Are you looking for an entry-level or first-time federal government job? On any given day, tens of thousands of federal positions are posted on USAJOBS. Yet, getting an entry-level federal job isn’t easy. There are information requirements to meet (did you know, for example, that it is important to put the number of hours worked per week in your federal resume?), there are job announcements to analyze, and assessments to complete. Under recent guidance, federal resumes are now limited to 2 pages.
Let Solutions for the Workplace, LLC help. We will first evaluate your current resume to answer these questions:
- Are you qualified for an entry-level government job?
- Does your federal resume include all required information?
- Do you use keywords from your target announcement?
- Have you included accomplishments to demonstrate that you can achieve results?
- How can we improve your federal resume?
We will also help you analyze federal government job vacancy announcements to determine whether you meet qualifications and help you understand the assessments that accompany almost every entry-level federal government job posting. Moreover, we tell you how to apply, maximize your eligibilities, and use USAJOBS effectively. It’s not enough to “know” someone; your application must pass through and be approved by federal HR Specialists; only the most qualified applicants are referred to the hiring manager.
I wanted to let you know the interview went GREAT, and they have offered me a position. I have accepted and am going through the background check; once that clears, I’ll get the official offer. Again, thank you so much for your service– I have no doubt the resume you created for me–highlighting my specific communication, research and leadership skills–got me through the multiple screening processes and to an interview.
Again, many, many thanks. I could not have done this without you! KW
Successful applicants can expect to be interviewed, and most entry-level federal government job interviews involve a structured interview process. As a Certified Employment Interview Consultant (CEIC), Nancy Segal can personally coach you to communicate your achievements clearly, concisely, and in OPM’s preferred CCAR framework. Interview coaching is on an hourly basis and is typically contracted for following the delivery of your federal resume project.
Having spent my entire career in the private sector, I was unaware of how involved the Federal Application process was. Nancy guided me every step of the way from resume design to the completion of the KSAs and right up to the point of saying, ‘Yes, I happily accept the job offer.’ Nobody does it better! – Scott
What Else Should I Know?
Agencies are required to use validated assessments such as USA HIRE to determine the best qualified candidates. What is USA HIRE?
Unlike the occupational questionnaires, where applicants self-certify their level of expertise, USA HIRE seeks to target the “whole person” by using occupation series-specific questionnaires, leadership questionnaires, and critical skills questionnaires. These assessments have been developed for 100+ occupations. For example, for supervisory positions, USA HIRE can provide situational judgment questions where candidates are presented with a specific scenario and are asked to identify an appropriate response. There are also mathematical assessments for accounting and other math-focused positions, interpersonal skills, reading skills, reasoning skills, and written skills assessments, where writing is critical.
Candidates who self-report minimal qualifications on the traditional questionnaire are then automatically taken to USA HIRE for additional assessment. USA HIRE then generates a combined score for best qualified determinations.
What can YOU do to maximize your success with USA HIRE?
- First, know that once you complete an application that includes a USA HIRE assessment, you will receive an email with a link to complete the assessment within 24 hours. Pay attention to your email—and don’t forget to check spam or junk folders. The email will come from: assessments@USAHire.opm.gov.
- Don’t blow it off. This is a real part of your application, and your score is good for one year. So if you apply for a similar job that uses USA HIRE within one year of completing a USA HIRE assessment, the same score is used.
- Leave enough time to take the assessment in one sitting. USA HIRE assessments can take as long as 3 hours to complete; you have 48 hours from the closing date of the announcement (or other timeframe specified). Plan accordingly; if you don’t complete the assessment within the required timeframe, you will be rated ineligible for that posting.
- Review practice questions. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has sample questions that can be found at: https://usahire.opm.gov/assess/default/sample/Sample.action.
- Have a problem? Contact the Help Desk: helpdesk@usahire.opm.gov
Not all agencies use USA HIRE; some agencies may use other types of validated assessments to review your candidacy.
You may have also heard about essays required for applicants. These essays are limited to 200 words each and be written in your own words. The essays are:
- How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
- In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
- How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
- How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Getting an entry-level federal government job is doable, but it takes:
- a strategic approach
- applying for federal government positions for which you are qualified
- using a federal style resume that is prepared to get you past HR and in front of the hiring manager
- patience
Having helped more than a thousand clients, including many entry-level applicants, we are the experts. Contact us to see how we can help you get your first federal government job.
Just wanted to let you know that I have been offered and accepted an ALJ position. Your interview preparation was top notch. In fact, many of the SSA interview questions were just as we went over. After our last conversation, I took your advice and thought hard about scenarios I could adapt to various situations. It obviously worked out well. – BC
Finally I just got my Final Offer and my EOD is October 29, 2018. My resume might have helped me to get on board with GS13-Step1, but I strongly believe that your version of my resume helped me to negotiate to get to GS13-Step10. Thanks A Million!. I really appreciate your help. TP
Solutions for the Workplace also provides professional resume writing services for Senior Executive Service, Executive Core Qualifications, USAJOBS Resumes, Military to Civilian Transition, and Private Sector Jobs.