Charles Clark, Former Fed HR Manager, Joins Federal Career Training Institutes Certification Team

Charles Clark, Former Fed HR Manager, Joins Federal Career Training Institute’s Certification Team Charles Clark, Former Fed HR Manager, Joins Federal Career Training Institute’s Certification Team Charles Clark, Former Fed HR Manager, Joins Federal Career Training Institute’s Certification Team The Federal Career Training Institute (FCTI) is pleased to announce the addition of Charles Clark, former Chief of the Diversity and Inclusion Office for the US Census Bureau, as a Trainer in its Ten Steps to a Federal Job © Certification Programs. Clark will be handling the third day (“Federal HR Day”) of its three-day train-the-trainer classes. Offered since 2002, the unique Federal Job Search Trainer and Federal Career Coach Certifications are designed for those who advise jobseekers applying for civilian employment with the US government. Kathryn Troutman, Founder of the Institute and the originator of the Certification training, observes that Clark’s background from being former military (24 years with the US Air Force, culminating as the Superintendent of the Air Force District of Washington’s Manpower, Personnel and Service Directorate) and former federal HR make him perfect to be able to instruct the training’s Human Resources Day. “He has so much hands-on experience from his positions in federal HR work,” Troutman says. “That makes his training so valuable, and he can answer in-depth questions about vets and other individuals being hired into the government.” On HR Day, Clark will be covering federal human resource principles, merit system principles, practices that are not permitted by law/practices that follow the law, special hiring programs, veteran’s preference, Schedule A hiring for individuals with disabilities, Pathways internships for students and new grads, priority placement for military spouses, and more. “Charles is a natural trainer,” Troutman notes. “He’s very comfortable and he smiles and laughs. And he’s just very unique and honest with people. He’s not a typical stand-up PowerPoint presenter.” Attendees at the Institute’s most recent certification training offered on the campus of the University of California, La Jolla agreed that Clark deserves high assessments as a trainer. “I really enjoyed Charles’ presentations,” said James E. Johnson Jr. “So very informative. All of his topics were very relevant and very well understood.” Martines Martinez, who journeyed with two Navy Fleet and Family Program co-workers from Japan, commented, “I traveled halfway around the world and this training was worth it! I received the most up-to-date HR information.” In a recent interview, Clark affirmed his passion for helping veterans in particular learn to put their best boot forward by presenting their qualifications clearly. He offered these tips for veterans applying for federal jobs. 1. Do your reconnaissance, just like in the military. Look at the organizational structure of the agency you’ve selected. Where would your equivalent position be? What’s it called? Then when you write your resume, you can put the term for the equivalent position in parenthesis by the military term. “This is part of writing about experience in a way that’s easily translatable by the HR person reading it,” he said. 2. Understand veteran’s rules. Clark said that there are rules out there that allow certain vets to apply for federal jobs that are already closed. Also, not every vet is eligible for vet’s preference. “Get to know as many of the rules as possible,” he said. “There are so many.” Working with a transition specialist with your branch of the military will clue you into these rules. Staying current on the ever-changing rules is one reason federal career advisors take Troutman’s certification training. 3. Apply through every avenue and source. Some jobs may be released as being open to all US citizens, which includes veterans, and this is when vet’s preference applies. Other positions may be released as open only to “federal employees with status.” Under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, vets can also apply for the federal employee job announcements â€" though they should be aware that vet’s preference will not apply in these cases. 4. Submit all the requested documentation â€" every time. Clark says that some applicants believe that an HR person will make an effort to get documentation that may be missing. Or that if the applicant submitted their docs with an earlier application, they don’t need to do it again. “If you don’t submit the documentation that has been requested, then you will be disqualified,” he warned. “By not submitting what was needed, you won’t meet the requirements for the job.” 5. Make sure your qualifications are proven in your resume. Clark said that some applicants will try to enhance their status while answering the questionnaire attached to a jobs announcement on the USAJobs website. They’re trying to get a qualifying score. However, if their resume doesn’t back it up, HR can actually go in and lower their score. “Resumes determine qualifications,” Clark explained. “I’m really proud that Charles is now part of our team and that he has such great credentials,” Troutman says. “I realized back in 2002 that career advisors and employment readiness and transition counselors need special training because the federal government is such a unique employer. The knowledge Charles has is a true asset to our program.” The Federal Career Training Institute’s certification programs are on the list of recommended trainings for all the joint services. The next Ten Steps to a Federal Job © certification training will be held Tuesday, September 16 through Thursday, September 18 at the Institute in Columbia, MD. More at fedjobtraining.com/certification-programs.htm.