way you present them include the following:
- Competitive
- Impatient
- Too Demanding
- Lack of Organization
- Not Detail Oriented
- Critical
- Sensitive
When dealing with the weakness question in an interview, above all be honest. It is easy to detect lies, especially for those who frequently interview potential job candidates. Have a great answer ready and answer the question with confidence. After all, we really do all have weaknesses. Being able to admit to it and show your dedication to self-improvement proves that you are great employee material. .
Get more job interview tips at JobGoRound.com, where you can also read reviews of the best resume writers.
SES Resume Writing
SES resume writing is an art form all of its own. Unlike any other application for a job, the federal government’s Senior Executive Service application practically demands that it be prepared by a seasoned professional in order to even have a chance at the job you are interested in. The top reason qualified candidates are rejected is because they do not show how they are qualified for the position in question in their resume. In fact, many people try to do it on their own and after multiple attempts without an interview for jobs they are qualified for; they turn to professional SES resume writers.
For anyone who wishes to be considered for an SES position, the SES resume and its accompanying documents are critical. In the private sector, a resume is much less important than when you are applying for a federal government Senior Executive Service position. It is literally your one chance at getting an interview. If you cannot prove on paper your skills and abilities and how they translate to you being to use them in the job you are applying on, you will simply not get an interview.
The SES application actually consists of four different parts: the SES resume, Executive Core Qualifications, Cover Letter and the Managerial and Technical Qualification Statements. Each must contain specific information, including resume buzz words and specific examples of Senior Level management skills. The resume and ECQs are multiple page documents, while the other two documents are a page or more each.
The ECQs
The federal government has established 5 Executive Core Qualifications or ECQs that are necessary skills and abilities for anyone looking for a Senior Executive position. They include:
- Leading People
- Leading Change
- Building Coalitions
- Being Results Driven
- Having Business Acumen
Correctly addressing these qualifications is a crucial part of the SES resume. You must show how each qualification is met with competence and demonstrate each with examples from your own experiences. It is imperative that you clearly show how you have demonstrated your skills and abilities in each of these, the essential qualifications for an SES position, with real-life examples. This section of the SES application is often deemed the most important one. If you do not adequately put your experience on paper in this section, your application will be rejected.
It takes a tremendous amount of time for the first time SES applicant to prepare his or her own responses to these questions, as the learning curve is steep. He also runs the risk of doing it incorrectly or inadequately and losing the opportunity of a position that may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Using a SES resume writing service is the answer for the busy executive who is ready to transition into a position of responsibility with the federal government. For a small investment, you can avail of the services of a professional writer who will create an SES resume for you that will give you the best chance possible of advancing to the next step, the interview.
Visit KSADoctor to get more federal government job application assistance. They can assist with SES resume writing, KSA writing, and more.
For anyone who wishes to be considered for an SES position, the SES resume and its accompanying documents are critical. In the private sector, a resume is much less important than when you are applying for a federal government Senior Executive Service position. It is literally your one chance at getting an interview. If you cannot prove on paper your skills and abilities and how they translate to you being to use them in the job you are applying on, you will simply not get an interview.
The SES application actually consists of four different parts: the SES resume, Executive Core Qualifications, Cover Letter and the Managerial and Technical Qualification Statements. Each must contain specific information, including resume buzz words and specific examples of Senior Level management skills. The resume and ECQs are multiple page documents, while the other two documents are a page or more each.
The ECQs
The federal government has established 5 Executive Core Qualifications or ECQs that are necessary skills and abilities for anyone looking for a Senior Executive position. They include:
- Leading People
- Leading Change
- Building Coalitions
- Being Results Driven
- Having Business Acumen
Correctly addressing these qualifications is a crucial part of the SES resume. You must show how each qualification is met with competence and demonstrate each with examples from your own experiences. It is imperative that you clearly show how you have demonstrated your skills and abilities in each of these, the essential qualifications for an SES position, with real-life examples. This section of the SES application is often deemed the most important one. If you do not adequately put your experience on paper in this section, your application will be rejected.
It takes a tremendous amount of time for the first time SES applicant to prepare his or her own responses to these questions, as the learning curve is steep. He also runs the risk of doing it incorrectly or inadequately and losing the opportunity of a position that may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Using a SES resume writing service is the answer for the busy executive who is ready to transition into a position of responsibility with the federal government. For a small investment, you can avail of the services of a professional writer who will create an SES resume for you that will give you the best chance possible of advancing to the next step, the interview.
