Federal Application Workshop for Veterans

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Federal Application Workshopfor Veterans
How to Apply for Federal
Employment
Presented by Don FromanJorge McCall
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Section 1 - INTRODUCTION

• 1). Federal Facts
• 2). Where are these Jobs?
• 3). Why Apply for Federal Jobs?
• 4). Mobility
• 5). Veterans Preference
• 6) Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

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FEDERAL FACTS

• Federal Government is the largest employer in
  the U.S.
• 7,500 to 20,000 jobs open at one time.
• In the next 5 -7 years, 60 of the Federal
  workforce will retire.
• In most agencies, age is not an issue.
• Veterans receive special consideration.

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Where ARE These Jobs?
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Federal Agencies located in the Coachella Valley

• Dept. of Agriculture
• Dept. of Commerce
• FBI
• IRS
• Dept. of the Interior
• Dept. of Labor
• Small Business Admin.

• Social Security Admin.
• Dept. of Transportation
• Dept. of Homeland Security
• US Postal Service
• Veterans Administration

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Why Apply for Federal Employment?
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Benefits

• Healthcare
• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Pay Increases

• Retirement
• Buy Military Time
• Savings Plan
• Rate of Pay

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Healthcare

• Choose from a multitude of plans to fit your needs

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Sick Leave

• 4 hours per pay period, 2.5 weeks per year

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Vacation / Annual Leave

• With 3 years of service, you earn 6 hours per pay
  period. This is 4 hours shy of 4 weeks per
  year!!!!!

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Paid Holidays

• 10 Paid Holidays per year, which is 2 more weeks
  off per year!
• Do the math, you only work 10 ½ months per year.

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Scheduled Pay Increases

• Annual increases
• Based on your anniversary date (date of hire)

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Retirement

• You can purchase your military time to add to
  your retirement.
• Retirement is based on your 3 highest grades.

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Thrift Savings Plan

• Allows you to invest up to 15 of your salary
  which is taken off the top of your paycheck.
• This reduces your taxable income.
• Catch-up contributions available to TSP
  participants age 50 or older.

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Rate of Pay

• Generally speaking, rate of pay is higher than
  the local economy.
• Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA), additional money
  that is based on the local economy.
• Example Palm Springs COLA is 21.5

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MOBILITY

• Location preference
• Making grade and pay

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VETERANS PREFERANCE

• Veterans have preference over the general public.
• 5-point preference
• 10-point preference
• less than 30 Service-Connected Disabled (SCD)
• 30 SCD or more

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SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES

• Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
• 30 SCD or more
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of
  1998

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Veterans Recruitment Appointments (VRA)

• Eligibility Criteria
• discharged under other than dishonorable
  conditions
• recognized periods or campaigns
• Time Limit
• NONE
• Grade limit
• Up to GS-11

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30 or More Disabled

• Eligibility
• self-explanatory
• Time Limit
• NONE
• NO Grade limit

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Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998

• Allows eligible veterans to apply for positions
  announced under merit promotion (which closes it
  to the general public) when the agency is
  recruiting from outside its own workforce.
  (Agency means the parent agency, i.e. Treasury,
  not the IRS)

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Introduction (End)

• Questions, Concerns ?

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SECTION 2 - STARTING YOUR FEDERAL JOB SEARCH

• 1). 10 Steps for Tackling Applications
• 2). Federal Vacancy Announcements
• 3). Searching through USAJobs
• 4). Searching an Agencys Official Website for
• Vacancy Announcements

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10 Tips for Federal Applications

• 1. Identify and apply for appropriate Federal
  positions
• 2. Read and follow all directions
• 3. Choose application format
• 4. Keep it simple, but detailed
• 5. Be honest

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10 Tips for Federal Applications (cont.)

• 6). Type your application
• 7). Avoid using shortcuts in the application
• 8). Keep it easy to read
• 9). Review your application before sending
• 10). Modify application for each position you
  
  apply for

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1). Identify and apply for Federal positions

• Identify jobs youre interested in and qualified
  for
• Every job has a full vacancy announcement
• USA Jobs is the official Federal website
• All announcements have contact information if you
  are unsure or have questions

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2). Read and Follow All Directions

• Qualifications, Requirements
• Address all requested information
• Include all supplemental forms and documents
• Include all other qualifications
• Questions? Call the POC for the announcement

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3). Choose an Application Format

• Most agencies offer you choice of applications in
  the form of a resume, Optional Application for
  Federal Employment (OF-612), or online
  application
• It is YOUR responsibility to include all
  requested information
• Supplement the resume with additional info as
  outlined in job announcement

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3). Choose an Application Format (cont.)

