Michael, I thought that might be true until I learned enough about writing applications for USA Jobs to start getting interviews. I got my current job without knowing anyone inside the hiring process, nor do I meet any unique hiring criteria like veterans preference, etc. From the inside, I have not seen evidence of "wiring" positions for candidates. The jobs are extremely competitive, and getting through the HR screening process is the first step. It helps to be willing to relocate. I probably sent 40 or more applications before I got my first interview. I understand that it is easy to be pessimistic about the process. I was.
Writing a strong USA Jobs application citing specific examples of how you meet the Knowledge Skills and Abilities specified in the job posting is extremely important in getting through the HR screening process. A general CV or a 1-page resume is not going to do that in most cases. -- Andrew D. Bailey - Data Manager Wildland Fire Management RD&A Rocky Mountain Research Station - DOI OWF National Interagency Fire Center, Boise ID o. 208-387-5248 c. 208-407-6711 On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 12:38 PM, Michael Garvin <mrgar...@alaska.edu>wrote: > 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 >
