It's been my experience that many of the jobs on USA jobs are already filled. They just post them because they have to by law. So if you don't get called back, I wouldn't take it as a knock on your experience or your CV. Also, if you are a vet or already in the federal government, you get preference. If you are not either of those, your chances are pretty low of getting a position. The best way in is to do a post doc and get someone who wants to work the system to get you in. I've heard managers state outright that that is what they do - even though it is not legal.
Michael Garvin, PhD University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences 17101 Point Lena Loop Road Juneau, AK 99801 907-796-5455 mrgar...@alaska.edu On May 16, 2013, at 9:24 AM, Brent Bellinger <bbellinger2...@yahoo.com> wrote: > I am looking for some advice to improve my odds of getting past the initial > applicant screenings in USA Jobs. As a research scientist, I've put together > a pretty standard CV, which I've uploaded onto USA jobs and is used when > applying for research positions. I was told recently by a non-scientist (a > helicopter mechanic), the key when applying to positions through USA jobs is > to make sure your resume utilizes key words which helps it rise to the top of > the applicant list. A CV obviously does not have the depth of detail in terms > of outlining skills, abilities, knowledge, etc. that a resume usually does. > I'm wondering if I need to augment my profile and compliment my CV with a > descriptive resume to help my odds of getting an interview? Is a key-word > heavy resume a real and necessary thing in USA jobs, or have I just had bad > luck with the past few positions I've applied to (i.e., they were not good > fits with my skill set)? > > Thanks much for the insight on this matter. > > > Brent Bellinger, Ph.D. > post doctoral scientist > U.S. Environmental Protection Agency > Duluth, MN