• Keep in mind, your application paves the road for
  your KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)
• For accurate dates, request employment history
  from Social Security
• Requirements differ between agencies read
  follow instructions in each Job announcement

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4). Keep it simple, but detailed

• Application should be thorough, detailed, and
  clearly depict experience, education, and
  qualifications.
• Use percentages to account for experience
• Use past-tense action verbs accomplishments
  stand out. Do NOT just state duties
• Use key words from vacancy announcements
• Do NOT use civilian industry jargon, acronyms, or
  company specific terminology govt. jargon OK

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5). Answer Truthfully

• Do NOT over-inflate your experience, knowledge,
  education, or qualifications
• You will certify the accuracy of information
  provided
• False or fraudulent info may be grounds for not
  hiring or firing after hired, and
• May be punishable by fine or imprisonment

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6). Type Your Application

• Your application is your first impression
• It should NOT be handwritten
• All forms can be downloaded and typed out on
  www.opm.gov
• Use Quick n Easy Application software next
  section will cover Quick n Easy

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7). Avoid Using Shortcuts on Application

• Do NOT attach position descriptions to document
  your experience.
• Do NOT assume HR knows your job because they
  dont.
• Put your experience in your own words,
  highlighting what you did not what was expected.
  Use s.
• Need extra space? Attach response on plain paper.

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8). Keep It Easy To Read

• Two individuals will review your app. determine
  if you meet the qualifications
• Do NOT submit messy, wordy, or too much
  information on your application
• Be Clear, Concise, and to the Point
• Leave white space.
• Highlight key points using bold or underlining,
  (NOT in Resumix Army Navy)

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9). Review Before Sending

• Review, review, review
• Proofread for typos, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Ensure all requested forms are attached
  DD-214, college transcripts, SF-15 for veterans
  preference, etc.
• Failure to submit all requested documents will
  mean disqualification

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10). Modify Applications

• Using the same application over and over will
  hurt you
• Modify application for each position you apply
  for highlighting outlined requirements
• KSAs or qualifications must be linked back to
  employment education
• Quick n Easy Application software will help
  tremendously

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USAJobs Federal Vacancy Announcements
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Federal Vacancy Announcements

• Name of agency and office
• Title of job and grade level
• Opening and closing dates
• Location of the job
• Who can apply
• Qualifications required for the job
• How to Apply
• Point of Contact

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Section 2 - END

• Questions, Concerns ?

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Section 3 - Federal Applications,
Resumes, Other Forms

• 1). Federal Resume vs. Private Industry Resume
• 2). 4 Common Application Methods
• 3). OPM website
• 4). Create your Own Federal-style Resume
• 5). Quick Easy software
• 6). Application Resume
• 7). SF - 15, Award Letters

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Differences between the Federal Resume and
Private Industry Resumes
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Private Industry Resumes

• Goal is to get an interview
• 1 page, never more than 2 pages
• Hit the highlights, forget the detail
• Hiring decision comes after interview
• No compliance details, i.e.. SSN, Supervisors
  
• name, Supervisors phone, Veterans
  Preference
• Does not require KSAs

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Federal Resume

• Hiring decision based almost completely on resume
  (interviews are optional most times)
• No limit (3-4 pages at least)
• Use government jargon
• Must include compliance details, i.e.. SSN,
  Supervisors name, Supervisors phone, Veterans
  Preference
• Lays the foundation for your KSAs

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3 Common Application Methods

• 1). Optional Form 612 (OF 612)
• 2). USAJobs Resume Builder
• 3). Agencys Resume Builder

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1). Optional Form 612 (OF 612)

• Most commonly used application method
• Recommended for new employees
• Is a great method because it contains all
  requirements for most agencies
• Can be downloaded off of www.opm.gov
• Save form on computer

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2). USAJobs Resume Builder

• A preset format offered by USAJobs
• Very easy to use
• Must create a username and password
• Must include a catchy Profile Statement

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3). Agencys Resume Builder

• Some agencies offer their own Resume Builder
  DON and DOA
• Artificial Intelligence that reads your skills
  from your resume
• Formatted or create your own resume

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Create Your Own Federal-style Resume

• Alternative to the 3 Common Application Methods.
• Follow the guidelines on the OF 510, page 32.
• Follow all procedures from Vacancy Announcement
  it may require additional info not included on
  the OF 510, i.e. transcripts.

