Moving Up in Government - Plenty of Room at the Top!

Moving Up in Government - Plenty of Room at the TopMoving Up in Government - Plenty of Room at the TopMoving Up in Government Plenty of Room at the TopThe timing couldnt be better opportunities are on the rise for jobs in the federal government. What is causing this phenomenon? These new opportunities are the result of major agency restructuring, an aging workforce approaching retirement, and the creation of the new Department of Homeland Security. Today, nearly every federal agency is undergoing some realignment to address new demands for technological skills, information management, law enforcement, intelligence, physical security, cyber security, computer technology, and foreign languages. Studies show that the government will need about 16,000 more technology professionals over the next decade, and hundreds of experts in Asian, Middle Eastern, and other languages. How can you take advantage of these opportunities to move up the career ladder? First, you need a planSetting Goals Makes the Difference If you want to position yourself to move into a new job or gain a promotion, you need to do something that makes the difference between staying where you are and moving up. No one is going to come along and just promote you or hire you away into your dream job. You must develop a plan. Here are some ideas about how to develop a career strategy. If you will invest just one hour per week in long-term planning and goal setting for your career development, the investment in yourself will be like money in the bank when you land that new job or a promotion. Step 1. Know Thyself. What are your personal limits? What are you willing to do to move up? Are you mobile? Are you willing to change you geographic location or move to a different agency? There is nothing wrong with wanting to stay where you are, but your career strategy will have to be much different than that of someone who is willing to move or change agencies. Step 2. Start with a sta tement of your dream job. Dont worry that you might not qualify for your dream job right now, thats why youre making a plan. Think about the characteristics of your dream job rather than a specific job title. For instance, do you want a job that allows you to use your communications skills or other special talents? Do you want a job that allows you to use flex time? Thinking in terms of characteristics of the job rather than its classification will help you see possibilities other than the ones you already know about. Step 3. Expand your picture. What kinds of jobs would have some or all of the characteristics youd like? Write them down, even if you arent qualified for them right now. Step 4. Consider the obstacles. What stands in your way? Dont be too quick to conclude you need an extra degree or a different credential-what you actually may need are different skills. Step 5. Make a plan for overcoming each obstacle. You must face the barriers that stand between where you are now and where you want to go. If you dont have the right skills, how can you get them? If you dont know the right people, how can you meet them? Step 6. Develop a timeline. Once you identify your goals, the obstacles, and how youll overcome them, you need to assign a time line to achieve those goals. Ask yourself, When do I want to achieve my goal? Then break your plan down into phases or steps. What do you need to do first? Is there a step you need to take before that? Work backward until you identify the very first action you need to take to reach your goal. One hour a week doesnt seem like a lot of time, and it isnt. But thats all you need to focus on at this point. In one hour, you could gather all the material you need for your resume. In one hour, you could read your or another agencys website to review new programs and mission statements. The advantage of spending one hour per week is that it keeps you from feeling overwhelmed by a long-term project. I n just a few sessions, you will be amazed at how much progress youve made. Setting up and going through this process will give you a feeling of immense control and personal security. If theres a set-back in your agency, you dont have to panic youre already on your way to something better. If you dont like a particular offer or work situation, you dont have to let desperation drive your decision you can continue to develop yourself. Invest time in yourself it will make the difference.

Air Force Enlisted Jobs, Cyber Systems Operations

Air Force Enlisted Jobs, Cyber Systems OperationsAir Force Enlisted Jobs, Cyber Systems Operations3D0X2, Cyber Systems Operations AFSC was officially established on November 1, 2009. Cyber Systems Operations personnel supervise and perform cyber systems operations and execute associated information systems support programs, both at home base and at deployed locations. Cyber Systems Operations Specialists perform system administration on Command, Control, Communications, Computer (C4), Intelligence and various functional area platforms. Core competencies include Server operating systemsDatabase administrationWeb technologies They administer server-based operating systems, distributed applications, network storage, messaging and application monitoring required to integrate cyber systems and applications. 3D0X2 personnel support identification, reconnaissance, and exploitation of vulnerabilities while enhancing capabilities within cyber environments to achieve the desired effects. Sp ecific Duties Specific duties of this AFSC include Providingcore tafelgeschirrs by designing, configuring, installing and managing data services at the operating system and server application level.Providing directory services utilizing dynamically assigned IP addresses, domain personenname server, storage area network and electronic messaging resources.Managing secure authentication methods utilizing public key infrastructure (PKI) technologies and procedures.Standardizing user privileges and system settings using automated deployment tools such as group policy objects (GPO) system management server. Implementing security fixes, operating system patches, and antivirus software.Developing, testing and implementing local restoral and contingency operations plans.Processing and reviewing C4 systems requirement documentation, telecommunication service requests, status of acquisition messages and telecommunication service orders.Performing strategic and budget planning for networks.Per formingsystem resource management, managing system accounts, performing system-wide backups and data recovery and load and capacity planning and management. Administering classified and unclassified message traffic via electronic mail systems, database operations, implementing conversions and investigating problems in the database environment.Ensuring continuing systems operability by providing ongoing optimization and problem-solving support.Applying computer security policies to safeguard systems and information.Categorizing, isolating and resolving system problems.Performing fault isolation by validating, isolating and correcting faults, and verifying service restorationwith customers. Processing, documenting and coordinating the resolution of trouble calls from lower support echelons.Processing scheduled and authorized outages.Submitting outage reports in response to unscheduled outages. Job Training Initial skills training (Tech School) AF Technical School graduation result s in the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice). Following Air Force Basic Training, airmen in this AFSC attend the following course Course E3AQR3D032 00BA, Cyber Systems Operations Apprentice at Keesler AFB, MS - Course length unknown. Certification training After tech school, individuals report to their permanent duty assignment, where they are entered into 5-level (technician) upgrade training. This training is a combination of on-the-job task certification, and enrollment in a correspondence course called a Career Development Course (CDC). Once the airmans trainer(s) have certified that they are qualified to perform all tasks related to that assignment, and once they complete the CDC, including the final closed-book written test, they are upgraded to the 5-skill level, and are considered to be certified to perform their job with minimal supervision. Advanced training Upon achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, airmen are entered into 7-level (craftsman) training. A craftsman can e xpect to fill various supervisory and management positions such as shift leader, element NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer in Charge), flight superintendentand various staff positions. Upon promotion to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, personnel convert to AFSC 3D090, Cyber Operations Superintendent. 3D090 personnel provide direct supervision and management to personnel in AFSCs 3D0X1, 3D0X2, 3D0X3, and 3D0X5. A 9-level can expect to fill positions such as flight chief, superintendent, and various staff NCOIC jobs. Assignment locations Virtually any Air Force Base. Average promotion times (time in service) Airman (E-2) 6 monthsAirman First Class (E-3) 16 monthsSenior Airman (E-4) 3 yearsStaff Sergeant (E-5) 5 yearsTechnical Sergeant (E-6) 10.8 yearsMaster Sergeant (E-7) 16.1 yearsSenior Master Sergeant (E-8) 19.7 yearsChief Master Sergeant (E-9) 22.3 years Required ASVAB Composite Score Unknown Security clearancerequirement Top Secret Strength requirement G Other Requirements Must be a US CitizenMust have completed high school. Additional courses in computer and information systems technology are desirable. Network certification or equivalent is desirable.

What Is Your Job Search Social Media Strategy

What Is Your Job Search Social Media StrategyWhat Is Your Job Search Social Media Strategy1But its not enough to use social media for, well, socializing. You need to take advantage of these super powerful social media tools for your job search.If youre unsure of what your job search social media strategy should be, the following tips can help you- and help you land a job, tooUse these tips to boost your job search social media strategy.1. Make sure your privacy settings are on.Whether youre into fantasy football or youre a serious scrapbooker, a tauglichkeit employer doesnt need to know all that.So take a look at your social media profiles and make sure that your privacy settings are on to ensure a hiring manager wont find any unflattering photos of you or posts that could potentially be misconstrued.2. Consider starting new profiles.Youve been on Facebook forever, and as such, you have tons of albums and Facebook posts that a potential hiring manager could have a field day going thr ough.If you want to boost your job search social media strategy, you should definitely start some new (aka professional) profiles. These profiles should have a flattering, yet professional photo of you and your posts should only be about your career or other information that relates to your industry.3. Learn to love LinkedIn. Of all the social media channels out there, LinkedIn is perhaps a job seekers social media best friend. But if you thought that just having your resume regurgitated on the career-oriented site was enough, think again.LinkedIn is one of the best networking platforms for job seekers and those gainfully employed alike. You can write blog posts on LinkedIn that relate to your career or some newsworthy information regarding your industry.If youre still a little unsure of how LinkedIn works, you can always score some tips with free online tutorials.4. Try out Twitter. Sure, that 140-character limit can be tricky, but many industry leaders are on Twitter. You can get going on Twitter by following companies and industries that youre interested in.Be sure to use professional hashtags to ensure that your tweet gets spotted by the right people (i.e., a potential boss) and try to tweet as often as you can.5. Work on your website.Studies have shown that the overwhelming majority of hiring managers do some online digging on potential job candidates before they even call them in for an interview.So imagine when a hiring manager stumbles across not only some of your social media profiles, but your own professional website, tooDepending on what type of career you have, it might make sense to have a website that works (no pun intended) as a portfolio for you.In addition to showcasing some of your work, you can also post recommendations, awards, achievements, and accolades that youve received, too- all in one neat and tidy space.Social media can definitely be a fun way to pass the time, but job seekers should take advantage of the social space as a fundamen tal part of their job search social media strategy. It can help expedite your job search, helping you to find a job faster- and spend less time scrolling through Facebook, which is a true win/win indeed.Readers, what is your job search social media strategy? Which social media channels do you use most to help you find a job? Let us know in the comments below