January 2015

New Year, New You

with Newsletter Editor, Elizabeth Fischer Laurie

Over the holidays, I got to meet my adorable new niece who was born in November, and it got me thinking about the clean slate we all have when we are born. When you are small the world seems entirely fully of possibilities. As we get older, this list naturally narrows because there are only so many resources at our disposal. But New Years - and its accompanying resolutions - always serves as a time to reset, a time to step back and review where we are as adults. Rather than view new years resolutions as a time to make painful changes (how many of us promise to lose weight and never really manage it?), perhaps we should look at the new year as a time to start from scratch, rebuilding slowly but steadily. While we cannot get to a completely clean slate, we can use a different perspective to ensure we make real, lasting change in our lives. 

Personally, I am using this new-found perspective to make a change this year. I will be throwing one dinner party a month this year in an effort to enjoy my home more, bolster my friendships, and hone my cooking skills. Wish me luck!

Help us ensure we are reaching you!

If you haven't done so in recent months, please scroll to the bottom of this email and click on "Manage Preferences" to update the content you receive from YGL. 

Several chapters (e.g., Columbus) have new newsletters to send and events to invite folks to but need to be sure they are reaching the correct members.

YGL is Seeking Leaders Willing to Take Action

We are currently seeking candidates to fill an open YGL National Board Position. Serving as a volunteer on the Board can offer you amazing connections, a powerful platform for having your voice hear, and, most importantly, a direct way to add value to emerging government leaders around the United States. See below for a description of the role and responsibilities of the position. 

Please contact chiefofstaff@younggov.org for more information.

To apply, please submit your resume and statement of interest to chairman@younggov.org.

Chief Information Officer

The Chief Information Officer is responsible for the organization’s website (www.younggov.org) via WordPress. Knowledge of Google Analytics and Google Apps is a plus. Time commitment includes one monthly board meeting in DC plus around 5 hours a week of additional work depending on need.

Newsletter of the National Board

YGL Partner GEICO Seeking Feds for a New Ad Campaign

Are you a federal employee with a GEICO policy in the DC, VA or MD area (DMV)? As a proud supporter of Federal employees, GEICO would like to acknowledge loyal policyholders by giving them a chance to come to GEICO’s headquarters and participate in a photo shoot for a national advertising campaign.

If chosen, we will interview you about your experience with GEICO. We'll use one of your statements as a quote in the ad to highlight your feelings/perspective about the company.

Our office is located at 5260 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

If you're interested in participating, please send a headshot and a couple of dates and times you could be available to participate in the photo shoot. Please send this information to Michael Grant (migrant@geico.com) and Rose Prince (prince@geico.com).

Upon selection, Michael or Rose will be in contact.

Cracking the Code to Your Federal Job Search Recap

On December 9, 2014, YGL University had the opportunity to host HR expert Corliss Jackson, MPA, a former GS15 HR Manager with the Office of Personnel Management at our free training event, Cracking the Code. Ms. Jackson gave an in depth perspective on the hiring cycle within the Federal Government, giving emerging leaders insight on everything from how to format a resume to what jobs to apply to.  Over 100 young government leaders attended the event in person and online to gained critical knowledge on the Federal government job application process. For those of you who couldn’t make it or maybe just forgot to take notes, here are a few key tips Ms. Jackson gave to help you crack the code to Federal applications:

1.     Always Play to Your Strengths. Almost all government agencies use USAJobs to find job applicants. The Self-Assessment Questionnaire, (that tedious, multiple choice, part at the end of the application) is what USAJobs uses to help HR filter out eligible applicants. So play up your strengths and always try to put the highest possible value for each skill. It could be the difference between you getting referred for that interview and your entire resume getting tossed into the rejection pile.

2.    Do Your Research. Once that list of eligible applicants is forwarded to the hiring manager at whatever government agency you’re applying to, the next step is usually a panel interview. I reiterate, do your research. Ask who will be interviewing you and do some research on them so you can be familiar with their role. Do significant research about the position you are applying to and your department. What strategic plans are they working on? What are their funding strategies? Knowing the answer to these types of questions will make you stand out amongst the other applicants.  In addition, knowing information about your interviewers can help you build a rapport with them. It is nice to think that accomplishments and knowledge alone will get you the job, but realistically, building a rapport goes a long way when you’re trying to get your foot in the door.

3.    Know Your Response. During interviews, hiring managers often ask behavioral based questions to determine what employable behaviors you have. Keep a library of possible responses handy so that you’ll always be ready with the right answer.

