Resumes

Navigating a Sudden Job Loss

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Losing a job is often unexpected and almost always jarring. Being resilient, however, is critical. Here are some steps you can take to move forward.

What To Do Immediately:

  • Take a deep breath. When a layoff is unexpected, it can trigger many emotions — including anger, fear, and anxiety. Give yourself permission to feel these emotions, but take a deep breath and recognize that you don’t have to do anything right now.
  • Retrieve all important work documents and files from your employer’s system. If you haven’t already done so, back up your personal files, emails, and documents from work-related accounts. Collect performance reviews, letters of commendation from supervisors and customers, and records of certifications and trainings.
  • Review your severance package (if you were offered one). Carefully go through the details of your severance, including information about your final paycheck, benefits, and unemployment eligibility. Clarify any ethics rules or confidentiality agreements that might affect your job search.
  • File for unemployment benefits. File immediately, as it can take time for approval (and some states have a one-week waiting period). Do a search for “unemployment benefits + (your state)” to find the information you need.
  • Check your health insurance options. If you had health insurance through your employer, you may be eligible to continue your coverage through COBRA. However, that may be more costly than pursuing health insurance through the federal marketplace, available at healthcare.gov), a short-term health insurance plan, or coverage through a spouse’s plan.
  • Pause all automatic payments. Make sure that any subscriptions, memberships, or services that were tied to your work email or credit card are stopped or changed to your personal email and payment method. Cancel anything nonessential. .
  • Refrain from social media rants. Future employers often search for candidates’ social media profiles, so keep yours positive and professional.

What to do in Week 1:

  • Update your job search documents. The first step is to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Ensure your documents are up-to-date and tailored towards the role you want next. Focus on accomplishments, not standard responsibilities.
  • Reach out to your network. Let your friends, family, and former colleagues know you’re searching for a new job. Networking is one of the best ways to find new opportunities. Connect with them on LinkedIn. Ask past colleagues and supervisors for LinkedIn Recommendations.
  • Consider short-term employment. While searching for your next full-time position, consider freelancing, contract, or gig work to stay financially afloat.
  • Create a budget. One of the most important things to do after a layoff is to stabilize your finances.
  • Set daily goals. Without a work routine to keep you on track, it may be difficult to focus your time. Establish a schedule that includes setting aside specific time each day to complete job applications and network.
  • Join industry-specific groups or forums. Online communities can help connect you with job leads, networking opportunities, and moral support.

The First Month (Solidify Your Job Search)

  • Enhance your skills. Upskill and expand your knowledge. Spend time taking free or affordable online courses that can enhance your employability.
  • Prepare for interviews. The goal is to get in front of an interviewer, so start practicing early. Being well-prepared increases your chances of success in the interview — and being offered the job! Prepare your answers to common interview questions, and record yourself answering questions, or role-play a job interview with a friend or colleague.
  • Differentiate yourself. Assess your online presence. Do you stand out? If not, consider starting a blog, creating an online portfolio, or posting regularly on LinkedIn.
  • Check out job fairs and hiring events. Attend virtual or in-person job fairs where multiple companies and recruiting firms are represented. Practice your introduction — be able to describe yourself effectively in 30 seconds or less. And be prepared to address your job loss — if it comes up, provide a concise, positive explanation. (“I was one of six employees let go when my department was eliminated, but I’m ready to take on a new challenge focusing on my project management and leadership experience.”)
  • Apply consistently. A steady stream of applications increases your chances of securing an interview. Apply for 5-7 jobs every week. Tailor the resume and cover letter to the position you’re applying to. Keep track of the jobs you’ve applied for and follow up with recruiters and hiring managers 7-10 days after applying, when possible.
  • Practice self-care. A job search can be emotionally exhausting. Prioritize your mental and physical health while you are unemployed.

Fact or Myth? What Do You Know About the Modern Job Search?

