5 Tips For Getting A Government Job

This article by Nancy Collamer appeared in the Nov. 14, 2012 online edition of Forbes Magazine. It talks about how to successfully hunt and land a government job. 

With the election behind us, I think this is a good time to shift our attention away from elective jobs to the thousands of federal job openings out there. Employment opportunities exist in all 50 states and overseas. You may be surprised to learn — as I was when I started researching this blog post — that 84% of federal jobs are located outside Washington, D.C. This could be the ideal moment to look for one.  

Why Federal Jobs May Open Up
 According to the Office of Personnel Management, there are 2.3 million federal civilian employees — and about a quarter of them are eligible for retirement. As agencies begin to lose these older workers, they’ll look for experienced replacements. Many federal departments lack the bench strength to fill these slots internally, so you just may be the ideal candidate. Admittedly, the enormous federal deficit could lead Congress and the president to cut the U.S. government’s workforce as part of a plan to deal with the budget crisis. It’s impossible at this moment to predict how many positions might be trimmed or which agencies would be most affected.  

Federal Pay and Benefits
 Nonetheless, I believe you might want to explore this path now, especially for a second-act career. Salaries for federal jobs are often surprisingly competitive with those in the private sector, especially for middle-management jobs, which can sometimes pay more than $100,000. Federal health insurance and retirement benefits are also increasingly more attractive than those offered by businesses.

 To help you find and apply for federal jobs, I turned to Tim McManus, vice president for education and outreach at the Partnership for Public Service. His non-profit, non-partisan group aims to inspire people to consider public service. Here are his five recommendations:

 1. Acquaint yourself with the landscape. Although we tend to think of the federal government as one gigantic entity, it actually comprises hundreds of agencies and departments, each with its own mission and culture. Take the time to identify ones that are a good match for your interests, experience and expertise.

For example, if you’re a financial professional intrigued with the environment, you might investigate finance jobs with the National Parks Service. The government Web portal USAjobs.gov is an excellent starting point to learn about federal agencies and the positions they need to fill. You can search the site by your location, the type of job you want, the department you’d like to work for or your skills.

Two other helpful sites — both sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service — are The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government, which provides information about employee job satisfaction and engagement at more than 300 agencies, and Makingthedifference.org, which describes public service jobs, including pay and duties, and advises you how to apply. Incidentally, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has the top score in the Best Places to Work rankings of large federal agencies. (The National Archives and Records Administration has the worst.)  

2. Look for openings on the right sites. As you’ll quickly learn, there are opportunities for people with all types of backgrounds and experience, from lawyers to supply management professionals to health care providers to museum personnel. All federal agencies are required to list their openings publicly and most do so on USAjobs.gov. But some agencies prefer to post on their own sites, so be sure to check those, too.

 3. Engage your network. Use your circle of friends, colleagues and former workmates to gain a competitive advantage in your search for a federal job. Tools, like LinkedIn, can help you network with people and groups who work in or with the federal government. Talk to friends who are government employees to learn about openings and to gain insights into the job application and interview process. Also check in with your college’s career services department to see if it has established relationships with any government agencies and recruiters. Many of them have.

 4. Reformat your resumé. The terminology used by the federal government in job descriptions can differ from what you’ll find in the nonprofit and private sectors. Agencies often talk in government-speak, a language all its own. So be sure to analyze the keywords and phrases in federal job postings, then incorporate them into your resumé. Makingthedifference.org nicely explains how to write a resumé for a federal job listed on USAjobs.gov.  

5. Be patient. It can take four months or longer to get a job offer. (Remember: This is the government; it’s known for its bureaucracy.) While federal agencies aim to fill most openings within 80 days, McManus says the actual time from application to hire is running closer to 105 days. So be prepared to wait it out. Your patience could be well rewarded.

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Bringing new products in the market: Robert J. Gerberg Jr. and the stages in new product development

Robert J. Gerberg Jr. has developed expertise in a wide spectrum of business areas, including new product development or NPD. This strategy involves a system of practices that aims to bring a new product, which can either be tangible (physical products) or intangible (like a service, skill, or experience), to the mainstream market.

The NPD process encompasses the following basic stages:

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1. Idea generation An idea for a new product can be obtained from basic research using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Other factors that may also be considered for this stage include market and consumer trends, products of competitors, and trade shows.

2. Idea screening When brainstorming for a new product, some ideas have to be eliminated. Information and concept discrimination is the main purpose of this stage.

