Jobs Live

Applying for Government and Security-related Jobs

Derrick Dortch is a career counselor who specializes in government job searching and military transition. Currently, he is president of The Diversa Group, a firm that focuses on career counseling and development, entrepreneurship, leadership and organizational consulting, training and development. He also runs The Career Success Group as well as Targeted Resumes.

Find more career-related news and advice in our Jobs section.

The transcript follows below.

____________________

Derrick Dortch: Good Morning, Good Morning

Before we begin today's show I just want to take a moment to remember those who lost their lives during the terrorists attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and those who have lost their lives fighting for our freedom in the Global War on Terror. We should and will never forget the loss of so many of our fellow citizens.

There has been a lot going on in the news as it relates to federal employment so please read the "News of Interest" section below. There are also some great career fairs and other events that will be going on in the area that you may want to attend so make sure look at the events I have listed below.

Today we are going to have a great show. If you have any questions dealing with the federal job search, security clearances, making moves in your career, military transition, or anything related to succeeding in your career, work and life please feel free to ask. I will do my best to get to your question and provide an answer. Next month I will have the CIA as my guest (see below). Well without further delay on to the show. Thank you for participating and ENJOY!!!!

NEXT SHOW: Careers with the CIA

On my next show I will have as my special guest, Betsy Davis, Chief of Recruitment and Retention for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). She will discuss career with the CIA and the intelligence community and will take your questions. Please join us back here on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m.

NEWS OF INTEREST:

More Bonuses Used for Recruiting and Retention

By Stephen Barr, The Washington Post

Wednesday, September 12, 2007; Page D04

It's the cost of competition. Large federal agencies are increasingly offering bonuses to recruit employees for hard-to-fill jobs and to keep them from leaving the government.

Last year, 47 agencies paid more than $140 million in bonuses to recruit, retain and relocate employees, according to a report prepared for Congress by the Office of Personnel Management and released Monday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/11/AR2007091102164.html

Congress approves student loan forgiveness for public servants

By Brittany R. Ballenstedt, Govexec.com Sept. 7, 2007

Legislation that would provide student loan forgiveness for federal employees after 10 years of service will now move to President Bush's desk.

The bill (H.R. 2669), sponsored by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., was agreed upon by a conference committee Wednesday and cleared by the House and Senate on Friday. The president, who had threatened to veto the measure, has agreed to sign it.

The legislation includes language that would make it easier for college graduates who have high student loan debt to accept lower-paying government and nonprofit jobs. High debt has often been cited as a major impediment to the government's ability to attract top talent.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37961&sid=59

Secret of Success

By John Casciano, Govexec.com

Sept. 5, 2007

Since 1974, the Government Accountability Office has published no less than 74 reports on issues plaguing the federal security clearance process -- the most recent was released in September 2006. The messages and recommended solutions have been remarkably consistent. Yet more than three decades after the first report, the clearance process still suffers from many of the same problems, as witnessed by an estimated backlog of roughly 180,000 cases at the Defense Department alone..........

Fortunately, there is new momentum for a solution. Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and James Clapper, undersecretary of Defense for intelligence, recognize that in order to stem the detrimental effects on national security, this anachronistic system must be reinvented. In his recent One Hundred Day Integration and Collaboration Plan, McConnell said the intelligence community must "build on best practices in risk management."

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0907/090507mm.htm

CIA to launch integrated intell service

BY Jason Miller

Published on Sept. 6, 2007

CHICAGO -- The CIA will launch a new service Sept. 7 on its top-secret network that will integrate all its intelligence information into a single view.

This new service, called CIA Wire, will underpin the agency's contribution to the Library of National Intelligence (LNI), an initiative the intelligence community will launch by Oct. 31, said Gus Hunt, the CIA's executive agent for LNI.

http://www.fcw.com/article103685-09-06-07-Web

Defense Agency Proposes Outsourcing More Spying

Contracts Worth $1 Billion Would Set Record

By Walter Pincus

Washington Post Staff Writer

Sunday, August 19, 2007; Page A03

The Defense Intelligence Agency is preparing to pay private contractors up to $1 billion to conduct core intelligence tasks of analysis and collection over the next five years, an amount that would set a record in the outsourcing of such functions by the Pentagon's top spying agency.

