Federal Job process

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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 5 months ago #21095 by jtallen83
Federal Job process was created by jtallen83
I've been stewing over an upcoming and first job interveiw all day, wondering how to handle things,when it dawns on me that I have access to some of the smartest, most well intentioned people that could be asked for! Why not ask my AR-10 friends.
The interview is for a job as a federal construction inspector. It will be myself and an administrative assistant in Ames, Iowa with the pertinent Engineer doing the hiring in Virgina. Now I have never been on the receiving side of an interview much less a "video-conference" interview so I'm unsure where to go with things.
In the past when I hired people I learned to simply trust that gut feeling I got when I shook a mans hand, this is worthless over a fiber optic line. Do I just sit back and take what comes or do I set the agenda(hiring me)? Are there any special rules for video conferencing like colors not to wear? How formal should I dress, it is a construction inspector job not VP of anything? The government minders tell me to dress like a funeral but I just don't trust any of those buffoons, they just parrot what they were told or read in a class without any real world experience.
Is this the time for me to ask details of the job, like pay and duties? I've applied for so many jobs I honestly don't remember much about this job.........I liked it better when people just called and offered more money till I said yes and switched jobs. This actually asking someone to work for them is a foreign thing for me.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated and contemplated. Thanks in advance, Jim
Last edit: 11 years 5 months ago by jtallen83.

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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #21104 by et1911rph
Replied by et1911rph on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
jtallen
As with most anything preparation is key. Find out as much as possible about the job, the person interviewing, and yourself.

I suspect that the engineer belongs to one or more on-line technical groups such as LinkedIn. Try to find out who the engineer is and look up their specific group affiliation and posts if any. Check Facebook for any personal intel.

Try to find out the type of interview technique that will be used. One of the more common techniques in use now is behavioral interviewing. Here is a link to more info about behavioral interviewing.
jobsearch.about.com/od/behavorialintervi...erview-questions.htm

In essence, the questions are designed to see how one reacts to common situations encountered in a job or life.

Prepare a set of questions that you'd like answered, some can even be behavioral to find out how they lead and react as managers.

I'm a bit old school when it comes to dress and tend to lean the direction of shirt, tie, jacket but times they are a changing. I work in the health care field and interview prospective pharmacists. Most dress the part but some are all over the map and surprised that there is a dress code for interviewing.

I suspect others will weigh in and may have completely different thoughts than mine. The old adage is still true "plan your work and work your plan".

Good luck
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by et1911rph. Reason: Correct spelling error
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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #21109 by VTIT
Replied by VTIT on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
:I-agree:

Rule of thumb on any interview is dress for the job of the person hiring you. I take that to mean if the guy hiring you is wearing a suit and tie that is what you should wear. If you don't know take a good guess.
I got this job through a Video-conference interview. It's pretty common practice where there is a physical separation between you and your boss. Usually this is just the first interview to weed out the herd. We still do some interviews that way even though we consolidated to one location.

The things I learned sitting on the other side of the camera is you really notice if people are twitching, fidgety, or slouching. I like people that know something about our company (tough when you are interviewing for the gov't). I also notice when people talk to the camera instead of looking around.

Practice with someone if you can find someone to practice with. If you know what software they are using download it ahead of time if possible and know how it works. You would be surprised how many people don't try things out and fumble around when the other side can't hear them. Most of the time it isn't a problem because you aren't interviewing for a distance learning position but it might throw your game off.

Other than the electronic portion it's still an interview. Don't forget it is a two way interview. You want to make sure this is the job for you too. It sucks to get all psyched up for a job, get there and find out it isn't what you thought it would be. I think anyone hiring expects you to ask questions about the job. It shows them you are really interested in the position and if you did your research about the company, your questions can show it.

Good Luck. Knock 'em dead
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by VTIT.
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11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #21110 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
Et1911rph gave you great advice. That preparation shows them you want the job and are motivated to learn about it. Good Luck. Also overdressing for a job interview is far better than underdressing.
More great advice from VTIT.
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by Siscowet.
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11 years 8 months ago #21120 by 13fcolt
Replied by 13fcolt on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
I wish I had some advice for you. I've never done the video interview thing either. I'm interested it hearing how it all goes.

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11 years 8 months ago #21122 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
The only thing I have to add is to speak slowly and clearly. When people get nervous, they tend to speak quicker than they normally do.

The potential employer should be the one to bring up pay and benefits.

Have an idea of your limitations/weaknesses. When I interview potential employees, I always ask, "What can't you do?" If the reply is, "There's nothing I can't do," then that person goes down a couple of notches in my estimation of his/her potential in my organization.
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11 years 8 months ago #21123 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
Sounds like you are going for a federal civil service job:

Dress: Best advice is to dress like the guy you will be working for, don't know, then go with a coat and tie. As its on video then wear a BLUE shirt, not white, no stripes or checks, just plain oxford shirt blue. Solid Red tie or a Brooks Brothers Repp tie. Watch, wedding ring, college ring for jewelry.

