Episode #14

Navigating the Federal Job Search Process with Chip Lankert from FEMA

Serving the Marine Corps as active duty and in the Guard, Chip ultimately transitioned from his military roles as an MP and Counterintelligence Agent to talent recruiting for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He has consistently networked within his local community and organizations such as the Wounded Warriors. Chip shares a wealth of knowledge about the process of writing a federal resume, pitfalls to avoid on the application and questionnaire and tips for the interview. If you are interested in working as a civilian in the federal government, you may want to take notes and listen to this one more than once!

Lessons Learned:

• Your federal resume must be longer than 1 or 2 pages. A good one is between 5-7 pages, because this resume is your job application.

• About the “cooling off” period… You can work in a federal role within the first 6 months out of the military as long as it is NOT a DoD entity. For example, FEMA is under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• A human being reviews all of the resumes for job announcements, and your resume will be graded on how many good examples you provide for the pertinent knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).
• Refocus the resume for every single position for which you apply.

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  A human being reviews all of the resumes for job announcements, and your resume will be graded on how many good examples you provide for the pertinent knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Refocus the resume for every single position for which you apply.

• For virtual interviews, consider your background.
  • Chip shares an excellent idea for parents!

• Make sure that you are interviewing for the role that you were invited to discuss by reviewing the job announcement beforehand.
  • After you apply, print a copy of your resume, which includes the questions and your answers, as well as the posting.
  • Many people apply for more than one position. It can be confusing to know which one to prepare within the tight interview timeline.

• In a federal interview, questions are standardized. If you don’t provide enough information, interviewers can’t ask you follow-up questions to give you another chance.

• Make sure you are always expanding your network, because you never know where your next job will come from!

• You can find Chip Lankert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chip-lankert-708a5425/