Carla McMullen, PMP

Candidates applying for civil service jobs with the Department of Defense “have been so soured by the application process in the time it takes to hear back that they’ve completely written off working for the government; they’ve given up. And that makes me sad because these people were once banging down the gates wanting to work for the government, and have been beaten down so badly by the process that they just said it’s not worth it anymore. They did want to serve the country, but if they can’t even have the opportunity to hear back on a job application, then why would they put forward any more effort?” Check out this article from the ClearanceJobs podcast with the amazing Lindy Kyzer as we discuss why federal hiring is so hard. #government #hiring #civilservice

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Adding some green to your feed since you're probably seeing this from inside an office right now 🌳 Join me in about 15 minutes for a ClearanceJobs LIVE on 5 ways to use AI in the job search. This video update is exclusive to ClearanceJobs job seekers only. And if you're seeing this after the live event, you can watch the video on demand. Link below!

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Connecting with people... Is the hardest part of the job. It is frustratingly simple. All recruiting fails in outreach. There are those who can connect And then a million spam messages. Early last year we started talking about how response rates would plummet this year in the GOVCON space. I think we spoke on this at a conference or 2 and discussed it in a white-paper. AI messaging is destroying email and text. The status-quo will keep sending spam recruiter emails and texts and the connectors will figure out a different path. The phone has made a huge comeback, but you have to have a multi-channel approach including rock-steady messaging. In the GOVCON space, we have so much working against us when it comes to connecting with people. Because of this you have to make sure when you get 5 seconds of someones attention, you attack! What I mean by this, is you must have: ↳ Strong personalized messaging ↳ The ability to find/sell value propositions ↳ Ability to understand people's motivations ↳ Ability to get through full process in first call There is a lot on your plate recruiters and hiring managers! I would love it if you would follow ShadowLabs, where we are sharing more and more everyday about training in the GOVCON hiring space.

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I've never liked the "B2G", "B2B", or "B2C" acronyms, especially in the federal contracting market. I'm going to tell you why... It's simple. We are all human. We are not an enterprise or a government body; we are all living, breathing human beings. When we categorize things as "B2(whatever)," we tend to forget that real people with emotions, needs, and desires are at the core of every transaction. Communication, relationship-building, and mutual understanding tend to go out the window and are replaced by #KPIs and sales funnels. Metrics will only take you so far in the federal marketplace, whereas rapport and trust will build a lasting foundation. Why? Because #GovCon is the quintessential human-to-human (H2H) selling process. Join Haley Boulanger and me for lunch this Wednesday to discuss the five keys to establishing a solid foundation with federal buyers and maintaining long-term, productive relationships.

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How to get into GOVCON I get asked a lot, how to get into the space as a recruiter or technical professional. I love turning people on to this industry because it is such an important space to be in. So many programs we get to support are critical and provide such a valuable service. So why get in to GOVCON? 🚀 Very important Work 💥 Stability 👨‍🏭 Long Term growth across the profession 🔥 In demand skill sets 🤯 Dynamic Industry How to get in? 🚀 Understand the basics (clearance/certs) 🛸 Look for companies sponsoring clearances 👨‍🏭 Look for skillbridge internships 👩‍🏫 Leverage your network I am always happy to speak to transitioning service members, veterans or military spouses who are looking advice on how to navigate the industry or need a little help applying to companies. Please feel free to reach out or ask me questions in the comments... Ask me anything about resumes, applying, interviewing, myths or whatever else. P.s. Tag a veteran who is looking for work!

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Small Business information for doing business with DoD. I am the Small Business Learning Director at DAU. I am also launching a weekly Small Business knowledge challenge. For the first topic, here is the challenge: In FAR Subpart 19.13 - Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program, the price evaluation preference for HUBZone small business concerns allows for adding a factor of ____% to all offerors, except offers from HUBZone small business concerns that have not waived the evaluation preference; or otherwise successful offers from small business concerns. A-1% B-10% C-3% D-5% See answer below. Looking for information about Small Business within the Defense Industrial Base, go to the DAU Small Business media site at https://lnkd.in/eTuWuEru. Here you'll find webinars and my "All Things Small Business" podcast that talk about Small Business issues from government, industry, and academia perspectives. There is plenty of learning available. Let me know if this information is helpful. Answer: B, 10%

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Thanks to MandatoryFunDay for this—I don’t see it posted on his LinkedIn, so I’ll not link back to it, but it raises another issue: I know that the military is trying to make military members fairly uniform, cut from the same mold, thinking and behaving in a homogeneous manner. This approach to recruiting could literally destroy our cyber forces. This places a rifleman mentality on a career field that absolutely prizes neurodivergent perspectives, lateral thinking, and relentless focus. The more we put the screws to anyone outside of the mental mold and apply unnecessary physical requirements on career fields, the more we sacrifice our capability. For what it’s worth, many of the military cyber personnel I know are runners or gym rats; but that shouldn’t be a requirement, any more than we would require a rifleman to keep their typing to a minimum words-per-minute, or require them to cite the difference between public and private IP ranges (after all, they use THOSE every day). https://lnkd.in/e7DFBmb9

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Get job search advice and view SAIC hot jobs in the April Corporate Gray Newsletter. #jobsearch #militarytransition #transitionadvice

💎 Monday Tip for Effective Job Searching 💎 Ready to boost your chances of landing your dream job? Start by utilizing KEY WORDS! 🗝 For instance, let's say you're eyeing roles in government contracting. Incorporate relevant terms like DOD, GSA AAS, BOS, CONUS, OCONUS etc. into your online profile and resume. Why? Because these keywords catch the attention of recruiters who are sourcing candidates. So, whether you're polishing up your LinkedIn profile or fine-tuning your resume, remember to incorporate those key words that align with the roles you're targeting. It could make all the difference! 🔍 #JobSearchTips #PrecisionTalentSolutions #govcon

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We are in high turnover season in DOD, to include transitioning service members and civilians. Some quick tips here in resume writing. One common mistake I see under ‘experience’ is this is what I do vice the accomplishments in qualitative and quantitative data and the impact....just listing what you do will only you get you so far and high. Consider how you write that resume!

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Leaving the #Military & unsure about the next steps? Check out ClearedJobs.Net's blog about how our no-cost resources can help ease the transition. It's never too late to start the process. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eF6Uc5Y8

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DOL + TAP = Successful Transitions. Come down to your Local TAP office and see what they have for you. #transitions #GoEarlyGoOften #fortjohnsonTAP

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Leaving the #Military & unsure about the next steps? Check out ClearedJobs.Net's blog about how our no-cost resources can help ease the transition. It's never too late to start the process. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eF6Uc5Y8

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Leaving the #Military & unsure about the next steps? Check out ClearedJobs.Net's blog about how our no-cost resources can help ease the transition. It's never too late to start the process. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eF6Uc5Y8

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Ready to embark on your next career adventure? Let's kickstart the conversation! Transitioning from military service to civilian life presents new challenges, but also exciting opportunities. We want to hear from you: what's your biggest concern or question when it comes to job seeking after the military? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's start the discussion. Together, we'll explore strategies and resources to help you navigate the job market with confidence. #veterans #careeradventure #jobseeking #militarytransition #civilianlife #discussion #careercoach #consultation #jobmarket #strategies #transition #careerdevelopment #empowerment #careeropportunities #confidence

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SAVE THE DATE!! SAVE THE DATE!! SAVE THE DATE!! SAVE THE DATE!!

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