Employment workshop provides tips to find federal jobs

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For many of those leaving the military, either at the end of an enlistment or a career, the prospect of finding a job is a new and sometimes confusing reality.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center aims to help navigate that reality with the monthly Tips tor Federal Employment workshop.  The workshop focuses on the federal employment system.

The three-hour workshop introduces participants to the USAJOBS website and the federal hiring process.  The class is for anyone with base access interested in becoming a federal employee. 

J.J. McDaniel of the Airman and Family Readiness Center said the workshop steers prospective employees in the right direction.

"People don't know what they don't know," he said.  "They assume they know how to apply for federal jobs and what their resume should look like.  They are usually mistaken.  We provide the inside information that is not widely advertised to the general public."

The workshop starts with navigating the USAJOBS website, the single platform for entry into civil service.  Attendees are instructed on a variety of topics such as the site's resource center, that includes 'About Federal Jobs,'  'Pay and Benefits,' and 'Tips and Tutorials.'

The second hour covers searching for jobs, the best techniques to find jobs and how to save job searches.

"A job seeker doesn't have to go on USAJOBS every day," McDaniel said.  "They can elect to receive e-mails daily, weekly or whatever frequency they choose."

The third hour is spent constructing a federal job resume, analyzing a vacancy announcement and targeting the most important resume keywords.

"We show applicants how to communicate to human resources professionals, so they can speak their language and be recognized as qualified candidates with the specialized experience they are looking for," said McDaniel.  "They also learn how to communicate with the hiring official, who ultimately determines the best candidate for the job."

McDaniel said the outline format, the preferred format for federal resumes, streamlines the hiring process.  Resumes presented in this format allow HR personnel to find keywords and determine qualifications faster.

Attendees are introduced to the standard core personnel document that contains many valuable keywords, including knowledge, skills and abilities.  The SCPD is the translator for Air Force HR professionals.  McDaniel ties a "golden thread" between the SCPD and the vacancy announcement.  By incorporating this information, the applicant dramatically improves their resume and makes them more competitive in the hiring process.

Veteran's preference and special hiring authorities, such as spouse preference, are also addressed.  Service members are informed about how to get hired while on terminal leave and taught how to translate their military jargon into civilian language.   
         
"Knowing how to communicate to the human resource professional will at least ensure you make the certification list," McDaniel said.  "Then, it's up to the hiring official.  At that point, networking is probably your greatest advantage."

To find out when the class is offered, call 882-9060.