The proposed contracts, outlined in a recent early notice of the DIA's plans, reflect a continuing expansion of the Defense Department's intelligence-related work and fit a well-established pattern of Bush administration transfers of government work to private contractors.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/18/AR2007081800992.html

Letter to the Editor: Consolidating Our Intelligence Contracts

Response to article by LT. GEN. MICHAEL D. MAPLES, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency

Friday, August 24, 2007; Page A14

The Aug. 19 news story "Defense Agency Proposes Outsourcing More Spying; Contracts Worth $1 Billion Would Set Record" was inaccurate and misleading.

The proposal is a consolidation of more than 30 existing contracts into a single contract vehicle that can be more effectively managed. Hence, this posting is not a "record" in outsourcing intelligence activities; rather, it is a better way of aggregating existing requirements.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082302065.html

Gotta Move?

By Brian Friel, NationalJournal.com August 29, 2007

The government encourages but does not require senior executives to move among agencies to gain leadership experience. Most stay at one agency for the majority of their careers, building expertise in a particular field. Indeed, many stay in one office at one agency. Would mobility make them better leaders?

That question is stirring much debate across government as the 30th anniversary of the Senior Executive Service approaches. Congress established the SES in 1978 to encourage the formation of a cadre of executives who would switch agencies and assignments, responding to the government's needs with talents and skills honed during a career full of varied experiences. Instead, most SESers rise through one office, developing specialized and technical knowledge that grooms them for top jobs there.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0807/082907mm.htm

Learn to stay positive during long job search

By LILY WHITEMAN, Federal Times

August 24, 2007

When you're looking for a job, you feel particularly fragile, insecure and nervous. As one job seeker put it, a job search is about as much fun as unrequited love.

As you thanklessly pound the cyberpavement day after day, desperately searching for a break, it may be hard to maintain your morale and fighting spirit. Some tips to help you stay off the ledge:

Be realistic.

Job hunting rarely provides instant gratification. Searches can take many months, and you may have to apply for many jobs before you receive an offer. But your fate can and probably will eventually turn on a dime.

http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2975437

Many hiring managers snubbing vets

By RICK MAZE, Federal Times

September 10, 2007

Complaints about the veterans hiring preferences for federal jobs have prompted a House panel to question if the Office of Personnel Management is up to the job of setting and enforcing the policy.

The House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on economic opportunity, with jurisdiction over veterans employment programs but not over federal personnel practices, was told that despite renewed emphasis on hiring veterans, many obstacles remain.

On nearly a daily basis, my office receives inquiries from disabled veterans who believe their preference rights have been overlooked or ignored, said Brian Lawrence of Disabled American Veterans.

Meg Bartley of the National Veterans Legal Service Program said her group has spent eight years reviewing and investigating veterans preference violations.

http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3026827

Hackers steal info on users of federal job site

By Brittany R. Ballenstedt, Govexec.com August 30, 2007

Hackers have stolen the names and contact information of about 146,000 job seekers on the USAJOBS Web site, the Office of Personnel Management revealed Wednesday.

Hackers gained access to subscribers' names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers through the resume database maintained by Monster.com, the technology provider for USAJOBS, OPM said. Monster has told OPM that no Social Security numbers were compromised.

Access to the data was obtained via a Monster customer's computer using legitimate employer credentials. About 146,000 of the 2 million subscribers to the Web site were affected, with hackers likely intending to use the information to send counterfeit e-mails requesting further disclosure of information, OPM said.

Monster already has identified and shut down the server that was accessing and collecting the information. OPM is working with Monster to implement a long-term remedy to protect data.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37888&sid=59

Appeals Court Sides With Union, TSA Airport Screener

By Stephen Barr, The Washington Post

Friday, September 7, 2007; Page D04

Even though the government's 43,000 airport screeners do not have full civil service rights, they still can file claims under the Constitution, a U.S. appeals court has ruled.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090602686.html

Congress Looks Ready To Approve 3.5% Raise

By Stephen Barr, The Washington Post

Monday, September 3, 2007; Page D01

Here's a little something for federal employees to celebrate while flipping the burgers and dogs on the grill this Labor Day: a pay raise drawing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