Visit KSADoctor to get more federal government job application assistance. They can assist with SES resume writing, KSA writing, and more.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Job Hunting Tips
Job hunting is more competitive than it has been in years. The present economy means that there are countless newly-unemployed people looking for the same jobs you are. Therefore it is more important than ever to know everything you can about job hunting skills.
Make sure everyone you know is aware that you are looking for a new job. Most jobs are never advertised and therefore if you are searching only in newspapers and online job sites, you are missing a lot of opportunities. Utilize social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to get it out there that you are looking for work. Just remember to use social networking wisely. Anything and everything that you put on the web is something that a potential employer can see. Therefore, choose wisely before you share too much in cyberspace.
Research companies in your area and check their websites. Jobs may be listed there that are not listed elsewhere. If you are interested in working for a particular firm, call them, send them your resume and follow it up with a phone call. Get the name of a contact person to speak with there.
Create a sensational resume, having spent a great deal of time on it. Have it proofread and critiqued by several people. Remember to tailor it to every job you apply on. It will make a huge difference in getting interviews, as the resume typically makes the very first impression that someone has of you. Grab them with a great “Career Objective” that is perfectly tied to the job you are seeking. Use resume buzz words and terms from their job description throughout the resume and cover letter to help cinch the fact that you are the perfect fit for the job.
Write thank you notes after a job interview. This is a crucial step that many people skip. Doing this one thing can make the difference between choosing you or someone else for the job. Be prompt with the note; send it the same day as the interview. Send thank you notes individually to all those who interviewed you. Reiterate your desire to work at the firm, your suitability for the job, add anything you may have forgotten to mention and above all, thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity.
Prepare well for interviews. Learn everything you can about the company you are being interviewed for. Prior to the interview have intelligent questions formulated that show that you have knowledge of the company, because the interviewer will always ask if you have any questions. Practice the answers to typical interview questions. Write out the answers and rehearse them, so that you feel comfortable answering them during the stress of the interview. Have impeccable grooming and dress your best for the interview. Remember that first impressions are made in the first seconds you meet someone, so put your best foot forward, radiate confidence and offer a firm handshake to create the best impression possible.
Treat the job hunt like you would a job. Start early in the day and keep going until the end of the workday. Dress like you are going to work, or even better. Do not sink into the trap of depression because you are job hunting. Strive to do your best at job hunting, because that is your job if you are out of work.
By working hard and putting the required effort into your job hunt, you can be confident in the fact that you are doing all you possibly can to find a job. Be patient and use your imagination as you seek opportunities. Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect job just for you.
Read customer reviews of professional resume writing services, learn the best cover letter tips, and submit your resume for a free resume analysis at JobGoRound.com.
Make sure everyone you know is aware that you are looking for a new job. Most jobs are never advertised and therefore if you are searching only in newspapers and online job sites, you are missing a lot of opportunities. Utilize social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to get it out there that you are looking for work. Just remember to use social networking wisely. Anything and everything that you put on the web is something that a potential employer can see. Therefore, choose wisely before you share too much in cyberspace.
Research companies in your area and check their websites. Jobs may be listed there that are not listed elsewhere. If you are interested in working for a particular firm, call them, send them your resume and follow it up with a phone call. Get the name of a contact person to speak with there.
Create a sensational resume, having spent a great deal of time on it. Have it proofread and critiqued by several people. Remember to tailor it to every job you apply on. It will make a huge difference in getting interviews, as the resume typically makes the very first impression that someone has of you. Grab them with a great “Career Objective” that is perfectly tied to the job you are seeking. Use resume buzz words and terms from their job description throughout the resume and cover letter to help cinch the fact that you are the perfect fit for the job.
Write thank you notes after a job interview. This is a crucial step that many people skip. Doing this one thing can make the difference between choosing you or someone else for the job. Be prompt with the note; send it the same day as the interview. Send thank you notes individually to all those who interviewed you. Reiterate your desire to work at the firm, your suitability for the job, add anything you may have forgotten to mention and above all, thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity.
Prepare well for interviews. Learn everything you can about the company you are being interviewed for. Prior to the interview have intelligent questions formulated that show that you have knowledge of the company, because the interviewer will always ask if you have any questions. Practice the answers to typical interview questions. Write out the answers and rehearse them, so that you feel comfortable answering them during the stress of the interview. Have impeccable grooming and dress your best for the interview. Remember that first impressions are made in the first seconds you meet someone, so put your best foot forward, radiate confidence and offer a firm handshake to create the best impression possible.
Treat the job hunt like you would a job. Start early in the day and keep going until the end of the workday. Dress like you are going to work, or even better. Do not sink into the trap of depression because you are job hunting. Strive to do your best at job hunting, because that is your job if you are out of work.
