• I can't believe that the process is so complex and confusing and the prices are so high - why does anyone ever apply for the Federal Government?

• I have been fighting and arguing with my spouse for days - we don't agree on how to structure my documents/application.

• I do not understand what I need to do - I am completely lost

• I have the skills; consistently receive notices that I am qualified; have trouble writing KSAs, and can't seem get an interview

• Who can I trust - my friends all have hidden agendas and I am now confused - some of their advice just seems flat out wrong

• My boss is not supportive of my efforts and I really need some assistance!

• I am struggling and running out of time - I will never make it - I have this to do and that to do - I need help from someone that can take stress out of the equation!

• I have prepared my KSAs - now I need them improved with better organization and paragraph transitions - in fact they must sing!

The (New/Fragmented) Federal Government Application Process and System

Supposedly, the improved system was all designed in an effort to make the process easier, then DOD and others decided to computerize their application process using the Resumix Resume System.  These new systems were added to the application process and addresses the age of the internet, but has caused/allowed the Federal HR system to completely fracture as different agencies continue to design and implement their own online systems.  This left applicants who were interested in applying for Federal jobs in more than one agency with facing numerous systems and even deciding which system to select when applying for employment based upon time, technical difficulties and cost constraints.  This systemic fracture is a major concern for those that would like to have their products professionally prepared.  Here is a list of only some of the current major applications and application processing systems.  Please Note:  when clicking on the links below, you may click and drag the top edge/border of each presented website to open up each window for better views.  I also recommend that you bookmark our site  (this page especially) as you will need to frequently reference these links in the future when applying for jobs:

• The SF171 - which is obsolete, but still required in-house and also accepted by some agencies found at http://usajobs.opm.gov

• OF612 - which is accepted by most agencies found at http://usajobs.opm.gov

• Federal Resume - which is accepted by most agencies found at http://usajobs.opm.gov

• OPM Resume Builder - which is accepted by most agencies found at http://usajobs.opm.gov - Office of Personnel Management/USAJOBS at www.usajobs.opm.gov provides worldwide job vacancy information that is updated each day from a database of more than 17,000 worldwide job opportunities. In many instances, you can apply for positions online or submit a resume online. Most of the listings are Federal job opportunities that can give you the chance to provide public service and make a difference in the lives of the American public. USAJOBS gives the maximum flexibility in performing one-stop employment information searches. It's convenient, user-friendly, accessible to persons with disabilities, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. USAJOBS can also be accessed through an automated telephone system by calling 1-478-757-3000 or TDD 1-478-744-2299. The USAJOBS web site offers a variety of services to job seekers and employers. The primary links from the home page are listed below. There is no charge for using USAJOBS and users are not required to pre-register. You may enter the system at any time to look for a job without the need to remember a password or to identify yourself. However, USAJOBS by Email requires registration, and the online application and resume builder require a social security number.  USAJOBS Resume Builder - USAJOBS offers a complete resume builder service. You can submit these online for many positions or you can print them for mailing. Don't forget to look a control number as only Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announcements with control numbers can be identified and applied for using this system. Also, I called each DOD agency (Army, Air Force and Navy Representatives) and they each emphatically stated not to use the USAJOBS system when applying for their jobs. The OPM Résumé Builder also states: Résumés created on the site will be stored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. If you are submitting your resume for employment, please read and follow the directions in the vacancy announcement to make sure that there is not an agency specific résumé builder (Army, Air Force, Navy or other) that should be used.

