2008 Careers in Federal Libraries ALA Annual Pre-Conference Event June 27, 2008 The Road to Federal Librarianship Helen Q. Sherman

Do you want to be a Fed? Welcome! You are on the right path! Federal libraries & information centers need talented, enthusiastic librarians Prediction that 1/3 of federal employees are eligible to retire by 2012 Federal Civilian Workforce Statistics: The Fact Book, 2005 ed. http://www.opm.gov/feddata/factbook/2005/factbook2005.pdf

Welcome! You are on the right path!

Federal libraries & information centers need talented, enthusiastic librarians

Prediction that 1/3 of federal employees are eligible to retire by 2012

Roles of Federal Librarians Reference Instruction Database Development Acquisitions Cataloging Indexing Web page Development Systems In-House Library Services for Agency Personnel Marketing Management and Administration … and that’s just at one agency!

Reference

Instruction

Database Development

Acquisitions

Cataloging

Indexing

Web page Development

Systems

In-House Library Services for Agency Personnel

Marketing

Management and Administration

… and that’s just at one agency!

Main Types of Federal Libraries Academic Libraries Family “Public” Type Libraries School Libraries Special Libraries

Academic Libraries

Family “Public” Type Libraries

School Libraries

Special Libraries

Variety of Federal Locations Academic Libraries Academies (4-year Degrees) Service Universities (Graduate Degrees) Family Libraries E.g., Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps School Libraries (Department of Defense) Overseas and limited areas in U.S. Special Libraries Agency and Foreign Service Libraries Medical Libraries Law Libraries Museums & Historical Centers Scientific & Technical Libraries & Information Centers

Academic Libraries

Academies (4-year Degrees)

Service Universities (Graduate Degrees)

Family Libraries

E.g., Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps

School Libraries (Department of Defense)

Overseas and limited areas in U.S.

Special Libraries

Agency and Foreign Service Libraries

Medical Libraries

Law Libraries

Museums & Historical Centers

Scientific & Technical Libraries & Information Centers

Goal of Federal Job Process Federal Employee Employer Applicant

Agency’s Typical Path to Federal Recruitment Establishment of Appropriate Series for Job Analysis of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required for Job Determination of Position Level and Salary Range Recruitment with Public Announcement of Position Screening of Applications Referral List to Selecting Official Interview Queries to References Selection Patience!

Establishment of Appropriate Series for Job

Analysis of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required for Job

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range

Recruitment with Public Announcement of Position

Screening of Applications

Referral List to Selecting Official

Interview

Queries to References

Selection

Patience!

Establishment of Appropriate Series for Job Series: Four-digit code that represents a particular job function Grade: Level of employment that determines General Services (GS) salary (along with work location and step) General Services (GS) Examples: GS-1410-09 (straight 09) GS-1410-09/11 (promotion potential) GS-1412-15 (highest GS level)

Series: Four-digit code that represents a particular job function

Grade: Level of employment that determines General Services (GS) salary (along with work location and step)

General Services (GS) Examples:

GS-1410-09 (straight 09)

GS-1410-09/11 (promotion potential)

GS-1412-15 (highest GS level)

Position Classification Standards for Each Series GS Examples: *1410 – Librarian Series 1411 – Library Technician Series 1412 – Technical Information Specialist Series 1420 – Archivist Series 1421 – Archives Technician Series 1499 – Library & Archives Student Trainee Other possibilities, depending on individual’s related education and work experience for a series Tip: Review the job requirements to determine if you are qualified before applying.

GS Examples:

*1410 – Librarian Series

1411 – Library Technician Series

1412 – Technical Information Specialist Series

1420 – Archivist Series

1421 – Archives Technician Series

1499 – Library & Archives Student Trainee

Other possibilities, depending on individual’s related education and work experience for a series

Tip: Review the job requirements to determine if you are qualified before applying.

Position Classification Standard for Librarian Series, GS-1410

Librarian or Supervisory Librarian or Reference Librarian, etc.

Position Description (PD) Tip: The Position Description (PD) summarized in a job announcement is based on factor levels for the position.

