PP here....sorry for the typos. Sensitive tablet keys.

Based on PP's remarks regarding interviewing qualities of women, it's apparent that he has associated himself with women who are unable to exhibit confidence in their carers or themselves.

The more he talks, the deeper he hole he digs in his opinion of women. No way could he have an intelligent female boss. He reminds me of someone who would give her kudos in her position but call her 'honey.'

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Use the words that are in the job posting/questions. You do not get points for creative writing where you rephrase what they are looking for.

Be prompt--there are SO many applicants these days for every little thing that they are starting to cap the # of non-status applicants so in effect things aren't staying open very long.

If you didn't get the cert or did but didn't get passed along, call the hiring manager and ask why not. What do you have to lose?

Answering the very top level for everything is going to seem suspicious. You should at least be able to defend whatever you claim. But don't be all female about it, you don't get modesty points either.

What the hell is that suppose to mean? Suppose I said don't go all testosterone and grab your crotch. No modesty points there. Geez!!!

*shrug* suppose you did say that, you'd be right. Marking all "expert" on the occupational questions isn't the way to go either. What I mean is, women undersell themselves in the hiring process and afterwards, relative to the way men sell themselves. This sort of form is not the place to do that.

For better or worse I assume most DCUM posters are women.

Anonymous wrote:Use the words that are in the job posting/questions. You do not get points for creative writing where you rephrase what they are looking for.

Be prompt--there are SO many applicants these days for every little thing that they are starting to cap the # of non-status applicants so in effect things aren't staying open very long.

If you didn't get the cert or did but didn't get passed along, call the hiring manager and ask why not. What do you have to lose?

Answering the very top level for everything is going to seem suspicious. You should at least be able to defend whatever you claim. But don't be all female about it, you don't get modesty points either.

Verbatim. This is what's really meant by "buzz words."

Also be aware that a lot of jobs that are posted are not actually being filled (unless you are applying to the VA). Sequestration has put a huge wrinkle in the federal workforce with very few not being effected.

The cuts are for the next 10 years unless Congress can get its act together, so next year and the year after, etc. more agencies will have to force their workers to take unpaid days.

I am applying for a government job and ran across this information on USAjobs for using 'key' words.

https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/What_To_Include

Anonymous wrote:It's definitely harder to break into the gov workforce mid-career unless you have some really niche skills and/or know someone on the "inside."

.

Most of people that come into the government are mid career, older individuals. I think it's harder to get in when you are younger, because there are few entry level jobs in the government.

Anonymous wrote:Use the words that are in the job posting/questions. You do not get points for creative writing where you rephrase what they are looking for.

Be prompt--there are SO many applicants these days for every little thing that they are starting to cap the # of non-status applicants so in effect things aren't staying open very long.

If you didn't get the cert or did but didn't get passed along, call the hiring manager and ask why not. What do you have to lose?

Answering the very top level for everything is going to seem suspicious. You should at least be able to defend whatever you claim. But don't be all female about it, you don't get modesty points either.

What the hell is that suppose to mean? Suppose I said don't go all testosterone and grab your crotch. No modesty points there. Geez!!!

Use the words that are in the job posting/questions. You do not get points for creative writing where you rephrase what they are looking for.

Be prompt--there are SO many applicants these days for every little thing that they are starting to cap the # of non-status applicants so in effect things aren't staying open very long.

If you didn't get the cert or did but didn't get passed along, call the hiring manager and ask why not. What do you have to lose?

Answering the very top level for everything is going to seem suspicious. You should at least be able to defend whatever you claim. But don't be all female about it, you don't get modesty points either.

My friends who work for the govt. and I just had this convo this weekend- they told me I need to make a "govt. resume" and to google federal govt resumes for templates since apparently they are some how different? I haven't gotten to this yet and was surprised to hear about it but they made it sound like a legit thing. Who knew?

Anonymous wrote:It's definitely harder to break into the gov workforce mid-career unless you have some really niche skills and/or know someone on the "inside."

Frankly, I found it a waste of time to apply for gov't jobs -- especially if you have to treat every job application as a super-special project that takes 1-2 hours to apply for (for which I get zero response rate) as opposed to 20-30 minutes per private sector job (for which I'll get a decent response rate.) I have kids, I have my actual job to perform ... why spend time on something frustrating?

Others, however, might find their mileage varies.

Maybe a useful thread would be an open-ended "how did you get your government job? Please name the type of job and whether you knew someone on the "inside" or applied cold through the OPM website."

It's definitely harder to break into the gov workforce mid-career unless you have some really niche skills and/or know someone on the "inside."

Frankly, I found it a waste of time to apply for gov't jobs -- especially if you have to treat every job application as a super-special project that takes 1-2 hours to apply for (for which I get zero response rate) as opposed to 20-30 minutes per private sector job (for which I'll get a decent response rate.) I have kids, I have my actual job to perform ... why spend time on something frustrating?

Others, however, might find their mileage varies.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with company below, but used their resume guidebook to obtain my last 2 federal jobs.

Check out www.resume-place.com and you can sign up for a free webinar, read some tips on how to apply and/or purchase the resume guidebook or personalized resume review. The guidebook is fantastic and helped me put the buzz words in my resume to be chosen best qualified, get into the interview process and eventually get the job offer.

Funny, I was just about to post the exact same question...have had the same experience. So frustrating!

I remember reading on an earlier thread that the buzz words are included in the KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) about the position, and that you need to be sure to put those words in your resume. Years ago, I had applied for a govt job that included very detailed KSAs, but the new one I'm applying to does not appear to have this; instead, there are Occupational/Assessment Questions, which I actually find sort of tricky to answer in some cases.

It's multiple choice and the possible answers are:

A- I have no experience in performing this work behavior.
B- I have limited experience in performing this work behavior. I have had exposure to this work behavior but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it at a proficient level.
C- I have experience performing this work behavior across routine or predictable situations with minimal supervision or guidance.
D- I have performed this work behavior independently across a wide range of situations. I have assisted others in carrying out this work behavior. I seek guidance in carrying out this work behavior only in unusually complex situations.
E- I am considered an expert in carrying out this work behavior. I advise and instruct others in carrying out this work behavior on a regular basis. I am consulted by my colleagues and/or superiors to carry out this work behavior in unusually complex situations.

So, I am assuming that to get an interview, you need to have mostly "E" answers, which I do...except there are some gray areas for some questions where maybe "D" is more appropriate...but I am tempted to put nearly all E's just to get my foot in the door. The only downside to this that I could see would be if you really flubbed the interview and could not articulate a defense of your "E" answer. Would that then sabotage any future attempts?

I would also like to know where to find the buzz words...in my case, the questions have just very generic words that I mostly already have in my resume, like analyze, utilize, review...etc.

I have applied for numerous government positions (medical, non-physician) which I am most definitely qualified. I applied for one where I met the criteria and requirements spot on including substantial experience. Never heard a peep from personnel. My gov't friends say I am probably not using the correct buzz words, and the minions that do the initial application review are looking for those buzz words before passing your application on.

Is this true? If so, how do I find out what buzz words to use? Any suggestions would be most appreciated!