The House has approved a 3.5 percent raise for the civil service in January as part of the fiscal 2008 financial services-general government appropriations bill, and a Senate committee has included the proposed raise in its version of the bill.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/02/AR2007090200957.html

EVENTS OF INTEREST

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Washington Post Mega Career Fair

Sept. 13, 2007 (MEGA)

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit The Washington Post MEGA Career Fair on Thursday, September 13 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and meet face-to-face with employers that are hiring now!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wl/jobs/Content?Content=/Career_Fairs/index.html

SEMINAR: Getting A Security Clearance

Sat., Oct. 6, 2007 - 10 a.m.

Washington, D.C.

More info and registration: http://www.diversagroup.com/csg/

WORKSHOP: Writing Federal Resumes & KSAs that Win Interviews

Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007 - 10 a.m.

Washington, D.C.

More info and registration: http://www.diversagroup.com/csg/

MARYLAND

Mid-Atlantic Regional Career Event

Baltimore, Md.

Aug. 30, 2007

Baltimore BWI Marriott Airport Hotel

1743 West Nursery Road

Baltimore, MD 21240

Cleared Job Fair

October 2/11:00 AM to 4:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton Baltimore BWI, 1739 West Nursery Road

Sponsor: ClearedJobs.Net

URL: http://www.clearedjobs.net

TechExpoUSA Career Fair

Baltimore, Md. - Sept. 20, 2007

Date & Time: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: BWI Marriott - 1743 West Nursery Road Baltimore, MD 21240

Phone: 410-859-8300

Directions: For travel directions, click here.

List of exhibitors: scroll down or click here

Security clearance required ? -> Yes

Bowie State University Fall Career Fair

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bowie State

Bowie, Md.

Employers in attendance: FBI, NSA

Defense Systems & Intelligence Career Fair

September 21, 2007

Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Place: BWI Sheraton Four Points

Address: 7032 Elm Road, BWI/Linthicum, Md. 21240

Facility Contacts: (410) 859-3300 Fax

www.intelligencecareers.com

UMBC Career Fair

-INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY EVENT

Baltimore, Md.

Sept. 25 2007

University of Baltimore Fall Career Fair

Baltimore, Md.

Oct., 3 2007

Please bring a resume and unofficial transcript.

University of Maryland Internship Career Fair

College Park, Md.

September, 6 2007

University of Maryland-College Park Fall Career Fair

College Park, Md.

Oct., 2 2007

VIRGINIA

Women For Hire Career Fair-INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY EVENT

Arlington, Va.

Sept., 27 2007

Defense Systems & Intelligence Career Fair

Sept. 20, 2007

Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Place: Tysons Corner Marriott

Address: 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va. 22182

Facility Contacts: 703-734-3200 Fax 703-734-5763

Technology, Engineering & Security Clearance Fair

09/24/2007 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sheraton National Hotel

900 South Orme Street

Arlington, Va. 22204

Technology, Engineering & Security Clearance Fair

Sept. 25, 2007 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tysons Westpark Hotel

8401 Westpark Drive

McLean, Va. 22102

_______________________

D.C.: What type of security clearance does one need to work at DHS?

Derrick Dortch: Hello D.C.,

To work for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as well as Department of Defense (DoD) the type of clearance you need will range from the type of work you do. Many of the jobs in DHS and DoD will require the minimum of a background check or confidential or Secret level clearance. For example a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a background investigation that includes checking criminal history and credit but this person will not have a clearance. TSO's are the dedicated federal employees who screen passengers and luggage to ensure our safety in the skies.

While a TSO will not have a clearance a Transportation Security Specialist with TSA who is doing more sensitive work will require a Top Secret Clearance.

So your clearance level will very much so depend on the job you have in DHS or DoD and the sensitive nature of your work. I will mention that is you work for many of the Intelligence agencies, especially CIA, DIA, and NSA you will be required to have a Top Secret clearance no matter what kind of work you do for the agency. These are more exceptions because of work they do.

I hope this helps. Take care and have a great day.

_______________________

Washington, D.C. : Hi, Derrick. I'm a mid-career reporter/editor with a long history of covering federal agencies for newsletters and other trade publications. I have applied for some agency PAO jobs and been rejected for all of them, sometimes not even making it past the first cut. How can I show that my skills and background can translate to an agency position?

Derrick Dortch: Hello DC,

WOW, with your experience you should definitely be on the Best Qualified list with these agencies. What I think is happening may be two things: First, your package (federal resume and KSAs) is not being presented the right way. When I say this I mean that your materials are not selling you in a targeted, powerful and persuasive way to get the attention of the human resource people or the hiring managers. You have to remember that the positions you are probably competing for which I would assume are GS 12, 13, and 14 are also being sought after by both people who are doing public affairs work in that office, in other federal agencies, in public relations firms and from news organizations just like you. This means you are competing with a very well qualified group of people. Since this is the case you have to make sure your materials will demonstrate what makes you the best qualified. Do not assume that just because you have reporter/editor on your resume that someone will translate that to Public Affairs Officer (PAO) work. You have to show how your skills translate in terms of you writing, editing, doing outreach, handling media inquiries, conducting media campaigns, etc.

Take a good look at your materials and see if they are really competing at the level they should be. Do they have your success stories in them? Do they show how you are able to handle multiple projects? Do your materials show how you are able make contacts and with who?

Second, I would probably say that you may be targeting positions that you are not completely qualified for. If you are targeting high level Public Affair Officer positions then those positions will be looking for particular experiences, skills, and training. They may also be targeted to people within a certain office or a particular individual. Analyze the position closely by looking at the open and close dates as well as the KSA. If the dates are within a short window then the position may be targeted towards someone. If the KSAs are written in a way where you would have to be within the government and that department to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do that work then it is targeted towards someone. These are positions you do not waste your time in applying to.

I could honestly go on and on. The key for you is to target the right positions and then develop a powerful, targeted, persuasive federal resume and KSAs that will win the interview. I would also really tap into your network. If you cover the government beat then you should know a good number of PAO's. Talk to them and let them know you are looking. Remember its both what you know and who you know.

If you need more assistance please contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com.

Take care and I hope that was helpful. I wish you much success.

_______________________

Waldorf, Md.: I am getting ready to retire after 20 years in the military as an officer. I have a bachelor's in Civil Eng., a Master's in manufacturing management, DAU Certifications and a TS Clearance... however, I am still considering returning to school to get an MPA... I want to pursue a Government job post retirement from Active Duty. Is this a worthy ventrue? Will a second master's help? I can' imagine it would hurt; however, I don't want to appear over qualified ... my goal is a GS-13 or 14 position with an acquisition agency or some kind of program management slot. Hence the MPA idea ... your thoughts?

A second question, if I already have a TS clearance, and the liklihood of a SCI upgrade is not possible before I retire, what are the chances of landing a job with an SCI requirement? The SSBI for the TS will still be valid ... it's normally just a matter of a few more forms to fill out.

Thanks!

Derrick Dortch: Hello Waldorf,

Thanks for your question and first let me thank you for your military service. Your service and sacrifice are appreciated. Let me get to your question. Currently with your background, clearance, degrees and level of experience (management, operational, etc) I think you are already qualified for a GS-13/14 level position without going to get your Masters in Public Administration (MPA). The key for you is to find the jobs that you are truly interested in and that fit your skills, experience, education and qualifications.

Trust me with what you are bringing to the table it sounds like you would be a good fit for project manager, program manager, contracts specialist, procurement analyst, management analyst, and a number of other positions at at GS 13/14 level. You do not need to get another degree to achieve this goal.

What you need to do right now is to find the right positions and then begin developing a targeted, powerful and persuasive federal resume and KSA (if needed) that will show the depth, substance and relevance of your work. That is the key for you. I would also suggest that you start tapping into your network and seeing who you might know in the federal government. Let them know that you will be on the market in a few months and ask them if they can be of assistance.

Right now I would recommend that you hold off on getting your MPA, especially if you are having to take our loans for it. There is no need to go into debt for a degree you do not need. If you are getting it for free then you can take it at your leisure. Nothing like free education. But it is not necessary for you to achieve your goals.

As far as the clearance is concerned do not worry about it when it comes to federal jobs. The government, just like the military will clear you for whatever job you are hired for. If they want you to have an SCI then you will be cleared for it. It is not required for you to apply for and win the job.

The type of clearance matters more when it comes to contracting work. For government contractors, depending on who the agency is that they are working for they may require a TS, TS/SCI, TS/SCI with Lifestyle Poly, etc.

What I would recommend for you is that you take on a Parallel Job Search Strategy. Begin putting your resumes out for both government jobs and government contractors at the same time. The contractors will of course get to you first because of your credentials. You may want to take a job with a government contractor first while you are still doing your government job search which may take a couple of months. You will have to be patient. Remember, hurry up and wait. This way if you would like to work you are still engaged in the government community, you will be making pretty good money and you can make additional contacts while waiting for your federal job interviews and offers to come in. This is one approach.

I could go on and on but I hope this helps. Take care and I wish you much success. If you have any other questions please contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com.

_______________________

Tampa, Fl: Mr. Dortch,

As an academic (Ph.D. in the social sciences) who's successful but unhappy in academia, I've been looking around at career paths other than the one I'm in, and I'm interested in transitioning to public service (particularly in the federal government). Given that academic job searches are so radically different than searching for other sorts of jobs (we pride ourselves on our 20-page resumes and 8-month hiring cycles), where should I look for advice for someone with my background on how to apply for federal jobs?

(I've done some preliminary research, by the way, and most of the federal jobs for someone with my credentials are places like the Bureaus of the Census and Labor Statistics, some bits of the Department of Education, and the like--nothing where high security clearances or such are an issue.)

Derrick Dortch: Hello Tampa, FL,

Thank you for your question. Tampa is a very nice place and I hope you are enjoying it. In terms of your question, honestly academic job searches are more similar to government job searches than you think. Many times a a government job search can take several months and for many government job applications the package (federal resume and KSAs) will be 20 pages or more depending on the position.

So it seems like you may not be walking into anything news. The key for you is to show how your skills, experience, education and qualifications will match the federal agencies you are interested in targeting. It may be your research, it may be your teaching, it may be your publications, it may be your leadership in the department, etc. It may be all of these things but the key will be for you will be to move from Curriculum Vita and develop a targeted federal resume and KSA (if needed) that sell you.

To really give you the advice you need I would need to know a little more about your background and the work you have done in your career as well as the type of positions you are targeting. Since that is the case please contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com and I will take a moment to give you some additional advice to get you started.

Take care and I hope this will be helpful.

_______________________

D..C.: Hi Derrick,

I absolutely love your chats! I have an interview on Friday with DHS. I am really nervous--any suggestions?

Thanks!

Derrick Dortch: Hello DC,

I am not sure what agency within DHS you are interviewing with but in terms of preparation, I would look at several things.

1. Background on agency:

Research and find out as much information about the agency as you can. Take a look at their mission, goals,organizational structure, etc. Also look in the news and find out if there has been any mention of the agency and their work in the news. Develop some questions that you can ask about the agency while you are doing your research. Use these questions when you are asked if you have any questions.

2. Research the background on the people you are interviewing with:

If you know who you are interviewing with by name see if you can do some research on them by Googling them. There may be some information about their work that you can use and mention in the interview. Every one loves a person who has done their homework and asks strategic rather than generic questions.

3. Prepare questions from the job description.

Take the job description and prepare questions from each line of it. Turn the sentence into a question that asks about your experience in that area. From there develop answers that will provide you an opportunity to tell relevant success stories from your background that will sell you to the employer. Remember, when you answer a question make sure you tell a success story that demonstrates your ability to do what has been asked. Think about the stories you will use and how you will use them. The same experiences can be used multiple times, just make sure whatever you are using to answer the question is relevant and on target. Remember in your answers to apply your work to what they are doing in the agency you are interviewing with.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Make sure you practice your interview. Have someone who will be real with you and provide constructive criticism do a mock interview with you. Do the interview as if it is real. If you do not have someone then do the interview yourself and try to tape your responses. Analyze what your strengths are and what weaknesses you might have and then work to overcome them. Practice really does prepare you and it will make you much more confident.