By working hard and putting the required effort into your job hunt, you can be confident in the fact that you are doing all you possibly can to find a job. Be patient and use your imagination as you seek opportunities. Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect job just for you.
Read customer reviews of professional resume writing services, learn the best cover letter tips, and submit your resume for a free resume analysis at JobGoRound.com.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Did you know that it takes less than 30 seconds for an employer to look at your resume? Thirty seconds determines if your resume makes it to the second round, which could be an interview, or is filed in the round filing cabinet. So what can you do to give yourself the competitive edge? Your resume has to capture the employer’s attention. In today’s economic environment, the competition for jobs is fierce.
There are so many people vying for work that your resume really does have to stand out to get noticed. The resume is an expression of yourself, so you have to stand out, you have to get noticed. Here are what I consider to be the three top resume writing mistakes that people make.
Resume Mistake 1: Listing Your Job Duties Instead of Your Accomplishments
Avoid statements such as “Job Duties” or “Job Responsibilities”. Employers want to know about your specific accomplishments and contributions to your previous employer. Did you save money, improve a process, solve a problem? By listing your accomplishments you are letting the employer know you can accomplish the work. This will certainly set you apart from the competition. When listing your accomplishments use bullet statements and action words instead of a narrative paragraph. Remember you have 30 seconds to get your point across, so make it easy to read.
For example, instead of:
• I wrote down my duties in a job manual
• I reorganized the publications and forms department
Use this instead:
• Constructed a procedure manual giving step by step instructions on how to bill a client
• Completely restructured a failing publications and forms department into a model department
Resume Mistake 2: Not Using Key Words
Do you know that 80% of resumes are scrubbed through a database looking for key words? Those resumes where key words are identified get noticed by employers. Use key words in your qualifications and accomplishments. Think of them as encoding your resume with powerful words. Another tip is to read the job posting closely; key words employers are looking for are usually in the posting. There are many websites that list key words. One of my favorites is ResumeBuzzWords.net.
Resume Mistake 3: Sending the Resume as an Attachment without Knowing how it will look
Have you ever opened an attachment and found it completely messed up? Somehow in the transmission the layout became distorted, the bullets were out of alignment, or the top of page 2 ended up on the bottom of page 1. The same thing can happen to your resume if you don’t do a test run. Email your resume to a few friends as an attachment and confirm how it looks on their computers. If it looks good, send it off to the employer. If there are problem you want to know about it now. You may have to save your resume in a text format with a .txt file extension.
Tip: Be sure to read resume service reviews before choosing a resume writing service.
There are so many people vying for work that your resume really does have to stand out to get noticed. The resume is an expression of yourself, so you have to stand out, you have to get noticed. Here are what I consider to be the three top resume writing mistakes that people make.
Resume Mistake 1: Listing Your Job Duties Instead of Your Accomplishments
Avoid statements such as “Job Duties” or “Job Responsibilities”. Employers want to know about your specific accomplishments and contributions to your previous employer. Did you save money, improve a process, solve a problem? By listing your accomplishments you are letting the employer know you can accomplish the work. This will certainly set you apart from the competition. When listing your accomplishments use bullet statements and action words instead of a narrative paragraph. Remember you have 30 seconds to get your point across, so make it easy to read.
For example, instead of:
• I wrote down my duties in a job manual
• I reorganized the publications and forms department
Use this instead:
• Constructed a procedure manual giving step by step instructions on how to bill a client
• Completely restructured a failing publications and forms department into a model department
Resume Mistake 2: Not Using Key Words
Do you know that 80% of resumes are scrubbed through a database looking for key words? Those resumes where key words are identified get noticed by employers. Use key words in your qualifications and accomplishments. Think of them as encoding your resume with powerful words. Another tip is to read the job posting closely; key words employers are looking for are usually in the posting. There are many websites that list key words. One of my favorites is ResumeBuzzWords.net.
Resume Mistake 3: Sending the Resume as an Attachment without Knowing how it will look
Have you ever opened an attachment and found it completely messed up? Somehow in the transmission the layout became distorted, the bullets were out of alignment, or the top of page 2 ended up on the bottom of page 1. The same thing can happen to your resume if you don’t do a test run. Email your resume to a few friends as an attachment and confirm how it looks on their computers. If it looks good, send it off to the employer. If there are problem you want to know about it now. You may have to save your resume in a text format with a .txt file extension.
Tip: Be sure to read resume service reviews before choosing a resume writing service.