Robert J. Gerberg Jr. gained extensive experience in a number of publishing- and career-related businesses. He began his career in sales with the Personal Products Division of Bausch & Lomb.

3. Concept development and testing This stage develops the marketing and engineering details for the product and takes into account certain patent and property issues.

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4. Business analysis This stage involves an analysis of the new product’s selling price based on competition and customer feedback.

5. Beta testing and market testing Before a product becomes available in the mainstream market, it needs to pass an initial run in a test market.

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6. Technical Implementation This involves a logistics plan, resource publications, and finalization of quality management system.

Robert J. Gerberg Jr. served as vice president for new products and advertising in a licensing-based career management service firm.

7. Commercialization (or post-NPD) After a series of quality and feasibility analyses, the product is now ready for public presentation through advertisements and other promotions.

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8. New product pricing The final stage in NPD analyzes the possible impact of the new product on the entire portfolio of its manufacturer. It involves value analysis and the forecast of unit volumes, revenue, and profits.

More updates on new product development and other areas of business can be read on Robert J. Gerberg Jr.’s official website.

Robert J. Gerberg Jr.: Safety in online job hunting

Job search professionals, such as Robert J. Gerberg Jr., would agree that technology plays a crucial role in today’s job search process. The Internet has made job search and recruitment a lot easier for both applicants and employers. Applicants use the Internet to browse job openings and upload their resume, while companies use programs to sort through resumes containing specific keywords.

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Since it seems that people are dependent on technology for faster processing, they should also be mindful about the information they post online and the people who can access these information. With the rise of online job search networks and websites comes the increase in the number of online scammers.

Robert J. Gerberg Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of American Jobs Network.

These scammers use a technique called phishing, which attempts to extract sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, and social security number, by posing as a legitimate business or organization and sending e-mails to job applicants, inviting them to join the organization or requiring them to undergo a background check.

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To avoid getting involved with these scams, recruitment professionals suggest that applicants be extra cautious on the type of information they post online. They should avoid giving out details such as account information, social security number, or photocopies of an ID card. In addition, applicants—especially recent graduates—should learn to tell whether a job invite or opening is fraudulent or not. Job search experts agree that usually, if an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is a scam.

Being aware of these fraudulent job offers helps applicants from getting into something that would result not only in unemployment but also in possible debt.

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Learn more about Robert J. Gerberg Jr. and professional job hunting through this website.

Bob Gerberg Jr.: Aggregators and how to properly use them

Robert J. Gerberg, Jr. | Image credit: applicant.com

A pioneer in the field of job hunting in his own right, Bob Gerberg Jr. continues to improve on his father’s line of work and brings it to the new millennium. He and his company understand how the new media can be used to improve one’s chance of discovery, including taking advantage of aggregators.

Aggregators collect (or “spider”) listings from other websites and gather them in one place. While this doesn’t represent the public market (despite the thousands of sources they claim to aggregate from), it does provide a convenient place to find out what people want and respond accordingly. Major aggregator websites include Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, AdvertisedJobMarket.com, and Ladders.com; some of these sites are free, whereas others provide a subscription fee for their services.

Robert J. Gerberg, Jr. | Image credit: careersearchtoday.com

Convenient as they are, aggregators have their limitations. First off, Bob Gerberg notes that successful aggregators attract more competition; one must make oneself stand out from the rest. Aggregators also have a number of other drawbacks, including duplicate listings, repeat listings, and false listings.

Job hunters must be particularly wary of potential scams and hoaxes that float around in aggregators. Less than legitimate recruiting agencies might try to collect résumés to employers for a commission fee. Others seem like attractive positions but require an online profile filled out, which can sometimes be a front for illicit activities.

Robert J. Gerberg, Jr. | Image credit: robertjgerbergjr.com

More information on maximizing aggregators and other new media tools can be accessed from Bob Gerberg Jr.’s blog.

Bob Gerberg and how networking can benefit job hunters

Leading job-hunting expert and author Bob Gerberg says that networking can become a potent factor in the hunt for the ideal job. Networking, he says, is an important avenue for developing leads and, whether through the Internet or through word-of-mouth, is an effective way to increase a professional’s visibility to potential employers.

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One of the potent ways of networking is through seeking informational interviews, wherein one inquires about the challenges faced by the interviewer’s company. Such networking can quickly land people their ideal job, although it has its drawbacks in that it is time-consuming to accumulate a list of contacts and people are sometimes reluctant to ask friends and family for endorsements.