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MYTH: Job postings represent real jobs. Job postings on USAJOBS do not always represent a specific opening. It is critical to read the fine print; you can recognize such jobs when you see language such as: This Public Notice will serve as a resume repository – positions may or may not be filled from this announcement. This is also true of private sector job postings. According to ResumeBuilder, 40% of companies admit to posting fake jobs on job boards in 2024.

MYTH: USAJOBS is an Applicant Tracking Software. USAJOBS is not an ATS; it is a system to collect applications for positions and then forward those applications to the hiring Human Resources office. Real Human Resources personnel read the resumes of qualified applicants.

MYTH: If I know I can do a job, I should apply. You should read the job qualifications; if you don’t have what they’re looking for in terms of skills, education, or number of years of experience, just “knowing” you can do the job is generally not enough. You’ll be competing against people who have all of the qualifications.

MYTH: My resume should reflect everything I have ever done. Most resumes these days only go back 10 years or so. I promise that no one cares what you did in the 1970’s or 80’s. And think about it, who would you rather hire? Someone who is doing it now or someone who hasn’t done in 20 or 30 years?

MYTH: Getting a job is quick. While it is possible to get the first job you apply for, it isn’t that likely. The ease of online applying means that hundreds if not thousands of applications are received for every posting.

MYTH: I can talk my way into a remote job, even if the posting says otherwise. Federal postings clearly articulate whether a job is remote or not; if it’s not listed as remote, do not count on being able to talk the hiring manager into making the job remote just for you (absent a reasonable accommodation). The private sector side has more flexibility but if the posting is specific about how many days per week you are expected to be in an office, believer them. At least until after you have proven yourself.

MYTH: I only need one resume. At a minimum, your resume needs to be tweaked for key words with each application. There is no such thing as a standardized generic resume anymore.

MYTH (sometimes): I need a cover letter. If you’re applying for a federal job and the posting does not require a cover letter, I recommend not providing one. If you’re targeting the private sector then yes, it is considered customary to include one. If you do write a cover letter it needs to be targeted toward the job you’re applying for, use key words, and clearly articulate your qualifications vis-a-vis the job.

These are just a few of the myths that exist about job search. What would you add?

It’s That Time Of Year Again!

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September means that school is starting, along with the fall season. September is also Update Your Resume Month!

Since most careers require a resume in order to gain employment, it’s important that job seekers take a proactive approach in order to be ready for any and all opportunities that come their way. Too often, people try to write their resume at the last minute, which is the worst time to prepare a document that needs to be perfect. A well-crafted resume takes time and research, and Update Your Resume Month is a perfect reminder to be prepared for new opportunities

To update your resume, consider the following:

  • What have you accomplished for your employer? Have you improved efficiency (and if so, by how much?) Complete more than xx number of transactions in a specified timeframe? Have you saved your organization money (and if so, how much)? Etc. If you have written an annual self-assessment or accomplishment report as part of your annual performance evaluation, review that to help you get started.
  • Have you completed a new degree or certification? Or learned new skills?
  • Is your current resume focused on the past 10 years (I promise no one cares what you did in 1980).
  • Have you had a new job since you last updated your resume?
  • Is your resume keyword-rich for the position(s) you’d like to target?
  • Did you check that the dates and titles on your resume are consistent with what you have on LinkedIn?
  • Are acronyms spelled out?
  • Is your resume visually appealing? Readable (font is not too small and neither are your margins)?
  • Do you have both a federal and private sector resume? You never know what opportunities will become available and it’s best to be prepared!

September is the perfect time to think back on the past year of your career and achievements—and get ready for the future. This will you be prepared to maximize your opportunities and take the next step in your career.

To celebrate this time of year, don’t miss out on the opportunity to invest in your professional growth and secure your path to federal job success by using code BACKTOSCHOOL for 10% off our self-paced online training courses by September 30, 2024!

Should It Stay or Should It Go?

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Hardly anyone likes to write a resume. One thing to think about is what to include—and what to leave out. Let’s look at both:

What should I include in a federal resume?

Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.

