GovernmentExecutive.com

Resume@resume-place.com

If you are a regular reader of this column, you've created your 1999 goals list, your 1998 brag sheet, and considered your star qualities. This is a great time to start on a new federal resume.

Now, if you haven't read every column and done everything I've suggested, that's OK.

But, don't forget, I'm an expert at resume writing; I've done this for a living for 27 years (And I'm not "old" either. I got an early start). So this time, you have to do what I say.

You only have to write a little at this point. Mostly, you'll be finding documents, photocopying them, reading them and doing some deep thinking about your winning resume.

Here's a list of the first things you should do to get ready to write a winning federal resume:

1. Find your old SF-171, boring OF-612, resume, your last position description, mission statement for your current job and last supervisory evaluation.
2. Take this entire pile of papers and put it in an envelope until later.
3. Write a list of your accomplishments (off the top of your head) over the last three to five years. You can start with your 1998 brag sheet. This is important. Today's federal resume is accomplishment-based, not position description-based.
4. If you can't remember any accomplishments, get help from your co-workers, friends or spouse. Ask them if they can remember what your major accomplishments were. (It's amazing how other people can often recall how you were complaining or raving about a huge project better than you can.)
5. Find two or three vacancy announcements that are good for you, for which you may or may not actually apply.
6. Make enlarged photocopies of the "Duties & Responsibilities" and "Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)" sections of the announcements.
7. Underline the important key words in the "Duties & Responsibilities" and "KSA" sections.
8. Get a copy of your agency's mission statement. Read it a couple of times, underlining key words.
9. If you have time, find the mission statement for one of your vacancy announcement agencies.

Try to get through these preparatory steps before this weekend.

Next Tuesday, I'll teach you what to write first.

Kathryn Kraemer Troutman has been the president of The Resume Place, Inc. for 27 years. Kathryn helps people get promoted and change jobs. She is the pioneer designer of the new "federal resume." She wrote and published the first book on federal resume writing and is a popular resume writing workshop leader in government.

Post a Comment

To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.

Story:	Career Corner: Get cracking on your resume
*Name:
*Email:
Position:
Agency:
City:
*Comments: