Alice,

Don't worry about the paper! Worry about what you write on it! Since you're applying to be an editor/writer, be sure your spelling is correct and your grammar is in good form. Have good tear sheets of things you've published, have links to pages you've put on the web. If you're asking for references from people who know about your writing, contact those people now and send them tear sheets of your work as a reminder, so they're very clear on your skills in their recommendations.

Pay attention to the KSA's--Knowlege, Skills, Abilities section, if there is one. Go into detail--less is not more when it comes to those annoying forms. Don't expect the human resources folks to read between the lines--your application has to clear a lot of people who AREN'T writers (and aren't particularly good about thinking beyond their little boxes) before it gets to the one doing the hiring.

Many years ago I sold a self-published brochure (taken from a freelance article I wrote and published) about how to get federal seasonal jobs. Much of the strategy is still applicable, but so much of the process is automated now that keeping files current and available to cut and paste into web forms is the way to go.

PM me if you have specific questions. There are several current federal employees at Mudcat who can also answer questions.


SRS