Transcript Tips for Government Applications

Fall 2011
Resources on Government Hiring
http://www.usajobs.gov/
http://makingthedifference.org/index.shtml
http://www.luc.edu/law/career/govt_handbooks.html
University of Arizona Handbook Government Honors and Internships/Public Policy
http://www.luc.edu/law/career/pdfs/Government_Chicago.pdf
CBA Government Services Career Fair (spring)
Midwest Public Interest Law Career Conference (MPILCC)--February 4, 2012 at Northwestern
www.pslawnet.org
2011-2012 NALP Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide
There are two primary components of the initial application process, federal résumés and
assessment tools.
Tips on Resumes
 Federal résumés are a critical component of the application
process for government jobs and internships. These résumés,
which are created on USAJOBS.gov, require more detail than a
private sector résumé.
 Examples of the additional details that you will need for this
document include information about your past employment,
such as dates and number of hours worked per week, as well as
supervisor contact information.
 One of the best features of USAJOBS.gov is that once you create
an account, you can build and save up to five federal résumés,
each tailored to a different position description;
 This is extremely important! Review the duties section found in
each job vacancy announcement, identify the keywords in the
description and include them in your résumé.
Tips on Assessment Tools
 The federal government has traditionally used two
assessment tools for applicants – questionnaires and
essays. With regards to the former, many agencies will
ask applicants to answer a variety of multiple choice
questions; these questionnaires can contain upwards
of 100 questions. If you are applying for a position on
USAJOBS.gov, you can preview the questionnaire in
the “How to Apply” section of the job vacancy
announcement.
KSAs
 Agencies may also ask applicants to answer knowledge, skills and abilities essays, better
known as KSAs. These essays are meant to determine what makes an applicant stand out
in a particular area. Examples of these essay questions include “Ability to communicate in
writing” or “Knowledge in applying advanced IT principles.” There is no set number of
KSAs for a position; therefore, the number will vary by agency and opening.
Typically, a KSA response runs between a half-page and a full-page in length. When
writing these essays, it is extremely important that you focus on the description of duties
found in the job vacancy announcement. As you would when creating a federal résumé,
you must identify the keywords and include them in your essays. Agencies will often use
a computer to run keyword searches, so by using the words found in the position
description, you will be sure to grab readers’ attention.
Federal agencies are in the process of implementing a number of hiring reforms. One of
these changes surrounds KSAs. After November 1, 2010, agencies cannot require
applicants to answer these essays during the first step of the application process.
It is likely that agencies will implement another type of assessment in place of
these essays.
Mission Driven
 You should convey your interest and enthusiasm for
the work of the agency in your application materials
and in an interview.
 Be knowledgeable about the work of the agency and
speak with attorneys/fellow students about their
experiences.