JOB HUNTERS CHECKLIST

• What to do NOW                          
• What's Available
• Applying For Federal Jobs
• Results
• Interviews

WHAT TO DO NOW

This checklist is excerpted from The Book of U.S Government Jobs. Refer to a copy of this book to view the listed references, chapters and appendices.

• Review the Federal Occupations Lists in Appendix D of The Book of U.S. Government Jobs and the Skills Index in Appendix E. These appendices provide lists of specific Federal jobs that you may qualify for.
• Visit USAJOBS web site at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and call the regional OPM Service Center in your area. SEE APPENDIX B for a complete national listing. If you don’t have access to the internet call USAJOBS by Phone at 1-703-724-1850. Obtain the following information:

1. Announcements for specific job series.
2. A copy of the optional application form OF-612.
3. Review the application process in Chapter Six and thoroughly review the sample job announcement and OF-612 application.

• Contact regional and local agency personnel offices. See Appendix C for office addresses, web sites, and phone numbers.

1. Request agency career opportunities brochures.
2. Talk with agency personnel offices and request job announcements and information on special hiring programs.
3. Obtain government office phone numbers from your phone directory. Look under "U.S. Government" in the Blue Pages. Also contact Federal Executive Boards, Appendix B.

• Visit http://federaljobs.net. This web site provides updates for The Book of U.S. Government Jobs. If hiring programs are modified, or web site addresses or contact information change, those changes will be posted on this site. You can also link direct to hundreds of federal agency employment sites.
• Review Chapter Three's listings to identify job announcement resources including internet web site addresses. Also review:

• Chapter Three for Student Hiring Programs.
• Veteran's Hiring programs and Chapter Seven
• Overseas Jobs and Chapter 8
• Postal Service jobs and Chapter 9
• Jobs for people with disabilities.

• Locate your high school and college transcripts, military records, awards, and professional licenses. Collect past employment history; salary, addresses, phone numbers, dates employed, etc.
• Visit your local library and review these publications:

• The United States Government Manual. This book provides agency descriptions, addresses, contacts and basic employment information.

• The Occupational Outlook Handbook. If your library doesn't have this publication check with a local college placement office. This handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information and includes detailed descriptions of working conditions for over 250 jobs. It also includes salary surveys, training and other qualifications, job outlook, and related occupations.

• The Occupational Outlook Quarterly, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a highly informative quarterly publication that highlights employment trends and features interesting career articles.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

• Call local agencies listed in the phone directory. Also visit local Federal Buildings. REQUEST INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS per instructions in Chapter Four.
• Research agencies in Appendix C of The Book of U.S. Government Jobs, internet web sites, and the United States Government Manual. Department web sites are listed in Chapter Three.
• Consider subscribing to Federal Career Opportunities. A biweekly publication listing thousands of currently available federal jobs. Call 1-800-822-5627 or 703-281-0200.
• Review Chapters Three, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten.

APPLYING FOR A JOB

• You will receive requested job announcements instantly via the internet or within a week by mail. Each announcement will be accompanied by all required application forms. You can use the blank optional application form in Chapter Four to draft your application while waiting for forms by mail. You can also download forms from http://federaljobs.net or use Quick & Easy Federal Jobs Kit software to complete your OF-612, resume, and other application forms.
• Review Chapter Six and follow the guidance for completing your application and/or resume. Chapter Six takes you step-by-step through the application process. You’ll learn how to write a professional federal resume and application, and get attention by using government phrases and terminology. Includes a helpful sample resume and application.

• If no vacancies were located on USAJOBS locate and visit individual agency recruiting web sites to find job vacancies. You can also contact the OPM Employment Service Center (ESC) nearest. Jobs can be advertised for as little as one day. Service Centers are listed in Appendix B. ESCs WILL NOT place your name on a list for automatic notification when jobs do become available. You must locate job vacancies either through USAJOBS, direct from local agencies, or from publications such as Federal Career Opportunities at http://www.fedjobs.com/.
• Contact other ESCs and individual agencies. The more you contact the greater your chance of finding open announcements.
• Complete and sign ALL application forms received with the bid. Use a software program such as Quick & Easy Federal Jobs Kit or Type your application if possible. Follow the step-by-step instructions presented in Chapter 6.
• Retain a copy of each job announcement that you applied for along with all application forms that you submitted with your package. You may need to review them prior to the interview.
• Send in the completed forms to the address specified on the announcement.

RESULTS

Your application will be processed and results returned to you within several weeks. In most cases you will receive a Notice of Rating or Notice of Results informing you of your eligibility by mail. If rated eligible, your name will be placed on the Federal register list for that position along with all other eligible applicants. Your name and application will be forwarded to a selecting official as positions become available.

INTERVIEWS

Prepare for the interview. Also review chapter Four’s Employment Interviewing section.

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