Does your Military Background Really Count for Anything on your Federal Resume? Let’s See…

If you are seeking a coveted Federal position, you may be wondering if your military background really counts on your resume. The answer is that your military background definitely gives you an advantage in the competitive Federal job arena.

Skills you gained in the military are directly transferable to may of the positions the Federal government is looking to fill. Military experience is valued and some of the jobs are quite similar to work done by members of the military. Certifications gained in the military such as top secret clearance are sought after by Federal agencies and these qualifications may not be recognized as important in the private sector. Military experience can even substitute for a degree in many situations when applying for Federal positions. Further, veterans have been given preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Veterans with an honorable or general discharge may be eligible for 5 or 10 points added to their application score. Federal agencies even have discretionary authority to hire certain veterans without competition.

When you are applying for a Federal position, you need to follow their specifications and indicate your military qualifications. Hiring a professional military to Federal resume writer who is familiar with the Federal job application process will ensure you have a total edge when applying for a desirable Federal position.

Understanding the Various Federal Resume Formats: A Brief Overview of the QUICKHIRE Resume

Every Federal resume has a different format and it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the requirement to apply for the job you want.  Many Federal agencies are currently using the QuickHire format for online job applications.  Knowing the format so you can properly submit your resume is essential to be considered for a desirable Federal position.

A QuickHire resume has a total of 16,000 characters.  This will need to be used carefully to describe your contact information, education, training, employment background, skills, awards, certifications, licenses and other pertinent information.  To find the KSAs, you are usually required to register on the QuickHire website for the agency you are interested in, provide your contact information and enter a preliminary resume, which you can update when you really apply for the position.  When you log into the QuickHire site, you will view the announcement, vacancy questions and KSA questions to be answered.  In most instances, the KSAs are 4,000 characters.

If you want to have a distinct advantage in the well-structured, competitive Federal job market, hire a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal specifications to complete your application.  It can mean the difference between getting the job you really want or settling for a job you don’t.

My Resume Manager to Offer Gift Certificates: Give Your Executive the Perfect Resume This Christmas

Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for your favorite executive? Now that My Resume Manager is offering gift certificates, consider giving one to the exec you love for Christmas.

It is simple to purchase a My Resume Manager gift certificate and can be done right online. You just order the gift certificate value of your choice and then use the built-in email system to send it to the person you want to use it. It is an easy way to get the right gift for that special someone and you can choose from dollar amounts of $20, $50, $100, $150, $200 or a grad resume gift certificate for $109.

Giving a gift certificate for My Resume Manager is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. By helping someone you care about find a perfect job, you are making an investment in their future and showing them how much you believe in their abilities. Imagine their delight when they get the job of their dreams by using the professional resume purchased by you through My Resume Manager.

Instead of giving another tie or silk scarf for Christmas, choose to give the ideal present – a gift certificate to My Resume Manager with hope for a brighter future.

A Reader Asks: Should I Write My Own Federal Resume or Will it Affect My Chances at Qualifying for a Government Position?

Answer:  Writing your own Federal resume is certainly possible but can be a tricky task to take on.  Each posted Federal position has specific requirements and a certain procedure that must be followed to apply for the job.  You are responsible for using certain keywords that appear in the job announcement to get your resume recognized.  Your resume must have a certain number of characters and follow a designated format.  There are knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA statements) that you need to complete to detail  your qualifications for a Federal position.

Also, Federal positions are highly coveted because of the job security and outstanding benefits.  As a result, there are many applicants for one position.  If your resume does not meet all specifications, clearly outline your qualifications for the position and use essential keywords, it is likely to be overlooked.  Hiring a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal specifications is a solid investment in your future.  A professional resume writer knows the proper way to format and submit your resume to potential Federal employers so it will be noticed.  Although you can write your own Federal resume, it may take you a lot longer to get noticed – if at all.  A resume writer can help you to stand head and shoulders about the other applicants in a competitive Federal job market.

Understanding the VET GUIDE on the OPM Website for Federal Government Employment

If you are a veteran of the armed forces who served our country, it is important for you to understand the Vet Guide on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website for the Federal government. As a veteran, you may be entitled to a veterans preferences under the United States Code.

Statutory employment requirement for veterans are found in titles 5 and 38 of the United States Code. Under title 5, service during a “war” is used to decide the entitlement to Veterans’ preference and service credit. OPM interprets this to be a war declared by Congress. However, title 38 defines “period of war” and includes non-declared warms such as the Persian Gulf, Korea and Vietnam. These conflicts may entitle a veteran to benefits under title 38 but not preference or service credit under title 5. Using the correct definitions will help veterans determine their eligibility for certain employment benefits and rights in the Federal government.

If you are veteran seeking a coveted position with the Federal government, consider investing in a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal specifications. A professional can assist you in understanding and navigating the application process and give you a resume that make you stand head and shoulder above the other candidates.

How is Your Personal Brand Image? Public or Private Sector – It Really Does Matter

To advance your career in the public or private sector, having an outstanding personal brand image really does matter.  Much like well-known retail brands such as Pepsi or Coke, people will know about you from your personal brand image.

Without a great image, Pepsi and Coke would just be carbonated, colored water with sugar.  It is the hype and anticipation that keep people coming back for more.  This concept works the same way when it comes to personal branding.