• Army Resumix Resume is accepted by most agencies found at http://cpol.army.mil/; The Army Civilian Resume Builder (not OPM Resume Builder nor SF171s/OF612, Navy or other Agency Resume Builder) is the preferred method for preparing your Army resume and supplemental data sheet for submission to any Army Resumix database. The Army's On-Line Resume System called Army Resume Builder allows for three (3) pages of information only, where as there is no limit to the length of the traditional Federal Application (Federal Resume/OF-612 or SF-171). The Army allows for the entry of only 3,000 characters per work experience and only six (6) work experiences can be detailed per application. Note: The Army Resume Builder does not have a character counting feature and will not allow you to advance to any other sections until you make sure that you are not over your character limit, which is what you must figure out for yourself. Also, the major pain in the butt/drawback to using the army system, is that you must exit the system when saving your resume and cannot save and easily return to your document while you are working within the system. You must exit the system and re-enter your Pin/Password all over again. This discourages the user from saving the document and on many occasion leads to long hours and tears as the Resumix system or user's computer will usually crash or timeout before they finish entering all of the information. Also, if you enter 3,000 characters in the Work Experience, Education, Training, Certifications and Award sections, I can guarantee that you will exceed the three (3) page limit. The Army system is very frustrating and not user friendly. That's why clients turn to us. Although it is confusing and poorly structured as a system, the use of the Army Resume Builder also ensures that your resume is developed in a uniform manner and conforms to the proper format for processing. It is also the most efficient way to get your resume into the Army Central Resumix database. The Army Resume Builder can be accessed through the Army Home Page at http://cpol.army.mil/. Click on Employment, then Resume Builder. Resumes and supplemental data information submitted through the Army Resume Builder will automatically flow into the Centralized Resumix Database. Applicants interested in positions in the West Region who choose to submit their resume via email rather than through the Army Resume Builder will experience a processing delay before they are entered into the centralized database. When given as an option, resumes can be emailed to: resumix@cpocwcp.hua.army.mil for manual processing. E-mailed Army Resumes are normally processed within 3-5 working days following receipt., but if you send your resume from the Army Civilian Resume Builder into the Centralized Resumix database, your resume will be processed immediately. You will receive an on-line confirmation that your resume has been added to the database.

• Navy Resumix Resume - which is accepted by most agencies found at http://www.donhr.navy.mil; Department of Navy Human Resources (DONHR) Resume Builder: The Department of the Navy has seven (7) Human Resources Service Centers located worldwide http://www.donhr.navy.mil. Each Center recruits individuals to fill Navy and Marine Corps civilian positions occurring in its serviced area. E-mail and mailing addresses for the Centers are found in our Human Resources Service Center Contact List. The Navy Civilian Resume Builder (not OPM Resume Builder nor SF171s/OF612, Army or other Agency Resume Builder) is the preferred method for preparing your Navy resume and supplemental data sheet for submission to any Navy Resumix database. The Navy's On-Line Resume System called Navy Resume Builder allows for five (5) pages of information, where as there is no limit to the length of the traditional Federal Application. The Navy allows for the entry of 7,000 characters per work experience, with every 22 lines of text separated with an additional return (space) to allow for optimal scanning. Note: The Navy Resume Builder also has a nice character counting feature which ensures you do not type over your character limit and more importantly allows you to save your document while you are working within their system without your having to exit the system and re-enter your Pin/Password all over again.   Note: The Navy Resumix system is the "Best" of all similar systems and is extremely user-friendly. The Navy format should be adopted by all agencies. One major drawback to using this system exist: Only six (6) work experiences can be detailed per application. Also, if you enter 7,000 characters in the Work Experience, Education, Training, Certifications and Award sections, I can guarantee that you will exceed the five (5) page limit. Even so, it is heads and tails above the others and is the better of all the systems - by far. The use of the Navy Resume Builder ensures that your resume is developed in a uniform manner and conforms to the proper format for processing. It is also the most efficient way to get your resume into the Central Resumix database.

• Air Force Resumix System which is called Resume Writer and is accepted by most agencies found at - http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dpc/default.htm  - With the exception of DEU announcements, the Air Force require your resume and supplemental data be "pre-positioned" or on file and active at AFPC before you can self nominate (apply) for positions. For DEU (Delegated Examining) announcements, you may self-nominate at the same time you submit your first resume by including the announcement number on the supplemental data sheet. Therefore, submit a properly formatted resume and supplemental data as soon as possible. Your resume must be formatted as shown in the sample resume in the Air Force Job Kit. You may obtain a copy of the Kit at: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/dpc/default.htm by clicking on "Job Kit"; or you may call any Air Force HR Representative at 1-800-699-4473 (if outside area code 210), within area code (210) 527-2377 and one will be mailed to you. The only way you have access to your resume in order to view, print, or update information, is by placing your resume in the Resume Writer. When allowed, any mailed and emailed resumes are in the system (Resumix); however, they are not in Resume Writer which is the system on our website; therefore, you are unable to view, print, or update your resume. It is recommended that you submit your resume with Resume Writer so you will always have access to it for updating, viewing, and printing as you feel necessary.

