This session is sponsored by the Federal Acquisition Institute The primary organization providing knowledge and support to the federal civilian acquisition workforce. For more information about FAI, please visit our website at

Career Management – Broadening Your Horizons Joanie F. Newhart, CPCM Senior Advisor for Acquisition Workforce General Services Administration GSA Training Conference and Expo 2010

Introduction Have You Covered the Basics? How Do You Rise to the Top in the Competition for a Job? Three Skills to Cultivate Five Lessons I’ve Learned Conclusion Agenda

Have You Covered the Basics? What Is Your Goal? Contract Specialist, Contracting Officer, Team Leader, Deputy, Director and/or SES? Operational Contracting or Policy? Small agency, Large agency, or Industry? Follow your Heart and Go Where It Leads You

Things to Consider – the Basics Are you up to speed on the latest contracting ideas and issues? How many types of contracting have you done in your career: construction, IT, supplies, services? Have you done performance-based, simplified, commercial, and negotiated acquisitions? Are your credentials competitive? Do you have a Master’s Degree?

Things to Consider Are you certified: FAC-C, NCMA or NIGP? Is your training up-to-date? Do you attend contracting association meetings? Do you volunteer for cross-agency groups? Do you share your knowledge, i.e., write articles or give presentations on acquisition? Do you have a mentor?

Build Your Career Path Analyze Where You Are Today Figure Out Where You Want to be in Five or even Ten Years Then, Build Your Path! Don’t Forget: Build Your Network As You Go

How Do You Get to the Next Level in Your Career? Three Skills to Cultivate Five Lessons I’ve Learned

Three Skills to Cultivate Skill #1: Internet Research What is available for your career development? What jobs are available? What is happening in federal acquisition? Market research for your procurements Samples Know how to get information FAST!

Three Skills to Cultivate Skill #2: Lifelong Learning Remember that place called “the library?” “Attitude is Everything” by Keith Harrell “The First 90 Days in Government” by Peter Daly and Michael Watkins “Going to the Top” by Carol Gallagher There are many conferences to choose from –IRMCO ****** –Executive Leadership Conference

Three Skills to Cultivate Skill #3: Interpersonal Skills Two recent jobs – technical competence was equal Communicate Effectively Be Responsive Engage!

Peter Drucker said: “Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things.” So, how do you become an effective leader?

Five Lessons I’ve Learned #1: Time Management is Critical Quantity of incoming is outrageous! Accept meetings thoughtfully As you move up the ladder, you have to do things more quickly Unless you’re a good planner, you don’t get your top priorities done!

Five Lessons I’ve Learned #2: You Must Learn to Delegate At the higher levels, you cannot be the “go to” person anymore You’re still responsible! Tell them what, not how (sound familiar?) The short term investment in time will pay off in the long term

Five Lessons I’ve Learned #3: Surround Yourself with the Best and Empower Them Share information Take the time to hire the best Check references!! Foster an open environment Allow errors

Five Lessons I’ve Learned #4: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate and then Communicate Some More Jack Welch’s rule: Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it

Five Lessons I’ve Learned #5: Collaborate and Network Problems are easier to solve when you have take time to build relationships You need the other CXO functions to succeed We’re all in this together!

Closing Thought Muhammad Ali said: “Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count!”