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Bob Gerberg also discusses a number of other ways to network, including the primary mainstay—referrals. Negotiating with people such as former employers to vouch for them is one way people can create a network of referrals to better jobs. Utilizing social media such as LinkedIn is another, which also gives the job hunter options in targeting exposure towards companies that he or she is aiming for.

Bob Gerberg image credit: netchunks.com

Finally, it is important to make sure to keep the networking positive. Job hunters can take steps to offset bad or lukewarm references from certain people by objectively stating positive things and can opt to ask neutral parties for a more positive portrayal. Networking with superior materials and preparing for what one wants to say while networking are also a must.

More updates on this and many other job-seeking issues can be accessed from Bob Gerberg’s official website.

Bob Gerberg and job interviews: Making a positive first impression

For job hunting expert Bob Gerberg, an interview is more than just a question-and-answer session. For an interview to translate into a good offer, an applicant must come prepared.

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One of the things job seekers must grasp is developing positive chemistry with potential employers and co-workers right at the start. Below are some tips on building good chemistry with future employers:

Researching on the firm and being informed
 
A great way to make a positive first impression is to do research about the company. Prior to the interview, the applicant must gather information about the firm. Doing online research about the company’s business, operations, expertise, and clients, and taking note also of its recent milestones and accomplishments are important.

Bob Gerberg image credit: evolvedemployer.com

Impress the front office staff

Experts, like Bob Gerberg, note that establishing a good rapport with the front office staff can also make a difference. Executives say that most of the time, they heed the applicants their secretaries suggest. So, it is best to be attentive and more importantly, be courteous to the front office staff.

Projecting the right image
 

From cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com

People silently react to the image one projects. This includes one’s get-up, posture, and body language. People also take note of one’s opinion and how one responds to a question. Image is not only about the physical appearance; it is also about a matter of attitude. As the great American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm."

For more information about Bob Gerberg and other ways to develop positive chemistry during job interviews, log on to BobGerberg.com.

Robert J. Gerberg on handling unemployment

Noted job hunting executive and recruitment expert Robert J. Gerberg offers tips on how to handle the state of joblessness that leads to eventually landing a new job.
 

Robert Gerberg photo credit: evolvedemployer.com

Interestingly, there are individuals who can land a job in a relatively short period of time, and in a reversed manner, there are some who spend time longer in the unemployment department. Those who belong to the latter group tend to give up looking for a job equivalent to or higher than their old positions, struggle to find a new job, or when push comes to shove, just settle for a position inferior to the former. According to Gerberg, experience can attest to this trend: the longer people are without a job, the lesser effort they expend to seek a new one.

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Recruitment specialist Robert J. Gerberg states that the key in keeping the drive to seek employment involves filling one’s schedule with activities geared toward that goal. For action-oriented individuals, being unemployed simply gives them more time to accomplish a list of things; for the not so active, Gerberg lists down these steps towards landing a new job:

• Getting the support of former employers;
• Developing and updating one’s resume, and continuously stocking up on new knowledge;
• Being innovative, and acquiring the services of a mentor, if needed; and
• Being proactive and maintaining a positive attitude.

Robert Gerberg photo credit: affichage.com

Bob Gerberg emphasizes that a lot can be done to get oneself out of the unemployment line. Applicants must stay focused on getting a new job, and never settle for a position just to say that one has a new job.

For more information about Robert J. Gerberg and resources on how to deal with unemployment, log on to RobertGerberg.com.

Landing the right job: Bob Gerberg on job hunting preparation

Job seekers must first know what the market wants. For respected staffing executive and author Bob Gerberg, knowing the trends in the prevailing job market helps job hunters determine in which aspects they need stepping up so that employers will seriously consider them for the open position.

Robert J. Gerberg Photo Credit: guardian.co.uk

Matching job skills

According to Gerberg, this can be done by organizing one’s professional accomplishments. Job seekers must catalog all accomplishments to make them suitable for a prospective employer’s job offering. This is also meant to make the potential employer interested in the applicant; employers are often on the lookout for applicants who can provide more than one specialization, which can add great value to their target organization. There are positions higher than their desired positions that applicants can apply for if they market themselves correctly. 