• Department of Homeland Security - I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form. The Immigration Reform and Control Act made all U.S. employers responsible to verify the employment eligibility and identity of all employees hired to work in the United States after November 6, 1986. To implement the law, employers are required to complete Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Form I-9) for all employees, including U.S. citizens.

• Department of Veterans Affairs, Application for Associated Health Occupations. VA Form # 10-2850c. This form enables the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine your eligibility for appointment in Veterans Health Administration.

• Defense Logistics Agency and the Defense Contract Management Agency's Automated Staffing Program (ASP) - An automated process for filling vacant positions. ASP interfaces with a commercial off the shelf package called Resumix that is deployed throughout the Department of Defense (DoD).

• Human Resource Services Center, Civilian Job Kit - Servicing OSD, Defense Agencies & DoD Field Activities, this job kit contains all the information needed to successfully complete a resume and apply for employment with DoD.

• Immigration and Naturalization Service - Applicant Survey - G-942 - This special form, G-942, is required when applying for jobs at the Department of Justice, INS.

• Dept. of the Interior - Applicant Background Survey form, DI-1935 B This special form is required when applying for jobs at Interior, including National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, etc.

• NASA's Resume Builder and Resume Guide - This guide will assist you in preparing a complete resume, which contains all of the requirements for applying for a Federal position with NASA.

• New agencies that have launched and/or are launching new systems

• Numerous other agency specific applications for organizations such as the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration

Boy what a mess!  How did this happen?  The sacking of the typewriter for the computer allowed this to happen. It was suppose to ease the process, but humans and a lack of Human Resources leadership have made things much more complicated. In the beginning only SF171s/OF612s were accepted and these forms both had to be typed; required the assistance of a highly skilled typist and literally took many (up to 100s) hours to prepare, until correction tape became all the rage.  The process improved and now things are even more fragmented as every agency has it's own process.

Top Ten Reasons You Are Stressed-Out; Frustrated and Not Getting Responses?

1. Your application really is a Poor Presentation - This usually means that the packet is prepared by someone that does not understand the Federal Evaluation System (FES) and it is hard for the Personnel Specialist to find adequate key words/experience to properly rate your skills.  The federal government rates applicants on their work experience and education. The Personnel Specialist rating your application generally knows little about the specific job you bid on. This administrative specialist will rate you either eligible or ineligible by referring to Federal Qualification Standards.

These standards break most job series down to general and specialized qualifying work experience and required education. You must have a certain number of years of both general and specialized experience and/or training for various starting pay grades.  Hence:  Past work experience and training must be noted on your application.  If your application is rated eligible you will be ranked against all applicants and the best qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official.  The selecting official must pick from the top rated applicants. Interviews are optional; however in some cases, if one applicant is interviewed all of the top rated applicants must be interviewed.  

Provided that the application makes it through the qualification phase, a visual and dynamic presentation that makes a significant impact in 8-10 seconds is mandatory.  This professionalism is truly appreciated by boards, managers, and supervisors that make hiring decisions.  Generally, that's why you should not be attempting to prepare your product.  Let a professional prepare it or better yet assist you in preparing a product that represents you as you must defend it, not the writer.  Simply leave the presentation format to a qualified professional.  Let them guide you and remember that a certified resume writer does not mean certified Federal writer -  No such designation currently exists.

2.  The Application is not Long Enough - If you can not meet the minimal qualifications, you will not get an interview. Do not confuse presentation with length.  Length is usually not the issue.  In fact, the answer is to find the middle ground and always remember that you are competing.  Leave out something and it may have made the difference.  We have successfully prepared presentations ranging from 5 to 50 pages that have all resulted in immediate interviews.  Each length depended on the work experiences detailed; the applicants level (entry or managerial) and even the type of work performed by the applicant.  Simply leave the length to a qualified professional and remember that a certified resume writer does not mean certified Federal writer -  No such designation currently exists. 

