Government Careers

Applying for Federal 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.

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Derrick Dortch: Good Morning, Good Morning! I hope you are doing excellent. Before we get started we are definitely thankful that the damage caused from the recent hurricane was not extensive and we have to give Kudos to the federal, state and local government agencies who handled this situation quite effectively. It seems that the lessons learned from Katrina are now definitely being utilized to improve how these agencies and other organizations respond to crisis situations. Lets hope it continues this way.

Today we are going to have a great show so I am going to get right into it. If you have any questions about getting jobs in the federal government, moving up in the federal government, security clearances, military transition, writing federal resumes and KSAs, or anything related to succeeding in your career, work, and life.

I will have some more announcements at the end of the show.

Thank you for stopping by and ENJOY THE SHOW!!!!

Here are some articles of interest:

Better performers net bigger payouts, NSPS numbers show

federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3692119

By Stephen Losey, FederalTimes.com

August 26, 2008

The Defense Department's pay-for-performance system is living up to its promise of tying bigger raises and bonuses to better performance on the job. http://

FEATURES High-Wire Act

By Tom Shoop tshoop@govexec.com

Government Executive August 15, 2008

Agencies are walking a fine line in contract spending as budgets begin to tighten.

http://govexec.com/features/0808-15/0808-15s1.htm

Smithsonian to make large cuts to executives' pay

By Brett Zongker, Associated Press August 29, 2008

http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40861&sid=59

WASHINGTON (AP) -- At least 17 Smithsonian Institution executives with six-figure salaries will see future pay cuts -- many in the tens of thousands of dollars -- under reforms adopted by the museum complex.

According to figures released recently after a request by The Associated Press, the chief financial officer for the Smithsonian Institution could see the biggest reduction. If the cuts planned for five years from now were made today, CFO Alice Maroni could lose as much as $120,000, or 41 percent of her base salary of $293,280. Others could see reductions ranging from $6,000 to more than $80,000 a year.

Contractors make up one fourth of intelligence workforce

By Pamela Hess, Associated Press August 27, 2008

http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40831&sid=59

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than a quarter of the U.S. intelligence agencies' employees are outside contractors, hired to fill in gaps in the military and civilian work force, according to a survey of the 16 intelligence agencies.

EEOC issues guide for hiring, promoting disabled employees

By Brittany R. Ballenstedt bballenstedt@govexec.com August 27, 2008

http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40827&sid=59

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Tuesday published a guide to help agencies identify opportunities to hire and promote individuals with disabilities.

The online guide responds to frequently asked questions about hiring flexibilities and legal requirements.

OPM authorizes higher pay for hard-to-fill jobs

By Brittany R. Ballenstedt bballenstedt@govexec.com August 26, 2008

http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40815&sid=59

The Office of Personnel Management issued regulations on Tuesday to allow agencies more flexibility in setting pay for hard-to-fill positions.

The final rules, published in the Federal Register, provide a regulatory framework for agencies to obtain permission to offer better pay for positions that require specific expertise in the scientific, technical, professional and administrative fields.

OPM "believes the government must use all available human resources management tools at its disposal to ensure federal agencies are able to recruit and retain qualified employees," the notice stated.

Pentagon's intelligence arm hires contractors to polygraph employees

By Pamela Hess, Associated Press August 25, 2008

http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=40806&sid=59

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon's intelligence arm is adding more polygraph studios and relying on outside contractors for the first time to conduct lie detection tests in an attempt to screen its 5,700 prospective and current employees every year.

The stepped-up effort by the Defense Intelligence Agency is part of a growing emphasis on counterintelligence, detecting and thwarting would-be spies and keeping sensitive information away from America's enemies.

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Woodstock, Va.: Hi, I'm looking at a federal job and trying to compare retirement and health insurance benefits with my current job. Are there general guidelines for federal jobs or is each agency different? I'm interested in early retirement and health insurance benefits during that time.

Derrick Dortch: Hello Woodstock,

The best place for you to find information on government benefits is from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The website for OPM is (www.opm.gov). I am not sure what agency you are looking at but I would also suggest that you look on that agency's human resources website to see if they have any information on benefits. Depending on the agency there may be additional benefits and perks that one agency has to attract people that other agencies dont.

Here are the links for the health insurance and retirement benefits:

Health Insurance

http://www.opm.gov/insure/

Retirement

http://www.opm.gov/retire/

The federal government definitely has a strong benefit package and is a great place to work. I hope this helps and I wish you much success in your federal job search.

Take care.

