How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Internships, Resumes and Cover Letters, Application Essays

Contents......Page 8
Preface: Common Myths About Federal Jobs......Page 10
PART I: GEARING UP TO APPLY......Page 12
1 A Great Time to Go Federal......Page 14
2 The Search Is On: Finding Openings......Page 18
3 Oodles of Internships, Student Jobs, and Fellowships for Experienced Professionals......Page 38
4 Into the Capitol Hill Power Vortex: Working for Congress......Page 44
5 Those !@#! Vacancy Announcements......Page 54
6 Think Like a Hiring Manager: How Applications Are Screened......Page 64
PART II: CRANKING OUT YOUR APPLICATION......Page 74
7 Your Bragging Writes......Page 76
8 Mastering Online Applications......Page 100
9 Crafting Irresistible Résumés......Page 108
10 Writing Killer Application Essays (KSAs and ECQs)......Page 128
11 Cover Letters That Open Doors......Page 184
12 Waiting for a Response to Your Application......Page 196
PART III: THE TALKING STAGE......Page 200
13 Interviews That Nail the Job......Page 202
14 Commanding a Top-Dollar Salary......Page 226
15 Responding to an Agency’s Decision......Page 238
PART IV: ACCELERATING YOUR ASCENT......Page 246
16 The Fed “Get Ahead” Guide......Page 248
Appendix 1: Tip Sheet for Veterans and Their Families......Page 270
Appendix 2: Tip Sheet for Applicants with Disabilities......Page 276
Appendix 3: Formatting Tips......Page 282
C......Page 292
F......Page 294
N......Page 295
S......Page 296
V......Page 297
C......Page 298
F......Page 299
J......Page 300
R......Page 301
T......Page 302
Y......Page 303
About the Author......Page 304