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This book was written by
Dennis V. Damp, a career
federal civil service employee, who developed and followed the techniques
presented in this workbook to achieve his career goals. He worked his way
up through the organization to high level management positions during his
35½ years of distinguished federal service. You too can tailor a realistic Individual
Development Plan to achieve your civil service career goals by following
the step-by-step guidance offered in this valuable workbook.
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Do you dream of a better life , more pay, a challenging
position with responsibility and one that takes full advantage of your
background and experience? You can turn your dreams into reality and be
one of the many thousands of federal employees each year that are promoted
or obtain higher level government jobs.
What separates those who want to improve and progress in their careers
from those who actually achieve success? The fact is that it’s not enough
to dream about promotions, great new jobs, and higher pay you have to plan
a course of action to achieve those goals. The factors that will determine
whether or not you succeed are motivation, personal initiative, and taking
the steps (ACTIONS) necessary to make your dreams come true.
If you’re not satisfied with your current job or if you’ve been bypassed
for a promotion don’t despair, help is out there if you know where to
look. You have many options and career paths to pursue in the federal
sector. Even if you lack the required education or experience there are
ways to obtain skills needed to reach your career goals.
Take Charge of Your Federal Career is a practical, action-oriented
career management workbook for federal employees. Packed with proven tips
and valuable assessment and evaluation tools. This unique workbook
provides federal workers with the individualized know-how and guidance
they need to identify, obtain, and successfully demonstrate the skills and
experience required to qualify for new and better federal jobs.
You’ll learn how to design a career development plan that includes:
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Self Assessment
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Locating Job Opportunities and Career Enhancement Details and
Assignments
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Setting Realistic Goals
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Networking Technique
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How to Complete a Dynamite Application
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Interviewing Techniques, and
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How to Stay on Track.
The potential for upward mobility in the federal sector is excellent
for those who know how to aggressively pursue their career goals. Federal
employees that take the personal initiative to plan their future have a
better than average chance to succeed and be promoted. Uncle Sam is this
countries largest employer and hires about 2 ½ % of the total civilian
workforce. The diversity of work and the ability to transfer to other
agencies and locations further improves your chances. There are so many
options available that you can easily get off track if you don’t focus
your efforts on realistic targets of opportunity.
Most federal agencies encourage employees to develop their careers through
(IDPs) Individual Development Plans. However, it’s the employees
responsibility to initiate the process and to develop personalized and
realistic plans to achieve their short and long term career goals. All
agencies provide training to improve your skills for the position you now
occupy. However, they don’t automatically provide training that is outside
the duties and responsibilities for your current Position Description
unless you develop an IDP.
The opportunities are almost limitless by comparison when you consider
the numbers. Federal retirements continue to increase and the average
federal employee's age is approaching 49. Retirees often vacate higher
level jobs and that means opportunities for those who remain.
Chapter One - Introduction to Federal Career Development
.................... 1
Upward Mobility
Changes in Government
OPM Then and Now
The Keys to Success
Self Assessment
Locating Job Opportunities
Your IDP - Individual Development Plan
Completing Your Application
Networking and the Informational Interview
Follow-up (Staying on Track)
Federal Career Development (Training) Laws
Chapter Two - Self Assessment
.................................................................... 9
What to Expect
Who's on First, What's on Second
The Process - Getting Started
KSAs - Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
KSA Description
KSA Definitions (General Employee Competencies)
KSA Definitions (General Supervisory/Manager Competencies)
Assessing Your Skills, Experience and Interests
Definitions
Your Personal Profiles
Work Experience Profile
Networking Data and Work Related Contact Form
Education and Training Profiles
Personal Characteristics and attitudes
Overall Assessment
Interest Inventories
Chapter Three - Exploring Job Opportunities (Targeting Positions)
.......... 29
Occupation and Job Opportunities Chart
Qualifying for Federal Jobs
Merit Promotion Program
Sample MPP Announcement
Qualification Statement
Sample Qualification Statement
Position Description
Sample Position Description
How to Identify Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Sample KSA Comparison Chart
Your Career Goals
Chapter Four - Individual Development Plans
.......................................... 47
Career Development Checklist
The IDP Process
Evaluating Your Present Position
Goals and Objectives
Suggested Developmental Activities
IDP Developmental Worksheet
Preparing a Draft IDP
Preliminary Questions
IDP Forms and Samples
Chapter Five - Supervisory and Management IDPs
................................. 61
What is a Supervisor?
Supervisory Roles
Supervisory Responsibilities
Skills and Abilities
Manager Positions
Preparing for a Manager's Job
Self Assessment for Manager's Positions
Managerial Competencies
Supervisory Developmental Assignments
Work Assignment Practices
Shadowing Assignments
Professional Reading
Job Rotation
Developmental Staff Meetings
Participation in Professional Organizations
Volunteer Work
Networking
Sample Supervisory/Management IDP
The Senior Executive Service (SES)
Executive Core Qualifications
Chapter Six - Explore Opportunities in Your Agency First
....................... 85
Merit Promotion Program Job Announcements
Internal Placement Program
Voluntary Applications
Hardship Transfers
Details and Temporary Promotions
Agency Career Development Programs
Chapter Seven - Finding Jobs with Other Agencies
................................. 95
Direct Hire Authority and Decentralized Recruiting
Directories
Books, Pamphlets, and Subscriptions
Computer Software
Internet Resources
Transitions Services
Chapter Eight - Networking and Informational Interviews
..................... 107
Contacts, Contacts and MORE CONTACTS
Informational Interviews
Informational Interview Questions
Making a Connection (The NEXUS)
The Job Next Door
Personnel Information
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Phone Numbers
Chapter Nine - Completing Your Application
........................................... 123
Required Information
New Agency Forms
Instructions for Completing Optional Form 612
The SF-171 Application
SF-171 Application Instructions
Chapter Ten - The Interview
..................................................................... 141
Interview Types
Before the Interview
During the Interview
After the Interview
Chapter Eleven - Career Success
............................................................. 151
Apply Early
Your Application or Resume
Apply Frequently
Mobility - Contact Multiple Locations/Agencies
Training and Experience
Keys to Success
Perseverance Pays
Networking
Appendix A - Career Transition Checklist 155
Appendix B - Federal Occupations Lists (PATCO) 159
Appendix C - Training Analysis and Course Recommendations Charts 179
Appendix D - Occupations by Education and Training Categories 187
Appendix E - Skills Index 193
Index 201
Paperback || 202 pages ||
ISBN#: 0-910582-38-6 || $17.95
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