How to Apply for Government Jobs
There are literally, millions and millions of Government jobs out there and there is actually a specific process you need to complete in order to apply for such a job. The benefits, health, dental, paid vacation and holidays are outstanding and they are all provided through taxpayer’s money.
There are resources available online that makes looking for a government job easier than hoofing around town looking door to door. Here are the steps you need to know:
1) Current Openings: You will need to look at the current openings in your area first and any job search site can help you with that. USAJobs.gov is the best place to search for a government job. From this you can decide which jobs are of interest to you.
2) Application: You can fill out an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612). This is a downloadable file in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Once you fill it out you can print it. Optionally, you can write a federal resume. These resumes must contain additional information than private sector resumes and are formatted a bit differently. Get more information at KSADoctor.com.
3) Information: You will need to provide certain information as well:
a. Full name
b. Mailing address
c. Phone numbers, day, night, mobile
d. Social Security Number
e. Country Of Citizenship
f. Highest Federal Civilian Grade, if any
g. Education – school name, address, degrees, majors
h. Work Experience – fully detailed information
i. Other qualifications – job related training, skills, certificates, leadership, honors, awards, etc. etc.
4) Civil Service Exam: There is a number of civil service exams possible and each department has their own tests and how they administer them. There are written tests, essay tests, in-basket tests, assessment centers, performance tests, physical abilities tests, psychological tests and of course an interview. Not all of these tests are needed for each posting; this was just a list of what types of tests there are for various government positions. There are online resources for information on the individual tests.
a. These tests are scheduled to happen at certain times and you will be assigned a date and time to appear for your testing.
b. In order to be considered and possibly hired for a position, you must pass any and all tests given to you. If you are not hired during the valid date for the test results, you will need to re-take the tests at another time.
5) Interview(s): That’s right, there will probably be more than one interview and just like the Civil Service Tests, you must do well on all subsequent interviews to receive a job offer.
Just because you do well on everything, does not mean you will get the job for which you apply. As with any other employment offer, there are other people vying for the same job as you. Being that this is a government posting, the number or people applying is probably even greater than in the private sector. Be sure to really study up on the specifics of what will be expected of you throughout the screening process.
Lastly, depending on the position, some agencies may want you to undergo a physical examination, drug screening or a probation period before hiring and these periods can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. That’s it, now you know how to apply for government jobs.
Get more help with federal resume writing, KSA writing, and more.
There are resources available online that makes looking for a government job easier than hoofing around town looking door to door. Here are the steps you need to know:
1) Current Openings: You will need to look at the current openings in your area first and any job search site can help you with that. USAJobs.gov is the best place to search for a government job. From this you can decide which jobs are of interest to you.
2) Application: You can fill out an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF612). This is a downloadable file in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Once you fill it out you can print it. Optionally, you can write a federal resume. These resumes must contain additional information than private sector resumes and are formatted a bit differently. Get more information at KSADoctor.com.
3) Information: You will need to provide certain information as well:
a. Full name
b. Mailing address
c. Phone numbers, day, night, mobile
d. Social Security Number
e. Country Of Citizenship
f. Highest Federal Civilian Grade, if any
g. Education – school name, address, degrees, majors
h. Work Experience – fully detailed information
i. Other qualifications – job related training, skills, certificates, leadership, honors, awards, etc. etc.
4) Civil Service Exam: There is a number of civil service exams possible and each department has their own tests and how they administer them. There are written tests, essay tests, in-basket tests, assessment centers, performance tests, physical abilities tests, psychological tests and of course an interview. Not all of these tests are needed for each posting; this was just a list of what types of tests there are for various government positions. There are online resources for information on the individual tests.
a. These tests are scheduled to happen at certain times and you will be assigned a date and time to appear for your testing.
b. In order to be considered and possibly hired for a position, you must pass any and all tests given to you. If you are not hired during the valid date for the test results, you will need to re-take the tests at another time.
5) Interview(s): That’s right, there will probably be more than one interview and just like the Civil Service Tests, you must do well on all subsequent interviews to receive a job offer.
Just because you do well on everything, does not mean you will get the job for which you apply. As with any other employment offer, there are other people vying for the same job as you. Being that this is a government posting, the number or people applying is probably even greater than in the private sector. Be sure to really study up on the specifics of what will be expected of you throughout the screening process.
Lastly, depending on the position, some agencies may want you to undergo a physical examination, drug screening or a probation period before hiring and these periods can last anywhere from 6 months to a year. That’s it, now you know how to apply for government jobs.
Get more help with federal resume writing, KSA writing, and more.
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