The Federal Job Process: The Different Type of Employment Interviews

If you are fortunate enough to get a federal job interview, consider that there are several different types of employment interviews you may be facing and you probably won't know which one in advance. The following breakdown of interview types will help you to know what to expect:

a screening interview is a preliminary interview in person or by phone where a company or agency representative determines if you have basic qualification to warrant another interview;
a structured interview is very common and most traditional interviews are based on it – the interviewer explores predetermined areas through questions written in advance with w written description to help find the ideal candidate;
an unstructured interview does not have a written description of the ideal candidate and the interviewer is not given instructions on what to cover during the interview;
multiple interviews are often used with professional jobs and involve a series of interviews where the candidate meets various representatives of the organization;
a stress interview involves an interviewer intentionally upsetting the candidate to see how they react under pressure and may also incorporate certain stress questions;
a targeted interview covers more limited areas than a structured interview with key qualifications identified and pertinent questions prepared in advance;
a situational interview sets up simulated common problems a candidate may face on the job and monitors the responses, often used as part of a traditional interview;
a group interview occurs wen two or more company or agency representatives question you at the same time and a group of candidates may also be involved.

When you know what might happen, it helps you to be prepared for your interview for a coveted federal position. Consider hiring a professional resume writer who is familiar with federal specifications to prepare your resume, application and cover letter prior to the interview. The right resume could mean the difference between getting the job and never getting a call back.

OPM Releases Results of 2006 Employee Benefits Survey

Washington , D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda M. Springer announced today Federal employees are expressing increasingly positive views of governmentwide benefits programs, while the importance of benefits programs to the Federal workforce is also on the rise. Director Springer released the findings of the 2006 Employee Benefits Survey conducted to determine employee attitudes about the importance, adequacy, value, and competitiveness of Federal benefits programs.

"This survey reinforces the importance of providing quality benefits to employees to ensure the Federal Government can continue to attract an effective civilian workforce," Springer said. "Just as OPM believed it was important to launch a new dental and vision benefits option last year to meet employees' needs, we are commitment to continuing to search for ways to help the Federal workforce better manage their overall health care, plan for their financial futures and assist in other areas."

What is a Resumix Resume?

Many federal and civil service employers now require that resumes be formatted for submission to a job database program, with the Resumix resume being one that used extensively throughout the federal government. An automated staffing solution that helps employers identify the most qualified candidates for open positions, Resumix resumes automate many of the hiring steps that have been traditionally handled by Human Resource personnel, through image processing, knowledge-based software, and database technologies.
Read More Federal Resumix Resumes...