There’s a lot of talk in government about recruiting talent from Silicon Valley, private firms nationwide and directly from colleges and universities. But sometimes the perfect candidate for the job isn’t across the country or in a classroom; they’re down the hall or in a field office.
Speed is not always a virtue, and it takes a special kind of tolerance and trust to remember why government works the way it does, and what gratitude we owe it on most days of the week.
We need new criteria in government job circles. We must look for and reward innovative thinkers and realize that performance is not a zero-sum game. We must look for ways to engage in continual learning on the job, recognizing that this is a key component of innovation and creativity.
As a dedicated employee, and a fighter for equality, positively addressing sexist comments is one of the most important things you can do, no matter how awkward it may be.
Sometimes we assume that all the “interview urban legends” will sneak up on us and prevent us from getting to the next step. It may help to know some of the “interview taboos” and learn how to move beyond them.
This November has been a doozy. In fact, given the tumultuous election season we have just come through, this November might be more necessary for reflection and gratitude than ever.
The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) is a weird animal. Some in the federal sector hail it as the most important document since the Emancipation Proclamation. Others ridicule it as a huge waste of time and one of the biggest sources of pollution in the federal swamp.
The recent election results have made many federal employees anxious for their futures. In times of uncertainty, the best defense is a strong offense. And the best offense is to join a federal-employee union.
You have to prioritize your own development if for the simple fact that no one will do it for you. Often, what you need to develop is tied to deeply held beliefs about who you are as a person, what makes you good at your job, and things you believe you can’t change.
It’s that most wonderful time of the year when you think about holiday gifts that will make your favorite coworkers feel appreciated—and then draw a complete blank on the perfect gift to give them. Giving gifts to government colleagues isn’t as straightforward as what to buy Aunt Mabel (a scarf). At the federal level, strict rules govern giftsRead… Read more »