President Obama’s recent executive order on federal hiring instructs managers to “become more involved in the hiring process.” Some suggestions on how managers might do so: End preselection. In competitive service agencies, a manager can’t simply promote a prized employee who has reached the General Schedule ceiling of his job. Instead, he must create a new, higher-level job and then — in the name of fairness — advertise and fill the new job by an open competition designed to select the most qualified applicant, whether or not he turns out to be the favored insider. But sometimes, managers only consider…

Remember that old Allman Brothers’ song “Whipping Post,” which vividly described the whipped feeling that is commonly generated by life’s trials? Sadly, the song reminds me of the emotional pain commonly caused by verbal floggings from managers, colleagues and others. Nevertheless, by using self-control, tact and thought, you can minimize the pain, speed your recovery and even glean some helpful advice from professional criticism. Some tips: • Don’t take criticism personally. No matter how tactlessly or viciously criticism is delivered, it’s really about something you may or may not have done — not about who you are or what you’re…

A benevolent manager is one who delivers negative feedback and corrections to otherwise dependable staffers in a respectful, gentle style. Treat your staffers with respect, and they will respect you in return, and will therefore be more likely to follow your suggestions without push-back. Some tips on correcting staffers as painlessly and as constructively as possible: • Pick your battles. If the transgression was relatively minor and unlikely to be repeated, consider just forgetting it. • Verify your charges. Check that your staffer had been instructed properly and that his alleged mistake was actually his fault and really did happen…

The average age of federal employees is 46, according to the Office of Personnel Management. That means chances are good that you are in your 40s, 50s or possibly even your 60s. And if so, you should keep in mind a few things if and when you decide to start looking for another job, either at another agency or outside the federal sector. More to the point, let’s consider a few potential strategies for deflecting potential age bias when that time comes. Suppose, for example, that you find yourself sitting across from an interviewer who is much younger than you.…

Wow! It’s cool! It’s awesome! It’s great! I have recently heard these types of hyped-up, well-worn phrases used to describe everything from a new kitchen knife to a ho-hum press release to a shuttle liftoff. So nondescript and unspecific, such phrases are almost too vague to inform, impress or persuade anyone of anything; they are generic to the point of being meaningless. Then there are the ubiquitous bureaucratic phrases, such as: “We implemented a robust, multifaceted infrastructure.” My personal favorite: “your tour-of-duty” when referring not to the schedules of traveling soldiers but to the schedules of stationary, desk-bound feds. What’s…

Remember that reassuring line “I’m on your side” from the Simon & Garfunkel song, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”? Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone on your side at work — someone who would be willing and eager to offer you professional advice — a mentor? Some potential sources of mentors: Professional organizations devoted to a particular field. Find them by surfing the Web and asking colleagues and supervisors for leads. Once you find relevant organizations, search their Web sites for potential mentors and training opportunities. And if possible, participate in these organizations’ events. Even better, contribute to events in order…

My Dec. 7 column listed some tips to help members of the military and veterans make the transition to federal careers, as the Obama administration launches a program to boost veteran hiring. Here are more tips: * Start planning your transition early. Take courses in your field that will boost your marketability, and participate in Transition Assistance Programs offered at your base. Also, visit the Labor Department’s www.hirevetsfirst.dol.gov to access various transitioning resources, including advice on how to match your military specialty to civilian jobs, and how to tailor your applications to your target jobs. As one transitioner and federal…