If its civil service then take a low key approach. Rare to see someone in CS with a lot of dynamics. Most folks are low key and hire low key. I know I worked in CS for DoD and on active duty I had them working for me. Its a 8-5 world, most belong to the Union, its a lifetime job and near impossible to fire them...I have seen more than one CS sitting at their desk stare at a senior military officer and say: "Sir, I was at this desk before you got transfer in, I will be at this desk when you transfer out and I will be in this desk when you do your SECOND TOUR HERE!"

You are: Team player, don't rock the boat, respect the CIVIL SERVICE chain of command, yes sir, yes sir-3 bags full sir. The results are important, but the PROCESS must be adhered to. Act smart, but not too smart and you will get the job.

Listen attentively and if like most interviews you will get a chance to ask questions. Say yes, and turn to your note book where you have questions tab, open it and read the question and take notes on the answer:

The questions:

1. What is the “mission” of the organization I would be working in?

2. Who is the customer/end-user?

3. Do you outsource, if so what functions?

4. How will I help fulfill the plan to succeed?

5. What is the culture of the organization?

6. If hired today, what would be my first task(s) as your ( job title ) ?


What I am going to suggest you do is develop additional questions based upon the job title, requirements and what you bring to the table.

These are the Topics and some questions I use to give you an example. I keep the topics and custom tailor the questions based upon the aforementioned:

Example that I use

Business Issues:
• Should the enterprise move its application(s) to an off site data center?
• Application Solutions Providers (ASP), are they right for us, should we convert our applications into ASP’s?

IT Infrastructure:
• Will current hardware/software support our strategic requirements?
• Are hardware platforms matched to functional requirements (mission critical, mission essential, Intellectual Property), screen size, hard drive, RAM, keyboard, and printers, when was the last functional and geographic audit?

Polices, Plans & Procedures:
• How current are the IT/MIS plans, policies and procedures?
• Is there a Change control plan and procedure for hardware, software, functional processes and engineering?
• Is there a strategic IT/MIS plan to support the company’s mission, growth, goals and objectives

Resources:
• Are there cost savings to be captured in desktop publishing, database design, data warehousing, asset/inventory control and other MIS reengineering efforts?
• Does management know the true resource cost of IT/MIS in their organization?
• Do you outsource, if so what functions at what cost? Who manages?


You want to display knowledge about who and what you are. The purpose here (in my case) is to ask questions the senior staff does not have the answer to and I can provide that answer, because this is what a CTO should know and do.

I do a lot of research on the org and each topic will have about 6 points or so. I have NEVER gone thru them all, in fact without exception I get stopped about 1/2 thru and am offered the job then and there.

Do you research
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11 years 8 months ago #21125 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
This is great info guys! I've found an article the Engineer wrote on the rehab of D.C.s oldest bridge, I can easily tie this to my experience with Church building and restoration. I can't find his picture but I'm not a F book member so I can't look there. He has a healthy southern drawl so my experience working in the south may help. I didn't find him on linked-in, I checked when he called with questions 5 weeks ago but figured he must have gotten somebody else. He told me then if I didn't hear from him in a week to call or email, I never heard and did both, still never heard. He told me it took his HR people this long to check and approve my experience as a substitute for a 4 year degree, I just finished two. He was happy when I told him I could do the interview that afternoon if needed, he sounded aggravated later when he couldn't find a federal office with the capabilities available till next week. The first time he called he mentioned he had projects on hold because he lacked qualified inspectors and then asked more details about my experience. He was pretty thorough in making sure I understood the job was an on-site inspection job and the jobs could be anywhere in the eastern district but all his work was in the northeast right now. We never discussed money but as long as I can bring home more than the $1,200 a month that is left after I pay all our health care costs I'm good, all I need is a foot in the door, drive and willpower will take care of the raises. Everything feels like it is my job to loose.
Due to my disability I have a letter that gives me "non-compete" status for federal jobs. I didn't have this letter yet when I applied for this job, one of my government minders tells me I should not have to interview if I meet the qualifications but I don't want to start a working relationship playing " the rules say" game. I told her to call them but she politely told me it wasn't her job, 7 years and besides sitting with me a couple hours a year I haven't figured out what her job IS yet, maybe just to keep me on disability!
Looks like I'm headed to the store for a new shirt. Mom made me promise not to wear my bib overalls. I can't imagine wearing a tie when interviewing for a construction job, I think the Army is the only place I ever wore one. Maybe a clip on just this once..... damn I want to work again and getting this close is sure feeding that fire!
Thanks for all the support guys!

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11 years 8 months ago #21126 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?
1 Bn 75th Inf, you are hired, can you start today?

But you are not interviewing with me...

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11 years 8 months ago #21128 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Video-conference Job Interviews?

OleCowboy wrote: 1 Bn 75th Inf, you are hired, can you start today?

But you are not interviewing with me...


I wish more people would understand what military service does for a person.
It is changing, most people actually have a clue what a Ranger is now. I used to get,"Oh, you worked for the park service, that's nice." :banghead:
I made sure to mention most of my military experience in my resume, I left out a few things like painting experience.......I should maybe add some context to my next chapter of 1stSgt Follies in case they should happen to check it out for the job....might not leave a good impression.

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