GovCentral

2011 Federal Government Jobs Outlook

Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:50:00 -0800

A midyear election in which candidates ran against Washington and a troubled economy have put downward pressure on government hiring, but there are still plenty of federal job openings in Uncle Sam’s shop.

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In the first half of fiscal year 2010 (October 2009 to March 2010) the government employment market was brisk -- 58,893 new employees were hired in full-time, permanent, nonseasonal jobs, says John Palguta, vice president of the Partnership for Public Service, a Washington, DC, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes the benefits of public-sector jobs That’s a pace that will play out to 125,000 to 130,000 federal hires in fiscal year 2011.

Even if no new federal jobs are created in 2011, the government will still have to hire an amazing quantity of new workers in 2011. “Folks leaving drives demand,” Palguta says. “More than half of those hired in 2009 were simply replacing people who left, and the federal workforce is not getting younger.”

When the economy improves, federal workers who put off retirement due to economic concerns will vacate their cubbies at a faster pace, creating even more government job openings, he predicts. “The Thrift Savings Plan, our equivalent of the 401k, is improving, so I think you’re going to see an exodus in the 80,000 to 90,000 range in FY 2011,” Palguta says.

Cutbacks in Federal Hiring Ahead?

Will Republican proposals to get rid of fraud, waste and mismanagement in federal government, as well as to freeze hiring result in significant federal layoffs or drastically reduced government hiring in 2011? Probably not, Palguta says. Republicans typically don’t support hiring freezes for defense, homeland security and other agencies responsible for strengthening the border, supporting the military and taking care of wounded veterans. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of other places to cut, Palguta says.

The bottom line: Even with more Republicans in office, the government will still have the help wanted sign in its window, but won’t add as many new jobs at the same pace as it added jobs in the past couple of years, Palguta says.

Next Page: Cyber Jobs Especially Secure

photo | flickr | johanohrling

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Skill Mismatch

As in the private sector, some government jobs are hard to fill despite high unemployment levels -- after all, the federal government employs only so many retail, food-service and construction workers. “A lot of folks looking for jobs don’t have a skill set the government is looking for,” Palguta says.

If your career calls for specialized knowledge like healthcare, security/protection, compliance or enforcement or you have math, IT, science, engineering, accounting or analysis experience, you’ll find the line to get into Uncle Sam’s shop is short. “For those jobs, the competition will not be as bad as you might think,” he says.

Cybersecurity Jobs Especially Secure

Hiring hot spots include the new Cyber Security Command at Fort Meade, Maryland, the suburban Washington, DC, home to the National Security Agency and the Defense Information Systems Agency. While the exact number of civil service, civilian and military workers the government is hiring for cybersecurity positions is classified, it’s in the thousands, says Ronald Sanders, senior executive advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton, a consulting firm based in McLean, Virginia.

“Any career with the word ‘cyber’ in it will have a long, lucrative future,” he predicts. “Every federal agency, without regard to mission, has a need for cybersecurity professionals because every agency has systems they have to secure and protect. It’s going to be a growth area because it’s of critical national importance in the civil service and the many contractors that support the federal government.”

Cybersecurity isn’t just for computer geeks either. “Critical thinking and analysis skills are sometimes more important than technical skills in these jobs, where connecting the dots is important,” Sanders says.

From KSAs to Resumes

No matter which government job you’re applying for, you should find the process easier, thanks to new hiring procedures that rely on resumes rather than the old, lengthy online questions and answers about knowledge, skills and abilities, or KSAs. But don’t expect those changes to speed up the months-long government hiring process immediately, because agencies will be slow to change the recruitment methods they’ve used for decades.

State and Local Hiring Down

At the local level, 2010 wasn’t a great year to be a government employee, and 2011 isn’t looking so hot either. The BLS reports local governments shed 76,000 workers in the first nine months of 2010, including 50,000 educators. State governments laid off 7,000 employees during the same period.

Even if the economy has a brisk upturn in 2011, the outlook for state and local hiring would still be poor for at least a year, says Richard Clinch, director of economic development for the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business. State income and property taxes are paid the year after they’re earned, so a turnaround in state budgets will lag the economic recovery by a year. Even if taxpayers earn more and their home values rise, states won’t see the resulting improved tax revenue until folks pay their taxes in April 2012, he says.

See the original article and more career advice content at Monster.com

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Job Hunt To-Do-List: Checklist for an Economic Downturn

Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell | workplace911.org — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 06:44:00 -0800

Exciting job opportunities can arise when you least expect them, even during an economic downturn. But in a competitive job market waiting too long to respond could cost you the job of your dreams.

We've all played the waiting game but Matthew Keeney, a New York-based performance artist, managed to turn waiting into an art form. Keeney waited in a Syracuse, New York park for over 28 hours during a nearly eight month period. The Waiting Project entailed Keeney's sitting in the park at regular intervals until someone who had learned of the project came to rescue him from waiting.

If Keeney had been seeking employment, he'd probably still be waiting. Don't expect a potential employer to wait for you to get your act together - especially during an economic downturn. To recession-proof your career, you've got to stay in shape so that you're ready to respond quickly to opportunities. Use our Job Hunt To-Do-List to ensure that you'll be competitive in this cutthroat job market. For more tips, check out our Career Management Action Plan

Job Hunt To-Do-List - Checklist for an Economic Downturn

DO - Update your resume during an economic downturn

Back when spam came only in a can instead of your inbox, it was sufficient to get your resume out within a week. In the age of email - and especially during an economic downturn, the competition is too intense to keep a potential employer waiting much longer than 48 hours. Also, if you're submitting your resume and resume cover letter online, make sure that you use plenty of keywords culled directly from the job description for the position that you're pursuing. Finally, if you're applying for more than one job, be sure to have more than one resume, and resume cover letter on file. Double your fun --have two resumes instead of one!

DO - Cultivate employment references during an economic downturn

The results of employment reference neglect can be ugly. Recently, Bill from Chicago wrote in about the mortifying answer that one of his references gave when he failed to notify them of his job search. It was a simple, "Bill who?" Needless to say, he didn't land the job. Be sure to talk with your employment references regularly and notify them that they may be contacted. To ensure that you don't overuse great employment references, it pays to have an A-list and B-list of employment references. Save your As for top jobs and your not-ready-for-prime-timers for the rest.

DO - Practice writing resume cover letters and thank you letters

The Speedo LZR swimsuit, made with hydrodynamic technology, has been a shared factor in all nine swimming world records this year. It has separated the winners from the losers - to the point of controversy. Think of well-written resume cover letters and stellar etiquette as the secret weapon that can help float you to the top of the pack. During an economic downturn employers get a flood of resumes and you'll need a resume cover letter that gets attention. Show the employer you understand their company and that you're a perfect fit for the job. Use resume cover letters and resume thank you letters to make a great first impression that will win you that coveted job position.

DON'T - Go into a job interview without doing research

A pilot friend of ours just went through a painful job interview brain cramp. You may be familiar with this - when your brain stops working and you simply can't come up with a good answer to a question. Sometimes its anxiety, other times lack of preparation. But your job interview skills are like muscles and you have to keep them warmed up if you want to give a good job interview. Keep your skills warm by regularly taking job interviews for positions you don't want. This will prepare you to fly through the job interview for the one you really do want. Also, try role-playing job interview questions with friends.

We can't guarantee you'll get a job offer, but at least you'll be ready to take advantage of opportunities that come your way.

Bob Rosner and Sherrie Campbell author the weekly internationally-syndicated workplace911 column. Bob's a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. Sherrie's a work relations expert and award-winning comedian. Together they offer 12 years of quick, intuitive and humorous column responses on their workplace911.com website. You can e-mail them at bs@workplace911.com.

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Monster iPhone App: Find Jobs with Your iPhone

Vasu Nagalingam, Senior Product Director, Consumer, Monster Worldwide — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:05:00 -0800

Thanks to
Monster's new app for the iPhone and iPod touch, your
job search can be right in the palm of your hands at all times.

Monster designed the app to be the perfect complement to its website experience, giving you access to the Monster account you've already created online--including your resumes, your favorite job searches, your apply history, and so on. It's all completely accessible immediately via the app, from wherever you are. Plus, all your activity within the app (such as searches and job applies) is automatically kept in sync with your online account, and is immediately available via the website.

Here are some ways to get the most out of Monster's iPhone app:

Set up your Monster account and create your resumes: If you don't have a Monster account, go ahead and
set one up; then create your
resumes. You can save as many as five different resumes on your Monster account--and all of them are then accessible when you sign in to your Monster iPhone app. If you have any favorite job searches, go ahead and save them under Saved Searches. They, too, will be available on the Monster iPhone app.

