DEFENSE BUDGET CHANGES

By Kathryn Troutman, Federal Career Coach®
President, Resume Place, Inc.
September 5, 2018

2019 Defense Budget Promises Big Changes for Workers and Job Seekers

2019 Defense Budget Promises Big Changes
for Post-Secondary Students, College Graduates, Civilians and Job Seekers

On August 13, President Trump signed into law the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The $717 billion spending plan, and the accompanying restructuring proposals for many government agencies and departments, has all kinds of implications for federal employees and job seekers.

Expedited hiring authority for younger workers

Maybe the most radical element of the 2019 NDAA is the Expedited Hiring Authority for College Graduates and Post-Secondary Students, which will empower agency heads to bypass certain hiring preferences (for veterans, members of minority groups, and disabled people) in order to increase hiring of educated young workers. Each qualifying unit of government will be allowed to speed up hiring for any competitive service, professional or administrative position at the GS-11 level or below with as many as 15 percent of the number of hires that the unit made in the previous year.

The hope is that this and other expedited hiring authorities will draw new grads and other young professionals, who are underrepresented in the federal labor force, and who expect much faster resolution of job applications than Uncle Sam usually provides. Appointees under this provision must have a bachelor’s or graduate degree and apply within two years of graduation, or be military service people who apply within two years of discharge.

Direct Hire Authority for recent Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Graduates. (Direct Hire – jobs do not have to be advertised). Applies only to graduates of minority serving institutions and recruiting for veterans. Career Fairs will be highly effective at these colleges.

Engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority-serving institutions for the purposes of technical workforce enhancement. For the purpose of increasing the number of graduates of such institutions to accept positions in Department of Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics-related positions important to the national security functions of the Department.

Expedited Hiring Authority for College Graduates and Post-Secondary Students. This provision would be applied government wide (NOT just DOD agencies) and would provide for appointments at GS-11 and below for students and recent graduates (within 2 years). It provides an extension for military service members. It is not a direct hire authority, because it requires that the positions be advertised. Agencies would have to follow regulations prescribed by OPM, and appointments would be limited to 15 percent of the number of competitive appointments an agency made to similar positions during the previous fiscal year.

The John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program. This is described as “a civilian fellowship program designed to provide leadership development and the commencement of a career track toward senior leadership in the Department.” Limited to 60 participants per year, the program would require participants to have recent (within 2 years) graduate degrees or to receive a graduate degree within 6 months of entering the program.

SUMMARY: IMPORTANT NDAA POST-GRADUATE HIRING PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF THE LOW NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES UNDER THE AGE OF 30 AT DOD! Recent Grads – take advantage of this.

Big changes in store for Education, Labor and the Postal Service

The reorganization plan would combine the departments of Education and Labor, to improve the transitions students into workforce programs. This merger is likely to eliminate some positions, but also create new opportunities for professionals with expertise in workforce development. The new agency would be named the Department of Education and the Workforce.

The plan also would restructure the Postal Service to prepare it for a possible transition into a privately held corporation, impacting the more than 500,000 career employees working there as of 2017.

Do note that many of these major organization changes would require congressional approval. Other changes would have to jump regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles.

Be ready – www.interviewcoach.com and www.fbiinterviewcoach.com

If you don’t pass the Phase II Interview

IF YOU DON’T PASS THE PHASE TWO INTERVIEW PROCESS – YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR TO REAPPLY.

A year can feel like a very long time if you’re waiting for something that you want NOW.

FROM SOMEONE WHO DID NOT PASS THE FIRST TIME –

“Boost Your Interview IQ” by Carole Martin provides you with the essential skills and techniques you need to apply in any real life interviewing scenario. If you are truly interested in exploring the fundamentals and learning the essentials of job interviewing, then this book will be an important guide.

Before I read Carole Martin’s book, I must admit that I was lost when it came to interviews. As a young lawyer with three years of experience in my field, I truly thought that I knew everything it took to effectively express myself and market my skills to a potential employer. I had conducted countless client interviews myself, and so I thought I had most question and answer techniques down to a science. But when I flunked my first major interview for a dream job with a prestigious employer, I realized that I needed help from an expert. In hindsight, I wish I had sought out this information earlier. Perhaps because I was too accustomed to being sought out by others as an expert in my own field of law that I did not realize I needed an expert’s advice on basic interview techniques.