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Columbia, Mo.: My daughter, a college graduate, now serving in the military, is interested in the Foreign Service. Can you offer her any advice or guidance on testing, careers available and how difficult it is to be accepted? Thank you.

Derrick Dortch: Hello Columbia, MO,

Tell your daughter that this former Marine said thank you for her service to this country. If your daughter wants to go into foreign service I would suggest that she begins the preparation now. Many people who do want to enter into foreign service automatically think about the State Department. This is one of best places to become a Foreign Service Officer but it's not the only place. I would suggest she begin looking at the State Department but also broaden her search to other agencies such as USAID (Agency for International Development), MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) and various agencies within the Department of Commerce that focus on international issues.

Also within the Department of Defense and the military itself there are a number of agencies and departments/units that focus in on international issues. I would suggest that your daughter begins looking closely at these agencies and offices and see what opportunities exist.

Since she is in the military I would also suggest that she works on trying to identify what departments in her branch of service focus on international affairs. Most of the military deals with international issues but there are some offices that will focus on them more than others. Whether it is intelligence gathering, civil affairs, international affairs, defense security cooperation, training with foreign troops, etc. I would suggest she become involved in the international side of the military to prepare her for a career in it.

I could go on an on but I hope this helps to get her started.

Here is information about the State Department:

http://www.careers.state.gov/

This is information about the Foreign Service Office. She will need to take the Foreign Service Exam. I suggest she begin preparing now.

http://www.careers.state.gov/officer/index.html

This is an association I recommend she joins. It is the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). By joining she can access many people who are already working in these agencies and begin getting advice, mentors, and some possible connections for future employment.

http://www.afsa.org/

There is so much more to cover on this topic so if she needs to -- have your daughter contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com and I can possibly be of more assistance.

Take care and I wish her much success.

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Washington, D.C.: How long do most jobs get posted for on USAJOBS.com. I see some are quite long, some as short as five days. Thanks

Derrick Dortch: Hello DC,

Jobs are posted on USAJOBS based on the criteria set by the selecting official/hiring manager and the human resources office managing the posting and assessment of applicants.

Here are my general rules:

1. If a position is posted for 5 or fewer days = That position is targeted for someone that the selecting official has in mind already.

This is what I call a red light position. Meaning you do not waste your time applying.

NOTE: Federal agencies have to put an announcement out to the public for any position they are hiring for but just because it is there for you to see does not mean it's really open.

Also take a look at the qualifications and make sure you meet the minimum qualifications. If there is something you do not meet in terms of responding to a KSA question or in terms of what they are looking for then you should not apply.

2. If a position is open 7 to 14 days = Possibly open to all who are indicated in the "Who May Apply" area.

I call this a Yellow Light position. Means that I proceed with caution. With this type of position check it out thoroughly to see if you meet the qualifications. If you do then press forward and apply.

As a rule of thumb: The shorter the open and close period the more concern I have about the position being targeted towards someone. The longer a position is open the better chance that it is really open and that the selecting official is looking for the best candidate no matter if they are internal or external.

3. If a position is open 15 - 30 days = This position is really open. This is what I call a green light position. Check the qualifications as always but go for it.

4. If a position is open for several weeks or months or has "Continuous" = This is an open position but it's also a resume collector. The HR team is collecting resumes and sorting them for best applicants who they may call in the future depending on hiring needs, budgets, etc. Still apply, just understand that you may not get called right away.

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

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Washington, D.C.: Derrick- I am beginning to question some of the federal positions I apply for and the selection process. When I am told I am not among the most qualified, is there any way I can receive feedback about what makes me not among the most qualified? I hold four years of experience (technical and analytical), a TS clearance, and a Master of Public Policy. The Jobs I apply for, because I know the level of competition at higher levels, are generally at the GS-7 that require no experience at all, and that I have vast amounts of experience to answer in full the KSAs.

Derrick Dortch: Based on what you are telling me you sound completely qualified for the positions you are applying. This must mean that something is wrong with your federal resume and KSAs (your self marketing package, as I call it). It must mean that you are not selling yourself effectively enough with your package to get past the various selection stages.

I would suggest you take a thorough look at your materials. You may be lacking success stories, you may be lacking certain keywords, you may be missing relevant material that would get you attention. I am not sure but based on what you are telling me at the moment that is my initial assessment.

You may need some assistance or guidance in developing your federal resume and KSAs as well as in developing a strategy to get you in the door. This includes networking. From what you are saying it sounds as if you have the qualifications, you just need the right tools and strategy.

Contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com and lets talk more and I will try to point you in the right direction. If it takes me a few days or more to follow up please be patient. It is a very busy time but I will follow up.

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Washington, D.C.: Quick question. I have noticed that the USDA Online Application Manager has multiple choice questions for the KSAs. Should I also copy/paste them into my resume and address each specific one as other Departments make me do? Or just choose an answer?

Derrick Dortch: Hello D.C.,

Thanks for your question. Some agencies have switched from just having you answer the KSA question with an essay, combining it with multiple choice questions and that is all or to having multiple choice questions and then you have to write an essay to validate your selection on the multiple choice question if you indicated that you do have that experience.

When this is the case it is the same as a regular KSA question response. You select the multiple choice question and in the area where you can put your essay response you can put in your response. For questions dealing with communication (written or oral) you can use the same response you have used on others if it has been effective. There will probably be a KSA question that is more technical where you may have to write a new response or tweak some of your old ones.

Remember when you write KSA responses make sure you include success stories that show you have the knowledge, skills and abilities from some experience. It can not be anything you have researched or developed a philosophy about. You must be able to demonstrate that you have done work that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities they are looking for.

I will give some more detail KSA writing advice at the end of the show.

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

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Downtown D.C.: Hi Derrick -- thanks for taking my question. I've been under investigation for TS/SCI for a little more than a year for a government security/intel agency. The last update I received said it would be done within two months and that was three months ago. Is there anything I can do apart from periodic check-ins? Should I just wait? At what point can I get my representatives involved? I really want this to work out...

Derrick Dortch: Hello Downtown D.C.,

Sounds as if you are close. You are probably in the adjudication phase of the process if they are saying that you should be done in a few months. Remember in government talk two months means 4 months or more (smile).

Keep checking in with the security officer. If you have given them everything that they have asked for and more, then you should be fine. I know that this is the ultimate test of patience and perseverance but you have made it this far without going insane. Hang in there a little while longer and hopefully you will hear something soon.

If you have more information that is really valid then give it. Or if you have changed jobs or moved or something has changed make sure you provide that information. If not just hang tight.

Let me know how it works out. Hang in there and I wish you much success. Remember one thing and I say this from working with alot of people in your same position. It is worth it when you get in the door!

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Questions about interviews... : I was lucky enough to land an informational interview with a government agency that I'm very interested in -- to talk about an open position that I think I'm well qualified for. I got the interview through a contact made at a job fair. I have a few questions: First, do you have any advice about questions to ask?Second, the highest grade listed is gs-7 with promotion potential to 8(?). I already have a Masters Degree and almost 2 years of work experience, but have been unable to get my foot in the door. Even though this is not a 9 with promotion potential to 11, is it worth considering? Should I ask about the promotion potential, they will know I'm slightly over qualified. Third, if this agency's Director likes me, do I still need to make it through the hoops of OPM or can they ask for my application to be sent through? Is it possible for them to hire me directly since I found out about the position at a job fair? Thanks so much in advance!!

Derrick Dortch: Hello Question,

You have some great questions where the answers will be helpful to many so let me tackle each. First let me say congratulations on getting the informational interview. That is what I am talking about when it comes to networking. Job Fairs are great ways to meet contacts within agencies. I encourage everyone who is job hunting to use job fairs as an effective method to get in the door. Many of my clients have received interviews using an effective strategy we put together to meet recruiters and agency contacts at job fairs.

In terms of advice for the informational interview. Let me suggest this: Do your homework on the agency. Research the agency as much as possible. Find out their mission, strategic plan, current operations, etc. Check to see if the agency is in the news. Read press releases from the agencies Public Affairs Office (PAO). Research the ageny's leadership and the person(s) you will be interviewing with.

Develop your questions based on your research. Develop a set of 10 - 20 questions that you can ask about the agency and what they are doing. Where possible through what you know about the topic and any experience you have that is related. It's an informational Interview but it's also an opportunity for you to sell yourself. For this person in the agency to give you an an informational interview means that they see some potential in you so you are very much so being evaluated as well.

Make sure you dress very sharp and professional just like you are going to any other interview.

As you are finishing up with your questions make sure you have your resume with you. Do research about the various careers in the agency. Make sure you target your resume to the agency and these careers. If necessary do a new resume that is targeted.