(The iPhone's small screen would make creating a resume there difficult, so Monster recommends that you set up resumes via the website.)

Get the Monster iPhone app:
Download the Monster iPhone app for search for "monster.com" on iTunes.

Sign in to your account to access your data: At the Sign In screen, use the email address and password for your Monster account to sign in to the app. This will allow you to access your resumes and favorite searches on the iPhone. (And if you're signed in, when you do find that cool job via the app, you can apply right away.)

After you sign in, you are taken directly to the My Profile screen, which allows you to access the app's functions.

Search for jobs: There are two ways to search for jobs: a direct job search or a saved (favorite) search.

Tap on Job Search to start searching for jobs. Monster’s latest semantic search engine--Power Search--is available on the app. Enter a job title, skills, and a location to search for jobs. You can also use the iPhone’s GPS feature to search for jobs near you.

If you have favorite searches saved on your account, they will be accessible via the Saved Search option on the My Profile page. And if you perform a search on the app, you can save it as a favorite by tapping on Save on the Search Results screen.

View jobs and apply to or save them: On the Search Results screen, you can tap each row to view employers' job postings. If you want to apply to the job and already have a resume saved on your Monster account, tap on Apply. Otherwise, tap on Save to save the job so you can apply later. (This saved job will also be available on the Monster website when you log into your account.)

Some employers require that you apply via their own websites; typically, these employer sites are not optimized for mobile devices, and the iPhone doesn't let you upload a resume to these sites. So the Monster iPhone app encourages you to save these jobs and complete the job application via the website.

Use the app to manage your job search: The Monster iPhone app contains a few features that enable you to easily check for new jobs while on the go. When you sign in to the app the first time, the app, by default, will remember your account credentials. This allows the app to take you directly to your Profile on subsequent startups, so you can get to your jobs quickly and easily. If you don't want to be “remembered” on the app, you can change this behavior on the Settings screen, and tell the app to require your account credentials at every startup. (This setting is only on the iPhone app and does not impact your experience when you use the website.)

As the economy slowly begins its recovery, employers are beginning to create and fill new positions--and the
Monster iPhone app for job searches is a great way to make sure you don't miss any of these new opportunities.

This article was originally published on The Monster Blog.

Careers in Government that Earn 60k+

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:07:00 -0800

Despite some chatter on Capitol Hill about imposing a hiring freeze for the federal government, GovCentral is still confident in sustained employment growth for the next two to three years. This bodes well for job seekers that are looking to start a career in public service or transition from the military or private sector.

Last week we listed the most in-demand federal jobs for November 2010. We wanted to dig a little deeper and see what types of jobs are out there in these fields. In the following pages is a list of occupations that earn over $60,000 and are currently in high demand.

As is the mantra for GovCentral, evaluate your current skill set to see if you meet the requirements for these highly competitive jobs. If you are looking to change job fields or looking to take a step up in your career, consider what colleges, especially online colleges, can offer for you.

Careers in Government that Earn over $60,000

Accounting, Budget, and Finance

Biological Sciences

Business, Industry, and Procurement

Engineering and Architecture

Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office Services

First Industry: Accounting, Budget, and Finance >>

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Government Industry: Accounting, Budget, and Finance

Occupations that Earn Over $60,000: Accountants and Auditors

Accountants and auditors help to ensure that firms are run efficiently, public records kept accurately, and taxes paid properly and on time. They analyze and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and Federal, State, and local governments. Beyond carrying out the fundamental tasks of the occupation—providing information to clients by preparing, analyzing, and verifying financial documents—many accountants also offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services. (source: BLS)

Average Salary: $45,900 to $78,210

Most jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Get free information on bachelor's degree from education partners.

Search for jobs in Accounting, Budget, and Finance

Next Industry: Biological Sciences >>

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Government Industry: Biological Sciences

Occupations that Earn Over $60,000: Medical Scientists

Medical scientists research human diseases and conditions with the goal of improving human health. Most medical scientists conduct biomedical research and development to advance knowledge of life processes and of other living organisms that affect human health, including viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. Past research has resulted in advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many diseases. Basic medical research continues to build the foundation for new vaccines, drugs, and treatment procedures. Medical scientists engage in laboratory research, clinical investigation, technical writing, drug development, regulatory review, and related activities. (source: BLS)

Most medical scientists need a Ph.D. in a biological science; some also hold a medical degree.

Medical scientists with both a Ph.D. and M.D. are likely to have the best opportunities.

Did you know that billions of dollars in federal aid is available to students that head back to school to advance their careers? Learn more.

Average Salary:$51,640 and $101,290

Search for jobs in Biological Sciences

Next Industry: Business, Industry, and Procurement >>

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Government Industry: Business, Industry, and Procurement

Occupations that Earn Over $60,000: Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents buy a vast array of farm products, durable and nondurable goods, and services for companies and institutions. They attempt to get the best deal for their company—the highest quality goods and services at the lowest possible cost. They accomplish this by studying sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identifying foreign and domestic suppliers, and keeping abreast of changes affecting both the supply of, and demand for, needed products and materials. Purchasing professionals consider price, quality, availability, reliability, and technical support when choosing suppliers and merchandise. To be effective, purchasing professionals must have a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased. (source: BLS)

Employment is projected to grow 7 percent, which is as fast as the average.

Opportunities should be best for those with a college degree in engineering, business, economics, or one of the applied sciences.

Prospects often need continuing education or certification to advance.

Average Salary: $67,370 and $115,830

Find out how you can balance your current job and get a Master's in Business Administration with an online education. Keep reading.

Search for jobs in Business, Industry, and Procurement

Next Industry: Engineering and Architecture>>

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Government Industry: Engineering and Architecture

Occupations that Earn Over $60,000: Urban and Regional Planners

Urban and regional planners develop long- and short-term plans for the use of land and the growth and revitalization of urban, suburban, and rural communities and the region in which they are located. They help local officials alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems by recommending locations for roads, schools, and other infrastructure and suggesting zoning regulations for private property—work that requires forecasting the future needs of the population. Because local governments employ the majority of urban and regional planners, they often are referred to as community or city planners. (source: BLS)

Local governments employ about 66 percent of urban and regional planners.

Employment is projected to grow 19 percent, which is faster than the average.

Most new jobs will be in affluent, rapidly growing communities.

Job prospects will be best for those with a master's degree; bachelor's degree holders with additional skills in GIS or mapping may find entry-level positions, but advancement opportunities are limited.

Average Salary: $47,050 and $75,630

Get the 411 on Public Administration degrees, which will be the best type of degree you can get for a career in Urban Planning.

Search for jobs in Engineering and Architecture

Next Industry: Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office >>

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Government Industry: Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office Services

Occupations that Earn Over $60,000: Human Resource Managers

Every organization wants to attract, motivate, and retain the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists provide this connection. In the past, these workers performed the administrative function of an organization, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Today's human resources workers manage these tasks, but, increasingly, they consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies. (source: BLS)

The educational backgrounds of these workers vary considerably, reflecting the diversity of duties and levels of responsibility.

College graduates and those who have earned certification should have the best job and advancement opportunities.

Human resources occupations require strong interpersonal skills.

Much faster than average growth is expected during the projection period.

Get the degree you need to succeed in Human Resources. Click here!

Average Salary: $73,480 and $126,050

Search for jobs in Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office Services

The Government Job Report:

Read the November Update →

Government Job Report - Most In-demand Federal Occupations (November 2010)

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:30:00 -0700

Government hiring trends continue to proceed along two diverging tracks as the federal government displays steady growth while local and state governments continue staff reductions as a result of tough budget conditions.

In the most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 352,000 Government job openings on the last business day of August 2010. The job opening rate overall increased slightly from 1.4 percent to 1.2 percent. The hires rate (1.3 percent) was unchanged, but the separations rate was little changed, decreasing slightly to 1.8 percent from 2.0 percent in July 2010.

See the 10 most in-demand jobs for the federal government

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The job openings in August was an increase of 32,000 compared to July. While there was an increase in openings, the entire sector is fairly flat, as increased hiring by the federal government was offset by cutbacks at the state and local level.

As we noted last week, there are opportunities out there for job seekers, but competition will be fierce for current vacancies. If you are looking to move into a new career, heading back to school for an advanced degree from a University is a wise option.

