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A New Season
By Larry Sechney, MA, TSA Career Coach
A new season and new year are here! While any time is a great time to look ahead and begin planning for the future, many of us feel particularly inspired by new beginnings on the calendar. If this sounds like you, this would be a good time to take stock of where you are in regard to your career planning activities – and where you want to be. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started in the right direction.
Your Resume
A good place to start is with your resumes. "Resumes" plural? Absolutely. Now is the time to review both your federal resume and "traditional" or private sector resume.
You don't have a federal resume? Well, help is on the way. Check out the USAJobs.com web site and you will find some really good information about the federal resume, including the on-line resume builder. The www.tsacareercoaching.com web site also has good information to help you get your resume off the ground. Also check with Amazon.com or your local book stores for books related to the subject.
Do you really need a "traditional" resume? Even if you plan is to stay with the federal government, there may be times when you are asked to submit the shorter private sector resume as a brief background summary. Now is the time to start developing one, and there are lots of great resources available to help you. Check with your local book store and I'm sure you will find some great resource material to help you.
Don't forget to contact your TSA Career Coach if you want to talk to a real live person for assistance with both types of resumes.
TSA Career Coaches
You don't have a career coach? Never thought about getting a career coach? Well, guess what: the TSA Career Coaching Service is a great resource, and it's available to you free of charge.
Experts in the field of career planning and development, Career Coaches are available to assist all TSA employees in the career planning process. They can help you develop your federal or private sector resume, assist in reviewing those tricky essay questions on online applications or KSAs, help you prepare for interviews, and discuss your career plans.
This service can be invaluable as you look to the future and plan activities that will put you on track to where you want to be. Now would be a good time to get in touch with a Career Coach and get your career in gear!
Technology
Now would also be a good time to reacquaint yourself with the online resources available to you. Besides visiting the www.USAJobs.gov web site, you should also become familiar with the following: the TSA Career Toolbox and the TSA Career Coaching Service. These sites can be invaluable as you plan your career with TSA, and are great source of information on developing your resumes, writing KSAs and essays, and preparing for interviews.
This is a great time to become proactive in your career planning activities.
Don't wait until a new position is posted and the filing deadline is at hand – begin planning now! Make sure your resume is up-to-date; review previous vacancy announcements and start working on the answers to online essays or KSAs. Talk to your Career Coach to be sure that you are on the right track.
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can begin today – make January, 2010 the start to a successful year for career growth!
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