By Tranette Ledford
Decision Times

Right now, there are more than 17,000 possibilities. If you're leaving the military and looking for a second career, don't discount the opportunities within the federal government, which remains the largest employer in the nation. Barbara Adams makes it her business to know exactly who's hiring within the government and where those jobs are located in the maze of 1,855 agencies. Adams is the president and CEO of CareerPro Global, the umbrella organization that includes CareerProPlus.com and 21stCenturyResumes.com. In addition to offering résumé development services, coaching and other career-transition resources, Adams and her team of associates regularly track federal job trends, keep updates of which agencies are hiring and are trained in how to navigate the paperwork maze involved in the hiring process.

Q: Why is it important for transitioning service members to look into federal government opportunities?
A: In most cases, separating troops can transfer their retirement into federal government jobs and keep that consistency. So that's a plus. Another reason is the wealth of opportunity and the sheer number of jobs. About 50 percent of the federal work force will be retiring over the next five years. Moving into the federal sector is also simply an easier transition to make. Those who have served in the military are familiar and comfortable with structure.

Q: Do transitioning service members have advantages over other candidates for federal positions?
A: Absolutely. They have a leg up because they are issued a five-point veteran's preference for their military service if they served in a campaign. If they are disabled, they are offered a 10-point preference. These preferences supercede all other applicants. There are also federal possibilities that are not open to the general public. Another advantage for service members is the fact that military folks have, in many cases, worked side-by-side with civilians in government agencies. So they may be familiar with the agency.

Q: How do you recommend one looks into the civil-service sector?
A: First, you should visit the government's job Web site, www.usajobs.gov. The site is updated daily and lists all the agencies with opportunities. Online postings are scored, meaning agencies check your résumé for certain key words. If those key words are not in your résumé, then you will not have as great a chance of getting noticed. That's one reason résumé services can help.

Barbara A. Adams is the President & CEO of www.CareerProPlus.com. Barbara has been a member of the careers community for 16 years and serves as an Industry Expert for Military Transition and Federal Government Resumes. She holds three certifications; Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW); Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP); and Certified Federal Resume Writer and Coach (CFRWC).

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