4.    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSA’s are indicators the government administers to demonstrate knowledge, skills and ability. Back in the day, applicants would demonstrate these in the form of essays, but nowadays, you only need to mention the KSA’s noted in specific job announcements in your resume.

5.    Know the Federal Resume. The Federal Resume is not your typical resume. It’s typically about five pages long, very detailed and repetitive. Whereas in a normal resume you would condense your experiences, in a Federal Resume, do the opposite. Tell exactly what you’ve done in every job, even if it’s the same thing you previously stated. Mentioning a skill twice only increases your level of experience. Two different types of people will read your Federal Resume: HR people and hiring managers. While hiring managers will be looking for accomplishments, HR people will be trying to ascertain your process and how you reached those accomplishments.

6.    Be Persistent and Consistent.  One thing Ms. Jackson constantly reiterated during the workshop was perseverance and consistency. You most likely will not get the first job you apply to, especially if you only apply to one! Check USAJobs consistently to stay abreast of new positions and apply to the ones that match your skillset. Be proactive in your job search and always look for ways to broaden your skill set, whether that be through volunteering or through more education. Above all, never give up. Your next job could be around the corner and with these tips, we’re sure you’ll get it! 

Kudos to the Baltimore Chapter!

In the month of November, the Baltimore Chapter held several amazing volunteer events, one at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the other at the Baltimore Station. Kudos for volunteering well done!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore – November 11th

The YGL Baltimore Chapter volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Halethorpe, MD. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world.

The Baltimore Station – November 15th

The YGL Baltimore Chapter served dinner to homeless veterans at The Baltimore Station. This was the first time the chapter partnered with the Baltimore Station, which helps turn lives around. The center is an innovative therapeutic residential treatment program supporting veterans and others who are transitioning through the cycle of poverty, addiction, and homelessness to self-sufficiency. 

We want to hear from you!

Did your chapter do something awesome this month? Have a member who deserves to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? Want to share information about a nationally available event? 

Contact Newsletter Editor and YGL Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Fischer Laurie, at chiefofstaff@younggov.org to share your story. Content and photos may be featured in our monthly national newsletter.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Sammies

Help recognize the unsung heroes in your agency by nominating them for the 2015 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies), the most prestigious national awards program honoring federal employees. Dubbed the “Oscars of government service,” the Sammies demonstrate the important contributions federal employees make on behalf of the American people every day.

With eight award categories, the Sammies program recognizes a diverse group of employees across the federal government. The Call to Service Medal category aims to shine the spotlight on young employees new to government—those who are under 35 and have fewer than 5 years of federal service.

Award category descriptions, eligibility information and the online nomination form are available at www.servicetoamericamedals.org/SAM/nominations. Anyone familiar with the nominee’s accomplishment may submit a nomination, although self-nominations are not accepted.  Nominations must be submitted by January 16, 2015.

Never before has showcasing the positive impact public servants have on the American people been more important. If you hear a great story about innovation and excellence in government but do not have the necessary details to complete a nomination, please feel free to send us ideas for nominations we should consider.

Please contact the Partnership for Public Service at sammies@ourpublicservice.org or (202) 464-5382 if you have questions or need additional information.

The Latest from FEDManager.com with Lynnie Martin

Recently Lynnie Martin interviewed Tim Cannon, Senior Financial Adviser at the Office of Personnel Management, where he works in the Chief Information Officer's Financial and Program Management Office. Tim discusses the leadership lessons he conveys to his team, the strengths he brings to his organization, and the most important thing he has learned in his career. You can read the full article here. Each month, the Young Government Leaders' feature column offers a fresh perspective on news and information, not just for current and future generations of YGL, but to all feds interested in hearing from those who will meet the next set of challenges facing the federal government. More articles relevant to your professional life can be found on fedmanager.com.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Do you enjoy reading Lynnie's regular column on Government Executive? Now is your chance to share your story or encourage someone you admire to share their's. 

Lynnie is seeking fresh faces to interview at the GS-12 level and above. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact her directly at lynniemartinps@gmail.com.

YGL & the Federal Times with Tyler Robinson

YGL's Chairman, Tyler Robinson, regularly writes for federaltimes.com. 

Tyler took December off but you can read his past articles here.

Young Government Leaders is a 5,000 member, non-profit organization committed to providing the authentic voice for our generation of aspiring government leaders. We are actively building a community of leadership for young public servants across the country through professional development activities, networking opportunities, social events, seminars, fellowships, and scholarships. You can find out more and join for free on our website.