You nailed the interview, right? Now close the deal! One of the best ways to do that is to send a thank you note (email) to each of your interviewers. Why send a thank you note?
USAJOBS
How to Leave a Job
If you are thinking about leaving your federal job, you’re not alone! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost half a million federal government employees left their jobs! This includes both retirees and resignations.
If leaving is in your plans, you want to do so graciously. While it might provide a moment of satisfaction to leave in a blaze of “glory,” it is not a good idea. Here are some tips for leaving appropriately:
What Should Federal Workers Expect in 2018?
While many of you may have heard that budget is policy, and some of the budget proposals (if passed) have the potential to impact our benefits, I think it is also important that we look at what the Administration is saying that they want to focus on vis-à-vis the federal workforce.
USAJobs Changes Its Login
Are you a USAJOBS user? If so, you need to create a new login.gov account since your existing USAJOBS password won’t work anymore. To save your existing profile and other information, use your existing USAJOBS email address to set up your new account. Do this now, before you get ready to apply.
USAJOBS Updated, Saved Searches Archived
Recent changes to USAJOBS intended to make it easier to search for jobs have made it necessary take certain steps if you want to continue receiving automated notifications on your saved searches, or continue running your saved searches.
First, following are key changes:
* You can now search for jobs by different hiring paths/eligibilities. You can now search by individuals with disabilities, military spouses, students and recent grads, veterans, and Peace Corps and VISTA Alumni, and more. There is a list of all our unique hiring paths and eligibilities on the USAJOBS landing page (USAJOBS.gov). The update adds new filters based on applicant eligibility.
* You can now use one or more filters to search by pay, department, work schedule, and more. As an additional benefit, searches results automatically update as you click on a new filter.
* Basic and advanced search options have been combined into one search view, which should yield better and more relevant results. While the advanced search option will no longer be visible, you will still have the same search capabilities using the new filter options.
* There is new search technology to deliver faster and more relevant job search results.
All searches that you established prior to April 8, 2017, have been archived. If you want to receive your existing search, you must create a new saved search, or unarchive an old saved search. To unarchive a saved search follow these steps:
1. Sign into your USAJOBS account.
2. Go to your profile and the Saved Search tab
3. Click Archived — any saved search made before April 8 will appear under the Archived link.
4. Click the name of the saved search you want to unarchive.
5. Click the Unarchive Search button – this will move your saved search back to the Active Saved Search tab. into your USAJOBS account.
6. Go to your profile and the Saved Search tab
7. Click Archived — any saved search made before April 8 will appear under the Archived link.
8. Click the name of the saved search you want to unarchive.
9. Click the Unarchive Search button – this will move your saved search back to the Active Saved Search tab.
USAJOBS has created a short video describing how to unarchive a saved search:
Until you unarchive your saved searches or create new ones, you will not receive any saved search email notifications, nor will you be able to run them from USAJOBS.gov.
I Just Found the “Perfect” Job Announcement: Now What?
Before you get too excited, take a careful look at the announcement:
- Are you eligible to apply? Review the “who can apply” section of the announcement to make sure you’re eligible. If you do not meet the criteria outlined and apply anyway, you will be eliminated.
- When does it close? Do you have time to tweak your resume (you have a resume, right??) to include the key words?
- Do you meet the specialized experience requirement? Check under the How You Will be Evaluated section and review the specialized experience; this is a must have, not a nice to have.
- Are there any Selective Placement Factors (SPF) listed? If so, do you have them? Are they clearly articulated in your resume? If you do not have the SPF, you should pick a different announcement; if you do, be sure to tweak your resume to clearly show your possession of the SPF.