I am thankful that I contacted Carole Martin and found her book “Boost Your Interview IQ.” I feel that I have begun the journey towards interview success. In my opinion, learning real life interview techniques should not be about “gimmicks” or “tricks”. Instead, Carole Martin provides a wide-range of examples that point you in the right direction. You will learn through a question and answer technique designed by Carole that will give you a thorough understanding of the basics. Reading this book is the beginning of a journey that will equip you with the essentials of interviewing. So if you are curious about how to interview, then I recommend you read this book first. The rest is up to you!”

Boost Your Interview IQ:

Boost Your Interview IQ – Second Edition (white cover – published – 2012) – for a quick brush up on Behavioral Interviewing as well as other questions. It’s a quiz and you determine which answer is the strongest answer. This book is not specifically geared toward law enforcement – it is about “behavioral interviewing.”

http://a.co/9pGtGcc — or http://amzn.to/2vntQDZ

I Passed the FBI, IRS, CI and Dept of Energy OIG interviews!

MULTI-SUCCESSES

I PASSED the FBI, IRS CI, and Dept. of Energy OIG interviews

Thank you so much for your help with the process! Getting the feedback on my interview question answers was invaluable.

The material that you have for the FBI interview is also spot on, and concentrating on the factors helped immensely.

Even though I was nervous going into each of the interviews, it was not for lack of preparation, and once the interviews started I was comfortable and was able to “be myself” due to feeling thoroughly prepared with your help.

Your advice of “talking to the interviewers as if they are my coworkers” really helped set this very useful mindset.

Thanks again for being so flexible and responsive to my tight interview timeframe.

I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for LE interview preparation, or general interview preparation as well!

—————

IS THIS FOR REAL – OR, DOES SHE KNOW WHAT SHE IS DOING?

(FROM A SECOND-TIMER)

So I gotta admit. After our first interaction, I felt as though I had been suckered. I mean…I had been through the process and you hadn’t. How could you possibly know any better than I what to expect!! But you stuck with me, despite me thinking I knew what was best, and helped me through my interview.

When I got in the room, I panicked a bit. After the second question…after I got over the fact that I was in an interview and there were three pairs of eyes staring into my soul, I relaxed, listened, thought, and provided a response. Each subsequent question became easier (until I thought I ran out of experiences in which I morphed some of my other answers).

WHEW!! I PASSED!!!

I can’t thank you again for sticking with me. You helped to ground me and keep me

I’ve already referred you to a couple colleagues here in my office as well as a few people I met there who didn’t pass this time around. I am sure they will all be in touch.

——

Need help? Contact me: http://www.fbiinterviewcoach.com/contact.php

Carole

WHO BECOMES FBI EMPLOYEES? AGENTS? You’d be surprised.

*Diversified (all other backgrounds or skills not specified above)

*What is meant by Diversified?

Besides needing agent candidates with the specialized skill sets, the FBI also seeks well-rounded applicants with unspecified degrees and diverse
backgrounds who have demonstrated experience in the Special Agent core competencies.

** From an FBI Agent — “On a personal note, I served with an FBI Agent who was a former elementary school principal and another who was a full-time youth minister.”

**From Carole Martin, The Interview Coach—

“I have coached — a Middle School Band Director, a High School Teacher, and a Lancome Cosmetics Marketing Manager – who all passed Phase II.

My biggest achievement came last year when I coached a “chef” through the process – and he passed.

It’s not easy, but with some hard work, you can make it.”

Taken from the FBI website – www.fbi.gov

Below are specific elements that will automatically disqualify job candidates for employment with the FBI. These include:

•    Non-U.S. citizenship
•    Conviction of a felony (Special Agent candidates only: conviction of a domestic violence misdemeanor or more serious offense)
•    Violation of the FBI Employment Drug Policy (please see below for additional details)
•    Default on a student loan insured by the U.S. Government
•    Failure of an FBI-administered urinalysis drug test
•    Failure to register with the Selective Service System (for males only, exceptions apply – please click here to find out more)
•    Knowingly or willfully engaged in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. government by force
•    Failure to pay court ordered child support
•    Failure to file federal, state, or local income tax returns

Please note that if you are disqualified by any of the above tests, you are not eligible for employment with the FBI. Please make sure you can meet FBI employment requirements and pass all disqualifiers before you apply for an FBI position.