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Basic Fundamentals

• Regardless of which Application Method you use
  remember
• Must be typed
• Proofread for errors
• Read instruction, submit ALL required information
• Do NOT staple

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QUICK N EASY

• The Quick Easy software will help you
  through the federal application maze with these
  templates
• OF-612
• Resumix Resume
• Federal Style Resume
• SF-15
• SF-181
• OF-306
• OPM 1170/17
• and much more...

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QUICK N EASY

• Other features include
• Built in word processor
• Spell-checker and Thesaurus
• Built-in email and fax capabilities
• Automatic conversions from one template to
  another with the click of a button

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Standard Form 15 (SF 15)

• This is the Application for 10-points Veterans
  Preference
• Verifies that you have a Service-Connected
  Disability (SCD)
• Ensure you submit official VA Award Letter dated
  1991 or later

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VA Award Letters

• If you have an SCD, ensure it is dated 1991 or
  later from the Department of Veteran Affairs, or
  from a branch of the Armed Forces.
• If outdated, call VA at 1-800-827-1000. They can
  expedite the award letter.

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Adjudicating your Application

• Step 1 HR checks your application for
  completeness (many people dont make it past
  this point)
• Step 2 HR or computer screens your application.
  Hiring Official sorts into either Best
  Qualified, Qualified, or Not Qualified
• Step 3 KSA Rating and Ranking, Veterans
  preference comes in at this point

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Section 3 - End

• Questions, Concerns ?

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Section 4 - KSAs, Background,

• 1). Writing Effective KSAs
• 2). Background / Credit Check

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KSAs 1

• KSAs are AS important as the application itself!
• You should always check the KSAs first before
  applying for the position. If you cannot
  demonstrate having performed the KSAs in the
  past, you will not qualify.

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KSAs 2

• The experience/job you cite in KSA MUST be listed
  on the application as well, regardless of how
  long ago or whether it was volunteer experience
• Read the job announcement carefully! You must
  understand the needs of the job in order to weave
  your own experience into the KSA.

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KSA 3

• Position - Identify the position you held, where,
  and with who
• Task - (KSA such as being able to write
  effectively) Identify what your particular
  responsibility was, i.e. detailed monthly
  reports, evaluations, etc.
• Action - What you did, how often. Be specific!
• Results - Did anything noteworthy come of it ?

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KSA4

• At the end of each KSA, enter the percentage of
  time (5) that you performed that particular task
• As a separate bullet or paragraph, enter
  pertinent training, awards, recognition, etc.
• Do not be afraid to toot your own horn. This is
  your chanceno one else will do it for you.

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KSA 5

• REMEMBER..keep copies of your KSAs. After you
  spend so much time creating them, you dont want
  to have to recreate them for another position
• These KSAs are used over and over again in
  federal job announcements.

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You Got The Job! Now they want a BACKGROUND CHECK

• In every federal position, a background
  investigation is conducted.
• Criminal record.depending on the conviction, how
  long ago, and surrounding circumstances. It does
  not automatically rule you out, BUT it will be
  scrutinized!
• If the position is sensitive, the background
  check may be up to 14 pages long.

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Background Check

• Your credit will also be looked at. The
  government wants to know that they are hiring
  someone who takes responsibility for the debts
  they incur.
• Bankruptcy will not rule you out, BUT a current
  bad rating may.

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Background Check 2

• The background is intense and may take up to two
  or more years to complete!
• When you fill out the background survey, you MUST
  be able to verify all information with an
  individual, their address, and phone number
• You CANNOT repeat an individuals name on the
  survey. THIS is very, very hard.

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Background Check 3

• Under any circumstance DO NOT LIE!
• If your background reveals that you lied, you may
  be terminated and will be escorted off the
  federal premises immediately.

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Section 4 - End

• Questions, Concerns ?

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Federal Application WorkshopConclusion

• It is pretty clear to see that the Federal
  Application process can be an overwhelming
  affair!
• The REWARD for your great effort, is a promising
  career with
• Higher average pay
• greater benefits
• and better job security.