Get These 10 Ducks in a Row for the Imminent ALJ Announcement

Get These 10 Ducks in a Row for the Imminent ALJ AnnouncementGet These 10 Ducks in a Row for the Imminent ALJ AnnouncementGet These 10 Ducks in a Row for the Imminent ALJ AnnouncementAttention Aspiring ALJsThe ALJ Exam is Opening Again, in 2017Apply to Become an einwanderung Judge, TooTheres great news for experienced attorneys interested in becoming administrative law judges (ALJs) the next ALJ exam will reopen soon, according to OPM. Interested applicants should follow the news on OPMs ALJ website.Apply for the First Time or Try Again If youve been rejected in the past for a non-compliant application, scores that were too low on one or more components, or a technical problem you just couldnt solve, you can simply apply again. (If you have a pending appeal, OPM requires you to choose between the appeal process and reapplying.)Meanwhile, why not apply to become an Immigration Judge? You can use the same resume, and the qualifications overlap. Announcements like this one (closing Augu st 22, 2017) regularly appear.Dont wait for the 2017 ALJ job announcement to post (or the next IJ announcement) before you update yur resume, prepare your qualifications narratives, or assemble other application materials. In each case, applications will be accepted for only a brief window.Heres how to get started.Right now, on USAJOBS.gov, set up an email alert for a saved daily search on job series 0935, so youll see the announcement the day its published. Set aside preparation time for each of the steps outlined here. Plan to complete all advance preparation now. (If interested in becoming an IJ, which is an 0905 series position as are all other federal attorney positions set up your search for Immigration Judge or more broadly, for EOIR instead.)Study the ALJ position description from 2016 Click here. Read the announcement closely and make sure your resume reflects qualifying education, licensing, and work experience and also evidences your knowledge, skills and abilities. (Fo r aspiring IJs, study this one.)Develop accomplishment summaries to flesh out your four- to six-page federal resume. Use the CCAR Accomplishment Builder to develop narratives, then provide summaries in your resume.Next, build your resume online and also upload it as a PDF or Word document. If the new ALJ announcement requires specific additional content, youll be able to refine it quickly if you create an initial version now.To meet the qualifying experience requirements, follow the position requirements to the letter. For example, its not enough to say, I was an attorney in a trial practice. You must say how much time you devoted to qualifying litigation activities and describe those activities with specificity, giving the month and year for each experience.You MUST have a combined total of seven (7) years full time qualifying litigation and/or administrative law experience. You will be disqualified without the full complement of the right kind of work.Do be encouraged if you serve d in the military Veterans preference applies. Ten-point preference eligibles can submit an ALJ application even after the announcement closes.Order a copy of the all-new, ALJ Writing Guide, 2nd Edition, and check out our 2017 ALJ webinar. Given multiple times over the upcoming weeks, this 90-minute webinar will support your preparation efforts.Consider further one-on-one support, via our ALJ resume writing, consulting and coaching services. Were here to serve as your ongoing resource, not only for the initial application and exam preparation, but also in preparation for your Structured Interview.Check back here at The Resume Place for updated briefings on the 2017 ALJ announcement and examination process. The Office of Personnel Management is likely to issue a press release some weeks in advance of the actual job announcement on USAJOBS. As soon as we know more, well keep you briefed.Good luck, and keep in touch NEW ALJ Writing Guide 2nd EditionAvailable for Pre-Order or DownloadTh e ALJ Writing Guide 2nd Edition is the best available resource for any attorney who would like to compete for a slot on the Administrative Law Judge register and ultimately be selected for an ALJ position.The 2nd Edition of theALJ Writing Guide reviews the changes in ALJ hiring since 2009, including the innovative 2016 ALJ exam. It includesSample federal resumes for ALJ candidatesSample qualifying administrative law and litigation narrativesDefinitions for all 13 competencies tested in 2016**OPM did not provide definitions in the 2016 announcement.Order the 2nd Edition eBook now so youre ready for the 2017 ALJ exam. ($49.95)