Phase II can be taken a 2nd time – for the FBI Agent position. Here is some feedback from a female who didn’t pass the first time. She worked with me this time around.

“I even had one of the other applicants come up to me about 5 minutes after arrived in the waiting area and say, “You were radiating swagger when you walked in and that can’t be taught.

I thought you were one of the agents! What is your secret?!” He and I laughed and of course I replied “Well that’s a good sign.”

SHE PASSED this time around after working with me.

www.fbiinterviewcoach.com

Learning to “morph” your stories will help you get out of a tough spot when you cannot think of a story to match the answer.

I am writing to inform you that I……passed! Thank you again for your coaching. I believed it gave me the extra edge necessary to pass Phase II. In regards to feedback: morphing morphing morphing and BEING YOURSELF was the key to victory here.

I was just goofy and honest, which I think they appreciated. I laid it all out on the table for them, which I believed not only made me more relaxed, but made them a lot more relaxed too.

Great working with you and I hope you continued success.

Want to work for the FBI – Check out INTELLIGENCE ANALYST

Intelligence Analysts at the FBI analyze information, provide judgments and make recommendations to support decision makers to take action to mitigate all threats. Having the right information and guidance is critical to protecting the United States. Intelligence Analysts’ knowledge, recommendations and strategies help identify and combat threats, while their collaborative networks with state, local and federal partners and with members of the

Intelligence Community help mitigate risks before they happen. Intelligence Analysts at the FBI analyze information, provide judgments and make recommendations to support decision makers to take action to mitigate all threats. Having the right information and guidance is critical to protecting the United States. Intelligence Analysts’ knowledge, recommendations and strategies help identify and combat threats, while their collaborative networks with state, local and federal partners and with members of the Intelligence Community help mitigate risks before they happen.

https://www.facebook.com/FBI/videos/10156196165431212/

Not much time to prepare?

SHORT TIME FRAME TO PREPARE

“I just wanted to follow up and say thank you so much for your help and services! Today I received notification that I passed Phase 2. Even with the short timeline I had to prepare I felt like I was on top of all of the questions they asked me.” 3/27/18

SECOND TIME AROUND

“I had my phase 2 interview on Dec 4. I just wanted you to know that I passed this time! The way you broke all of the information/interview structure down was very helpful. I found myself much more confident and prepared this time. I had a different story prepared for each question asked. The 60 minute interview felt like it went by much quicker. The agents interviewing me were a pleasure to talk to.”

From a client who passed – 3/28/18

“Please pass on – RELAX, RELAX, RELAX! Drink the water. It’s not a trick. Take your time, think about your answers, and don’t try to be who you think they want you to be.”

www.fbiinterviewcoach.com

FBI INTERVIEWS ARE HAPPENING IN MARCH/APRIL

FROM FEBRUARY/MARCH CLIENTS WHO PASSED

“I prepared a lot on my own, but the info I received from you, the 5 points, are really why I passed.”

Here are things I did good and some things I didn’t do so good:

Smile, Be yourself, Be imperfect and personable. That is normal, they get your nervous, they’ve been there. It’s ok.
Talk with all of the applicants you can in the beginning, be personable, this will also calm your nerves, get you talking.
Be personable with the Applicant Coordinator, again Smile.. (there were many applicants that weren’t)
Go into the interview with good positive energy, this will extend to your interviewees. Everyone there wants you to succeed. (I heard you say that the energy you bring into the room is extremely important, and that stuck with me)
5-points!!! Hit them early! (This is what allowed me to pass in my belief and I would have never considered building this well rounded picture for them this way)
Have a well thought out story. I missed many good details at times but they knew I was prepared. I even passed on 2 questions, went blank on 1, but mustered up a different story that was actually unprepared. I even had 2 times where they asked for additional detail and had 1 time when they reminded me of the time constraint. Just show them they you put in the hours to prepare in one way or another, they respect it, even if it’s not delivered perfectly. Again, the energy I brought in, and the 5-points upfront allowed me to be imperfect.
I slightly re-framed their questions at times so that it could fit the story I wanted to tell, still just trying to show them the factor they were looking for which worked well.