  • Include important contact information. Don’t forget to add current contact information. Most job applications require this information:
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone number

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

  • Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience. For each work experience you list, make sure you include:
  • Start and end dates (including the month and year—some agencies require the days too!).
  • The number of hours you worked per week.
  • The level and amount of experience—for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
  • Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.
  • Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations. Don’t limit yourself to only including paid work experience. Include relevant volunteer work or community organizations roles that demonstrate your ability to do the job.

What should I leave out of my federal resume?

Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:

  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

Following the rules for federal applications—all of which are clearly outlined in every job announcement—will help your resume receive the attention it deserves!

Fall Is Here, School Is Back In Session, AND It’s Update Your Resume Month!

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Many of us think about September as the beginning of a new year—new fiscal year, new school year—and the definite end of summer. In this spirit, September has been designated “Update Your Resume Month,” you can get in the spirit by updating yours!

Need help getting started? Here are 7 easy things to do:

  1. Assess your existing resume; is your current job included? Is there still content from the 1990’s or early 2000’s? You can remove jobs that are from more than 10 years ago—at the very least, you can minimize them and create a new category called Earlier Professional Experience (or something similar).
  2. Does your resume include recent accomplishments? Those of your who are federal employees, probably had your performance review recently (or coming up shortly). Be sure to include this year’s accomplishments on your resume. And remember, all accomplishments should demonstrate the “so what.” It’s not enough to say you did “x”—you need to show how “x” added value / made a difference.
  3. Did you earn a new degree? New certifications? If so, be sure to add.
  4. Have your contributions been formally recognized? Don’t forget to update your resume for awards—especially those awarded by entities outside your organization.
  5. Has the scope of your work changed?. Do you have more or fewer employees? A larger or smaller budget? Is your area of responsibility different? Numbers help give your work context.
  6. Assess your Summary; is it sufficiently focused? Include key words? If your summary does not accurately represent you and what you’re targeting, fix it.
  7. Review your resume to ensure there are no typos. Even better, have someone else review it for typos; sometimes it’s easier for others to proofread your document.

The above steps can likely be completed in less than an hour—your career is worth it! If you keep your resume updated, you’ll be ready—and not panicked—when the perfect opportunity comes along.

To celebrate this time of year, don’t miss out on the opportunity to invest in your professional growth and secure your path to federal job success by using code BACKTOSCHOOL for 10% off our self-paced online training courses on Teachable by September 30, 2023!

I Showed My Resume To (Whoever) And They Said (Whatever)

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While it can be a good idea to get feedback on your resume, who you ask and what you ask are important. Everyone has an opinion about your resume, especially if you ask them for their opinion.

It’s important to be strategic about who you ask to review your resume.

There are a couple of people you should ask for feedback, and specific tasks for each of them.

The first is someone who knows you — and your work — well.

This might be a close friend, a spouse or significant other, or a past colleague. (Why not a current colleague? Be careful who you let know you’re looking for a new job. Some bosses presume you’ll stay with your current employer forever and may perceive it as disloyal that you’re looking. You can’t count on your current co-workers to keep your job search completely confidential.)

You want this person to review your resume and answer the following three questions:

  • Do you see anything I need to change or correct?
  • Does this sound like me?
  • Is there anything I should add?

The second is someone who hires for jobs in your field or industry.

This might be a past supervisor (perhaps someone you’re using as a job reference). It should be someone who is currently hiring, not someone who used to hire candidates. The job search process changes rapidly, and the advice that you may get from someone who hasn’t reviewed resumes in a while might be dated. (For example, the one-page resume is no longer a big deal in the age of electronic resume submission—and is totally inappropriate for federal resumes, which easily range 4-6 pages.)

Remember, though, that the person involved in hiring likely sees resumes only after they have made it through the applicant tracking system (ATS) software or made it past Human Resources (HR).

Don’t ask just anyone for feedback. Too many opinions can lead to “analysis paralysis” where you become obsessed with perfection instead of getting started using your resume in your job search.

Need assistance with resume writing? Check out our services and resources!