Feds, USAJOBs help please!

[starryfish]

I am a fed, but never had to go through USAJOBS for it (was a co-op student).

I have heard some strange stuff on how to apply on USAJOBS for someone that is not a fed.

So, can you all give me any tips? I am helping my DH apply for some.

Thanks!

[panicked]

Good luck. Usajobs sucks. The best thing to do is go through the job listing and pick out the key phrases and buzzwords. Make sure those appear in the resume.

[starryfish]

Mar 25, 2015 14:41:06 GMT -5 panicked said:

Good luck. Usajobs sucks. The best thing to do is go through the job listing and pick out the key phrases and buzzwords. Make sure those appear in the resume.

Yea that is what I heard too. Thanks!

[chchchia]

Up load your resume or better yet build it there, it is easier, upload your 50 and latest appraisal, much easier when you apply for jobs. ALWAYS make sure you include the required documents for every job you apply. Tailor each resume to each job you are applying for, make sure it matches the answers to the questionnaire. They allow you five resumes, I currently have 3 in there, so make them count.
Good luck.

[starryfish]

Mar 25, 2015 15:05:24 GMT -5 chchchia said:

Up load your resume or better yet build it there, it is easier, upload your 50 and latest appraisal, much easier when you apply for jobs. ALWAYS make sure you include the required documents for every job you apply. Tailor each resume to each job you are applying for, make sure it matches the answers to the questionnaire. They allow you five resumes, I currently have 3 in there, so make them count.
Good luck.

what is this?

[chchchia]

You don't have an SF50? Are you sure you are a permanent competitive employee? And your latest performance appraisal/evaluation.
If you were a co-op I don't think they think of them as perm employees and therefore cannot apply as an fed employee, you would have to apply to jobs that are open to US citizens unless you have other appointment authorities.

[karinothing]

Mar 25, 2015 15:11:31 GMT -5 chchchia said:

You don't have an SF50? Are you sure you are a permanent competitive employee? And your latest performance appraisal/evaluation.
If you were a co-op I don't think they think of them as perm employees and therefore cannot apply as an fed employee, you would have to apply to jobs that are open to US citizens unless you have other appointment authorities.

She said she is helping her DH apply. He is not a fed

[chchchia]

Mar 25, 2015 15:12:55 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Mar 25, 2015 15:11:31 GMT -5 chchchia said:

You don't have an SF50? Are you sure you are a permanent competitive employee? And your latest performance appraisal/evaluation.
If you were a co-op I don't think they think of them as perm employees and therefore cannot apply as an fed employee, you would have to apply to jobs that are open to US citizens unless you have other appointment authorities.

She said she is helping her DH apply. He is not a fed

Is it Friday yet?

[ssmjlm]

Keywords and buzzwords in the resume. I prefer to upload my resume and not use the resume builder.

Also if you have to do that 1-5 test, put at least 4 and 5s for all of the questions. The more 5s the better. And the skills are pretty basic for the job series.

Is he a veteran? They do get point preference.

[starryfish]

Mar 25, 2015 15:25:00 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Keywords and buzzwords in the resume. I prefer to upload my resume and not use the resume builder.

Also if you have to do that 1-5 test, put at least 4 and 5s for all of the questions. The more 5s the better. And the skills are pretty basic for the job series.

Is he a veteran? They do get point preference.

Some of the jobs have that questionnaire, but its not 1-5s, its A-F (no experience-expert). 

Yes he is a veteran and has that form ready to go. 

As far as keywords and buzzwords, do i use some of the SAME words from the job description? And do I use some of the words from the questionnaire in his resume? (they are asking for specific skills in the questionnaire, so I was thinking to add a "Skills" section to his resume with those items in it)

[chchchia]

Not the questionnaire just make sure that matches the resume and the resume should match the announcement

[chchchia]

Also his 214 should be uploaded is he a 5 pointer or 10 pointer

[ssmjlm]

Mar 25, 2015 15:30:18 GMT -5 starryfish said:

Mar 25, 2015 15:25:00 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Keywords and buzzwords in the resume. I prefer to upload my resume and not use the resume builder.

Also if you have to do that 1-5 test, put at least 4 and 5s for all of the questions. The more 5s the better. And the skills are pretty basic for the job series.

Is he a veteran? They do get point preference.

Some of the jobs have that questionnaire, but its not 1-5s, its A-F (no experience-expert). 

Yes he is a veteran and has that form ready to go. 

As far as keywords and buzzwords, do i use some of the SAME words from the job description? And do I use some of the words from the questionnaire in his resume? (they are asking for specific skills in the questionnaire, so I was thinking to add a "Skills" section to his resume with those items in it)

I would choose as close to expert as he can. Even if it's a bit of a stretch.

I would do both.  Go with the description and the questionnaire.

[chchchia]

There is a book by Kathryn Troutman that is my bible when I am applying and helping people with resumes, so far only successes, I highly recommend it.
As a selecting official, just in my opinion, I prefer the USAJOBS layout on a resume, private industry layouts are so much different.
When I consult with HR they have always told me it is important that the resume skills match those of the job announcement.
I would go high with the answers on the ?aire, but always find a way to link it to something in the resume.

[ilovecandy]

Also always say yes to travel. Because a lot of jobs say require some travel (and it is usually mostly for training). Otherwise you limit your options. I just took a class on this. Everything everyone else said do too. You have to tailor the resume to each job posting wiht the busswords so eh will end up having multiple ones because of this. If he has access to a base as a veteran he can take the employment class they usually have one on applying to federal jobs.

[rubytue]

I tell ppl to print the questionnaire and the resume, the physically check off each question's proof in the resume.

I may be a bit old school in preferring paper, but somehow you need to make sure they match up.

I'm not a fan of stretching experience, even though I know you need to if you want to be highly scored. Ugh. I'm such a rule follower.