Differences in Factor Levels from Entry Level to Experienced Librarian Factor 1, Knowledge Required by Position Level 1-6 950 Points: “ The librarian provides reference services where needs are relatively easy to determine from client interviews or written requests, and the bibliographic source materials are readily accessible…” Level 1-8 1550 Points “ The librarian serves as an expert…;” “… an interagency or federal expert…” “… a senior staff librarian for a library system…”

Factor 1, Knowledge Required by Position

Level 1-6 950 Points:

“ The librarian provides reference services where needs are relatively easy to determine from client interviews or written requests, and the bibliographic source materials are readily accessible…”

Level 1-8 1550 Points

“ The librarian serves as an expert…;”

“… an interagency or federal expert…”

“… a senior staff librarian for a library system…”

Differences in Levels for Supervisory Experience Factor 2, Supervisory Controls Level 2-3 275 Points: “ The supervisor defines the librarian's scope of responsibility and the objectives, priorities, and deadlines.” Level 2-5 650 Points “ The supervisor and higher-level authorities consider the work as technically authoritative and normally accept the librarian’s recommendations without significant change.” Tip: Do not submit the same resume for all of your job applications. Review each announcement carefully; prepare an application to highlight your qualifications for the job.

Factor 2, Supervisory Controls

Level 2-3 275 Points:

“ The supervisor defines the librarian's scope of responsibility and the objectives, priorities, and deadlines.”

Level 2-5 650 Points

“ The supervisor and higher-level authorities consider the work as technically authoritative and normally accept the librarian’s recommendations without significant change.”

Tip: Do not submit the same resume for all of your job applications. Review each announcement carefully; prepare an application to highlight your qualifications for the job.

KSAs Knowledge: Organized body of information, usually of factual or procedural nature, which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. Skills: Proficient manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data, people, or things. Observable, quantifiable, measurable . Abilities: Power to perform an activity at the present time.

Knowledge: Organized body of information, usually of factual or procedural nature, which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible.

Skills: Proficient manual, verbal, or mental manipulation of data, people, or things. Observable, quantifiable, measurable .

Abilities: Power to perform an activity at the present time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required - Essays Sample Essay Questions “ Knowledge of principles, concepts, and techniques of library science.” “ Ability to plan and manage a program for a library’s _______(Reference Services, Document Delivery, Cataloging, etc.) “ Ability to lead and supervise a diverse workforce.” “ Ability to communicate effectively in writing.” “Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.” Tip: Submit well-written, truthful essays with specific and relevant examples.

Sample Essay Questions

“ Knowledge of principles, concepts, and techniques of library science.”

“ Ability to plan and manage a program for a library’s _______(Reference Services, Document Delivery, Cataloging, etc.)

“ Ability to lead and supervise a diverse workforce.”

“ Ability to communicate effectively in writing.” “Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.”

Tip: Submit well-written, truthful essays with specific and relevant examples.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required – Questionnaire Multiple Choice Questions E.g.; ‘I have performed the job of ______________ Never Occasionally As a regular part of my job with supervision As a major part of my job, usually independently and without review by supervisor To review the work of personnel under my supervision As a recognized expert in the field, to train other divisions or the federal community Combination of Questions & Essays Tip: Answer the questions honestly. They may be used as the basis for your interview or queries to your references.

Multiple Choice Questions

E.g.; ‘I have performed the job of ______________

Never

Occasionally

As a regular part of my job with supervision

As a major part of my job, usually independently and without review by supervisor

To review the work of personnel under my supervision

As a recognized expert in the field, to train other divisions or the federal community

Combination of Questions & Essays

Tip: Answer the questions honestly. They may be used as the basis for your interview or queries to your references.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required –Announcement Expected Coverage of KSAs in Application & Resume Note Job Description & Specific Duties in Announcement Note Qualifications and Evaluations Education Requirement Specialized Experience E.g.; “Specialized experience is experience in information management/sciences; evaluation of technologies to acquire, apply, search, communicate, generate, and utilize information resources; and program/project management and supervisory experience.” Tip: Use relevant terminology in your resume. It will be reviewed by a personnel specialist or computer.

Expected Coverage of KSAs in Application & Resume

Note Job Description & Specific Duties in Announcement

Note Qualifications and Evaluations

Education Requirement

Specialized Experience

E.g.; “Specialized experience is experience in information management/sciences; evaluation of technologies to acquire, apply, search, communicate, generate, and utilize information resources; and program/project management and supervisory experience.”

Tip: Use relevant terminology in your resume. It will be reviewed by a personnel specialist or computer.