Due the structure and administration of collecting tax revenues, state and local governments have had a delayed impact to the recession. The National Bureau of Economic Research designated the end of the recession in June 2009, but economic and fiscal hardship as continued for state and local governments as well as the private sector. Unable to run deficits, state and local governments must play a delicate game of choosing to reduce services and staff or raise revenue to balance their budgets.

The number of unemployed government workers in the most recent BLS survey is 1,089,000, which translates to 5.0 percent. This is the lowest unemployment rate for those industries surveyed. The unemployment rate has increased since September 2009, when it was 4.2 percent.

We combed through USAJOBS.gov, the official government portal for federal government job listings, to see which occupations have the largest number of current vacancies. Here is what we found:

The Most In-Demand Federal Jobs in November.

Click on the link to search for jobs in your area

Accounting, Budget, and Finance - 775 openings

Biological Sciences - 613 openings

Business, Industry, and Procurement - 799 openings

Engineering and Architecture - 1129 openings

Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office Services - 1525 openings

Medical, Dental, and Public Health - 3151 openings

Physical Sciences - 322 openings

Safety, Health, and Physical and Resource Protection - 276 openings

Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare - 592 openings

Trade and Labor - 502 openings

If you are looking for a place to start your government job search, these are the industries that have the highest demand for the skills and expertise that you have. It's still a tough slog out there for many job seekers, but as a reader of GovCentral, we're sure you have what it takes to start your career in public service.

Are Local Governments Hiring?

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:55:00 -0700

Hiring conditions in many cities are tough, but not hopeless. As local governments balance their budgets by cutting services, dipping into their rainy day fund or seek new sources of revenue (yes that means tax increases), they are still looking for critical hires in certain areas.

What are these critical hires? It varies from city to city, but most will be in law enforcement and fire protection. Click here to learn about careers in law enforcement. Others might be airport maintenance or engineering. Because cities have had to trim their budgets so much, the remaining job openings are pretty essential for that city. Yes, that may be intuitive, but it just goes to show you that you need to have your A-game to compete for the remaining jobs.

So how do you stand out in a crowded field? Here are some tips:

Look for critical city services: This means police and fire.

Check our your neighbors: No, not your next-door neighbors, but see what jobs are available in the next town or even the next state over. If you have a family, it isn't a pleasant thought to uproot them, but if you have the flexibility to move for a job, you should definitely consider it.

Take a look at the Federal Government: The federal government is still hiring for many jobs across the country. In fact, over 80% of federal careers are located outside of Washington, D.C. Check out government career profiles.

Go back to school: One way to improve your resume and your chances in the hiring market is to go back to school and re-tool for new opportunities. You can get free information from colleges by going here

Can't figure out what to do next? Take our federal matchmaker quiz to find out what federal department is the best fit for you!

TAKE THE QUIZ! Federal Matchmaker: Which Department Is Right for You?

Top Hiring Federal Agencies September 2010

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:52:00 -0700

Transitioning to the fall, federal government hiring is continuing to chug along with a great demand for qualified job candidates. According to the most recent job figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the federal government had over 70,000 job openings in July and hired 39,000 people. This indicates an increasing demand for labor in the federal government for long-term employment.

Check out the list: Top Hiring Federal Agencies September 2010

GovCentral has compiled the top 20 federal agencies and programs with the most current openings according to USAJOBS.gov, the official government job search website. This is merely a glimpse of the tens of thousands of jobs available starting right now with the federal government.

Federal agencies with the most job openings continue to be related to the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs leads the way with 2751 current job openings according to USAJOBS.gov. In second is the Veterans Health Administration, which runs the veteran health care system across the country. The VA currently has 2285 job openings.

As we've noticed in previous job reports, many of these federal jobs require at minimum a college degree and many require advanced Master's degrees.

There is a lot of opportunity available if you want to start a career in public service. Check out the list below and get started in your job search!

Want to take your career to the next level? Get free information from reputable schools with flexible degree programs that fit your schedule.

1) Department of Veterans Affairs - 2751 openings

2) Veterans Health Administration - 2285 openings

3) Department of Air Force - 2063 openings

4) Department of the Army - 1814 openings

5) Air Force Personnel Center - 2455 openings

6) Department of the Navy - 1277 openings

7) Department of Defense - 1126 openings

8) Department of Agriculture - 960 openings

9) Department of Homeland Security - 913 openings

10) Department of Health and Human Services - 645 openings

11) Customs and Border Protection - 605 openings

12) Office of the Secretary of the Navy - 547 openings

13) Army Corps of Engineers - 470 openings

14) Defense Contract Audit Agency - 466 openings

15) U.S. Forest Service - 464 openings

16) Warner Robins Air Logistics Center - 427 openings

17) Department of the Interior - 372 openings

18) Defense Commissary Agency - 328 openings

19) Indian Health Service - 328 openings

20) Army Medical Command - 317 openings

Want to take your career to the next level? Get free information from reputable schools with flexible degree programs that fit your schedule.

Top Hiring Federal Agencies August 2010

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:15:00 -0700

The summer is still heating up and so is hiring for the federal government. We've compiled the list of offices and agencies that have hundreds and thousands of openings across the country. Check out our top 15 agencies hiring for the month of August.

Check out the list: Top Hiring Federal Agencies August 2010

From our analysis, the Department of Veteran Affairs and other military related agencies are looking for qualified civilians to support their operations. 11 of the top 15 agencies are directly related to the military and veteran support.

There is a lot of opportunity available if you want to find a government job. Check out the list below and get started.

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration - 1747

Veterans Health Administration - 1435

Army Corps of Engineers - 1356

Forest Service - 840

Army Medical Command - 560

Department of the Air Force - 333

Army Installation Management Command - 322

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System - 273

Department of Veterans Affairs - 235

Air Force Personnel Center - 214

Indian Health Service - 212

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - 209

Army Reserve Command - 208

Air Force Material Command - 204

Air Force Reserve, Headquarters - 201

6 Illegal Interview Questions to Avoid

Hamsa Ramesha — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:20:00 -0700

Wondering which questions you'll be asked during your job interview? You should expect the usual ones, such as "Where do you see yourself in five years?" and "What's your greatest weakness?" But then there are more colorful questions, such as "What animal best describes you?" and "If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?" that you should brace yourself for.

Regardless of what questions get thrown your way, there are a handful of interview questions you should never be asked. Be aware — questions about subjects in these categories violate your rights:

• Age • National origin

• Birthplace • Race

• Color • Religion

• Disability • Sex

• Marital/family status

However, don't assume an employer's prying questions are suggestive of discriminatory intentions. Often, a hiring manager is just trying to assess your fit for the job, not trying to illegally discriminate. While you can't be asked directly about any of these topics, don't be surprised if you find yourself discussing your family or religion with a potential employer either. It all depends on how the question is phrased.

While it's important to protect yourself from illegal interview questions, there are legal alternatives to get the same information out of you. Be prepared and know your options by checking out these six examples of illegal interview questions, and how they can be rephrased to pass the law.

Next: "Are You a U.S. Citizen?" >>

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ILLEGAL: "Are you a U.S. citizen?"

LEGAL: "Are you authorized to work in the U.S.?"

Employers aren't allowed to ask about your national origin, and that includes inquiring about your citizenship status. Touchy immigration issues aside, this question makes unnecessary assumptions based on your looks and racial stereotypes. On the flip side, employers can ask if you're allowed to work in the U.S. By rephrasing the question, they're avoiding directly asking if you're a citizen, green card holder, or on a visa.

ILLEGAL: "How old are you? When did you graduate from college?"

LEGAL: "Are you over the age of 18?"

Whether your 18 going on 48 or 60 going on 40, employers are not allowed to discriminate against age (which is what the first question implies). However, when asked differently, the question becomes legal; the legal phrasing implies an age range, not a specific number. After all, employers need to know their employees are over 18 years of age to work legally in the U.S.

ILLEGAL: "Are you married? How many children do you have? Who do you live with?

LEGAL: "Can you relocate if necessary? Are you willing to travel as a part of this job? Can you work overtime as necessary?"

Your marital and family status is not being interviewed here — you are. Anything about your living situation, roommates, fiancés, spouses, children, etc., is off limits. While employers might simply be trying to gauge how busy you are in your personal life to see if it clashes with work responsibilities, it's illegal to make a hiring decision based on this factor. As a potential employee, if you can commit to the necessary work hours and agree to the job requirements, your other responsibilities shouldn't matter. Women should especially be wary of being asked for their maiden name — not required for employers if it isn't legally your name. (But you can be asked if you've ever worked under another name.)