5. Be prepared to do a writing sample.

The writing sample/essay question will probably be a case study question that you have to respond to. Meaning they will put you into a situation and you have to tell how you will handle it. Or it will be something related to responding to some issue. If it is a case study then remember to write it like you would a KSA. Focus on the situation and then discuss what actions you would take to handle it and what results you would be seeking.

6. Take in a portfolio

If you get this in time and have a chance I would recommend taking in a portfolio of your best work. This includes your federal resume, writing samples from your work, awards, write ups on you in any publication, etc. Go to Kinko's and get it bound and take 2 copies into the interview. Use the portfolio to continue to sell yourself.

7. Dress for Success

Make sure you dress professionally and you are well groomed. I am sure this does not need to be said but just make sure you do. This is critical.

8. Prepare questions to ask your interviewers.

When it comes time take the research you have done and develop them into questions to ask about the agency. The better the question the more impressed the will be on your research skills.

Well those are some off the top of my head. I hope it helps and I wish you much success on Friday. Let me know how it goes.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: What is involved in getting a security clearance? I have no criminal record and am a U.S. citizen. Is that enough?

Derrick Dortch: Hello Baltimore,

To get a security clearance you have to be hired into a position that requires one by either a government agency or a government contractor. You can not get a security clearance on your own. You can also get a security clearance by joining the military and being in an occupation that requires one.

Making sure you keep your criminal and financial history clean are definitely required. You will also have to be a U.S. Citizen in most cases with few exceptions.

For the federal government and military you do not have to have to have a security clearance to apply. They will clear you once you are hired. For government contractors this may be different. Many of them do require clearances for certain jobs because they need people right away who they can bill out to the government. If you are looking at government contractor jobs and do not have a clearance look for jobs that are called "CLEARABLE". This mean the contractor will clear you once they hire you. In this case they usually want people who have a clean financial and criminal history.

I hope this helps. Take care and I wish you much success.

_______________________

Washington D.C.: Hello Derrick,

I understand the importance of the KSAs . Is there a resource out there that can help guide me to develop better KSAs?

Derrick Dortch: Hello DC,

As far as books are concerned there are several out there but I am not always happy with their content so I cannot put my recommendations behind them but you can go to any career section in the book store and find them. There are not many resources I would recommend right off hand right now but I have answered this question before so I am going to provide you the answer again. I hope this helps.

I know the federal job search can be frustrating but you have some great qualifications and there are many agencies who need you. The key is to find the right match for you. The key to the successfully doing a government job search is applying what I call the "TP3 Method to the Federal Job Search": T -- Target the right federal position. This means you are targeting the job that you definitely have the skills, qualifications, experience and education and training being sought at least at an 80% margin. P -- Prepare the right package. You have to prepare a federal resume and the KSAs (if needed) that sell you. It has to tell your success stories, achievements and what results you can produce. It can not be a job description. P -- Persistence. You have to be persistent and continue to look for jobs, network with federal officials, go to jobs fairs where government agencies will be in attendance. P -- Patience.

In the federal job search it may take and employer 30 -45 days to respond back to you. Be patient but if you follow the other steps above you will be successful. By doing this you avoid the frustration of apply to the wrong government jobs that do not fully match your skills, education, experience and qualifications. When you apply to jobs that dont match you what you end up with is a very frustrated job search.

In terms of KSAs you have to look at them as weed out questions. If you do not meet the criteria the question is asking then you are not fully qualified for the position and should not apply. You just have to look for position where you meet the qualifications. That is key. KSAs are something that many, many people find difficult and they can definitely be one of the reasons you are not getting any responses. The other problem could be that you are targeting the wrong kind of positions. You may be targeting positions that you feel are right but you do not have some of the skills, experience, education/training or qualifications that are required. These are the two biggest problems I see job seekers having on a consistent basis.

I do think that working with someone who understands the federal job search process and having someone develop your self marketing package (federal resume and KSAs)is not a bad investment. I think if you can afford it, then it can be well worth your money and wise. The key is again making sure you are targeting the right positions. Even if you have someone prepare your package and you are targeting the wrong positions then you just wasted money.

