Ebony Scurry, PHR, GCDF-I

This paragraph really stuck out at me: “The process of wash, rinse, repeat with nothing to show for it… and the whole Federal culture has left me thoroughly demoralized. I’m almost 40, have tons in student loan debt and I have now begun to realize that I won’t be able to do what I have always wanted to do (work in public service) and I won’t be…[Read more]

Currently I’ve worked at 4 different federal agencies. I do think that as time goes on, teleworking is becoming more acceptable. For example, at GPO (2007), the culture at that time only really allowed people to telework who were commuting from long distances, were on medical, or temporary type of situations. They provided a laptop and teleworking…[Read more]

Wow Marc. What you did took a ton of both courage, humility, and tackfulness. I’m so glad it paid off for you. Your experience really shows just how important it is to “treat others as you would ilke to be treated” and not burn bridges. You actually didn’t just not burn your bridge, you built another one and as a result you left with more dignity…[Read more]

Wow.
The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with many things, including serving as the benchmark for other agencies when it comes to procurement, training and development, and hiring technologies. It has some brilliant people working there.
At the same time, although not Uncle Sam’s favorite (few people like pseudo police agencies that limit…[Read more]

The “two page resume sample” document is great. I really like this template. Thanks for sharing!

~ Ebony

Hi Leeal,
You’re very welcome! I agree with Pauls feedback regarding your Summary Section.
You have a “Summary”, “Qualifications Summar” and “Other skills” section which is a bit much. If you were to take all of the content from those three sections, make them more targeted and concise… and make one section instead of the three; I think thats a…[Read more]

This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: “Failure is the tuition you pay for success” – Walter Brunell
To answer Dannielle’s question, “when did people get so afraid”, I think that fear is just a natural part of being human. It started when we were born. It’s not no so much about “when” or “why” we get so afraid. I think its most useful to…[Read more]

I agree with you here David.
Even though federal employees consent to monitoring, it should not translate into that monitoring being without strings of expectations for civility and need attached.
I have a sense that people are becoming increasingly sensitive to their personal information and will only tolerate so much without due reason. I will…[Read more]

Hi Kathy,
In this situation, you are to contact the POC for the vacancy. Once in contact, email them (must be in writing) a formal request to have your application re-reviewed. By law, they must do so if you request it. In effect, usually a senior collegaue or the supervisor of the POC will review your application. If its found that indeed you…[Read more]

Marsha,
So glad to “see” you again! Wow. You took the advice I gave you to heart and made some significant changes to your resume. Absolute Kudos to you! It’s clear this new phase in your career search is a priority and that you take it very seriously. I appreciate you sharing your thanks for my advice to you.
Please see the attachment for your…[Read more]

Hi Marsha,
Avoid using your name when referring to yourself in your resume. For example. “Marsha leads and manages…” just start with “leads and manages”. Using your name to refer to yourself isn’t the best practice; it’s odd and may perplex the reader.
Your syntax and sentence structure in your job experience sections isn’t working in your favor…[Read more]

Hi Leeal,
Feedback for your “leealMResume1” document
You should consider creating two Resumes. One for Social Science vacancies and the other for Management/Program Analyst. The fact that you’re combining these two fields into one resume will absolutely be hard to sell. With a focused, targeted resume hiring managers will be less confused about…[Read more]

Hi Harsh,
I’m so sorry to hear about your job situation. I have a few questions for you:

1. What job title did you hold while you were in the Navy?
2. What job title did you hold at your position with DOD in June?
3. What’s you educational background/degrees/certifications?
4. Are you getting job interviews, just no job offers or no interviews at…

[Read more]

Sometimes I belive that freezing federal pay and threatening to make the federal workplace less secure and desirable is a roundabout way to decrease the size of the workforce. There are more appropriate and effective ways to not only decrease the size of the federal workforce, but achieve the real goal of increasing efficiency and effectiveness. I…[Read more]

Thanks for your question Rennette.
I disagree that the typical busy HR professional works 12-hour days. I would assume that most who do are probably GS 13 and above; which most federal HR employees are not. 12-hour days happen occasionally with all grades, but with the flexible schedules most agencies practice, the person may still only end up…[Read more]

Agreed!

I don’t think the photo accurately represents the objectives, values, and purpose of this group.

We can do better.

When others ask, “How was your weekend?” I almost always reply: “Too short, but what can you do?”

I enjoy my work, but is doesn’t define who I am. I’ve let go of seeking balance in my life. At this stage of my career with so many of my goals achieved and others still in process; it’s about harmony – not balance.

Regardless of how I physically…[Read more]

Boomers in my office are talking about retiring, but aren’t yet. We have a number of people who retired a year or so ago, but are back as contractors.

There’s one guy who retired, and he comes and visits about once a month! Just to shoot the breeze!

In any case, I’m ready for them to retire when they’re ready. I’m looking forward to increased…[Read more]