Next: "How Much Do You Weigh?" >>

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ILLEGAL: "How much do you weigh?"

LEGAL: "Are you comfortable with lifting heavy objects?"

While employers may want to make sure you're physically able to do the job, asking directly about your weight/height and general health is a major HR no-no. Not to mention potentially embarrassing for you! But rephrasing the question to ask about your ability to perform a specific task is fair game.

ILLEGAL: "Do you have any disabilities? Any recent illnesses or operations?"

LEGAL: "Are you able to perform the essential job functions?"

Discriminating against the disabled, whether wheelchair-bound or clinically depressed, is a classic example of illegal hiring practices. But the employer still has a right to make sure you can do the job you're hired for and rephrasing the question accordingly is within their rights.

ILLEGAL: "Ever been arrested?"

LEGAL: "Ever been convicted of ___?"

A general question about your (criminal) past is off topic, but a more targeted question regarding questionable behavior — as it relates to your job — is okay. For example, if you were applying for a job as a magician, it's appropriate to ask if you've ever been convicted of fraud in your line of work.

It's not so much what the question is asking, but how the question is asked. Federal and state laws prevent employers from asking interviewees about subjects unrelated to the job. However, if you feel you have been asked a question that's off-limits, you should seek legal counsel. Before you take serious action, take into consideration the nature of the job, the context of the situation, the interviewer's intent, and of course, the phrasing of the question. Good luck, and happy interviewing!

Last-Minute Interview Prep Tips

Hamsa Ramesha — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:37:00 -0700

Interviews can be pretty intimidating, so it's understandable if you put off prepping for the big day because of nerves. Lucky for you, we've put together a cheat sheet of last-minute interview prep tips, whether your interview is tomorrow afternoon — or two hours from now.

Procrastinators, rejoice. You still have a chance at that job!

1. Dress Code

Looking the part really is half the battle. A professional interview outfit is part of making a good first impression. Ladies, keep it classy with appropriate heels, buttoned up shirts, and modest skirts. Avoid flashy jewelry, see-through blouses, and low-cut tops. Men, a pressed shirt and dress pants are always an easy option; consider a tie and a business jacket if it's appropriate for the company. Never wear sneakers or shorts, and do go easy on the cologne.

2. Research

Get out your smartphone for a quick Google search on your company. Read up on any recent news items that the company is mentioned in and make sure you take a look at the company's website. Familiarize yourself with their mission statement and general services. Expect to be asked why you want to work for this particular company, not to mention a handful of other tough interview questions about the company's history. This is challenging even for the most prepared of interviewees, so don't worry if you find yourself stumped. But if you do some research beforehand, you won't look like a deer in headlights.

3. Prep Materials

Always print out a copy of your resume and any related job materials so that you have it on hand for the interview. Don't have a printer? Ran out of ink? Email the necessary documents to yourself and make a quick run to you local copy store. Worst case scenario: Email your resume to your interviewer just before your interview so at least they have a soft copy.

4. Quiz Yourself

While it's hard to predict exactly what you'll be asked during your job interview, there are a handful of questions that you should be prepared for. Don't be caught off guard when you're asked to talk about your past job experiences or specific projects. Be prepared to recall detailed examples of your accomplishments. Practice with a friend, or even in front of a mirror. Listen to yourself and how you phrase your answers. Practice makes perfect!

5. First Impression

At its core, a good interview is really about making a positive first impression. All that dressing professionally, arriving on time, and coming prepared won't matter if you seem arrogant and self-absorbed. Carry yourself with a confidence — your positive, professional attitude won't go unnoticed. However, if you feel that the interview is going south, it doesn't hurt to ask if it's possible to reschedule. Be polite and considerate of the big favor you are asking of your interviewer. After all, the worst that could happen is you don't get the job. Better luck next time!

“Where Will You Be in Five Years?” Answers

Christina Macres | GovCentral — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:53:00 -0700

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” — we all know the question. So why are we still stumped when someone asks this granddaddy of a ridiculous interview question in our interview? Here’s why – because most job seekers believe it has no relevance. The reason? No company can (or ever will) guarantee an employee a job for five years.

But, quite frankly, this is the wrong way of looking at this question. And, in actuality, this question (although obscurely phrased) is actually one of the easiest interview questions to answer — if you know how to answer it properly. The secret? Most interviewers look for interviewees to answer by way of long-term professional goals. So instead of sweating, rolling your eyes (don’t do it!), or drawing a complete blank when asked your five-year goal, use it an opportunity to share your motivation for the job, your goals for building your expertise, and your eagerness to succeed. It really works — we swear!

Check out these five tips on how to best answer this doozy of an interview question:

Tip #1: Choose the best answer.

Only after you’ve gotten a good feel for the company, as well as for the potential position, will you actually be able to state your five-year plan suitably. Why? Because the hiring manager is using this knowledge as a basis for the “right answer” — don’t be fooled, there’s always a right answer! For example if you wish to be hired by an older company looking for employees who want to develop their expertise, not management skills, it’s probably not the best idea to talk at length about your managerial goals.

Heads up: Interviews work both ways. Always keep in mind that you are using this interview as a means to analyze the potential employer as well. If their needs don’t mesh with your creative goals and career outlook, it might be necessary to look elsewhere.

An answer for those who want to be experts:
If your career goal is to be an expert in your field (this is more likely to be true of younger professionals, or those who are newer to their careers) you may want to say something like, “ In five years, I see myself as a successful graphic designer (or your creative field), and learning new skills that will benefit the company and help me achieve my career goals. I am eager to experience new challenges and excited to invest five years time specializing in a career I find extremely interesting and motivating."

An answer for those who wish to be management:
If your career goal is to move up the ranks because you've become an expert in your field, you may want to say something like, “In five years I see myself in a management role. This would allow me to demonstrate my aptitude for managing others and having more responsibility. I am a dedicated employee and hope to better both my career and my company via my commitment and enthusiasm.”

Tip #2: Be realistic and motivated.

It doesn’t matter how well you answer the five-year question, if you don’t answer it realistically, you’ll lose the respect of your interviewer. For example, it’s probably not the best idea to announce that you’d like to be creative director in five years during your internship interview. Once you’ve presented yourself as unrealistic, good luck trying to get your interviewer to take the rest of your interview seriously.

Tip #3: Communicate that you’re in it for the long haul.

Many interviewers ask this dreaded question to decipher whether you’re just settling for the position or using it as stepping stone for bigger, better opportunities. Assure your interviewer that you’re looking to make a long-term commitment to the company and your career. Do this by stating goals clearly. Make sure to convey that you believe future success comes with everyday excellence. You can steal that last part if you want.

Tip #4: Demonstrate that you’ve read the job description.

Nothing irks an interviewer or is more disappointing than a potential employee who hasn’t done their homework. Not only are you not equipped for the conversation you’re about to have, you’re also confirming that you like wasting people’s time and looking totally unprepared.

Bad interviewee.

What you’re really doing if you don’t prepare and research? You're just making the interview that much harder on yourself.

Good Idea: Use the company’s strengths to capitalize on your own. For instance, if the company is largely team-based, mention that you’re a good team player and work best in collaborative environments. While you're answering, use the specific duties listed in the job description to formulate professional goals. Your interviewer will like that you’re knowledgeable and that your goals fit with those of the company.

Remember, going into the interview you should have a clear idea of the working environment, the environment you work best in, and what interests you about the job. This way you can meld those answers into the inevitable “Where will you be in five years?” question.

Tip #5: Walk a fine line.

Meaning, don’t overshare or be too descriptive when describing the next five years of your professional life. Interviewees tend to answer this question either in a personal nature or by delving into the innermost yearnings of what they want for their future careers. Don’t do it! The first response comes off as unprofessional; the second, whiny.

Without going into great detail or mentioning specific positions, communicate to the interviewer that you are motivated, knowledgeable, and eager to take on the position.

Tie your future goals to the potential position and the company’s vision and you’re golden.

Knock’em dead!

2010 FBI Career Fairs

GovCentral — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:27:00 -0700

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the DEA and CIA, will participate in a large number of career fairs in 2010. Many FBI representatives have stated that they expect all attendees to bring resumes and dress professionally, and try to keep conversations at job fairs on-topic and as productive as possible.

Information listed taken from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Recruiting Events page.

Please Note: The FBI is not a sponsor of the following recruitment events, only a participant.