RECEIVED – 3-8-18

I passed my interview and it’s all because of you! Thank you very much! You’re strategies and tough critiques allowed me to do very well on the interview.

Your style and your approach allowed me to excel in the interview. I couldn’t have done this without you and thank you again! Best money I have ever spent.

FBI INTERVIEWS ARE TAKING PLACE AT THE END OF THE MONTH

SHORT NOTICE – One/Two Weeks To Prepare for your FBI interview

I received emails asking it there is enough time to prepare. I have worked with people who have been VERY short on time – as little as a few days to prepare, but we managed to pull it off. It’s not ideal, but just knowing the basics is better than going in cold.

Thanks for the help. Due to time restrictions and late notification of my phase II nomination, I only had about a week to prepare. With your help, I was able to prep myself in about a week. I have no doubt that without your assistance and tough criticism, I would not have passed. I’m very glad I was able to find you!

THE IDEAL SITUATION –

FOR YOUR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVIEW

Ideally, and believe me most are not ideal.

– you would begin to work with me after you have your date assigned. You would contact me 4-6 weeks – depending on your life’s schedule to get the materials to begin your preparation.

– ideally, you would take a week or two to get prepared and then contact me for our first session. You would send me your stories to critique.

– ideally, in our first session we would go over the “Why this Agency?” and “What makes you qualified – what you bring to the position?” questions. We would go over story-telling techniques and tips.

– ideally, after the first session I would send you the 5 points that I have summarized and written, (depending on which package you purchase) or you will write your own 5 points.

Your 5 points will be your roadmap to answer the big questions – “Why this Agency?” – and “Why do you think you’re qualified?”

– ideally, you would take a week or more to prepare using the tips and techniques you have learned from our first session. All of our sessions are recorded and you will be sent a link to the recording to listen to – at least that’s what I recommend.

– ideally session #2 would be one to two weeks or so prior to your actual interview.

NOW, all that to say that the greater majority of my clients have NOT had “ideal situations.”

I have coached with as little as three or four days and still have helped people pass. This is not my preferred manner, but sometimes that’s what life deals.

I will support you through email – critiquing anything you send me after our sessions.

I only give straight-forward feedback. Clients send me their written stories and I critique them.

I will tell you if you are ready after our two sessions – most of the time you will be ready. My goal is to get you to pass the interview and I will do everything that I can to do just that. The rest will be up to you.

Any other questions or problems let me know.
Best wishes
Carole

From WOMEN who have just passed Phase II. (I have one woman client for every 25 men )

THANK YOU so much for your time, insights, and patience working with me and through my stories. I am very glad to have followed my instincts and preparing for this test with you. You brought a lot of value to this experience and to my successful outcome. You also instilled much needed confidence in me through giving me your objective evaluation of my personality, the pros and cons of my background and professional skills. It helped me to adjust and show the side of me that the agency was looking for.

*********************************

Hi Carole!

I just wanted to let you know that I passed Phase 2. Thank you for your help and for making sure I focused on them getting to know the real me.

I passed my fitness test yesterday and will start the background process shortly.

Thanks again 🙂

********************************

Carole

I wanted to send you a message. I’m not sure if you remember me, you helped me prepare for my 2016 panel interview for the Intelligence Analyst position with the FBI.

I just wanted to let you know that I just graduated from Quantico, and am currently at my new field office. I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much again!!

I truly don’t think I would have passed without you. I’m hoping to go for Special Agent in a few years, and I would love to work with you again if the time comes!

*********************************

Phase 3

Carole,

I’m very happy to report that I have passed Phase 3! Thank you so much for all of your help!

**********************************

Carole

Good evening Carole, I just wanted to share the great news I received today. I passed my Phase II interview and written exam! I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your help throughout the process. From telling my stories out loud during our phone conferences, showing me how to morph my stories and think of them on wheels, to reminding me over and over again to be myself–I entered and exited that interview with confidence. Your guidance was invaluable and I would encourage anyone preparing for Phase II to use your services.

Thank you again!!