KSA Guidelines Suggested Method for KSA Answers: Context: Describe the situation. Challenge: Describe what needed to be done. Action: Describe your role & specifically what you did. Results: Describe outcome in concrete, verifiable terms. Tips: Use concrete, action verbs, and specific nouns. Use numbers, statistics, and specific time periods. Quote relevant phrases from awards. Use relevant terms from job announcement.

Suggested Method for KSA Answers:

Context: Describe the situation.

Challenge: Describe what needed to be done.

Action: Describe your role & specifically what you did.

Results: Describe outcome in concrete, verifiable terms.

Tips:

Use concrete, action verbs, and specific nouns.

Use numbers, statistics, and specific time periods.

Quote relevant phrases from awards.

Use relevant terms from job announcement.

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range General Schedule (GS) E.g., GS-1410-09

General Schedule (GS)

E.g., GS-1410-09

General Schedule (GS) & Locality Pay Tables http://www.opm.gov/oca/08tables/

GS Base Pay S howing Steps for Each Grade

Steps Within-Grade Increases (WGIs) or Step Increases Periodic increases in General Schedule (GS) employee's rate of basic pay from one step of the grade of the position to the next higher step of that grade; e.g., GS-11-01 to GS-11-02 Required Waiting Period for WGI 52 calendar weeks of acceptable performance

Within-Grade Increases (WGIs) or Step Increases

Periodic increases in General Schedule (GS) employee's rate of basic pay from one step of the grade of the position to the next higher step of that grade; e.g., GS-11-01 to GS-11-02

Required Waiting Period for WGI

52 calendar weeks of acceptable performance

Future Possibility Quality Step Increase (QSI) Faster-than-normal WGI may be used to reward employees who demonstrate sustained performance of highest quality Management decision per employee; not standard award Does not apply to incoming personnel

Quality Step Increase (QSI)

Faster-than-normal WGI may be used to reward employees who demonstrate sustained performance of highest quality

Management decision per employee; not standard award

Does not apply to incoming personnel

GS Salary Table with Locality Pay

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range General Schedule (GS) E.g., GS-1410-09 Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03

General Schedule (GS)

E.g., GS-1410-09

Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03

GAO-08-ISTS-2210-18 Information Systems & Technology Services (ISTS)

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range General Schedule (GS) E.g., GS-1410-09 Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03 National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) E.g., ZP-2210-01/05

General Schedule (GS)

E.g., GS-1410-09

Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03

National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) E.g., ZP-2210-01/05

NIST: ZP-2210-01/05 Information Technology Specialist

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range General Schedule (GS) E.g., GS-1410-09 Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03 National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) E.g., ZP-2210-01/05 Department of Defense (DoD): National Security Personnel System (NSPS) – E.g., YA-1410-02

General Schedule (GS)

E.g., GS-1410-09

Pay Banding or Performance Based Systems

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – E.g., PT-2210-03/03

National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) E.g., ZP-2210-01/05

Department of Defense (DoD): National Security Personnel System (NSPS) – E.g., YA-1410-02

DoD NSPS Worldwide Pay Table http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps/

Recruitment with Public Announcement of Position * USAJOBS http://www. usajobs . opm . gov / Other Example Sites Army: http://www. cpol .army.mil/ DOT: http://careers.dot. gov / js _apply.html DTIC: http://www. dtic .mil/ dtic / joas /index.html FBI: https://jobs1. quickhire .com/scripts/ fbi .exe GAO: http://www. gao . gov /careers/apply.html GPO: http://www. gpo . gov /careers/jobs. htm LC: https://www. avuecentral .com/ NIST: http://www. nist . gov / hrmd /index. htm

* USAJOBS http://www. usajobs . opm . gov /

Other Example Sites

Army: http://www. cpol .army.mil/

DOT: http://careers.dot. gov / js _apply.html

DTIC: http://www. dtic .mil/ dtic / joas /index.html

FBI: https://jobs1. quickhire .com/scripts/ fbi .exe

GAO: http://www. gao . gov /careers/apply.html

GPO: http://www. gpo . gov /careers/jobs. htm

LC: https://www. avuecentral .com/

NIST: http://www. nist . gov / hrmd /index. htm

USAJOBS

Bookmark and Check Agency Sites for New Announcements Tip: Some USAJOBS announcements appear on agency sites before they are searchable on USAJOBS.

