Career

Empathy vs. Sympathy – Customer Service Week Diatribe

As part of the “celebrations” of this week, Customer Service Week, I am attending various Customer Service related webinars. Whenever I attend similar functions, I get extremely agitated by the constant pounding of the use of empathy; and the term is used incorrectly. I have been in Customer Service for the last 22 years. InRead… Read more »

Just Take the Phone of the Hook

I suspect that by now you might consider me a pestiferous force of persuasive ideas and all. But for sure, since you couldn’t even hook me up with a job anywhere on the Hill (which would be way cool and would give me no doubt a better image in the minds of my conservative friends-Read… Read more »

New Gov Dialogue Winners Announced Plus Great Answers on Getting Hired Plus Tips on Recruiting Gen Y

It’s a new school year and NASPAA and GovLoop co-hosted a dialogue between current MPA/MPP students and current government employees to kick-start the year. The winners are in and for the question for students: What attracts you about working for the government and what are you looking for in a work environment? https://www.govloop.com/forum/topics/new-schoolnew-gov-dialogue 1st placeRead… Read more »

How to Ace Short-Answer Questions on Federal Job Applications

From Lily Whiteman of “How to Land a Top-Paying Federal Job” by Lily Whiteman. The book is available on amazon.com here. Lily’s website is http://www.IGotTheJob.net. HOW TO ACE SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS ON FEDERAL JOB APPLICATIONS No matter what rung on the federal career ladder you are currently perched on, your application for your next federal jobRead… Read more »

Department of Defense (DoD) Business Transformation Agency (BTA) EP&I Title 5 violations – part two

From the Government Business Examiner Continued from part one-Department of Defense (DoD) Business Transformation Agency (BTA) EP&I Title 5 violations – part one Continued from part one Not only were tax dollars wasted, but the waste was sanctioned by leadership. And, with the mission of the warfighter a main BTA proclamation, it has occurred toRead… Read more »

Federal Eye Eye Opener: 23,000 Postal Workers Opt for Buyout

Happy Friday! Approximately 5,000 full-time Postal Service employees eligible for retirement ended their Postal careers this week, accepting $15,000 buyout offers as part of a cost-cutting move. Another 18,0000 full-time workers have also accepted the offer, but have until Oct. 31 to complete the paperwork or opt out. The Postal Service announced the buyout programRead… Read more »

Englewood, CO hosts a regional training conference, Oct. 26 – 29

The City of Englewood is excited to host a 4-day learning and networking event for public sector employees in the Denver metro region. Check out this line-up: Keynote speakers include: Debra Fine, author of “The Fine Art of Small Talk” and “The Fine Art of the Big Talk” Craig Zablocki, motivational speaker, author and humoristRead… Read more »

An Awesome Interview with the Founder of GovLoop, Steve Ressler

This post originally appeared on my external blog, “Social Media Strategery.” As announced this morning, GovLoop, the premier social network for the government community, has joined forces with GovDelivery, the world’s leading provider of government-to-citizen communications solutions. Steve Ressler, the founder of GovLoop, will be leaving his day job with the Department of Homeland Security,Read… Read more »

Why Persistent Perseverance Can Be a Waste of Time

If you’re reading this post, you’re likely a student of leadership (and good for you!) You have no doubt read about the importance of perseverance and persistence in being successful. The problem is this: Perseverance can be an enormous waste of time, especially if you are persistent at it. The mantra of authors and speakersRead… Read more »