So what are some good answers to that question?
I always say it's better to accentuate the positive: why you want to go to your target organization, rather than why you're fleeing your current situation. Because hiring managers really don't care about your personal problems. They want to know what you're going to do for them. Show the fire in your belly about their organization or the fact that you've followed the agency your whole life and now you want to contribute to it.
Can you cold-call agencies or go knock on their doors?
If you know an agency is addressing an issue that you're an expert in, find the manager and get your résumé in front of them. Make a connection, and maintain the connection. There's a new social networking site for government professionals, govloop.org, and some people have found jobs from that site. Yellow Book is another great resource—it's in libraries—and it features the name, phone number, and E-mail of everyone in government, almost. I really think the squeaky-wheel principle is important in everything in life. If you've gone to an interview and you haven't heard back—call them.
Justme of AK @ Nov 08, 2009 21:53:39 PM
Employee of GA @ Oct 12, 2009 23:44:20 PM
keep wishing of AL @ Sep 16, 2009 21:52:51 PM