FBI Career Fairs in Arkansas

Central Arkansas Human Resources Assoc.,5/18/2010

Festival dia del Nino, 4/25/2010

More Job Resources:

Forum:
Job Hunting Advice

Groups:
Getting the Interview

Careers:
Best Entry Level Government Jobs

Info:
2010 General Schedule Pay Scale

Info:
Nine Federal Job Facts

FBI Career Fairs in California

Anatolian Festival, 5/6/2010

Diverse Careers.com,6/23/2010

LA Gay Pride Festival, 6/12/2010

Latinos For Hire , 4/21/2010

Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival,5/15/2010

Targeted Job Fair Event, 4/12/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Colorado

Recruit Military, 5/6/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Florida

(ALPFA) Association of Latino Professionals in Finance , 7/31/2010

Diversityjobusa.com,5/28/2010

Job News, 4/28/2010

Statewide Job Fair, 5/13/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Georgia

NAACP Diversity Fair, 4/20/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Hawaii

Annual WorkForce, 5/19/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Illinois

Catalyst Career, 4/28/2010

Diversity Job Fair, 6/24/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Kentucky

Louisville Urban League, 6/30/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Louisiana

National Bar Association, 8/9/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Maryland

Baltimore Hires Career Fair, 5/24/2010

Central Maryland Career Fair, 5/26/2010

Federal Asian Pacific American Council,5/3/2010

New Psalmist Baptisch Church Services Fair, 5/16/2010

Patuxent River Naval Air Station, 4/27/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Michigan

AKA Sorority Regional Conference, 4/22/2010

Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, 6/11/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Minnesota

Law Enforcement Opportunities, 4/15/2010

Minnesota Veteran's Career Fair, 5/5/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Missouri

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Boule 2010, 7/19/2010

FBI Career Fairs in New Mexico

Asian American Association of New Mexico, 5/16/2010

Career Expo, 4/21/2010

LULAC, 7/13/2010

FBI Career Fairs in New York

Asian Diversity Career Expo, 5/7/2010

NYO Security Expo, 4/30/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Ohio

Dayton Daily News Career Expo, 5/4/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Oklahoma

Red Earth Native American Festival,6/18/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Puerto Rico

Expo Empleo (El Nuevo Dia), 4/29/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Tennessee

Global Recruiting Solution, 4/28/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Texas

Employment Guide.com, 5/4/2010

Ft. Bliss Army Post, 5/20/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Virginia

East Coast Career Fair, 5/5/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Washington

Corporate Gray Job Fair, 5/11/2010

Latin Pro Bilingual Job Fair, 5/13/2010

Service Academy Career Fair, 5/28/2010

Virtual Career Fair, 3/16/2010

Washington, DC. Careers & Disabled, 3/26/2010

FBI Career Fairs in Canada

Canada, National Society of Black Engineers, 3/31/2010

For more information on individual events, visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Recruiting Events page.

Explaining Vacancy Announcements
Benefits of a Security Clearance
Nine Useful Federal Job Facts

FBI Job Fairs

GovCentral with location information from the FBI Job Fair website — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:38:00 -0700

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the DEA and CIA, participates in many job fairs each year. Many FBI representatives have stated that they expect all attendees to bring resumes and dress processionally, and try to keep conversations at job fairs on-topic and as productive as possible. *Please Note*: The FBI is not a sponsor of the following recruitment events, only a participant.

Information listed taken from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Recruiting Events page.

FBI CAREER FAIRS

Hiring Events: Please select your state to find out if one of our recruiters is coming soon to a location near you.

ALABAMA
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
HAWAII
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
LOUISIANA
MARYLAND
MICHIGAN
NEW JERSEY
OKLAHOMA
OREGON
PENNSYLVANIA
PUERTO RICO
SOUTH CAROLINA
TENNESSEE
TEXAS
VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON DC

Please Note: The FBI is not a sponsor of the following recruitment events, only a participant.

ALABAMA
Women Job Fair
Thursday, April 30, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
Doubletree Hotel
808 S. 20th Street
Birmingham, AL

5th Annual Gulf Coast Career Fair
Saturday, June 06, 2009
10 AM - 6 PM
Bel Air Mall
Airport Blvd
Mobile, AL

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ARIZONA
Women in Federal Law Enforcement
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 to Friday, June 19, 2009
10 AM - 4 PM
Westin La Paloma Resort
Tucson, AZ

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CALIFORNIA
California Job Journal
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
10 AM - 4 PM
Diversity Career Fair
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, CA

The Engineers Connection Tec-Expo
Thursday, May 07, 2009
2 PM - 6 PM
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street
Sacramento, CA

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WASHINGTON DC
Military Officers Association of America
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
Walter Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC

Service Academy Career Conference
Friday, May 08, 2009
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC

Washington Post Colossal
Monday, May 11, 2009
11 AM - 5 PM
Sheraton - Crystal City
Washington, DC

Corporate Gray Career Fair
Thursday, May 21, 2009
10 AM - 2 PM
Doubletree - Crystal City
Washington, DC

Latin Pro
Thursday, May 21, 2009
10 AM - 6 PM
Trinity College
Washington, DC

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FLORIDA
Hispanic Business & Consumer Expo
Friday, April 17, 2009 to Sunday, April 19, 2009
10 AM - 6 PM
Orange County Convention Center
Tampa, FL

Tampa Bay Job Fair
Monday, April 20, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
The Coliseum
535 4th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL

Recruit Military Career Fair
Thursday, April 23, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, FL

MacDill Air Force Base Career Fair
Friday, April 24, 2009
12 PM - 3 PM
Officer's Club
Tampa, FL

Eckerd College Annual Career Fair
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
1 PM - 4 PM
4200 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL

Florida Career Centers 21st Annual Statewide Job Fair
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
University of Central Florida Arena
Orlando, FL

Central Florida Employment Council
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
11 AM - 3 PM
Central Florida Fair Exposition Park
4603 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL

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GEORGIA
2009 Black College Spring Break Job Fair
Saturday, April 18, 2009
10 AM - 4 PM
Georgia International Convention Center
Atlanta, GA

NAACP Regional Diversity Career Fair
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA

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HAWAII
University of Guam
Friday, May 01, 2009
9 AM - 6 PM
Field House, UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam, HI

12th Annual Workforce Career Fair
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
9 AM - 3 PM
Neil S. Blaisdell Center
777 Ward Avenue
Honolulu, HI

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ILLINOIS
Combined Law Enforcement Hispanic Heritage Committee Career Fair
Monday, May 04, 2009
10 AM - 2 PM
2800 South Western Avenue
Chicago, IL

Job Fair of Chicago
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
10 AM - 2 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL

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INDIANA
Diversity Job Fair and Business Symposium
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
12 PM - 6 PM
Radisson Hotel
Merrillville, IN

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LOUISIANA
Essence Music Festival
Friday, July 03, 2009 to Sunday, July 05, 2009
9 AM - 5 PM
Convention Center
New Orleans, LA

Back to Top
MARYLAND
Military Stars Career Fair
Thursday, April 23, 2009
11 AM - 3 PM
M&T Ravens Stadium
Baltimore, MD

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MICHIGAN
Detroit Branch NAACP Super Career Expo
Friday, May 01, 2009
9 AM - 3 PM
Cobo Conferene Center
1 Washington Blvd
Detroit, MI

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NEW JERSEY
Star Ledger Career Fair
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
Convention Center, Atrium Road
Somerset, NJ

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OKLAHOMA
Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival
Friday, June 05, 2009 to Sunday, June 07, 2009
8 AM - 5 PM
Cox Convention Center
Oklahoma City, OK

Back to Top
OREGON
Urban League of Portland
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
10 AM - 4 PM
Portland General Electric World Trade Center II
121 SW Salmon Street
Portland, OR

Back to Top
PENNSYLVANIA
2009 Regional Diversity Job Fair
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
10 AM - 3 PM
Carnegie Mellon
Pittsburgh, PA

Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, May 09, 2009
11 AM - 7 PM
South Side Works
Homestead, PA

Back to Top
PUERTO RICO
Expo Empleo 2009 (El Nuevo Dia)
Thursday, May 14, 2009 to Friday, May 15, 2009
10 AM - 8 PM
Centro de Convenciones Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR

LULAC National Convention & Exposistion
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
10 AM - 7 PM
Puerto Rico Convention Center
100 Convention Boulevard
San Juan, PR

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SOUTH CAROLINA
United States Marine Corps
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
11 AM - 2 PM
Career and Education Fair
Parris Island, SC

