by Eddie Vegger

Created on: November 17, 2010   Last Updated: November 18, 2010

The Federal Application process can appear daunting to a newcomer and there are a number of "experts" in the Career Guidance field who will take your money to help you get a Federal Job.  I'm not one of them.  I put expert in quotes because, in the age of the Internet, anyone with a little HTML experience or about $400.00 can create a website and call themselves an expert.  Second, even if a resume expert offers good career advice over the phone or on-line (and SOME of them do), shelling out $500 to $1500 for an updated resume is a tough pill to swallow when you are looking for work and living off credit cards.  I'd like to offer an alternative, advice in this article and links to other resources that can and will get you on your way to a federal career. 

So if I'm not one of those experts, who am I?  I'm a Federal Employee with over 10 years of experience.  I currently run a Shared Neutrals Mediation Program - managing volunteers who help Federal Employees solve workplace disputes.  I have filled out hundreds of Federal Applications and I have successfully sought for and received jobs in the Fed.  Finally, I'm a Certified Mediator with an MA in Counseling and years of experience (prior to being a Fed) as an independent Career Counselor. 

Before I proceed I will tell you that the information I am conveying is based upon the federal hiring process up to this date.  The Obama Administration has made an effort to streamline the Federal hiring process and methods to eliminate some of the “red tape” in the system are being proposed, but at this point in time they are prototypes and not the norm (for instance, one proposal calls for a federal hiring process based solely on submission of a resume). 

The first thing you have to know is that there is one source to go to for ALL Federal Job postings, and it’s called USA Jobs. 

http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

Here is the first tip:  THE FEDERAL APPLICATION PROCESS IS CUMBERSOME, AND IT TAKES TIME.  One of the most common mistakes I have seen is for applicants to begin the process too late and run out of time before the expiration date of the application. 

Here’s the second tip, when you create your resume inside USA Jobs, if you can honestly do so, word your accomplishments so that they match or at least resemble the qualifications in the job you are applying for.  You are able to create and store up to five resumes

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