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[quote=Anonymous]Went Federal after 4 years in a firm.  Did not know anybody in the government: just applied through USAJobs.  I spent about a year applying -- got interviews with increasing frequency, but no offers -- and then all of the sudden I was on the final list for multiple jobs.  I think it is partly just timing: you have to be there, with your game already sharpened by frequent applying and interviewing, when they suddenly have the motivation and funds to hire.

That said, the two most important factors for me were:
1. Job had multiple vacancies, i.e., they were reaching further down the applicant stack past the multiple current Feds who were also hired along with me; and
2. It was pre- financial meltdown, i.e., agencies had money and fewer people were looking.  It's just a different market now, I'm sorry to say.

PP is correct that you can (and IMO, should) use a private sector resume and cover letter format, as it is attorneys doing the screening for most of these jobs.  That said, I've had several hiring officials tell me that they blatantly screen out those who don't provide complete applications -- even when the advertisement has BS application requirements, like college transcripts, SSN, etc. that you would never include in a private sector application -- because that's a fair and easy way to whittle down the application pile to a manageable number.  My office doesn't do that, but we do expect to see a cover letter or equivalent that is tailored to the job: generic form letters don't usually work very well.

Good luck! [/quote]

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