Likeother large employers, the federal government has a completely automated job applicationsystem. USAJOBS screens candidates for keyword matches and minimum qualifications.If you don’t make it through the first computer filter, a set of human eyeswill likely never even have a chance to evaluate your candidacy.
More and more companies are using self-assessment reports to help screenapplicants. This is where you are asked a series of questions about your knowledge,skills, and abilities in relation to a specific position. It is a good idea to scan the questionnairefirst before tailoring your resume and cover letter for the job. The surveyoften gives you an in-depth look at the skills and qualifications they areseeking which ultimately helps give you guidance on how to tailor yourdocuments.
Many applicants are screened out because they are too modest in how they arereporting their qualifications. This is understandable because employers oftenuse very serious and slightly threatening language stating that if an applicantoverstates their abilities, they could later be fired. It goes without sayingthat you should never lie within a job application; however, you do need to projectconfidence in how you are presenting yourself to employers.
Too often, candidates are using an incorrect barometer for comparison. Whenthey ask if you could be considered a “expert” on a subject matter, compareyourself to the average person – not your PI or another renowned expert in yourfield. Conversely if you find it would be a stretch to rate yourself highly fora variety of different questions (not just one or two), then perhaps this isnot the best ft for you. The self-assessment questionnaire is a critical andintegral part of the automated application system. If you can’t rate yourselfhighly enough, you won’t be passed on to the next round.
When reviewing the questionnaires give yourself the most credit you can whenanswering and hopefully that will lead to your resume being referred.
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