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TENNESSEE
Knoxville News Sentinel Job Fair
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
9 AM - 2 PM
Knoxville Expo Center
5441 Clinton Hwy
Knoxville, TN

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TEXAS
Arab American Festival
Saturday, April 18, 2009
12 PM - 10 PM
10555 Stancliff Road
Houston, TX

Ft. Bliss Army Post
Friday, May 22, 2009
9 AM - 2 PM
Career Center
El Paso, TX

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VIRGINIA
Military Stars Career Expo
Thursday, June 11, 2009
12 PM - 4 PM
1000 19th Street
Virginia Beach, VA

NOBLE - National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
Monday, July 27, 2009 to Tuesday, July 28, 2009
10 AM - 5 PM
Norfolk Waterside Marriott
Norfolk, VA

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WASHINGTON
University of Washington Tacoma
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Spring Career Fair
William Phillip Hall
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA

Spring Career Fair
Thursday, April 23, 2009
11 AM - 3 PM
Western Washington University
516 High Street, MAC Gym
Wade King Student Recreation Center
Bellingham, WA

2009 Seattle Career Fair
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
11 AM - 3 PM
Seattle Center
305 Harrison Street
Seattle, WA

Back to Top

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Times to Go with Your Gut at Work

Christina Macres | GovCentral — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:33:00 -0700

Ever get a hunch but can’t put your finger on why you feel the way you do? Perhaps it’s the way a coworker reacts to your proposal, or a strange feeling that your boss isn’t happy with your performance. Not everything can be worked out with a pro and con list. Much of working with people is following your intuition.

And not only do our bodies have a powerful language all their own, they’ve got quite a lot to say about what we should do in certain situations. Why not use this to your advantage in your professional career? Check out these work-related examples of times when your stomach might sour or your body tense and learn how to uncover your natural intuitive abilities just by listening to your body’s physical cues.

Career Change:

Point blank, career change is scary. Chances are, if the sheer amount of “what ifs” haven’t left your brain feeling completely noodle-like, your body is most probably screaming many conflicting thoughts, feelings and emotions due to it’s inability choose a resolution.

The solution? Simplify.

Researchers suggest concentrating your thoughts on a single question. Just by concentrating your feelings on a question like, “What do I need right now?” or “What outcome feels best at this time?” you can listen to your body’s feedback and get the intuitive information you need to make the decision that’s right for you and your career.

In-Office Gossip:

Who’s dating whom? Who’s promotion wasn’t deserved? Who’s tiptoeing out of the office a little to early each day? You don’t have to overhear water cooler chatter to know you’re the source of office gossip.

When faced with the nagging feeling that coworkers are getting a little too talkative, nip it in the bud - fast!

How? First, find the source. Then address the gossip. A good way of doing this is to speak to a time you overheard an untrue statement said about a fellow colleague.

For instance you could say, “Lately, I’ve been frustrated with the ways you’ve been talking about other people. I know these statements are false and I don’t believe these sorts of conversations promote a friendly work environment.” By confronting the source, you resolve two things: you take the attention off yourself and you also make your coworkers aware that, if this behavior should continue, everyone is at risk of being a the subject of gossip.

Speaking Up in a Meeting:

We all have different meeting personalities. There are some who feel comfortable chiming in whenever and wherever possible and then there are those who over-think their good idea, question, or quandary until it’s no longer relevant to the conversation. A quick way of knowing what’s appropriate meeting speak is to consult your gut. Most times if it’s not hurtful, unproductive or off-topic, it’s okay to bring it up in a meeting.

Going to HR:

Human Resources is available when things don’t feel right in the office. Do you have a bad feeling about one of your coworkers? Has someone been treating you unfairly or do you feel threatened by your current work environment? Take a trip to the HR person.

But how do you know when a gut feeling is warranted and not just indigestion? Your body’s physical messages should be "dear and neutral," say researchers. And, they caution never to act on impulse, as, if you're feeling particularly emotional, it could be fear and not intuition.

An exception to this would be in times of sexual or verbal harassment. If this is happening to you, be sure to contact your HR person as soon as the first offense. If someone is targeting you, they’re most certainly targeting others who may not know (or be brave enough) to speak up.

OPM launches revamped USAjobs.gov

Alex M. Parker | Government Executive — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:22:00 -0800

The Office of Personnel Management on Monday launched its long-awaited revamped federal jobs Web site, the first step in reforming the government's hiring process, officials said.

The new version of USAJobs.gov simplifies the site's searching capability. OPM officials said a key change was adding more flexibility to refine job searches based on location, grade, salary and type of profession. The site, incorporating feedback from users, also includes updates on the status of positions as well as a candidate's application.

"Once you applied for a job [previously], it went into a black hole," said Christine Griffin, OPM deputy director. "That really has all been changed."

Instead of a home page crammed with links and pictures, the site's new landing page allows users to look for jobs by key word or location. After the results of the search are displayed, the user then can refine those results further according to salary or agency, without going to another page or starting another search. The search page also has easier features to refine searches by salary or agency.

"The [previous] home page had a lot of information, but one of the things we found is that a lot of people weren't using that information, because they found it overwhelming," said Kim Bauhs, OPM assistant director of recruitment and diversity.

The revamped site also has streamlined the feature for job seekers to keep documents on file to use for multiple applications and special Web pages for students, members of the Senior Executive Service, and applicants with disabilities, as well as links to a new site for military veterans seeking federal employment.

According to Griffin and Bauhs, the agency consulted with popular sites such as Facebook, and also conducted focus groups with students from The George Washington University. The six-month development of the site was included as part of the agency's $5 million annual contract with Monster Government Solutions, Bauhs said.

The Web site requires the active involvement of the hiring agencies to be effective, she said. Those agencies need to keep up-to-date the status of jobs and applications, and ensure that their hiring systems are in sync with the site's format. According to Bauhs, 73 percent of the agencies with representatives on the Chief Human Capital Officers Council are fully integrated with the site, and OPM plans to have total compliance within a year.

Bauhs said the new Web site was a critical first step in the process of hiring reform, but declined to say what the next steps would be, or when they would be rolled out.

January's Most In Demand Fed Jobs

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:38:00 -0800

In January's Government Job Report, the rate of government hires remained steady as the government sector experienced a net employment gain of 4,000.

According to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 283,000 total hires in the government in November 2009, the majority of which were at the state and local level.

Job Openings were listed at 339,000 nationwide, down slightly from October 2009. State and Local Government job openings were 251,000; the federal government had 88,000.

Most In Demand Federal Occupations

USAJOBS.gov lists the following occupations as the most in demand at the federal level:

1. Medical, Dental, and Public Health 2688
2. Engineering and Architecture 2520
3. Management, Administration, Clerical, and Office Services 2139
4. Biological Sciences 1261
5. Business, Industry, and Procurement 1006
6. Information Technology 724
7. Accounting Budget and Finance 709
8. Trade and Labor 695
9. Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare 662
10. Safety, Health, and Physical and Resource Protection 575

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The federal agencies with the largest number of job openings are:
(Click on the Agency to search for current job vacancies.)

1. Department of the Navy 3795
2. Department of Veterans Affairs 1955
3. United States Army 1506
4. Department of the Interior 1296
5. Department of U.S. Air Force 1273
6. Department of Defense 1015
7. Department of Homeland Security 1002
8. Department of Agriculture 962
9. Department of Health and Human Services 585
10. Department of Justice 191

Looking forward, the federal government will continue to provide steady employment growth. Things look a little more bleak at the state and local level as many states are facing serious budgetary problems forcing them to decrease government services in an effort to balance their budgets.

As we continue to expand the depth and insight of our Government Job Report, we appreciate your feedback.

Further Reading:

Feds to Hire 600,000 Employees by 2012

Best Places to Work in the Federal Government

5 Interview Types and How to Ace Them

Government Job Report - Top States for Federal Jobs (December 2009)

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:32:00 -0800

In this week's edition of the Government Job Report, we turn towards state level hiring for job vacancies with the federal government.

As we reported last week, the rate of hiring for government jobs is slowing, but a lot of opportunity is still available for those with the skills and experience the federal government is looking for.

Looking through USAJOBS.com, we found over 14,000 vacancies that were located in 50 states plus the District of Columbia. However, USAJOBS is always tricky in how they list their announcements. Sometimes a vacancy announcement may say that it is located in multiple locations throughout the U.S. and doesn't show up immediately in our searches.

