How To Breeze Through Application Paperwork!

Thinking back to my own hiring process, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from a grizzled old veteran who’d obviously submitted more than a few applications in his time.  “Kid” he said, “Whenever you send in some paperwork to Human Resources, make sure to save a copy for yourself, because it’s an absolute guarantee that they’ll lose it.”

Overseas Opportunities With The Federal Government

One of the best-kept secrets about employment with the federal government is the number of positions that are available overseas!  That’s right—working for the man will not only help you advance your career, but it’s a great way to get to see the world as well!

Washington DC: A TDY Survival Guide

Whether you stay with the federal government for five years or fifty, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll be assigned to the Washington, DC area on a TDY (temporary duty) status for at least a few weeks.  Some of the best opportunities for training and advancement are offered inside the beltway, so it’s important to have an idea of what to expect while you’re here!

How To Write Yourself Out Of A Job

A few days ago my agency hosted a really interesting class on the importance of employee evaluations.  While some parts of the course were kind of dry, I was fascinated by the importance that the instructor placed on proper writing, and one particular point that she emphasized really stuck with me.

Be Yourself, Then Sell Yourself!

One of the hardest things for applicants to do is to simply relax, and be themselves!  I guess this is understandable, since a job application and interview can be pretty stressful.  After all, during this process you're basically asking an employer for a way to feed your family!

How To Hack A Personal Interview

For many people, an interview is one of the most stressful parts of the application process.  Whether it’s because you get nervous talking to strangers or because there’s so much riding on a one-hour conversation, it’s not uncommon to find your heart racing.  That’s why today I’d like to talk a little about a strategy you can use to take control of your personal interview…and get your dream job with the federal government!

The Security Clearance Interview

I’ve talked before about what a security clearance is, and how many jobs with the federal government require you to hold one, but I should also note that certain positions will require a personal interview before a clearance can be granted.  Higher clearance evels such as Top Secret/SCI will almost always require an interview, but these are also held fairly often in order to clear up discrepancies on the application or to gain additional information about a candidate.  In any of these cases, the personal interview is one of the most important factors in determining whether the government will grant you a security clearance….and a job!