Key Requirements of Position U.S. Citizenship Required for most federal jobs Specified on announcement Proof of Education Required official transcript – sometimes as attachment, mailed separately, or requested later Announcement will specify level of degree for series and instructions

U.S. Citizenship

Required for most federal jobs

Specified on announcement

Proof of Education

Required official transcript – sometimes as attachment, mailed separately, or requested later

Announcement will specify level of degree for series and instructions

Other Requirements of Position Other Possible Application Requirements Security Investigation Secret or Top Secret Clearance Drug Test Polygraph Mandatory Emergency Essential Status Travel

Other Possible Application Requirements

Security Investigation

Secret or Top Secret Clearance

Drug Test

Polygraph

Mandatory Emergency Essential Status

Travel

Location of Position Announcement specifies location of job Moving expenses usually NOT provided Tip: If you can be flexible and mobile, you could expand your opportunities and have an interesting career.

Announcement specifies location of job

Moving expenses usually NOT provided

Tip: If you can be flexible and mobile, you could expand your opportunities and have an interesting career.

Status Check Eligibility for Position Check “Yes” or “No” for Applicant Eligibility Are you a current or former Federal civilian employee who holds or held a non-temporary appointment? Announcement Designations: Status (current or former career or career-conditional Federal employees) Public U.S. Citizens and Status All Sources Tip: If you have no prior federal service, look for Public, U.S. Citizen, or All Sources.

Check Eligibility for Position

Check “Yes” or “No” for Applicant Eligibility

Are you a current or former Federal civilian employee who holds or held a non-temporary appointment?

Announcement Designations:

Status (current or former career or career-conditional Federal employees)

Public

U.S. Citizens and Status

All Sources

Tip: If you have no prior federal service, look for Public, U.S. Citizen, or All Sources.

Search by Applicant Eligibility

Status Candidate Defined

Terms WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Federal Career/Career-Conditional employees, Transfer, Reinstatement Eligibles, 30% Disabled Veterans, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and other individuals eligible under special appointment authorities.

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Federal Career/Career-Conditional employees, Transfer, Reinstatement Eligibles, 30% Disabled Veterans, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and other individuals eligible under special appointment authorities.

Career & Career-Conditional http://www.usajobs.gov/EI38.asp

Transfer http://www.usajobs.gov/EI5.asp

Reinstatement http://www.usajobs.gov/EI2.asp

Veterans’ Preference http://www.usajobs.gov/ei3.asp

Summary: Who May Apply

Overview: Who May Be Considered

Other Terms Competitive Service: classified service, classified competitive service, or classified civil service Excepted Service: Unclassified service, unclassified civil service, or positions outside the competitive service E.g., Career fields with unique skills, i.e., lawyers, doctors, or engineers

Competitive Service: classified service, classified competitive service, or classified civil service

Excepted Service: Unclassified service, unclassified civil service, or positions outside the competitive service

E.g., Career fields with unique skills, i.e., lawyers, doctors, or engineers

Permanent: Full Time

Multiple: Pool of Applicants

Librarian & Supervisory Librarian

Technical Information Specialist

Open Period (Important!) Tip: Observe the closing date and allow time for system failures with the online resume.

Screening of Applications Evaluation of your application against the position’s qualification requirements Review by Agency Human Resources Specialist and/or Automated System (NOT a Career Librarian) Ranking relative to the other candidates (for some agencies) Tip: Use specific, relevant language to explain your KSAs. Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, special characters, and library jargon. Do not assume a person (or machine) will understand your experiences.

Evaluation of your application against the position’s qualification requirements

Review by Agency Human Resources Specialist and/or Automated System (NOT a Career Librarian)

Ranking relative to the other candidates (for some agencies)

Tip: Use specific, relevant language to explain your KSAs. Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, special characters, and library jargon. Do not assume a person (or machine) will understand your experiences.

Referral List to Selecting Official List of Highly Qualified Candidates or Most Highly Qualified Candidates issued by Human Resources Office to Selecting Official Agency Review by Panel or Selecting Official TIP: Remember that there is competition for the position. Being Qualified does not guarantee that you will be interviewed or selected for the job.

List of Highly Qualified Candidates or Most Highly Qualified Candidates issued by Human Resources Office to Selecting Official

Agency Review by Panel or Selecting Official

TIP: Remember that there is competition for the position. Being Qualified does not guarantee that you will be interviewed or selected for the job.