3.  The Resume/KSAs are not Long Enough and Have Poor Content - What good is it to have a great looking application, if your Resume/KSAs do not clearly support the application.  New hires and Federal merit promotions are made on the basis of how applicants measure up to a set of factors, often called "Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities" (KSAs) ; "Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)" or "FAA Dimensions."  Senior Executives have to prepare managerial Executive Core Qualification Statements (ECQs) and/or Technical Qualification Statements (KSAs).  Generally, there are two kinds of factors, but you may find them called by other names:

• Selective Factors - These factors are detailed in the Qualification Standards Handbook. You can not qualify for the position if you cannot meet these basis standards.   

• Quality Ranking Factors - Your failure to properly address or meet these standards will not officially eliminate you from contention, but let the truth be known - competition is fierce and the bottom line is that if you fail to address or meet them in a glowing manner - you will not make the "Best Qualified List" and basically have eliminated your chances of getting an interview or job offer.

Quality factors, which may be as few as three or four, or as many as a dozen, are the key elements in a job announcement in the federal government today. These critical job elements are the basis of an applicant's rating/ranking. Usually the selecting official determines these factors and the weights to be assigned to each one, depending on the job to be done.

Agencies differ widely in their practices regarding these factors. Some agencies have developed special forms for an applicant to use in describing KSAOs; other agencies accept supplements prepared by the applicant. Some agencies do not require a supplemental statement as part of the application, but you must address these factors in the Optional Form 612, the resume, resumix online resume or the SF-171. If the job announcement says that a supplemental qualifications statement is optional, you must write your application in such a way that the factors are clearly identified and discussed. Failure to respond will result in a reduced score, which amounts to certain elimination.  KSAs such as:  "Ability to communicate orally" must be addressed using the S.T.A.R. Format:  Situation, Task, Action and Result (s).  This format will significantly improve your chances of getting an interview or being selected.  Poor content is the #1 deal breaker/killer and reason applicants do not receive interviews.  Please note that all Federal jobs do not request KSA responses, while other may request them after the initial application process. 

4.  Your Resume/Application is too Long - Sometimes they really are too long.  Hint:  When the announcement specifies no more than 20 pages and you have 25, your applications is too long and you will/may be disqualified.  

5.  You are not following the instructions - Simply put, read your announcement backwards and forwards several times. Contact the OPM POC as necessary for clarification.  That person's name and phone number can usually be found at the end of each announcement.

6.  You are outside of the Area of Consideration -  Some positions are limited to those potential applicants within a specified geographical area, while other positions are internal to the specified agency.  This limiting statement can usually be found on the first page of the announcement.  Contact OPM for clarification before submitting for a position for which you will not be considered for.  I hope that your time and money is valuable.

7.  You did your best, but simply are not qualified for the position - So You Think.  The person that fails to receive an interview/Federal job is the one that fails to apply for the job or in the end fails to have the best product (application) on the table.  You are not a Rating Specialist, so apply if you are interested in a position.  Do not let rejection deter you.  In fact, apply for several positions at a wide range of grades. Sometimes, potential clients actually receive several interviews and still no JOB OFFER!  Their applications are excellent, but not outstanding or someone with  military preference received 5 extra points and edged them out.  Why? Because they are not "Best Qualified" on paper and that's what is truly important in this process.  Because after their outstanding "Lights Out" interview there are ten additional "Knock Em Dead" interviews by other candidates and when the dust settles - you have walked away and left "THAT" resume and KSAs/ECQs on their table.  Now it comes down to weighing interviews and your paper product - and you thought you were the best!  When all applicants finish interviewing only the paper and varying impressions remain in the mind(s) of the interviewer(s) and do not forget the politics of the organization.  You could be a pawn in a game of "Power Plays".  You also just simply may not have the most professional looking/reading application packet on the table, even though "You Always Get Interviews".  I usually say then why do you need me!  So six (6) wasted months later or in some cases "20 years later " you realize, after being rejected over almost 100 times, that you should probably seek professional assistance.  When some of my clients stop and think of all of the troubles and hardships that they experienced while trying to apply for Federal jobs, they usually end up in tears and say "I wish I had met you 10 years ago."  Do not let this happen to you!  You reap what you sow and usually get what you pay for!  Do not cut corners!  I have many clients that did not listen to their family and friends; spent $1,000s and now they  and in some cases their spouses, are GS-12s through SES living on the other side of town (with doctors and lawyers), while their friends are still trying to figure out "How did they do that - I'm a better employee?"  

