Yes, true, "the coolest place you'll ever hate to work"  I've been looking
fro just the right way to say t for 2-1/2 years.

I've never heard of this Applicant survey file before, I guess it might be
worth a try.  But Deb is right, applying for an SI job is nothing like
applying for any other job.  Take a look at any SI job vacancy announcement
and pay close attention to what they call the "Selective Factors".  They
will be enumerated somewhere in the vacancy.  Everytime you describe what
you did in one of your jobs, you had better relate it back to one of the
selctive factors.  You MUST prove to the HR rep that reads your appliation
that you have experience in ALL of the selective factors listed or your
application will never get to the actual person that is picking people to
interview.

Good Luck!

Patricia McDougall
National Air and Space Museum


>From: Deb Fuller <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Need advice for applying to the Smithsonian Institute
>Applicant         Supply         File.
>Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 04:54:16 -0700
>
>--- Merri Pemberton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Hey Everyone:
> >
> > Is anyone familiar with the Smithsonian Institute's Applicant Supply
>File? If
> > you could please take a minute to read the definition of this system,
>then
> > give me your opinion on if this system is as good of a way to apply for
>the
> > Smithsonian museums, or is it better to stick with looking on the
>Smithsonian
> > web site for actual vacancies. I have never tried sending my application
>to
> > this supply file. Is it worth a good try?
>
>Ah, the Smithsonian. I've dubbed it: The coolest place you'll ever hate to
>work
>for. :)
>
>I've never gotten a job from there nor known any one who has. But it can't
>hurt
>to plunk your OF-612 in there. And if you are going to be applying for SI
>or
>other government jobs, you'll have to do a government resume/SF-171/OF-612
>anyway.
>
>I'd search the website, start doing informational interviews, volunteer and
>draw up a list of people who you can quietly knock off to open up
>vacancies.
>(Just kidding about that last part. :)
>
>I'd also talk to a career counselor who is familiar with the government
>hiring
>process so you can maximize your resume. Forget everything you know about
>writing conventional resumes; it doesn't work for the government. Once you
>learn about the govie hiring process, you know what kinds of things they
>are
>looking for and how to get on the roster for an interview. That's your
>biggest
>hurdle. Also remember that average wait time to hear back for an SI
>position is
>4-6 weeks and will usually come as a carbon copy form with one of 3 things
>checked off: You are qualified and your application was sent to the hiring
>official; you are qualified but didn't make the cut; and So sorry, you are
>the
>weakest link, good-bye. (Okay, kidding again on the last one.)
>
>If you didn't get the job, you can always call up the hr specialist and ask
>why. Lots of times they will give you tips for your next application. Make
>them
>your friend and life will be easier.
>
>With continued budget and staff cuts, jobs at the SI are getting more
>scarce
>than normal. But if you can get in on a GS-5 or 7 type position and eat
>Ramen
>noodles long enough to get promoted to a higher position, it can be worth
>it.
>
>Good luck!!
>
>Deb
>
>__________________________________________________
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