Interview Most agencies conduct interviews of top candidates only Interview by panel or selecting official Interview in person or by telephone (Trip not provided) One or two rounds of interviews Writing samples of relevant work may be required Same questions for ALL applicants - to be fair & equal Maybe a thought-provoking or situational question Officials take notes and evaluate the responses Usually, opportunity provided for candidate to ask question(s) about the job at the end

Most agencies conduct interviews of top candidates only

Interview by panel or selecting official

Interview in person or by telephone (Trip not provided)

One or two rounds of interviews

Writing samples of relevant work may be required

Same questions for ALL applicants - to be fair & equal

Maybe a thought-provoking or situational question

Officials take notes and evaluate the responses

Usually, opportunity provided for candidate to ask question(s) about the job at the end

Queries to References Usually by telephone and/or email Standard questions for all candidates from the group Reference sometimes offers to send additional material

Usually by telephone and/or email

Standard questions for all candidates from the group

Reference sometimes offers to send additional material

Selection Selecting official submits first (and possibly alternate choice) to Human Resources Human Resources (NOT Selecting Official) contacts selectee with job offer and salary Specific time designated for response Many positions dependent upon Security Clearance Report date determined by agency Tip: Do not quit your other job while waiting for a clearance. A Security Clearance can take a year (or more).

Selecting official submits first (and possibly alternate choice) to Human Resources

Human Resources (NOT Selecting Official) contacts selectee with job offer and salary

Specific time designated for response

Many positions dependent upon Security Clearance

Report date determined by agency

Tip: Do not quit your other job while waiting for a clearance. A Security Clearance can take a year (or more).

Agency’s Typical Path to Federal Recruitment Establishment of Appropriate Series for Job Analysis of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required for Job Determination of Position Level and Salary Range Recruitment with Public Announcement of Position Screening of Applications Referral List to Selecting Official Interview Queries to References Selection Patience!

Establishment of Appropriate Series for Job

Analysis of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required for Job

Determination of Position Level and Salary Range

Recruitment with Public Announcement of Position

Screening of Applications

Referral List to Selecting Official

Interview

Queries to References

Selection

Patience!

Applicant’s Road Map to Federal Job Agency Job Announcements Eligibility for Position Qualifications for Targeted Position Winning Application and Resume Verifiable Education and Experience Successful Interview Positive References Job Offer Patience!

Agency Job Announcements

Eligibility for Position

Qualifications for Targeted Position

Winning Application and Resume

Verifiable Education and Experience

Successful Interview

Positive References

Job Offer

Patience!

Agency Job Announcements Check USAJOBS and agency Web sites Set up email alerts for new jobs Join professional organizations (at student rate, if applicable) Join professional listservs (as allowed) Check campus bulletins Investigate intern programs Consider positions with contractors Network with other librarians

Check USAJOBS and agency Web sites

Set up email alerts for new jobs

Join professional organizations (at student rate, if applicable)

Join professional listservs (as allowed)

Check campus bulletins

Investigate intern programs

Consider positions with contractors

Network with other librarians

Eligibility for Position Review complete announcement Determine if Status, Public, Veteran, etc. Consider mobility for a different location Contact the Human Resource person listed if you have questions about your eligibility Tip: When you are eligible, start applying. You should expect to apply for more than one job.

Review complete announcement

Determine if Status, Public, Veteran, etc.

Consider mobility for a different location

Contact the Human Resource person listed if you have questions about your eligibility

Tip: When you are eligible, start applying. You should expect to apply for more than one job.

Qualifications for Targeted Position Complete your degree; relate your education and projects to the qualifications Consider an internship or practicum for practical experience in a library or information center Take additional training or attend seminars in your field when possible Joint professional organizations and attend their programs Read current literature about librarianship Determine and explain which skills from your former job(s) pertain to the library position; e.g., teaching, managing projects, writing, etc. Be marketable

Complete your degree; relate your education and projects to the qualifications

Consider an internship or practicum for practical experience in a library or information center

Take additional training or attend seminars in your field when possible

Joint professional organizations and attend their programs

Read current literature about librarianship

Determine and explain which skills from your former job(s) pertain to the library position; e.g., teaching, managing projects, writing, etc.

Be marketable

Winning Application and Resume Create an account on USAJOBS and build your resume. Write information in advance and save separate text files according to required sections for future editing. Check the word count before copying and pasting sections to your resume. Include awards, certifications, and special skills that pertain to this career field. Be specific about computer training, systems, and databases. (Do NOT use a generic statement, such as “Proficient in computer skills.”)

