Spouses learn how to land federal jobs

By Mr. Robert Timmons (IMCOM)October 5, 2017

Spouse1
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Attendees at the Military Spouse Federal Employment Symposium listen as
Sharon Green, a human resource specialist with the installation's Civilian
Personnel Action Center speaks about how to properly fill out an application
on USAJOBS.gov Tuesday at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Spouse2
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Jackson's Civilian Personnel Action Center employees offered military spouses three easy steps to land a federal job during the post's Military Spouse Federal Spouse Employment Symposium Tuesday.

"This is the first time we have the opportunity to partner with Army Community Service to give more information to the spouses applying for federal position," said Sharon Green, a human resource specialist at CPAC. "As a former military spouse, it's very important because you move basically every year or year and a half.

"So we need more information about not only the area we are moving to … but we need information on applying for federal and private" jobs."

Green demonstrated to participants how to log on to USAJOBS.gov, the only place to apply for federal positions.

The three steps were: first create a targeted and detailed resume tailored to a specific job; second upload all the required documents into USAJOBS.gov; and finally register with CPAC for Military Spouse Preference -- Priority Placement Program, or MSP-PPP.

Barbara Martin, ACS Employment Readiness Program Manager, said it is important to create a "very detailed resume reflecting all your duties and accomplishments." These should be targeted to the job skills questionnaire on USAJOBS.

"More is better in the federal resume," said Martin, who will be retiring in December after over 33 years of federal service.

Not having enough details in a resume can be a huge stumbling block to landing that dream job.

"One of the problems we have when looking at resumes is that we can't determine the experience level," Green said. "We are looking for detailed resumes so we can see the specialized experience and put them on the referral list."

The symposium is the first of two being held this month. The next will be held Oct. 10 in the Army Community Service Building on Lee Road. For more information or to register for the next class contact ACS at 803-751-5256/9460/5452 or via email at barbara.L.martin10.civ@mail.mil.

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