Hi Carole
I arrived in D.C. 10 minutes ago and I report to New Agent Training on Sunday. I’m glad that my referral found you – I was happy to send another female your way 🙂

Thank you again for the much needed support and confidence you instilled in me!

FED JOB SHUTDOWN SUMMARY

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE US

There are 2.1 million employees total and the government hired a total of 174,311 in 2017, even with the Hiring Freeze for almost three months!

FED JOB SHUTDOWN SUMMARY: I just recommend that you be patient, continue all your positive thinking about your career goals with the US Government, and wait and see what’s next.

(WWW.RESUME-PLACE.COM)

1-22-18

I’ve heard that an applicant might only have a two week window from the time they are invited to Phase 2 to their actual Phase 2 test. Do you think two weeks is enough time to complete your training course and be adequately prepared for Phase 2? That’s my main concern.

From past experience with my clients – once it starts up, it will move fast. It is in your best interest to continue to prepare – at least the basics so that you are not caught off-guard.

FROM SOMEONE WHO DID NOT PASS THE FIRST TIME –

Self-Preparation Package –

http://www.fbiinterviewcoach.com/fbi-package-3.php

FBI, PHASE II – PHASE III

ALL – 1811 FED LAW AGENCIES PREPARATION

Q. How much time will I need? I’m, not sure how if I have enough time.

The answer, more often you will have two to three weeks notice for your FBI interview – sometimes more – sometimes less.

Ideally – and believe me most are not ideal –

– you would begin to work with me after you have your date assigned. You would contact me 4 or so weeks – depending on your life’s schedule – to get the materials to begin your preparation.

The greater majority of my clients have not been “ideal.” I have coached with as little as three or four days and still have helped people pass. This is not my preferred manner – but sometimes that’s what life deals.

I will support you through email – critiquing anything you want me to look at after our sessions. Some candidates like to send their written stories and have me comment on them. That is part of the deal and I am glad to do that.

My goal is to get you to pass the interview and I will do everything that I can to do just that. The rest will be up to you. Get more information about how I coach, the successes of my clients and what to expect at FBIInterviewCoach.com
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST – PHASE III

You helped me prepare for my 2016 panel interview for the Intelligence Analyst position with the FBI. I just wanted to let you know that I just graduated from Quantico, and am currently at my new field office. I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much again!!

I truly don’t think I would have passed without you.

FROM A CLIENT WHO JUST PASSED PHASE II

I really appreciate all the effort you put into helping me prepare. I would use your service again and recommend you to others without a second thought.

Here’s a few of the highlights and a bit of advice for your own knowledge and for your future clients.

-Helping me convert my stories from technical, overly detailed logic/jargon into smooth stories (really just conversations) that highlighted the core competencies. Once I got one or two of them down, my preparation got much, much easier.

A bit of advice to any future clients would be to practice the stories out loud. Sometimes when writing the stories down I felt like I was getting a point across but when I spoke it out loud, I realized I wasn’t. This helped me a ton.

Overall, I’d say that my experience appears to fall in line with the majority of your clients that I’ve seen feedback from. The FBI Agents were very professional, and because I felt very prepared I wasn’t nervous, simply told my stories, morphed a few, and went with some off the top of my head.

Thank you again, DSS/BEX

I just wanted to write to let you know that I received an offer for the Diplomatic Security Special Agent Position after passing the oral examination this week. I am certain that the preparation and practice sessions from your program were instrumental in my success.

The advice given by former candidates is still accurate overall, even if the format changes every so often. Having plenty of stories available and being comfortable with walking the panel through your thought process during hypothetical scenarios is very important.

Many thanks for your guidance and coaching and I wish you continued success in your program. I’ll be sure to recommend your coaching services to others who seek to career paths in Federal law enforcement.

Carole,

Thanks to your program and confidence in me I passed the Phase II portion SASP. I have to admit after I heard about you from one of my former colleague, who is now an FBI special agent, I knew that I would enlist your services when the time came. From our first conversation, you built my trust in you, which lead me to go for the full package. After our first session and listening to that painful recording, it was apparent that my money was spent well. I learned so mush about behavior interviewing techniques, the SAR response structure, and the importance of adding the human element when interviewing.

