Help your clients land a Federal Career!
Jobseeker’s Guide 9th Edition
New Text – The Stars are Lined Up for Military Spouses®
Ten Steps to a Federal Job®
How to Coach and Teach Federal Job Search Methods and
Federal Resume Formats for Service Members, Spouses,
Veterans, Students, Recent Graduates, Federal Employees
Eight Virtual Classes
Three Live Classes
We can travel for on-site training for a minimum of ten attendees.
2025 VIRTUAL AND LIVE CLASS DATES
Ten Steps 2025 Dates and Locations – Resume Place (resume-place.com)
Virtual – Session 1: February 6 to March 7, 2025 – Five 3.5-hour classes
Session 1A: Thursdays, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm ET – 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/7
Session 1B: Thursdays, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET – 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/77
Virtual – Session 2: March 11 to April 4, 2025 – Five 3.5-hour classes
Session 2A: Tuesdays, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET – 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/4
PACIFIC REGION – Session 2B: Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm ET – 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 3/1, 4/1, 4/4
Virtual – Session 3: April 9 to May 2, 2025 – Five 3.5-hour classes
Session 3: Wednesdays, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET – 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/2
PACIFIC REGION – Session 3B: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm ET – 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/2
LIVE – Session 4: Washington, DC: Wed-Fri, June 25-27, 2025 – 3 days, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm ET
Location: to be determined
LIVE – Session 5: San Diego, CA – August 20-22, 2025 – 3 days, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm PDT.
Location: The HUB Education Center, Community Services, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Virtual – Session 6: Sept. 24 to October 17, 2025 – Five 3.5-hour classes
Session 6A – Wednesdays, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET – 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/17
PACIFIC REGION – Session 6B – Wednesdays, 6:30 pm to 10 pm ET – 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/17
Live – Session 7: San Antonio, TX – November 12-14, 2025 – 3 days, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, CST
Location: To Be Determined
Ten Steps to a Federal Job®
Step One – Learn about Federal Jobs
Direct Hire Process Chart (Faster Hire Process)
Competitive Hiring Process Chart (Slower than Direct Hire)
Military Rank to Federal Civilian Grades (chart)
Types of Federal Jobs (chart)
Veterans’ Preference (chart)
Family Member Preference – derived preference (explained)
Step Two – Network & Use Non-Competitive Hiring
Ways to Get Hired Non-Competitively (chart)
How to Network for Direct Hire Positions (chart)
Special Hiring Paths (chart)
Special Hiring Authorities (explained): VRA, 30% or More Disabled Veterans’ Preference, VEOA, EO 13473 (Military Spouses), Foreign Members of Overseas Government Employees, Schedule A (People with Disabilities), Post-Secondary Direct Hire Authority for Students and Recent Graduates (Pathways)
Networking for Special Hiring Paths (chart)
Step 3 – Search USAJOBS
Top USAJOBS Search Tip for Veterans (chart)
How to Search USAJOBS (explained)
Saved Searches & Email Notifications (explained)
Critical Vacancy Announcement Features (chart)
Sample Vacancy Announcement
Sample Vacancy Announcement Questionnaire
Step 4 – Find Keywords
4 Places to Find Keywords (explained)
1. Duties and Responsibilities—Learn about the Job
2. Requirements—Specialized Experience
3. How You Will Be Evaluated
4. Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Step 5 – Explore Your Core Competencies
5 Core Competency Examples
Senior Executive Service Core Competencies (chart)
Step 6 – Write Your Federal Resume
A Federal Resume Is NOT a… (chart)
A Competitive Federal Resume Is… (chart)
Successful Resume Cases (with BEFORE and AFTER resumes – see below!)
Required Documents Chart
Step 7 – Write Your Accomplishments
Top 10 List of Accomplishments (example)
Where to Demonstrate KSAs (chart)
Accomplishments: Before & After (examples)
2 Cover Letters (examples)
Step 8 – Apply for the Job!
Setting Up Your USAJOBS Account (explained)
Documents to Prove Eligibility for Federal Hiring Programs (chart)
Look for the Job-Related Questionnaire (explained)
Make Sure Your Application Is Successfully Submitted (explained)
Step 9 – Track & Follow Up
Download All Applications (explained)
7 Sample Results Emails
Turnaround Story from Ineligible to Selected (example)
Step 10 – Interview & Negotiate
Interview Preparation (worksheet)
Typical Behavior-Based Interview Questions (examples)
Negotiating Your Job Offer (explained)
Sample Superior Qualifications Letter
EACH ATTENDEE FOR THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE:
A total of 26 Federal Career Books for your own reference and 20 Jobseeker’s Guides, 9th to give to your clients.
THE CFJST / CFCC PROGRAM FOR 2025 will license you until Sept. 30, 2028
REGISTER NOW FOR A 2025 LIVE OR VIRTUAL CLASS:
Ten Steps Certification Program Registration – Resume Place (resume-place.com)
2025 DATES:
Ten Steps 2024 Dates and Locations – Resume Place (resume-place.com)
QUESTIONS? Course Registrar:
Nicole Becker, [email protected]
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Kathryn Troutman
[email protected]
After reading this article, if you want to write your Federal Resume… these books can help you tremendously: The Federal Resume Guidebook, 7th Edition, was chosen in 2021 as the Best Reference Book by both the Ben Franklin Awards and the Independent Press Awards. Buy it as an eBook or paper book on the Resume Place website (where quantity discounts are available).
ORDER Federal Resume Guidebook NOW!
$210 one hour consultation
Purchase $210 one hour consultation here
If you are an employment specialist or career counselor, you would like our Certified Federal Job Search Trainer® / Certified Federal Career Coach® program.
We teach our Ten Steps to a Federal Job® trainers and coaches on writing CCAR accomplishments for Federal Resume Writing, Interview Preparation and Annual Self-Assessments.
Information about the CFJST / CFCC program is here.
