Federal Resume and KSA Writing Workshop for Current Federal Employees
The goal of this highly effective workshop is to inspire, encourage, and educate current federal employees in the art of writing a competitive federal resume for a career change or promotion. All participants will create the first draft of a federal resume or improve their existing resume and gain the confidence to apply.
Workshop format
Whether delivered virtually or in-person, this course is presented as an interactive workshop. Participants will write and share their drafts with their peers, give and receive feedback, and build a network of supportive contacts.
Outcomes
Federal Employees are already familiar with the federal resume, but they may not know how to master the format for the USAJOBS resume builder; how to find and add the keywords to their federal resume; or how to write accomplishments that can cover the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the announcement. Federal employees may not realize the importance and implications of the questionnaire. We teach all of this in a full-day, half-day, or 90-minute program.
Key course objectives
In this fast-paced, engaging, interactive course, participants will learn the basics of creating a competitive federal resume and navigating the online hiring system, USAJOBS. We will problem-solve for unique challenges and experiences federal employees face when changing jobs or applying for promotions.
Participants will learn five critical lessons:
- Federal Resume Writing in the Outline Format: The Outline Format is favored by federal human resources specialists, hiring managers, and applicants. Outlines are easy to write and use keywords to target specific job announcements
- USAJOBS Resume Builder: Master the USAJOBS resume builder and present resume content in an impressive, readable, structured format.
- KSA Accomplishments: Separate narratives for KSAs have been eliminated from most vacancy announcements, making it critical for applicants to include KSA accomplishments in their resumes. Class members will write two accomplishments and share with a small group. They will be inspired to recognize the difference between duties and accomplishments. They will also learn how to demonstrate the skills identified in the questionnaires within their resumes.
- Keywords and Announcement Analysis: Finding the right keywords and incorporating them into the resume gives everyone trouble, including federal employees.
- Core Competencies and Specialized Experience: Participants will learn how to stand out with their best competencies: creativity, innovation, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Applicants learn the importance of soft skills and how to market their technical skills
Preferred format: Virtual training via the Zoom platform. Active participation in the chat and interviews. Live USAJOBS tours and online research. Lessons in writing ECQ writing with Contact, Challenge, Action and Results: ECQ definitions, length, executive-level writing.
Course length: Full day, half day, or 90 minute webinars