How to Show Remote Work Experience on a Resume

How to Show Remote Work Experience on a ResumeHow to Show Remote Work Experience on a Resume26Increasingly, employers are realizing that the ability to work remotely is a skill in and of itself. Not everyone is qualified, so showcasing a track record of success and remote work experience boosts employment prospects for remote positions.Ready to weave your past remote work experience into your current resume?Here are three ways to highlight your remote work experience and talents1. State it point blank.Previous Employment entries on a resume typically include the employers location as part of the standard information. However, you can slightly shift the setup to make it known that you performed the work remotely.Lavie Margolin, the author of Mastering the Job Interview, suggests using one of unterstellung three ways to state your remote work experience on your resumeList the organizations corporate location when using a city/state format, but note that the work is performed remotely i n the first sentence or bullet point.Skip city/state in the formatting and note that it is work that is performed remotely in the first sentence.List Remote Work in place of city/state.Another option is to separate home-office jobs into their own Remote Work Experience section. Directly seeing a list of other companies that have trusted you to telecommute builds a hiring managers confidence. Just be sure you dont distract from your best qualifications by inadvertently hiding some relevant non-remote experience in a lower section.2. Include it in descriptions.Good resumes show rather than tell. As you discuss your past job responsibilities and accomplishments, deliberately detail how they were performed off-site.For instance, an effective presentation of a customer tafelgeschirr position might read something like, Attended to 50+ customer inquiries each day through the companys website from a dedicated home office with a high-speed Internet connection.Or for a sales role, perhaps inc lude a statement such as, Recognized by management as the top performer for the 2016 fiscal year for converting more cold calls into billable accounts than any other remote worker.3. Build it into the Skills section.Being a self-starter, an excellent communicator, or an outstanding manager of time are all great qualities to present for an array of jobs. But when the work is being performed remotely, displaying your prowess in certain areas can make the difference between your resume landing an interview call vs. a spot in the rejection pile.When discussing your skills, look at how they particularly fit into the remote environment. Good communicators, for instance, may want to mention their comfort using video conferencing, chat platforms, and instant messaging to stay in touch with others on the remote team. Strong collaborators could talk about using shared documents and daily check-ins to accomplish company goals while working off-site.Remember, too, that your resume is just the s tart for presenting yourself as a solid candidate for a remote position. Continue to reinforce your credentials through a tailored titelblatt letter and a stellar interview that lets employers know youll be a valuable addition to the staff from any locationKnow someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

A Simple Trick for Working SmarterNot Harder

A Simple Trick for Working SmarterNot HarderA Simple Trick for Working Smarter- Not HarderWork smarter, not harder.People say it all the time and in a variety of situations, but have you ever wondered how you could actually take the old adage and make it practical?It seems like scientists had the same question- and came across an easy solution. Researchers at the University of North Carolina, HEC Paris, and Harvard geschftlicher umgang School recently found that when participants in a study attempted a brain teaser and then wrote about their strategy and how they could better improve it in the future, they did 18% better on the test the second time around than the control group participants, who did no reflection at all.Additionally, these researchers found that reflecting on the lessons youve learned from a situation is just as effective as teaching someone else what youve learned. (Yes, it really is that simple)So, how can you apply these findings to your career? Try this After you finish a project or at the end of every day, dedicate 10 minutes to writing down what you did well- and what could use improvement the next time. Start a journal or Word document, and just write how you feel. (Here are a few other benefits writing can have on your career.)For example, pretend you just gave your first big presentation in front of an audience. After you get over the initial adrenaline rush following your exit from the stage, take a couple minutes to write down how you think the presentation went, what you did well, and what you could improve upon for the future. Before your next public speaking gig, go over your notes, take your own advice into consideration, and presto- youve worked smarter and not harder.Photo of clean desk courtesy of Shutterstock.