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The states with the most largest number of current job vacancies in the federal government are as followed:

California - 1187 job vacancies

Virginia - 1154 job vacancies

Maryland - 934 job vacancies

District of Columbia - 919 job vacancies

Texas - 805 job vacancies

When searching for job vacancies that fit your work and education experience, it's important to expand your search beyond USAJOBS. GovCentral pulls vacancy announcements from USAJOBS but our career search tool also has access to Monster.com and thousands of additional job listings. These are filtered for the government, so many job listings are for government contracting jobs.

Click here to see the states with the most federal job vacancies

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The Government Job Report - Top States for Government Jobs in December

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Alabama - 224 job vacancies

Alaska - 183 job vacancies

Arizona - 406 job vacancies

Arkansas - 59 job vacancies

California - 1187 job vacancies

Colorado - 291 job vacancies

Connecticut - 118 job vacancies

Delaware - 28 job vacancies

District of Columbia - 919 job vacancies

Florida - 798 job vacancies

Georgia - 402 job vacancies

Hawaii - 247 job vacancies

Idaho - 92 job vacancies

Illinois - 211 job vacancies

Indiana - 178 job vacancies

Iowa - 67 job vacancies

Kansas - 195 job vacancies

Kentucky - 161 job vacancies

Louisiana - 201 job vacancies

Maine - 141 job vacancies

Maryland - 934 job vacancies

Massachusetts - 234 job vacancies

Michigan - 158 job vacancies

Minnesota - 102 job vacancies

Mississippi - 215 job vacancies

Missouri - 265 job vacancies

Montana - 171 job vacancies

Nebraska - 71 job vacancies

Nevada - 224 job vacancies

New Hampshire - 40 job vacancies

New Jersey - 184 job vacancies

New Mexico - 355 job vacancies

New York - 360 job vacancies

North Carolina - 285 job vacancies

North Dakota - 77 job vacancies

Ohio - 267 job vacancies

Oklahoma - 218 job vacancies

Oregon - 248 job vacancies

Pennsylvania - 308 job vacancies

Puerto Rico - 41 job vacancies

Rhode Island - 81 job vacancies

South Carolina - 230 job vacancies

South Dakota - 98 job vacancies

Tennessee - 186 job vacancies

Texas - 805 job vacancies

Utah - 158 job vacancies

Vermont - 50 job vacancies

Virginia - 1154 job vacancies

Washington - 524 job vacancies

West Virginia - 105 job vacancies

Wisconsin - 95 job vacancies

Wyoming - 87 job vacancies

Williams Bridgers: Assessing the Finer Aspects of U.S. Foreign Policy

The Parnership for Public Service via The Washington Post — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:53:00 -0800

Jacquelyn Williams-Bridgers was on the eleventh floor of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, last July when a bomb exploded in the lobby, and then another detonated five minutes later at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel across the street.

"I was getting ready for breakfast when the suicide bombers struck. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I knew instinctively when the first bomb went off that I was in trouble," Williams-Bridgers said.

The harrowing incident, which killed nine people and injured 50, illustrates one of the risks Williams-Bridgers and her colleagues at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) face on the job. They travel to world hot spots assessing U.S. foreign policy and how U.S. tax dollars are being spent - missions that sometimes mean putting their lives on the line.

"It really brought full circle the work that I do, feeling the wrath of those who look to do us harm," William-Bridgers said of the incident in Jakarta.

As director of the GAO's 140-member International Affairs and Trade team, William-Bridgers has spent the past few years overseeing U.S. efforts to secure, stabilize and rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. Her group has also worked in Saudi Arabia, examining government efforts to prevent money from reaching terrorists.

The group traveled to Pakistan in hopes of visiting the tribal regions where al Qaeda is believed to have taken sanctuary, but the regional fact-finding trip was postponed for safety concerns.

Her next stop was Jakarta, where she consulted with a government audit agency and was caught in the middle of the deadly terrorist bombing.

Williams-Bridgers said her team's typical inquiry as an agency of Congress may take eight or nine months to fully develop, often requiring a first-hand look at what is happening in remote and dangerous locations.

"We try to speak truth to power. Our client is Congress-the decision makers-and we try to ask the tough questions and provide them with the information they may not have," said Williams-Bridgers.

Under her direction, the GAO has reported on the multi-billion dollar budget surplus in Iraq, deficiencies in accountability for weapons in Afghanistan, the challenge of training the military and civilian security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, narcotics trafficking moving through Venezuela, and the small arms trade between the United States and Mexico.

In some cases, missions are considered politically sensitive. In others, GAO investigations are well-received. For instance: , her team's finding last January that the Department of Defense (DOD) could not account for thousands of small weapons that were supposed to be going to the Afghanistan security forces.

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"We reported this to DOD and they responded with new guidance and internal controls so that individuals would be held accountable,' said Williams-Bridgers.

Williams-Bridgers has held several government jobs. She served the Clinton administration as inspector general of the State Department, the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, and later the U.S. Information Agency and the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

As inspector general, she led the program evaluation, audit and criminal investigation organizations that were responsible for oversight of U.S. foreign policy implementation, U.S. embassy operations, embassy security and U.S. intelligence overseas.

Harry Geisel, the current acting inspector general at the State Department, called Williams-Bridgers someone who "thinks outside the box" and gets results.

Patrick Kennedy, the undersecretary for management at the State Department, said Williams-Bridgers understands the policy environment she is working in, maintains high ethical standards and seeks to work with other officials on issues of mutual concern.

"She is smart, tough, a good team player and a problem solver," Kennedy said. "She is always willing to work to resolve issues while upholding GAO's standards."

Williams-Bridgers said her government job has been exciting, rewarding and a constant learning experience. "It's like coming to school every day. My mind is always being stretched," she said.

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This article was jointly prepared by the Partnership for Public Service, a group seeking to enhance the performance of the federal government, and washingtonpost.com. Visit www.ourpublicservice.org for more about the organization's work and go to www.servicetoamericamedals.org to nominate a federal employee for a Service to America Medal.

Government Job Report - Top Hiring Federal Agencies (December 2009)

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:44:00 -0800

Government hiring has continued to decline slightly due to the recession, but there are still more job openings than jobs hired.

The most current data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is September 2009. Preliminary figures list 267,000 job openings and 258,000 hires at the federal, state, and local level. Less than 4 percent of current job openings were left unfilled.

At the federal level, there were over 41,000 job openings and only 24,000 new hires, indicating a job-fill rate of 58 percent. Over 17,000 job openings in the federal government were left unfilled.

But when we move to the state and federal level, there were more hires than job openings. In September, there were 235,000 hires and 221,000 job openings. This suggests that turnover for jobs at the state and local level is very low. Local and state governments are also experiencing budgetary problems (Hi, California), which has caused government services to be reduced significantly and less need to create new job openings.

Are you interested in a career in Government? Find out which degrees will get you ahead. Learn more.

Competition for government jobs is tough, but not hopeless. Hiring managers may be finding the candidates they desire for the positions available, but they are still looking for qualified candidates with a commitment to public service. Remember, there were still over 267,000 job openings in September. That is 267,000 opportunities to start a career in government.

Looking through USAJOBS.com, we found nearly 16,000 current openings within 79 federal agencies and departments spread across the country. This is a small sum compared to the number of government jobs available at the state and local level.

The Department of the Navy leads the way with 3795 current job openings. Most of the job demand at the federal level is related to the military, but these job openings are for civilian positions and do not require a military service commitment. The rest of the top 10 are:

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Click on the agency to search for current job openings.

Department of the Navy - 3795

Department of Veterans Affairs - 2540

United States Army - 1906

Department of U.S. Air Force - 1454

Department of Defense - 1154

Department of Agriculture - 986

Department of the Interior - 865

Department of Health and Human Services - 686

Department of Homeland Security - 643

Multi-Agency - 353

As we continue to expand the depth and insight of our Government Job Report, we appreciate your feedback.

Further Reading:

Feds to Hire 600,000 Employees by 2012

Best Places to Work in the Federal Government

5 Interview Types and How to Ace Them

Leaving the Legal Grind: Land a Plum Job as an Administration Law Judge

Elizabeth Juge | Resume-Place.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:24:00 -0800

Experienced litigators and administrative law specialists take note—the U.S. Office of Personnel Management recently announced that the Administrative Law Judge exam is open.

Thought to be one of the best jobs in government, ALJs are paid on a special pay scale that is commensurate with Senior Executive Service; but ALJs do not have direct supervisors and are not subject to participation in cursory performance appraisal activities. They have no production goals, and are not responsible for supervising others.

