[Luna] Government Job App Tips

[Ernest Bowman-Cisneros]

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Deborah,

Thought I would add my two cents as one of the people who (in the past)
has had to write up hiring descriptions and questions for technical
position within the USGS:

**** Disclaimer - I do not work for or represent the US Government, ****
**** the following are my opinions only, take them with a grain of  ****
**** and use the gray matter between your ears for final evaluation ****
**** of their usefulness.                                           ****

1. There are good job questionnaires and bad ones.
   Essay questions actually score less (in the formulation) than
   multiple choice questions or rate your skill level. You definitely
   want to answer the essay questions, but pay particular attention to
   the rate your skill level questions. As Deb suggested, don't be
   humble.
2. If the position is looking for experience in technology X, Y and Z,
   make sure your resume specifically states when, where and how much
   experience you have in X, Y and Z.
3. Sometimes overlooked by applicants, include any training courses that
   you have attended (regardless if you paid or they were free),
   especially when related to a skill set being looked for.
4. Include any pro-bona work (setting up computers for your church,
   programming your brothers little league team web site, etc). While
   the HR people may not count it as much, it again shows exposure to
   and use of certain technologies. Every little bit helps.
5. Assume all applicants meet the basic requirements (or they don't make
   the cut), you want your application to address to *desirable skills*
   that is where most applicants miss the cut off for the cert list.

Deb had lots of good advice, hopefully this few nuggets might help as
well. Most of all, be persistent. Go to the offices where you want to
work, meet the supervisors, give them your resume and chat with them for
a few minutes. Supervisors like having one or more people in mind when
putting out job posting, it makes their jobs easier when it finally
comes down to making the decision on who to hire.

My two cents!

EBC
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Ernest Bowman-Cisneros
Some where in IL, soon to be back in AZ......
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