Table of Contents
Introduction & Sneak Preview of the Outline Format Federal Resume 5
Introduction Activity: How Many Hats Do You Wear at Work? 5
Cedrick Smith: US Navy Administrative Officer; Targeting DEA GS-7 (Resume Case Study #1) 6
Federal Employee Compensation Package: It's More than Just Salary 12
Step 1 Learn about Federal Jobs 13
Activity: Your Federal job Search Goals 13
Direct Hire Process (Faster Hire Process) 14
Competitive Hiring Process 15
Federal Job Titles and Series 16
Grade and Salary 17
Military Rank to Federal Civilian Grades 18
Federal Agencies 19
Types of Federal jobs 20
Veterans' Preference 21
Family Member Preference (Derived Preference) 22
When to Apply for Transitioning and Retiring Military 24
Step 2 Network & Use Non-Competitive Hiring 25
Ways to Get Hired Non-Competitively 26
Non-Competitive Hiring Programs 27
How to Network for Direct Hire Positions 27
Special Hiring Paths 28
Networking for Special Hiring Paths 31
Networking Contacts 32
Maxine Gomez: Derived Preference, Military Spouse; Targeting VA GS-5 (Resume Case Study #2) 33
Activity: Job Fair Script 41
LinkedIn Networking 42
Step 3 Search USAJOBS 43
Top USAJOBS Search Tip for Veterans 43
How to Search USAJOBS 44
Critical Vacancy Announcement Features 48
Sample USAJOBS Vacancy Announcement: Criminal Investigator, US Secret Service 49
Sample Vacancy Announcement Questionnaire, US Secret Service 56
Step 4 Find Keywords 57
Activity: Find 5 to 7 Keywords from the Training Administrator Position 57
4 Places to Find Keywords in Vacancy Announcements 58
Match Your Resume to the Keywords for Contact Representative 62
Step 5 Explore Your Core Competencies 63
Core Competency Examples 63
Senior Executive Service Core Competencies 68
Step 6 Write Your Federal Resume 69
A Federal Resume Is NOT a… 69
A Competitive Federal Resume Is… 70
Outline Format Federal Resume (Sample: Ammunition Test Engineer/Native Veteran Advocate) 71
What to Include in Your Federal Resume 72
Resume Case Studies 73
Julia Kelly: Ammunition Test Coordinator; Targeting VA Program Analyst GS-14 (Study #3) 73
Justus Martin: Dental Technician E-5; Targeting Park Service Info Specialist GS 7 (Study #4) 83
Joseph Robertson: Avionics Technician E-6; Targeting FAA Safety Inspector FG-9 (Resume #5) 90
Jonathan Craft: Medical Lab Technician E-4; Targeting VA Health Technician GS-5 (Study #6) 93
Gloria Hayes: US Army Military Spouse; Targeting Paralegal Specialist GS-7 (Study #7) 100
Step 7 Write Your Accomplishments 107
Top 19 List of Accomplishments (Cedrick Smith: Administrative Officer, Targeting DEA GS-7) 108
Two CCAR Accomplishment Format KSAs 110
Accomplishments: Before and After Samples 111
Cover Letters (and Sample) 114
Cover Letter Samples for Non-Competitive Positions (Schedule A or 30% or More Disabled) 115
Step 8 Apply for the Job! 117
Part One: Set Up Your US AJOBS Account 118
Required Documents Chart 121
Part Two: Apply for a Federal Job 122
Step 9 Track Your Application & Follow Up 127
Application Results: Check Your Emails 128
A Turnaround Story: From Ineligible to Selected by Writing to HR 133
Step 10 Interview & Negotiate 135
The Behavior-Based Interview Is a Test 136
Negotiating Your Job Offer 139
Sample Superior Qualifications Letters 141
Certified Federal Job Search Trainer / Certified Federal Career Coach Program 143
About the Author, Kathryn Troutman 144