Start your Administrative Law Judge application on USAJOBS.com

Some view the position as prestigious—the Supreme Court noted that for most Americans, an ALJ is the highest ranking government official they will ever encounter. For attorneys looking to leave the grind of private practice, especially in a declining economy, the ALJ position provides steady and interesting work at a stable and equitable salary, which tops out in 7 years at over $160,000.

You can’t talk about ALJ hiring without talking about the Social Security Administration. SSA employs around 90% of all ALJs in the federal government. As of March 2009, there were 1,422 ALJs employed at 30 federal agencies and sub-agencies. SSA employed more than 1,100 of them. Chief Judge Frank Cristaudo has stated that SSA will hire up to 190 ALJs in a variety of locations in fiscal year 2010. Those judges will be hired from the register created by successful applicants from the upcoming exam. Applicants on the register could also be hired by any of the other agencies employing ALJs. Join in the Social Security Administration Blog and read about ALJ discussions. Blog quote: “I urge those who want to become Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to study this notice carefully and to monitor the OPM website closely. The last time the register was opened, it only stayed open for a few days. Many who were interested in becoming ALJs failed to apply in time.”

Elizabeth Juge, a Senior Federal Career Consultant and Legal Application Expert at The Resume Place in Baltimore, MD, answers Frequently Asked Questions by attorney applicants about qualifications, the exam review process and how to prepare successful application materials.

Next Page: Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I have to have prior judicial experience?
In a word, no. Most selected as ALJs have never been judges, although former state and local judges do fare well in the process. To debunk another myth, no political connections are required. ALJs are the only U.S. judges that are appointed solely based on merit. They are rated and ranked based on the information provided in the exam process. The minimum requirement is completion of a Juris Doctor, being a member in good standing of a state bar association in the U.S. (or one of a few territories) and 7 or more years experience as a practicing attorney. The best candidates have both litigation and administrative law experience. Other excellent attributes to feature are your ability to maintain a composed judicial demeanor and your knowledge of how a courtroom is run. Typically candidates with varied career experience fare well.

What is the deadline for applying? Is the exam timed?
When the announcement for the exam gets posted (which is rumored to be mid November 2009), the application will be open for a designated period of time (historically 2 weeks) OR until a maximum number of applicants is received. In 2008, 600 applications were allowed and that number was reached on the second day the announcement was posted. Plan ahead and get your materials in shape well before the announcement comes out. It is very unlikely you will have more than 2-3 days to apply.

You will submit your materials online at OPM’s website. The process of inputting your application is not timed. It is recommended that you do your writing in a word processing program and copy/paste into the online system to avoid errors or technological glitches.

What is the total application like?
The full application and “examination” requires answers to multiple choice questions (self-assessment questionnaire), a federal resume (which is typically 4-6 pages long), answers to the 6 narratives in the Accomplishment Record and 2 additional narratives that respectively detail your administrative law and litigation experience.

What does the Federal Resume look like for an ALJ Application?
The Federal resume is more detailed than your private practice resume. Most private practice resumes are two pages and do not include a great amount of detail describing your legal skills. The federal resume should contain more information in the Work Experience section of the resume. Your current position, and the past two positions should be described in detail. I would recommend that the current position be written in 1/2 to 2/3 of one full page. This is the most important position. The second and third positions can be somewhat shorter. But the Human Resources specialists will be looking for content and descriptions of your work as an attorney. Study OPM’s qualifications when writing your federal resume. They will be most interested in the last 10 years of your professional career. The biggest differences between private practice and federal resume will be in the Work Experience section with more details about the last 10 years of experience.

What comprises the ALJ Accomplishment Record?
The Accomplishment Record is made up of several competencies relevant to the job in which you will detail examples from your experience that demonstrate your competence in each area. Not all of your examples need to be from your legal experience. Other parts of your community and life experience can be effective too. Have you ever served on a board or commission? Made critical decisions as part of a review panel? Written a published work that was persuasive and well received? It’s all fair game for your accomplishments.

What’s the best way to write the “2 additional narratives”?
Detail your administrative law and litigation experience.

What are key words and do I really need to worry about them?
Key words are the buzz words and phrases that pertain to the top skills and most relevant qualifications for the job. They can be found right in the announcement and assessment questions. Because the applications are rated by Human Resources professionals and not fellow attorneys (nor ALJs), use of these key words points a lay person to how your qualifications match up to critical criteria. This is an area where many applications go astray. The use of legal jargon and complicated language can hurt your application. Understanding how to use the key words is vital. This process may make the application seem duplicative, especially because you will use the same key words in the resume and the narratives, but is effective and proven to yield good results.

Do you have to be an agency insider to have a real shot at this job?
No. Because of the merit-based principles, each applicant is rated solely on merit. In fact, being an agency insider can be a detriment if your agency work is viewed as less than stellar.

Will I get my veteran’s preference?
Yes. All the consideration of veteran’s preference apply, including the 5 or 10 points.

What happens after I submit my initial application?
If you are among the highest scoring applicants on the initial Accomplishment Record, you will be invited to OPM headquarters for the Written Demonstration and a Structured Interview. The Written Demonstration has been described as similar to a bar exam and each candidate will write a mock decision. The Structured Interview is just that—an interview where each candidate is asked the same set of identical questions. The combined score of all three steps in the process makes up your final score. A score of 40 or higher will land you on the register.

What does it mean to be on the register?
Those candidates whose applications have scored highly enough will be placed on the ALJ register – simply a list of high-scoring candidates — until an agency requests names of candidates who can be interviewed by the agency and hired. This second list is called a “certificate,” and it contains three candidates for every one position to be filled. You could be on the register for a few weeks or many months before being called by an agency for an interview. The current register will expire in October 2010. The timeline for the new register will be detailed in the upcoming announcement.

Why are so many ALJs being hired?
Because they employ so many judges, the Social Security Administration largely drives the process. SSA needs to decrease the backlog of pending disability claims from some 800,000 cases and also reduce the processing time for the almost 500,000 new cases annually.

How can I find a list of the agencies that hire ALJs?
Visit the website for the Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference at www.faljc.org . There you can find a list of agencies that hire ALJs, a copy of the 2008 application questions and other basic information about the application process.

What is the salary structure?
Starting salary ranges from $116,000 to $129,000, depending on locality. Full performance level is $162,000 and is reached in 7 years. Current or former federal employees who are earning more than the starting salary do not take a pay cut and may start with a small increase over their previous salary.

What areas of the country have these jobs available?
There are ALJs all over the United States and in Puerto Rico. When you apply for the job, you will be asked to select from 80-120 cities where jobs are available. You can preference as many as you like. Later in the process, you are allowed to reduce the number of areas you will consider. Once you submit your final geographic availability list, you may be offered a job in any of those locations.

1. START NOW! The announcement may only be open 1 to 5 days, depending on how many applications they have set as their goal.

2. Use PLAIN LANGUAGE and the KEY WORDS from the application. Avoid complicated legal jargon. Remember that your application will be rated by a non-attorney.

3. Make sure your RESUME supports your Accomplishment Record. The resume should feature your DUTIES that speak to the required skills as well as your unique career ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

4. Apply the CCAR (context-challenge-actions-results) method to your Accomplishment Record NARRATIVES.

5. Feature areas of ADMINISTRATIVE LAW in which you have experience that might be of benefit to the regulatory and enforcement agencies. Examples are employment, immigration, disability, energy, etc.

Elizbeth’s links:

OPM’s press release

OPM to Open Administrative Law Judge Exam

OPM’s Qualifications for ALJ

ALJ Pay System & Scale

Administrative Law Judge job Announcement on USAJobs

OPM to Open Administrative Law Judge Exam

OPM’s Qualifications for ALJ

OPM ALJ Fact Sheet

Social Security Blog / News

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Elizabeth Juge

Elizabeth is trained in Federal Human Resources recruitment and selection. She has written professionally for 15 years and joined The Resume Place as a full time writer and career consultant in 2005. She consults with jobseekers to match their qualifications to targeted jobs and develops strategies for the job search and application materials. As a professional trainer working alongside Kathryn Troutman, Elizabeth has taught Ten Steps to a Federal Job and writing classes to numerous job seekers, military counselors and federal human resources professionals.

A specialist in federal legal applications and Senior Executive Service writing, Elizabeth was a contributing editor on Kathryn Troutman’s 4th edition Federal Resume Guidebook, editing chapters on resume writing and career development. She recently wrote the chapter on KSA writing and edited other chapters in Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd edition. Her application writing work has helped numerous RP clients earn best-qualified rankings in their Federal Job applications.

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