When you go in have your career questions ready as well. Since you have your Masters you are eligible for a GS 9/10 but I have known people to take lower to get into the agency or field they really want. Talk to them about the GS levels and promotions. Ask the person to look at your resume and ask for advice on improving it. Let them know you are interested in the agency and that your goal is to join them in some capacity. Ask for advice on how to do that. Also ask that person about their background. People love to talk about themselves and give the person you are doing an informational interview with ample time to tell their story.

Take a portfolio and have paper in it. Take notes while the person is talking.

Let the person know you are looking for a mentor and ask if they would be willing to help you as you begin working towards a federal career. Also ask them if there is anyone else they recommend you talk to. Talk to as many people as possible while you are there and get as many business cards or contact information for as many people as possible.

Do not worry about seeming overqualified. Do not hide your degree or any experience. What you want to show is passion. You want to show them that you have a passion for government service and for that agency and that you are willing to take a lower level position that you might qualify for in order to get started and in the door. Remember, people always want to hire someone with passion. If you have passion combined with qualifications then that makes you quite marketable.

In terms of them hiring you direct, this is possible but it really depends on the agency and what hiring flexibilities they have put in place. Usually direct hiring is done for more critical need or technical skill positions. If the director of the agency takes an interest and liking to you and wants to hire you then rest assure your process will be simplified. Just make sure you have everything in order and that if you have to get a clearance that all of your personal affairs are in good shape (credit history, criminal record, etc.). If these are not issues then you should have nothing to worry about.

I hope this helps. Let me know how this works out. Send me an email at dtd@diversagroup.com or follow up on the show next time. Take care and I wish you much success!

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D.C. Again: There is no area where I can elaborate more, unless I copy/paste the questions into my resume that I upload. Any further advice? Thanks.

Derrick Dortch: Hello DC Again,

If you cannot elaborate on the KSA questions make sure you have as much material in your federal resume as possible. I always advise that people have the same stories in their federal resume as they have in their KSAs. The only difference is that you put the stories in resume format and you take out the first person writing and use third person, you put much of it in bullets, and you may have scaled it down slightly but not too much.

If the resume section is giving you a good amount of space in terms of character count and you have not used it all make sure you use it wisely and put these KSA stories in your federal resume and keep it that way from now on.

Let me know if you have more questions.

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Derrick Dortch: I have provided this response before but it seems to be helpful to those working on KSAs so here we go:

The key to 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 percent 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 cannot 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 an 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 don't match you -- what you end up with is a very frustrated job search.

You are probably running into KSAs as you apply for these positions. With 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 a 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 specialized 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 as a person really do 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 KSA 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?

In the seminars I teach about KSA 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 KSA 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 all 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.

You also want to make sure you are out there networking, networking and networking. There are so many people applying online -- you have to do what you can to make yourself more visible. This means that you are going to career fairs where government agencies of interest will be participating. This means that if you are in the D.C. Metro area going to events where government officials will be speaking and trying to meet them and introduce yourself. This means using any contacts that you may have through family, friends, school or a number of other places to see if there is anyone you know who works for the government in an area of interest. If so begin talking to them about your interest and see if they can help you.

I could go on and on for quite a while on this but I hope this helps to get you started.

I hope this is helpful and I wish you much success. If you need additional help in this endeavor please contact me at dtd@diversagroup.com.

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Anonymous: Hi Derrick -- a couple of chats ago I asked about contractors at Walter Reed. I followed up with an email, but didn't hear back from you. Any ideas who is contracting there? My background is writing and I have heard that it is hard to figure out the process and procedure there -- wondered if I could find a place to be of service.

Derrick Dortch: Hello,

I apologize for not getting back to you. I get so many emails on a daily and weekly basis it does become hard to keep up. I will see if I can track yours down and respond. I have been getting a lot of questions about where people can find government contractors for specific agencies. My producer is telling me I have to close the show but I will address this on my next show in November for sure.

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Derrick Dortch: Well I have to get going but I wish I could answer all of your questions. Remember you can also catch me on Federal News Radio for my show "Fed Access with Derrick T. Dortch" each Thursday at 1 pm. Tomorrow I will be talking about the BRAC Transition Center in Arlington County, VA and I will be talking about government contractor jobs. You can find the show at:

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=453

If you miss it you can listen to the broadcast anytime at the link above and catch previous shows.

Also if you have a question and you want me to answer it for the next show here please send it to me at dtd@diversagroup.com.

If you have a question that you want me to answer on the air on Fed Access please email me at fedaccess@federalnewsradio.com.

I want to thank my producer Sakina for producing today's show and I want to thank all of you who participated. I appreciate your stopping by!

Till next time please take care of yourself and I wish you much success in your career, work, and life.

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