1. Completing Online Job Applications Using Aviator and
Developing Effective Resumes
NHCFAE Annual Conference
Anita Brewster, Employment Services Branch, Southern Region
July 30, 2015

2. Applying for Positions with the FAA Aviator and USAjobs Integration
OVERVIEW
Introduction
Hiring Reform
Applying for Positions with the FAA
Aviator and USAjobs Integration
Documents
Resume Writing Tips
Qualifications
Questions
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3. Introduction
The federal job application process can seem overwhelming at times.
With knowledge on how to complete an FAA application using USAJOBS and AVIATOR, you can become more confident in your ability to submit a winning job application.
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4. Federal Hiring Reform
President Obama issued a 2010 memorandum on Improving the Federal Recruitment and Hiring Process that required agency Heads to:
Streamline hiring process to make it easier to apply for government jobs
Use shorter, plain-language job opportunity announcements
Notify applicants of their status in a timely manner
Improve speed and quality of hiring
Expand use of category rating
Eliminate written-essay style responses (i.e., KSAs) at the initial application stage
Ensure manager responsibility and accountability for hiring
Implement government-wide metrics to ensure accountability
NOTE:
Presenter may want to have copies of the May 11, 2010 Memorandum available for the audience.
In 2009, government-wide efforts to address the federal hiring process were enhanced with the introduction of Hiring Reform. Agencies were instructed to begin specific efforts towards improving the federal hiring process. On May 11, 2010, President Obama issued a memorandum to the Heads of Agencies mandating that agencies comply with a comprehensive set of hiring reform requirements by November 1, This slide outlines those initiatives:
The goal of hiring reform is to make it easier for applicants to apply for Federal jobs and improve the speed and quality of hiring.
This is being accomplished through several initiatives: vacancy announcements are to being streamlined and written in plain language; Applicants are timely notified of their status during the hiring process;
Eliminates the requirement for external applicants to provide written essay-style responses to KSAs on the front end of the application process;
Expands the use of category rating for referral of candidates;
provides managers with a greater leadership role in recruiting and selecting candidates, for example, there will be more interaction between HR and you as the selecting officials.
This included placing expectations concerning hiring reform in the FY 2012 Managerial/Supervisory performance standards.
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5. Applying for a Position with the FAA
Apply on-line through and Up-Loading various Application/Resume formats.
Apply for positions reference the instructions listed in the announcement. Read the entire announcement before applying.
General FAA Employment
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6. Applicant Pool Current FAA
Current/Former Federal – Applicants who currently work for the federal government or have previously been a federal employee and have Status. (Includes Current FAA when this is the Area of Consideration)
Expanded Veteran’ s Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) – Applicants who have 3 years of active duty military service.
U. S. Citizens
Pathways – Student Hiring Program
Non-Competitive – Applicants who are eligible for Reinstatement, Inter-Agency Transfer, Direct Hire
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7. AVIATOR
Automated Vacancy Information Access Tool for On-line Referral– Application Guidance
Interfaced with USAJOBS
Single sign-on using USAJOBS user id /password
Ability to store up to five resumes (either uploaded or built using the USAJOBS resume builder)
Ability to Upload up to 10 supporting documents
Ability to receive notification when your application status changes
Simplify the applicant process for federal government so that
Resume/Attached Documents may be used to apply for multiple agencies at a time.
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8. USAJOBS/AVIATOR Integration: Registration
Visit and click on the "Create An Account" link in the upper right hand corner.
If you have an existing account on USAJOBS, you will be able to use it to apply for FAA jobs after the USAJOBS transition. No new account registration is necessary.
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9. USAJOBS/AVIATOR - Your Account
Personal information: Name, address, telephone numbers, etc.
Hiring Eligibility: U.S. Citizen, Selective Service Registration, Veterans Preference, Special Hiring Options
Preferences: Travel, Work Schedule, Status
Account Information: notifications and Password reset settings
Resumes: You can build up to five resumes
Documents: Upload documents
Once you build your profile information, you do not need to complete this information each time you apply for a job UNLESS you would like to modify any of the information.
USAJOBS/AVIATOR Your Account
When you initially create your profile you will be prompted to address the following:
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10. AVIATOR – USAJOBS Interface Apply
You will be passed to AVIATOR to respond to vacancy specific questions
Click the “Continue” button
Complete applicable information and click “next” at the bottom of each page
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11. USAJOBS/AVIATOR Integration: Apply for Position
After identifying a position click “Apply Online”
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12. AVIATOR Check Application Status
USAJOBS will provide you the most recent application status based on activity with this job announcement.
Review the “Application Status” column.
You may click on “more information” link to receive additional detailed information
Clicking this link will take you to AVIATOR for additional information including referral list status if any.
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13. AVIATOR 4 Points of Communication
Application Received
Application Assessed for Qualifications
Applicant Referred/Not Referred to Selecting Official
Applicant Selected/Not Selected
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14. AVIATOR – USAJOBS Helpdesk
For USAJOBS assistance, USAJOBS by clicking on “Contact Us” link 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time
For AVIATOR-Specific help, contact the SWIFT Help Desk via at or call (toll free ) from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time Monday through Friday
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15. Required Documents Types College Transcripts Certificates Licenses
DD214, SF-15, and Veterans Administration (VA) Letter (Required on EVHO and U.S. Citizens Announcements)
SF50 (Required on Current/Former Announcements)
If faxed, reference Announcement Number, number of pages faxed and items sent on cover sheet.
