This blog post is about action. Not any of that BS motivational “you gotta take action to see results” kind of action. I want to tell you how valuable it is to learn how to read a USAjobs announcement.
If there is anything of unique value I have to impart to the world, it is that I have spent years becoming an expert at federal hiring. Specifically, I super-excel at helping people discover the tips and tricks of how THEY can get federal jobs. I got a job offer nearly every time I applied because of the application, resume, and interview strategies that I used.
That means I am really good at it. Getting federal job offers nearly ‘on-demand’ has become easy for me.
But it’s something people ask me about all the time. Every day, in fact. Both civilians as well as advanced “successful” federal managers who have painted themselves into a corner of busy-ness that they can’t escape from, leaving them unable to even learn these skills on their own.
How does one do it? How does one get job offers on-demand? What DOES it take?
The 7 easy steps to becoming a perfect applicant
1. Learn to read a USAjobs announcement. For-real, for-real! Don’t be an announcement skimmer.
2. Become a novice researcher. Find out where to get the POWERFUL keywords your application MUST HAVE.
3. Know the required documents. Miss these and your application goes right down the shitter.
4. Write a high probability resume. It reinforces what you have already heard from me, assuming you’re a member of our Facebook group.
5. Don’t try that white-fronting bullshit. Hacks are for Hacks. Don’t be a Hack!
6. Get your resume into as many piles as you can. It’s easier these days, but make sure you are doing it correctly.
7. Own the Interview. Control it AND learn to be memorable.
We are going to take these one by one and break them down in future blog posts. I’m going to give you simple strategies for adding these factors to your job search strategy, and help you get more job offers right away. You are now on the path to the sweet, sweet life of federal employment.
Nevertheless, in this post we’re going to focus on step 1, which is reading a USAjobs announcement.
Step 1: Reading the announcement on USAJOBs. Where else?
Almost all federal jobs are advertised on usajobs.gov. So, by default, the information included in those announcements is something you MUST become familiar with.
The trick to reading them is to know what to look for. So, as you begin reading them, there are consistent things for you to explore. Merely skimming these ads is a death sentence for your application.
Did you get that? BEFORE applying, you need to know:
1. If you CAN apply.
Who the job is open to; aka who they will accept applications from; aka eligibility; aka “area of consideration”).
2. If you are QUALIFIED to apply.
Do you have the education or experience to get the job?
3. HOW to apply.
Knowing if you can apply is as easy as looking at the “Who may apply” section. It clearly states who… may… apply.
Bingo!
You would be amazed at how many people don’t read this section and “apply just to see what happens”. It’s basically a waste of your time. And HRs time, too.
Pro tip:
Scroll down the announcement and open the “occupational questionnaire” before you even apply. The eligibility questions that you see will help you discover if you are eligible to apply – before you even log into the system!
Here are the different groups that may apply. You have to fall into at least one of these groups to be eligible to apply to most positions:
Open to the Public (never worked for the Federal Government, U.S. citizens or nationals)
Federal Employees (current or former)
Veterans (VEOA, VRA, 30% disabled or more)
National Guard & Reserves (current or prospective members)
Individuals with a disability
Native Americans (American Indian or Alaskan Native)
Military spouses
Students & recent graduates
Senior Executive Service
Peace Corps/VISTA Alumni
Family of overseas employees (family members)
So, go hop online. Head over to USAJOBS. Poke around and read the “who may apply” sections of some active announcements that are currently up. Go NOW. YOU explore, YOU figure out the obstacles, and YOU overcome them in order to progress.
Find out what groups you fall into. Take action. See if you have questions. Share them in the Facebook group.
Get familiar, so that in the future, when your dream job opens up, you will know immediately if you are eligible to apply.
And one last thing:
Lots of folks have asked me if USAjobs is the only place to apply for government jobs, so here are some agencies that have their own websites showing job openings. Note that several of them redirect you to USAjobs.
Agency for International Development (USAID)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
Government Accountability Office
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
International Finance Corporation
Pan American Health Organization
Public Health Service (PHS)
USACE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States House of Representatives
Oh, and be sure to check out the files section in our Facebook group. It’s full of useful resources but, for some reason, it gets missed by many members.
Go get those jobs, y’all!