Government Continues to Hire Even as Federal Workforce Declines Slightly in July

Government Continues to Hire Even as Federal Workforce Declines Slightly in JulyGovernment Continues to Hire Even as Federal Workforce Declines Slightly in JulyGovernment Continues to Hire Even as Federal Workforce Declines Slightly in JulyRetirements and diverse budget trends among federal agencies mean that Uncle Sam does hire tens of thousands of professionals each month.But the competition for these high-paying, benefits-rich jobs is fierce, so candidates must put forward the best possible federal resume and application, says Kathryn Troutman, president of The Resume Place. With unemployment mucksmuschenstill above 7 percent and federal employment continuing to shrink overall, its more critical than ever to meticulously match the federal resume to the USAJOBS announcement.July 2013 was a good news/schwimmbad news month for professionals seeking a job with the federal government, according to The Resume Places analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.First the bad news Fe deral government employment stood at 2.74 million in July 2013, essentially unchanged from the month before and down by 59,000 from a year early, according to the BLS Employment Situation Summary released Aug. 2.Now the good news The vast bulk of federal separations (retirements, resignations, involuntary terminations, etc.) were balanced by hires, according to Resume Place analysis of the BLS latest JOLTs report, which was released in May. Although there were 37,000 federal employee separations in May 2013, there were also 29,000 federal hires. Moreover 64,000 federal jobs were reported open in the saatkorn month.These federal postings are the best jobs in the country, says Kathryn Troutman, president of The Resume Place, which specializes in the preparation of federal resumes and coaching of candidates for plum government jobs. People who really want a government job and have a specialized background can get the job, but the competition is great and the quality of the application must be superb.Given that the federal government continues to slowly shrink, why does Uncle Sam continue to hire tens of thousands of workers each month? A top reason is the age of the workforce and the tidal wave of retiring Baby Boomers thats just gathering strength. There are staggering numbers of older workers on the federal payroll. According to The Resume Places analysis of Office of Personnel Management data, more than 558,000 federal employees are age 55 or older the federal minimum retirement age including 86,446 workers age 65 and up. With their retirement savings accounts recovering with 4 years of stock-market gains, many federal workers may decide to retire in the near future.But competition for federal openings will be stiff among professionals who understand how well civil-service jobs compare with private-sector opportunities in terms of total compensation. The average full-time, corporate employee made $59,804 in salary or wages in 2011, according to an analysis by the Political Calculations web site. By contrast, the average federal employee made $74,436, nearly $15,000 more.The average federal employee also enjoys fringe benefits of considerably greater value than her private-sector counterpart. Federal employees benefits are worth about $20 per hour worked, according to a 2012 estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. The average private-sector workers benefits are worth considerably less $14 per hour worked. In addition to generous retirement programs, federal benefits can include student loan repayment and health, dental, vision and life insurance.Meanwhile, as the government payroll continues its decades-long trend of gradual downsizing, select agencies are increasing their headcount. For example, with the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services is growing. A recent search of USAJOBS revealed more than 450 job announcements for HHS, ranging from nurses to medical scientists to IT specialists. With each position mapped to a career ladder of GS grades, the potential for career advancement is transparent and is built into each position.With federal employment offering all of these advantages plus superior job security, securing a government job is a demanding process. With unemployment still above 7 percent and federal employment slowing shrinking overall, its more critical than ever to meticulously match the federal resume to the USAJOBS announcement, says Troutman. The Federal Resume Guidebook can help.

Facts for Using Social Media in Your Job Search

Facts for Using Social Media in Your Job SearchFacts for Using Social Media in Your Job SearchWe all finally understand hopefully that social media is not a fad and that its not going anywhere. So being proficient in using these social media tools in business as well as our personal lives is important wouldnt you agree? For example when looking for employment in todays job market, it is imperative that you utilize social media in your search. Think of it as another form of networking and dont wait unti you need it to begin using it. Now, just like face-to-face networking, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.There really arent any surprises avoid grammatical errors no profanity dont rant about politics these are still big no nos. Its not about avoiding social media its learning how to manage your personal and professional presence online. You just have to use it responsibly.We came across this infographic by iCIMS that highlights some facts for using social med ia in your job search

9 Tips for Finding a Flexible Job

9 Tips for Finding a Flexible Job9 Tips for Finding a Flexible JobFinding flexible work can take a bit mora time and effort when job searching. However, the long-term benefits of flexible work will far outweigh any struggles during the process. To get you started on your flexible work path, weve compiled nine tips for finding a flexible job.Here are nine tips for finding a flexible job or gig1. Know the flexibility you want.Before you jump into your job search, contemplate the type of flexibility you want or need. Knowing your ideal flexibility will help narrow your search to particular companies and industries, guide your use of job searching keywords, and help you focus on the niche where youll find the most jobs.2. Grow your network.Networking is an essential part of any job search nowadays. Dont take for granted the connections you have and the potential you have to grow your network. With many jobs being sourced from referrals, your network will be a vital part of creating the m ost successful search possible.3. Set up a job search support team.To keep you motivated, on track, and focused, create a job search team using people in your life. Ask these people to hold you accountable and to help in specific areas of your search. Having a support team can create a more positive job search experience.4. Get active on social media.Skipping the social media factor of any job search can cause significant setbacks for you. Make sure you have active profiles and that those profiles are cleaned for professional usage. Other things to consider are professional profile pictures, links to websites or portfolios, and participation in groups. By engaging on social media, not only will you have access to companies, jobs, and more connections, you will also be searchable by recruiters.5. Create a strategy for job searching.Having a strategy in place for job searching will help to keep you accountable and moving forward. Whether you use a 30/60/90-day plan format or a differe nt format that works for you, having a plan in place will help address any challenges or issues you face, while also providing the opportunity to celebrate achievements.6. Use targeted keywords.Once you know the type of flexibility you will look for, youll want to incorporate keywords into everything. When you are searching, use the flexible job terms to narrow your search results. With social media, include flexible jobs terms in your profiles to make them more easily searchable. Last, but certainly not least, incorporate the keywords in your cover letter and resume, as they will be essential when using applicant tracking systems.7. Target specific companies and industries.Rather than search for a particular job title, reverse your search and start with companies and industries. You will be surprised to find the types of jobs you are qualified for that you would have never searched for because of the variations in the job title.8. Expand your search geographically.Limiting yourself to a radius around your specific location might be hindering your search. Consider looking elsewhere, as well as searching for remote jobs. With remote work, there are opportunities to work virtually from anywhere.9. Use niche job search services such as.When you are looking for niche work, using services that cater to your needs helps take the guesswork out of it all. Using can help with finding a flexible job that isnt only legitimate, but with a respectable company.Start browsing flexible jobs in over 50 categories todayAs you are looking for a flexible job, remember to be patient. Depending on a number of different factors, your job search might take a big longer. Try to let go of expectations about your job search and focus on measurable and attainable goals. The more you are able to be mindful in your job search, the more likely you will stay motivated.Readers, what has your experience been with finding a flexible job? Have you utilized the tips above? Share your tips with us