If Supporting (Required) documents are not received by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, applicants are excluded from being considered for the position. Upload and attach documents to application before final submission, reference HRPM Emp 1.34.
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16. Uploading Documents
All FAA announcements contain the language: “You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.
Applicants may save up to 5 Resumes and 10 Supporting Documents.
When the Document Upload Guide link is clicked, it provides the applicant with step-by-step information on uploading.
USAJOBS provides all applicants place to upload documents into their USAJOBS account.
Uploaded Pictures of Applicants will be deleted.
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17. Resume Writing Tipsing TipsDO
Include dates, title, series, grade and experience related to the competency.
Communicate in a clear, concise, organized and convincing manner.
Focus on accomplishments, outcomes and results – not your personal beliefs or philosophies.
Show measurable results (increased efficiency, productivity gains, cost savings).
Emphasize your personal leadership contributions (what you did, not what the organization did).
Include training or awards that relate to specific leadership/technical requirements.
Have someone review your application – correct spelling or grammatical errors.
DON'T
Omit relevant temporary assignments (include dates, title, series, grade)
List every award you´ve ever received or training class you´ve taken.
Use statements that simply parrot the competencies.
Copy your job description.
Address the requirements by referring the reader to other parts of your application.
Include irrelevant information, letters of recommendation, or performance documentation.
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18. Resume: Know the Job!
The foundation for an outstanding resume begins with reading the job posting thoroughly.
Avoid just identifying keywords and looking for ways to incorporate them into your resume. Copying phrases or key words from the vacancy is a tactic that doesn’t give the HR Specialist any information about your qualifications.
Tailor your resume for the specific job posted.
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19. Resume: Key Tips Be detailed when describing your work history.
Begin with your most current or most recent experience.
Include details and temporary promotions with time frames.
Be specific and to the point but make sure to include important aspects of the position duties.
*NOTE* Make use of the ability to store five different resumes. If applying for different jobs with different specialties you may want to tailor your resumes to specific positions.
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20. Resume: Things to Remember
One resume does not fit all
Too much can indeed be too much
Follow directions
Honesty is the best policy
Avoid gross generalities
Professionalism, Professionalism, Professionalism!
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21. Qualifications – Reference Guide
U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Operating Manual Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions
Applies to General Schedule and Core Compensation Positions
Prescribe the minimum qualifications requirements (e.g., Education, General/Specialized Experience or combinations thereof) for most occupational series in the FAA
Qualifications are based on particular grade/band level(s).
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22. Minimum Qualifications
Education
Above High School Level – accredited business/technical school, junior college, college or university
Accredited – accredited by an accrediting agency/association recognized by U.S. Dept. of Education.
General Experience - for positions for which individual occupational requirements do not specify otherwise, general experience is 3-years of progressively responsible experience for lower graded level positions.
Specialized Experience – specific experience, which is typically 52 weeks at the next lower grade level, in performing the duties of the position, i.e., airport planning, conducting job analysis, NAS interrelated systems, negotiating labor and employee agreements, airport grants, federal acquisition management, etc.
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23. Evaluation Factors Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s)
Knowledge - The attributes desired to perform a job and which are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or training.
Skill - A present, observable competence to perform a learned psychomotor act.
Ability - Is a present competence to perform an observable behavior or a behavior that results in an observable product.
Selective Placement Factor (SPF)
Definition: An essential knowledge, skill, or ability that is REQUIRED the first day of the job and considered essential to successful performance.
Applicants must possess the: 1) minimum qualifications, 2) specialized experience, and 3) the Selective Placement Factor to be found qualified.
Quality Ranking Factor (QRF)
Definition: Additional special requirements that could be expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the person selected for the position but, unlike selective factors, are not essential for satisfactory performance.
Applicants who possess the: Quality Ranking Factors are considered well- qualified candidates.
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24. Evaluation Factors (con’t)
Managerial Selection Factors (MSF’s)
Definition: The five (5) Selection Factors apply to all FAA managerial selections (competitive or non-competitive) across all Lines of Business and Staff Offices. The first four (4) selection factors are management factors and will apply when selecting any FAA management positions beginning with first-level supervising managers. However, to meet the unique operational requirements of an organization, Selection Factor 5 (Technical Requirements) may vary from one management position to another.
1) Ability to Achieve Results; 2) Ability to Lead; 3) Skill in Building Relationships; 4) Ability to Lead Change; 5) Technical Factor (Optional)
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25. Finishing Touches & Gentle Reminders
Read the entire vacancy announcement before applying.
If the application states “no ed applications or additional information submitted,” do not send in cover letters, letters of recommendations, etc. Additional documents will not be forwarded to the selecting official.
Submit all required additional documents - transcripts, certifications, licenses, etc. as required.
After proofreading your resume a few times, ask someone else to review it.
Contact HR before the closing date of the vacancy announcement with any questions.
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26. Certification of Application
Upon completion of an application, candidates are required to certify their applications by answering the following questions:
I have previewed my resume. The selected document(s) includes the information I wish to attach to this application.
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I will have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, education, etc.
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27. Questions
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28. Thank You Anita Brewster Laura Whitlock Jennifer Gartmond
Manager, Employment Services Branch
Southern Region
(404)
Laura Whitlock
Team Lead, Employment Services Branch
Southern Region, Staffing Team A
(404)
Jennifer Gartmond
Southern Region, Staffing Team B
(404)
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