Seven Steps To Get You Where You Want To Go
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Self Assessment
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Locating Job Opportunities (Targeting Positions)
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Setting Realistic Goals (IDPs) Individual Development Plans
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Completing Your Application
● Federal Resume Writing Service (Professional Help)
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Networking (Self Promotion and Discovery)
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Interview Preparation
- Follow-up (Staying on Track)
All supervisors want proficient and well trained employees. They have a
vested interest in your career development and fortunately today there are
programs available to cover just about any employee’s desired training path.
Many agencies will fund a portion of your evening college tuition as long as you maintain a C or
better grade average and if the course is either work related or listed on
your written IDP plan. There are hundreds of programs for all levels
and pay grades:
- Government
correspondence courses
- Computer based instruction training
- USDA - GSA Courses
- On-line
courses
- OJT assignments
- Lateral details
- Temporary promotional opportunities, and
- Upward mobility programs
- College degrees and certificate programs
(Explore your options)
The long and short of it is that if you want to grow in your career
your agency has resources available to help you succeed. Use this
site's Career Transition Checklist to
keep you on track.
Purchase a copy of the IDP Workbook
by Dennis V. Damp
Take Charge of Your Federal Career
- SUGGESTION: Explore and
apply for job vacancies in the
federal and
state government, and in the
private sector to
increase your promotion potential. Submit resumes for various job
opportunities online in all sectors
to locate the most desirable job options in your area and to compare salary, working
conditions, and benefits. Many federal agencies invest considerable
funds to train employees and this training along with your work
experience may qualify you for many jobs in the private sector.
Post your resume online to discover local opportunities and
compare them to your current government job.
(Caution) Don't post your federal style resume online
without removing all sensitive information such as your Social Security
Number, etc.
Follow-Up (Staying On Track)
This is the one step that is often ignored and yet has a tremendous
impact on whether or not you succeed. By the time you work through
your career development plan, complete your applications, and initiated
several contacts many let it go at that. They begin their initial
developmental assignments or training and after awhile things calm down,
initiative wanes, and before you know it two years have gone by and
you’re still in the same job! This is typical without follow-up,
established
deadlines and action items to keep you on track. It isn't enough to get
started. You and your supervisor must keep the momentum going. A plan
without established review dates is often worthless. Set realistic target
completion dates, review your IDP with your supervisor regularly, and keep
your plan up-to-date. Life is constant change and you must be prepared
for those changes to succeed.
When you review your IDP with your supervisor come prepared to update
your plan. New training opportunities and developmental programs may now be
available. Look for out-of-agency training programs that are scheduled
for your location and don’t forget about agency training programs and
seminars. It’s up to you to be proactive in your career development
program. Your supervisor can help with resources and counseling
however you are primarily responsible for working through the plan.
Think of your supervisor as a catalyst that can help you make it happen. She
can request funds for your training, arrange for details and allow you time
to participate in other activities such as mentoring or (OJT) On the Job
Training assignments
Early on in your planning process it is a good idea to start preparing your
federal application and resume. Follow the guidance in
The Book of
U.S. Government Jobs. Chapter Six takes you step-by-step through the
application process, shows you how to tailor your application to the job
announcement, proper formatting, and provides abundant examples of
professionally written federal style resumes and KSAs. Only the top candidates
make it to an interview and you must package a professional application to land
an interview. Don't leave this to chance, look up a copy of
The Book of
U.S. Government Jobs at your local bookstore or visit your library.
This title is one of the most checked out books at libraries nationwide as
reported by Library Journal.
If you don't have the time or inclination to prepare a resume consider using
a
professional federal resume service.
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