Robert J. Gerberg Photo Credit: distinct.blogspot.com

According to Bob Gerberg, many clients settle for less than their ideal positions simply because they were not able to effectively communicate their total skill sets to the company they applied for. Gerberg believes that if applicants can communicate at least 10 to 20 skills they possess to the target company, this would be a major game changer in their job search. Communicating one’s true assets can make a significant change for applicants looking for a new pursuit or landing their first job.

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For more information on job hunting preparations, you can visit Bob Gerberg at BobGerberg.com.

Bob Gerberg, Jr: Improving web presence or online identity

Bob Gerberg, Jr. argues that the initial job interview happens in the Internet, the portal where jobseekers make their first impression. Their Internet presence can surely determine whether jobseekers can take the second step of the hiring process - the face-to-face interview or a crucial telephone call. This is why it is important for job hunters to effectively manage their web presence or online identity so that it would reflect them at their best.

Bob Gerberg Jr. Photo credit: vision247.tv

Good thing the digital age abounds in technological trends that allow individuals to stay at the forefront of career search. These trends are valuable for making one’s online profile a competitive and affirmative reflection of the jobseeker. Bob Gerberg, Jr. recommends the following ways in making web presence effective and more professional.

Bob Gerberg Jr. Photo credit:elitep.co.uk

Blogging -- Blogging about news and key issues on a certain industry would make job hunters visible through search engine ranking.

Contributing articles for online publications -- Employers would always want someone whose expertise is proven and publicized than those whose skill is kept in the company e-mail.

Participating in social networking sites -- These sites allow jobseekers to create a proactive impression, thereby attracting potential employers.

Getting involved in online discussions -- This is a toolkit wherein jobseekers can showcase their know-how about a certain industry through forums and Q & A portions.

Bob Gerberg, Jr. is the CEO of SET, a leader in innovations for career search.

From Robert J. Gerberg Jr.

You can find more strategies to make job hunting easier at
BobGerbergJr.com.

Bob Gerberg Jr.: The essence of cold calling process in job hunting

In the competitive world of job searching, more and more techniques have emerged. Good thing there are job hunting authorities like Robert J. Gerberg Jr., Chief Executive Officer of American Jobs Network, who help job seekers utilize innovative ways in landing their dream jobs.

From Bob Gerberg Jr.

Networking is one of the best ways to look for a job, but a lot of people think otherwise or shy away from the idea of making their job hunting public consumption. Nonetheless, there’s a new method that many are interested in which is called cold calling.

Sometimes referred to as cold canvassing, cold calling is communicating with potential employers who have not advertised a position. Job hunters do this via phone or mail. The main objective of this endeavor is to get interview appointments for future vacancies.

From Bob Gerberg Jr.

Job hunting experts including Robert J. Gerberg Jr. are in unison with the idea that to maximize the use of any job application technique, people have to study its full capability.

Making cold calling more effective in job searching

People should identify companies – which are potential employers -- that have positions in their area of expertise. Researching before doing hundreds of cold calls is essential to get good results. Narrowing down the list of target companies is more effective than having more entries which are randomly selected.


For more tips on how to find the right job, visit Robert J. Gerberg Jr. at www.bobgerbergjr.com

From Bob Gerberg Jr.

Be limitless: Robert J. Gerberg Jr. on why exploring several industries is key to being hired

Robert J. Gerberg Jr. is a leader in developing technology-based services that can help businesses operate virtually. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of American Jobs Network. It is in this capacity that he poses the following question to job hunters: “Why would you want to limit yourself to just one industry?”

Bob Gerberg Jobinterviewperfection.com

According to Bob Gerberg Jr., considering other industries outside the fields in which a person is comfortable and familiar with is advisable when hunting for a job. People with experience in generic fields such as administration, banking, finance, and human resources, he has found, tend to have no problems when changing industries.

Bob Gerberg Job-interviewtips.com

Thus, Robert J. Gerberg Jr. has yet another question for job hunters: “With so many industries in trouble or not hiring, many people searching for a job want or need to find one in a new industry. But even for those who don’t, why not uncover all opportunities out there for you?”


There are several ways to go about exploring other industries. One of the ways to start doing so is identifying industries that are similar to the ones an individual is already comfortable and familiar in. Knowing one’s transferable skills, skills that could be put to use in any industry, is another major advantage.

From Blogger Pictures

For more information on how to successfully land a job, visit Robert J. Gerberg Jr. at www.BobGerbergJr.com.