Create an account on USAJOBS and build your resume.

Write information in advance and save separate text files according to required sections for future editing.

Check the word count before copying and pasting sections to your resume.

Include awards, certifications, and special skills that pertain to this career field.

Be specific about computer training, systems, and databases. (Do NOT use a generic statement, such as “Proficient in computer skills.”)

Required Personal Information

Required Work Experience

Multiple Applications and Resumes Always update your information as appropriate and use relevant details when creating a new resume. Include ALL required information, e.g., dates, degrees, references, etc. Save each resume according to the application you submitted. Tip: Track your deadlines and allow lots of time to prepare an online application! Your time ends at midnight (Eastern) prior to the closing date.

Always update your information as appropriate and use relevant details when creating a new resume.

Include ALL required information, e.g., dates, degrees, references, etc.

Save each resume according to the application you submitted.

Tip: Track your deadlines and allow lots of time to prepare an online application! Your time ends at midnight (Eastern) prior to the closing date.

USAJOBS Resume Tip: Create a USAJOBS account & receive automated job alerts.

Create Resumes on Sites with Other Online Systems Tip: Use your saved files to create new resumes.

Keyword Search

Job Category Search

Agency Search

Department/Agency Name

Check Status

Job Summary

Tabs for Navigation Through Announcement

Verifiable Education and Experience Proof of Education Required official transcript – sometimes as attachment, mailed separately, or requested later Applicant’s responsibility Specific instructions on announcement Tip: Do NOT send attachments unless they are specified. Announcement will specify if additional documentation should be submitted with the resume or if applicants will be contacted for additional documentation.

Proof of Education

Required official transcript – sometimes as attachment, mailed separately, or requested later

Applicant’s responsibility

Specific instructions on announcement

Tip: Do NOT send attachments unless they are specified. Announcement will specify if additional documentation should be submitted with the resume or if applicants will be contacted for additional documentation.

Successful Interview Prepare. Review your printed copy of the job announcement and your submitted application. Write down building, room #, & time. Check directions to the location in advance. Be on time. Have the contact number with you in case of an emergency. Dress professionally. Relax! You are considered a highly qualified candidate. Send brief thank-you message - nice gesture & memorable.

Prepare.

Review your printed copy of the job announcement and your submitted application.

Write down building, room #, & time.

Check directions to the location in advance.

Be on time.

Have the contact number with you in case of an emergency.

Dress professionally.

Relax! You are considered a highly qualified candidate.

Send brief thank-you message - nice gesture & memorable.

Positive References Notify your references in advance so that they will expect queries about you. You may request that agencies should not notify your current employer unless you are a final candidate.

Notify your references in advance so that they will expect queries about you.

You may request that agencies should not notify your current employer unless you are a final candidate.

Job Offer Call from agency’s HR office Job offer with salary and starting date Acceptance Tip: If starting salary is lower than existing salary, you may request consideration of a higher step prior to acceptance. (Not guaranteed. Any variation requires justification and approval by agency.) Permanent Change of Station (PCS) paid by new employee (unless advertised otherwise) Position subject to probationary period (usually one year)

Call from agency’s HR office

Job offer with salary and starting date

Acceptance

Tip: If starting salary is lower than existing salary, you may request consideration of a higher step prior to acceptance. (Not guaranteed. Any variation requires justification and approval by agency.)

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) paid by new employee (unless advertised otherwise)

Position subject to probationary period (usually one year)

Patience! Don’t give up. Apply for more than one job. Process may take months. There are many opportunities for qualified librarians. Good luck with your job search!

Don’t give up.

Apply for more than one job.

Process may take months.

There are many opportunities for qualified librarians.

Good luck with your job search!

Disclaimer This overview is only meant to provide a starting point for your job search. Since personnel systems vary by agency and are constantly changing, always read each job announcement carefully and print it for future reference. The information will not be available after the closing date. Call the Point of Contact listed on the job announcement if you have any questions about the application process.

This overview is only meant to provide a starting point for your job search. Since personnel systems vary by agency and are constantly changing, always read each job announcement carefully and print it for future reference. The information will not be available after the closing date. Call the Point of Contact listed on the job announcement if you have any questions about the application process.

The Road to Federal Librarianship Helen Q. Sherman Director, User Services Defense Technical Information Center [email_address]

Helen Q. Sherman

Director, User Services

Defense Technical Information Center

[email_address]