Successful FBI Phase II client – Practice stories out loud

FROM A CLIENT WHO JUST PASSED FBI PHASE II

I really appreciate all the effort you put into helping me prepare. I would use your service again and recommend you to others without a second thought.

Here’s a few of the highlights and a bit of advice for your own knowledge and for your future clients.

-The way you summarized my “why FBI” from our first session. This really helped me get a handle on how I wanted to present a combination of my personal feelings and skills, as well as the overall process I took to get myself in the interview room.

-Helping me convert my stories from technical, overly detailed logic/jargon into smooth stories (really just conversations) that highlighted the core competencies. Once I got one or two of them down, my preparation got much, much easier.

-One thing that I felt myself doing during the interview was trying to create images throughout my stories…a trick I took from you after you explained the importance of being able to “see” things. I got great feedback from this.

A bit of advice to any future clients would be to practice the stories out loud. Sometimes when writing the stories down I felt like I was getting a point across but when I spoke it out loud, I realized I wasn’t. This helped me a ton.

Overall, I’d say that my experience appears to fall in line with the majority of your clients that I’ve seen feedback from. The FBI Agents were very professional, and because I felt very prepared I wasn’t nervous, simply told my stories, morphed a few, and went with some off the top of my head.

Thank you again,

ADVICE FROM CLIENTS WHO PASSED –

“If I had it to do over again, I would just come up with 2 good stories for each of the “elements being measured.

While I have no way to judge, I agree with you that its important to weave in some stories that reveal your non-work self. I was able to do that once or twice and one story elicited a brief smile from one of the guys and was the sum total of the reaction I got from them. I think they are trained to keep a poker-face.”

Hi Carole,

I want to inform you that I passed my Secret Service panel interview.

The panel was very interested in my stories. I had some amazing stories lined up and they stopped writing to listen. I made sure that my result was a positive one. They congratulated me with my accomplishments from my stories. I had 5-6 stories about teamwork, difficult situation, time management, problem solving, communication and most importantly why I want to be a Secret Service Special Agent.

My background as a federal law enforcement officer and my IT background surely helped but they want agents that could bring their skills to the table.

Thank you

From Carole Martin – fbiinterviewcoach.com

I found this book very informative to the FBI Special Agent hiring process

FBI SPECIAL AGENT HIRING GUIDE 2017

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4OI7A0/ref=pe_1249960_260675170_em_1p_0_ti

My program focuses on passing the Phase II and Phase III interview processes.

http://www.fbiinterviewcoach.com/

THE WRITING PORTION OF PHASE II

Tips For The Writing Exercise*

Read instructions carefully
Be detailed and thorough in your report
Use only the facts provided—do not make up additional facts
Follow grammatical rules and spell words correctly
Write legibly—responses cannot be evaluated if they cannot be read

*Source – FBI website.

How to pass the FBI Phase II interview

The Phase II FBI interview for the FBI Agent position is one of the most challenging interviews ever.

For starters – it’s a blind interview. That means that the three interviewers who will interview you will only know your first name (official name). Oh, they will have four numbers from your Social Security number as an ID.

Besides being very nervous to sit in front of three FBI Agents (the interviewers) the candidates also have to keep in mind that these three individuals know nothing about them. Where they’re from or what they’ve been doing with their lives.

It’s primarily a “behavioral-based” question interview. These are those questions where you have to supply an example – a story. Preparing your stories ahead of time will make you ready to answer those questions, but will also make you feel more confident in front of these Agents.

Here’s a book recommendation on learning about the “behavioral story.”

The book is available at many bookstores.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0071797467/?tag==interviewcom-20

FROM SOMEONE WHO DID NOT PASS THE FBI EXAM THE FIRST TIME

“Before I read Carole Martin’s book, I must admit that I was lost when it came to interviews. As a young lawyer with three years of experience in my field, I truly thought that I knew everything it took to effectively express myself and market my skills to a potential employer. I had conducted countless client interviews myself, and so I thought I had most question and answer techniques down to a science. But when I flunked my first major interview for a dream job with a prestigious employer, I realized that I needed help from an expert. In hindsight, I wish I had sought out this information earlier. Perhaps because I was too accustomed to being sought out by others as an expert in my own field of law that I did not realize I needed an expert’s advice on basic interview techniques.”