To effectively create a personal brand image, consider your strong points and what makes you more special than anyone else in your field.  Are you are great writer?  Do you always finish jobs ahead of schedule?  Is it always possible for you to bring people together, even in the face of controversy?  Figure out your strong points and make sure you share them with everyone around you.

Offer your talents in a variety of forums to gain notoriety, such as moonlighting, networking, freelancing and teaching.  The more people who become familiar with your unique talents, the more famous you will become in your field.

Whether you work in the public or private sector, having a strong personal brand image is a key element to your overall success.

Performing a SWOT Analysis on your Business Skills & Then Capitalizing on Them

When you perform a SWOT analysis on your business skills, you will be able to capitalize on them to make the most of your unique abilities. Strategic planning is an essential part of determining your current and future business success.

What exactly is a SWOT analysis?

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Generally used for businesses, a SWOT analysis can be quite easily translated to your career life.

Strengths and weaknesses are part of your ‘internal business’ and opportunities and threats are external business factors.

Strengths can include your personal brand, good reputation, your education, business skills and work experience in a particular niche or industry.

Weaknesses may be a poor reputation, weak personal image, substandard or missing skills in a key area where you may want to seek employment.

Opportunities can include recent barriers to trade lifted, taking advantage of new technologies and companies who are expanding that fall within your areas of expertise or core competencies.

Threats of an external nature can be anything from your competition within the job market, to a particular industry that is vulnerable, downsizing or experiencing turbulence.

When you perform a personal SWOT analysis on your business skills, you uncover your good and bad points – your opportunity and your challenges – and overall be in a better position to target your dream job.

By analyzing business strengths you can be ready to pursue future lucrative opportunities. In understanding business weaknesses, you can eliminate potential threats and strengthen the areas that need improvement.

A SWOT analysis can help you to develop a defensive plan that makes the most of your abilities for the greatest possible business success.

How to Determine Your Veteran’s Preference Before Applying for a Federal Job

Have you served in the military and do you have a veterans’ preference?  Here are ways to determine if you have a veterans preference prior to applying for a Federal position.

Basically, the law states that disabled veterans or veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified periods of time or in military campaigns have preference over non-veterans.  The preference exists in both hiring from competitive lists of eligible candidates and in retention during reductions in the Federal work force.  Preference is a uniform way special consideration is given to qualified veterans who are seeking Federal jobs.

Requirements to be a veterans with preference are defined in Section 2108 of Title 5 of the United States Code.  To have preference you must:

-have a general or honorable discharge;
-when applying for Federal positions, eligible veterans must claim preference on their resume or application – for a 10-point preference, form SF-15 must be completed;
-military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant, commander or higher are not eligible for preference unless disabled veterans;
-preferences is not given to Guard and Reserve active duty for the purposes of training.

There are also types of preferences, a 5-point preference and a 10-point preference based on when and how a military member served.  If the process of applying for a Federal position with preference seems confusing to you, consider having a professional Federal resume writer prepare your application.  Using a resume writer who is familiar with federal specifications can mean the difference between getting that coveted Federal job or still wondering how to apply for it.

Use Keywords in the Vacancy Announcement to Enrich a Federal Resume and KSAO

Your federal resume and KSAO outlining your knowledge, skills and abilities by using relevant keywords are the most important documents required to start or advance your career with the federal government.

Federal resumes are much different from those used to apply for positions in private industry. Most federal resumes are longer than private sector resumes because they contain basic compliance information that is required for consideration by government personnel. A federal resume and accompanying KSAO are actually critical marketing tools that summarize your career and make an overall personal presentation of what you have to offer as a prospective federal employee. Organized in a reverse chronological format, a federal resume can encompass anywhere from two to ten pages.

The best way to get your federal resume and KSAO noticed by government personnel is to use the keywords and core competencies listed in the job announcement itself. The strategic development of your federal resume and KSAO to include keywords used in the job announcement will get your resume noticed and put it at the top of the qualification selection.

If the federal resume process presents a challenge, consider hiring a professional resume writer who is familiar with federal specifications to prepare your resume and KSAO. Having a federal resume and KSAO that follows federal guidelines and incorporates essential keywords may mean the difference between attaining a coveted federal position or waiting for a telephone call that never comes.

Supervisors Names and Phone Numbers are Required on a Federal Resume

Federal resumes are quite different than the standard resumes used to apply for jobs in the private sector.  There are numerous applicants for federal positions and having a complete resume is essential to get consideration in the competitive federal job arena.

For example, including the nature of your previous work experience and the places of your former employment is not enough information on a federal job resume.  You must also include the name of each of your supervisors along with a contact telephone number for that supervisor.  Unlike the private sector, federal employers will not even consider searching for this information on your behalf.  After all, there are many other applicants who may have included this information, making it more efficient for a federal employer to use their resumes and dismiss one without contact information.  If you have a supervisor that has a new contact number or a can no longer be reached, make sure to indicate such pertinent facts specifically on your resume.

This is just one of the relevant guidelines that must be considered when you are putting together a resume to apply for a federal position.  In fact, federal resumes can be up to three or four pages long to include all the required information.  If you are overwhelmed by federal requirements, hire a professional resume writer to prepare your federal resume.  A professional resume writer will have experience with federal guidelines and know the proper way to prepare your resume so it gets noticed rather than passed by.