The Obama administration unveiled a major overhaul of the federal hiring process on Tuesday, the Office of Personnel Management announced. The hiring reform memorandum will ask agencies to do away with hand-graded knowledge, skills and abilities essays by Nov. 1, at least in the early stages of the hiring process, Jeri Buchholz, associate director for human resources operations and policy at ...

If I refer to the Jersey Shore, does your first thought go to a vacation spot or to someone named "Snooki?" Your answer may say a lot about your generation. Traditionalists or Baby Boomers are thinking of summertime memories, while Millennials are thinking about Snooki and her friends on the MTV reality show. Right? Maybe. The truth is your answer probably ...

The federal government is the largest employer of any organization in the nation, with a plethora of job types and career fields. In the government there is something for everyone, especially if you have a college degree. With a combination of information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, USAJobs, the Partnership for Public Service and the Economic Stimulus Bill, we’ve gathered ...

Frequently Asked Questions: GovCentral's Spring Is Greener Promotion Do I need to register more than once? No How do I increase my odds of winning? Simply sign into your GovCentral account once a day through March 31, 2010 to be entered again to win. If you allow your browser to save your log-in information, you will need to click "Sign out" ...

Once upon a time, a job seeker landed an interview, skimmed the prospective employer's annual report, wowed the hiring manager with a few company facts and strolled into his dream job. That late-'90s fairy tale rarely comes true these days. With employers in more control of the labor market, candidates feel compelled to give it their all when preparing for interviews. ...

With new energy, enthusiasm and interest in the Obama Administration, it’s time to consider the Federal Government as your employer. Since the private industry job market is getting worse every day, it’s time to go begin a serious search. Here are nine facts about federal jobs (and job applications) which will get you working more productively towards a new job. Not ...

You just got word that you landed a job interview with a company that really interests you - only there's a slight catch. You won't be meeting with your interviewer(s) face to face. Instead, you'll be taking part in a phone interview, the results of which will determine whether you're invited to meet with company representatives in person. Many companies use ...

The interviewer asks a rather simple question, yet it catches you off guard: "Why do you want to work for this company?" The obvious answer that comes to mind is, "Because you have an opening, and I need a job." While this may be true, it won't get you points in a job interview. The interviewer is looking for an answer ...

"I am my biggest critic and always "play down" my accomplishments. HELP ME!" - Frustrated Job Hunter This is what one federal job seeker wrote this question to me this evening. I suggested that he do some self-talk to build up his confidence and convince himself that he is a GREAT candidate for a new job. Script for Self-Talk “I really ...

Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unveiled a long-awaited update to USAJOBS.gov, the key hub for careers in the federal government. One of the most vocal frustrations with USAJOBS in the past was its confusing layout. The new landing page attempts to address this with a much cleaner interface. We wondered how USAJOBS would improve the website experience in ...

"I've got no skills! How am I going to qualify for a job after I graduate?" This is a common lament among college students, particularly liberal arts majors who don't see how their education will translate to the real world. But if you ever worry about not being attractive to employers, you shouldn't. First of all, nobody likes a whiner. A ...

These are uncertain times, and in business, that translates to economic and market volatility. During such times, fear and frustration run rampant through an organization. Employees spread rumors, work less and jump ship, because they fear the unknown. Acquisitions, mergers, downsizing and unpredictable markets require dynamic leadership to maintain stability and productivity within an organization. Do you have what it takes ...

h4. Occupations with Top Number of Federal Job Openings As of March 16th, USAJobs.gov has listed these occupations as the top in demand jobs in the last calendar month. Below you'll find the USAJobs data, as well as other key information to landing one of these federal jobs. Remember, many of these careers require additional degrees or education. Search postings on ...

A lot of job seekers go into interviews expecting to be grilled. They prep for the typical interrogation techniques and practice their answers to all the usual interview questions. They have their talking points tucked away in the back of their minds. But many job seekers fail to recognize that often the best interviews don't feel as much like interviews as ...

If you’re in a rush to get hired (and what job seeker isn’t?), attend federal job fairs. Why? Because many federal employers recruit at job fairs via fast-track hiring procedures, which may even include on-the-spot offers. What’s more, many of the jobs and internships that are filled at job fairs are never advertised anywhere else. Federal employers frequently participate in several ...

USAJobs.gov has a tool to help you can match a public sector job to relevant private sector jobs. But what good does that do to the government job seeker? GovCentral did the hard work for you and sorted through the search tool in order to help you apply your previous outside-of-the-government work experience to your new job search. [gate] This is ...

If you were under the impression that cramming for the SATs was the last time you'd ever have to worry about vocabulary, you're mistaken. In interviews, the words you use are often viewed as related to your level of education and general aptitude. Whether you're applying for your first postcollege job or trying to break into the executive ranks, it may ...

With this down economy, many people are leaving the corporate world behind to pursue jobs in government. There is also a new generation of students graduating from college and graduate schools across the country, looking to D.C. and their local capitol buildings for employment opportunities. Researching, applying to, and working in government jobs isn't quite the same process as in in ...

The gift of gab can be something of a curse during an interview. You could end up talking your way right out of the job. It's important to remember that interviewers are only human, and their attention tends to wane as you speak. Fully understanding this is critical to effectively communicating during any interview. Your response should be less than a ...

[widget:gs_pay_scale_articles] INCORPORATING THE 2.50% GENERAL SCHEDULE INCREASE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2008 Annual Rates by Grade and Step Grade Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 WITHIN GRADE AMOUNTS 1 17046 17615 18182 18746 19313 19646 20206 20771 20793 21324 VARIES 2 19165 19621 20255 20793 21025 21643 22261 ...