When looking at positions you are interested in make sure you analyze them in detail. Read the job announcement thoroughly, look at the KSAs critically and make sure that you can at the minimum match what is being sought after by 80% or more. When it comes to the KSAS questions make sure you can answer each one. If there is one that is too specialize or asking for something you do not have then that position is not for you and I recommend you do not waste your time, energy and resources on that position. KSAs are written to weed people out. They are used to see if you a person really does have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. If you do have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job make sure you focus on pulling out success stories from your experience. In whatever you have done I am sure you have a good number of success stories. Make sure you begin jotting them down and then follow the steps below.

REMEMBER: Put success stories in both your resume and KSAs. Here is an answer I have posted before and I hope it helps you and others today. Here you go: KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) give many people problems in their government job search.

The key in writing a successful KSAS is to not only be concise but it is to tell your success stories that prove that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. I have seen many KSAS responses where people put down their duties as it relates to the question but they do not tell their own story.

You have to use one of several methods when writing KSAS responses. They are the SAR, STAR, or CCAR. SAR is: Situation, Action, Results STAR is: Situation, Task, Action, Results CCAR is: Context, Challenge, Action, Results As you see each method is asking you to describe a situation or challenge you faced as it relates to the question. From there you start to talk about what action or tasks you took to handle the situation. In telling your actions you want to focus in on who you worked with, what techniques you used, what tools or technology did you use, etc. Then you tell what were the results of your actions and what success stories you have to share.

The government recommends that you think about five things when developing your KSAs to reinforce the idea of organizing your thoughts when responding. For each KSAS ask yourself these five questions regarding individual tasks you performed.

1. What action was performed?

2. Why was the action performed?

3. For whom was the action performed?

4. What were the accomplishments?

5. Did the action produce a significant impact on others or the work environment? I

In the seminars I teach about KSAS writing I tell the participants to write the KSAs as if they were answering an interview question. I always suggest the following:

State Your Case! Start off with Power!

When you start out answering any KSAS question start out immediately telling the HR Representative, Recruiter, Hiring Manager/Selecting Official why you are qualified. Whether it is your extensive experience in relevant positions, your education and training or other qualifications let the reader know from the beginning that you have what it takes to do the work and this is how and where you received the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Tell About Your Relevant Experience! Show You are Qualified!

Describe the relevant experiences that have provided you the knowledge, skills and abilities to do this work. Tell about your experience as if you are in the interview and describing what you do and why you are qualified.

Tell Your Story! Sell Yourself and Prove Your Case/Qualifications! From your relevant experience provide success stories that demonstrate provide proof that you have the knowledge, skills and abilities required to do that work. Think of at least two to three success stories from your experiences that you can use to sell yourself in your KSAS response.

Use the CCAR, SAR, or STAR methods to tell your success stories and what actions you took in the situation or when faced with a challenge and the positive results your work produced.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Thinking about crossing over into the private industry? Take a look at our new online feature, I Quit!, which offers tips and advice on how to quit your current job the right way.

Derrick Dortch: I hope this article is helpful.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Check out Derrick's recent article: Transitioning From Federal Service, (post.com, Sept. 7).

Derrick Dortch: Enjoy!

_______________________

Clinton, Md.: I am a former Marine. I have extensive experience and knowledge in the accounting field ... (10 years or more). I have not had any luck holding on to a public sector job, so I have been trying for YEARS to get into the government, to no avail. I don't understand. I always get turned down or a line item on the usajobs.gov Web site was not filled out properly. I am suppose to get veteran's preferance points as well, however, I don't even get looked upon. Could you help me in any way at all?

Derrick Dortch: Clinton,

From one Former Marine to another let me say Semper Fi!

I do not have time to answer your question now but please contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com and let me see what I can assist you with Devil Dog.

Take care.

_______________________

Derrick Dortch: Well that is it for me folks. My producer is saying I need to wrap it up. Thank you so much for your participation in today's show. I also want to thank as usual my Producer Andrea Browne as well as today's show producer Sabrina Enayatulla for all their great work and assistance.

We will be back on Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. with Betsy Davis from the CIA as my guest to talk about Careers with the CIA. I hope to see you then.

Take care, have a great rest of your September and I wish you much success in your career, work and life.

Derrick T. Dortch

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.