8.  You actually never really applied for the job.  I once interviewed a client that had been trying to apply for jobs for several years.  When I asked, how she had submitted her Resumix Resume, she stated that it was submitted online through the resumix system.  I realized that the customers had only prepared a resume, but did not understand that she had to also submit the resume to OPM.  She had only saved the product on line and thought that she had actually completed the process.  I also had another customer that saved her Resumix Resume online and forwarded her product to OPM thinking that once she submitted to OPM that she would also be considered for every job in the system by OPM.  Both clients failed to realize that they had not applied for any positions until, I explained that for each job that they were interested that they had to "Self-Nominate" for each position in order to notify OPM that they were interested in a specific position and that this Army process was different when applying for Navy Jobs online and so forth.....

9.  The company that you chose is not qualified to prepare your product. Some companies underestimate the time involved in preparing your product because they have never prepared Federal resumes before and are using you as a Guinea Pig because they know  Federal applications are a lucrative service for which they can charge you by the hour, but during the process they then quit because they undercharged you and are not happy with the amount of time they are spending on your service.  On many occasions, I have potential clients calling my service/office in tears stating that they paid someone $250 or more and now the company will not respond to their telephone calls.  One lady even told me that she went to the office and could see the owner walking around in side of the building while she rang the telephone/doorbell. 

Some resume service company owners feel that customers usually want to pay very little for expert services (something for nothing); then demand excellence and extensive time and borderline excessive attention to detail because every job is the opportunity of a lifetime.   We feel the opposite of that statement because we charge what we are worth or better yet a fair price for our time based upon past earning potential.  You do the math.  I can prepare a civilian resume in 2 hours @ an average cost of $180.  I usually take 10-15 hours on a detailed government application and another 2 hours each per KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) which are required supplemental statements and there are usual;ly 4-5 of those per job.  That's up to 20-30 hrs or $1,800-$2,500.  So now you know why most resume services look at government applications as the Plague.  This system the reason why the Federal government does not always receive the "BEST QUALIFIED" APPLICANTS".  News Flash: the Federal government is not looking for the best candidates, the system is searching for those applicants that are best qualified to work within the Federal system. These employees are, at times not the pure "Best Qualified" candidates as some more qualified potential candidates refuse to spend such large amounts of time and money applying for Federal jobs.  Even government employees view these application formats with complete disdain.  Finally most services simply do not have the expertise on staff to properly prepare such applications applications, that's why you usually get what you pay for:  Half the Price - Half the quality, but not even half of an interview.

10. It's Because You Really Do Not Want The Job or refuse to Pay a Fair Price - Some people Want Something for Nothing. Every month we have hundreds (100s) of telephone calls in regards to Federal products and services.  It never ceases to amaze me that people would rather spend $450; receive an inferior product and not receive an interview and spend more time and money for each subsequent job as opposed to paying $950 and receiving immediate interviews that ultimately result in a significant change in life/pay.  Believe it or not, we understand that either amount is a lot of money for some clients, but on the other hand some of those very same clients spend tons on cigarettes, drinking, fast automobiles and entertainment.  In fact, before starting my own company I did just the same.  I soon realized that my priorities were backwards and it was the job that allowed us to provide for our families and drive big, fast cars and purchase homes so we can become "house poor".  Maybe if we spend more emphasis on getting top dollar for our professional skills and abilities, we could then improve my ability to purchase top quality products and services for our families, leading to a much more improved quality of life.  How many times have you purchased a car or home.  80 out of 100 potential clients have never truly placed any emphasis on purchasing the best professional product at a fair price.  OH NO! this would mean that you would have to spend as much time/money having your application prepared/updated as you would looking for a new car or home.  I say that's mind boggling.  Your job pays for those things.  

 When calling around did you ever wonder why so few resume services actually offered support for potential/actual federal clients - Why Most Other Companies Do Not Want to Assist You? The Truth is: Time (loss of revenues) and Expertise (technical writing ability to deliver a competitive product)