So far it's taken me 13 hours to apply for 5 positions. Each application takes a minimum of 3 documents: a KSA, Federal Government style resume, and an eligibility doc. Then of course there's transcripts, certifications, and licenses. Man.
The KSA
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
This thing is a bear to write. Each open position has a KSA requirement with weighted answers and necessary buzzwords. I found an instruction manual on the OPM's (Office of Personnel and Management) site, it's 36 8.5 x 11 pages long. Then I found the instructions on how to make a Federal Resume - it's 11 pages long.
Armed with the necessary materials I write my first KSA. It took me 4 hours. Each position may have as few as a single requirement or as many as 10. My first one had 5 requirements with questions such as "Explain in detail your ability to do precision or artistic work as it applies to this position. Give at least 2 examples." Precision? 29.02 microns of mercury, is that precise enough you freakin bureaucrat? You don't even know what the hell I'm talking about much less understand why I was playing with the stuff in the first place - well that's what I was thinking. That answer took about 400 words to complete.
And each one is different for each position. I gave up trying to complete an artistic DWV scenario (Drain, Waste, and Vent). I used carpentry instead, that's easier. But then again, according to the OPM, plumbing and carpentry are considered "Lesser Trades". HA ha, I always knew plumbers were stoopid.
The Federal Resume
It's kinda sorta like a normal resume but the header has to include the position to which you're applying AND your social security number.
So I dutifully filled it out, made sure the fonts and formatting were just right, then printed it and either faxed or mailed the thing off.
The Application Process
Applying for a job in different departments is different. You have a separate process for the Dept of the Army, one for the Navy, one for the Dept of the Interior, one for HUD, and another for the USDA. At the end of each vacancy announcement there's a little blurb about "How to Apply" which takes you here, there, and over yonder. Fill out this paper, send it there, fill out that paper, send it here, man, what a mess. That would be the Clintons letting this shit get out of control back in the '90s. NO proper leadership. Everyone was setting up their own little fiefdoms.
Eh, it's a price worth paying, at least you know what you're getting into and the expected salary range as opposed to what companies in the private sector are doing.
Speaking of the private sector, I've UPPED my salary requirements to 25 an hour. Screw them. I set a fair price at 17 an hour and they want to negotiate down. Pffft, those kinds of negotiations will only end up embarrassing YOU, not insulting me. Fuck these North Carolina hicks.
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/when i was lockheed martin, all applications had to be on line at that website. they post new jobs to it frequently, so check it out over a period of time
Posted by: Tanith | 04/18/2009 at 06:56 PM