Managing Your Government Career

Working for the government offers many advantages: great prospects for professional growth, job security, an attractive array of benefits, and the opportunity to help other citizens—but it also presents unique challenges. Managing Your Government Career gives current and future government employees powerful advice for starting out and maneuvering through their entire career. Based on the author’s more than 32 years experience in civil service jobs, as well as his interactions with thousands of government employees, the book helps readers: decide whether working for the government is right for them • understand the differences between federal, state, and local levels • apply, interview for, and get the job they want • take advantage of the training offered • understand the culture • become familiar with local politics • make themselves valuable • develop the right mentors • fluidly transition up the ladder. Packed with indispensable guidance, this is a unique and highly strategic resource for anyone working in government.

Managing government employees presents unique challenges. Government managers may feel that stringent and convoluted regulations mean they "can't do that". Some others may use that perception as a crutch. But the truth for all of them is, yes, they can "do that" -- and they'd better. "That" means managing employees as proactively and decisively as their corporate counterparts, and holding their staffs, teams, and departments accountable for productivity and results. Managing Government Employees offers dozens of techniques for meeting the challenges and stressful situations supervisers face on a daily basis. Major topics include how to: * get maximum dedication and productivity from employees * improve results of poor performers and discipline or fire them when necessary * deal with union and EEO issues * cut through the red tape of government employment systems For managers frustrated by government bureaucracy, this book lets them know they have more power than they may think.

Not only does government bureaucracy often make hiring a cumbersome, slow-moving process, but poor performers enjoy more protection from losing their jobs than their counterparts outside of government. With over thirty years’ experience as a federal government employee, insider Stewart Liff offers a solution to the government talent shortage--enabling government managers to cut through the red tape and take advantage of the best government employees out there. The Complete Guide to Hiring and Firing Government Employees also teaches readers the equally important skills of efficiently documenting and dealing with those who don't make the cut to ensure your team starts and stays strong. You’ll discover: how to take an anticipatory approach to recruiting; how to decide who to target, and where and how to advertise for open positions; how to screen and interview candidates; how to counsel a poor-performing employee; how to use progressive discipline; how to document a case and write a charge; how to develop internal political support; and much more. Bringing the best new people on board and weeding out the worst are both the most important and the most difficult tasks faced by any employer. For federal managers, the challenge is even greater. Filled with tried-and-true strategies, this step-by-step guide will equip you to continuously uphold, strengthen, and even grow an entire department of high achievers.

Professor Sathe is a great gift, a passionate teacher who cares deeply about the life arc of each individual student. In his vibrant classroom, he translates strategic management into a personal discipline—and here in these pages, he brings to you and me the bene ts of his wise mentorship. —Jim Collins, author of Good to Great This book gives the reader the keys to survival and success as his or her career progresses from one job to the next in the same, or a different, organization—be it for-pro t, nonpro t, government, or volunteer. It is designed to help the reader avoid the many traps and pitfalls encountered along his or her career path and to help facilitate increased personal effectiveness during all three stages of the job cycle—interviewing, new hire, and long-term employment. Whether preparing to enter the workforce for the first time or in early, middle, or later career stages, this book will show the reader how to avoid jobs and organizations that are not a good fit. It will also go beyond survival and show how to achieve success by doing the job well and making other contributions to the organization in ways that improve job performance, satisfaction, happiness, and personal and professional growth. The keys this book provides will work whether the reader is an independent contributor, a manager responsible for the work of others, or an executive responsible for the enterprise. Organizational leaders, human resource professionals, career coaches, and mentors can also utilize this book to educate and train employees to be more productive at work and happy in their worklife.

Want to take control of your finances once and for all? Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies combines expert money management with personal finance tips. From credit cards and insurance to taxes, investing, retirement, and more, seven mini-books show you how to improve your relationship with money — no matter your age or stage of life. This easy-to-understand guide shows you how to assess your financial situation, calculate debt, prepare a budget, trim spending, boost your income, and improve your credit score. You’ll find ways to run a money-smart household, reduce waste, and cut medical and transportation expenses as you tackle your debt head-on and develop good saving habits. You’ll even get help choosing the right mortgage and avoiding foreclosure, saving for college or retirement, and determining your home-, car-, and life insurance needs. Discover how to: Take charge of your finances Manage home and personal finances Lower your taxes and avoid tax audits Plan a budget and scale back on expenses Deal with debt and negotiate with creditors Save and invest safely for college or retirement Protect your money and assets from fraud and identity theft Ensure a comfortable retirement Plan your estate and safeguard a will or trust Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies brings you seven great books for the price of one. Can you think of a better way to start managing your money wisely?

This book reveals 60 proven principles and easy career management techniques. Discover powerfully effective ways to start a new job and make a great first impression; work more smoothly with bosses and colleagues; build a high-performance personal network; manage workloads; decide who to trust (and distrust); handle enemies and overcome career setbacks; recognize when to move on; get noticed, get ahead, and get to the top! From Lois Frankel, author of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: "A cutting-edge pioneer in the field of business coaching, Dr. Karen Otazo knows--and speaks--the truth about how to get and keep the job you want. Regardless of your age or stage of your career, you'll find practical tips and tools to make your workplace journey smoother, more enjoyable, and potentially more profitable. The Truth about Managing Your Career is a must-have for your career library."

Stewart Lifflooks at government process as being built around six major systems, separate entities with interdependent needs and purposes. --