Writing a Federal Resume

In the Federal Government, your resume serves as your job application.

As a result, federal resumes are different from private sector resumes in terms of content and how they're used:

Federal resumes

• Limited to two pages
• Description of work experience and qualifications. Includes information that supports the experience and qualifications requirements listed in the job opportunity announcement
• Used to determine if you meet the requirements/qualifications for job posts.

Private sector resumes

• Brief summary of work history
• Used as a marketing tool to get an interview

Curriculum Vitae (CV) (short summary of career/qualifications/education)

An academic curriculum vitae does not provide enough information to determine if you meet qualification and eligibility requirements. If you use one, please be sure to add the information listed below.

How to build your resume

We encourage you to use the USAJobs online Resume Builder. If you use your own resume, consider the following to be sure it's detailed enough for federal employment rules and for the application itself:

What to include in your resume

Your resume should explain how your skills and experiences match the job requirements in the announcement and must support and match your answers in the assessment questionnaire. Use detailed examples in your resume to do this:

1. Contact info: Name, address, phone numbers, and email.
2. Citizenship status (if not a U.S. citizen).
3. All your work experience, both paid and unpaid, including volunteer work. For each job, include:
   1. Job title
   2. Employer
   3. Dates of employment (month/day/year)
   4. Hours worked per week (We assume full-time unless otherwise stated. Employment will be prorated in crediting experience)
   5. A description of your job duties and any supervisory roles.
   6. Make sure to address the qualifications listed in the job announcement.
4. Series and grade or equivalent (for Federal positions).
5. Any required education details, including degree type and major.
6. List relevant courses if needed.

What NOT to include

Your resume should explain how your skills and experiences match the job requirements in the announcement and must support and match your answers in the assessment questionnaire. Use detailed examples in your resume to do this:

1. Don't include a photo or video of yourself.
2. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information like your age, date of birth, marital status, health info, religion, or social security number.
3. Don't include web links in your resume and cover letter.

Resume content tips

1. Spell out acronyms
2. Be Clear and Detailed. Assume the people reading your resume don't know much about your past jobs. Include:
   1. Projects you worked on.
   2. Specific tasks and duties.
   3. Tools, software, or systems you used.
   4. Results and outcomes, like money or time saved.
3. Use numbers
   1. Include metrics with numbers and data to show your achievements.
   2. This helps make your accomplishments clear and relevant to the job you're applying for.
   3. For example, instead of saying you "worked with budgets for small projects," say you "handled budgets for small projects totaling $450,000."
4. Include keywords
   1. Use action verbs and keywords that describe how you did tasks and the results.
   2. Keywords show your qualifications and experience.
   3. For example, if the job mentions "develops," use that word in your resume to show you can work independently and handle responsibilities.
5. Be Honest, But Not Modest
   1. Tell the truth in describing your accomplishments but be sure to convey achievement.

Resume formatting tips

1. Order Matters:
   1. List your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
   2. But, if it's better for the job you want, put your most relevant experience first. This can be useful when changing careers.
2. Customize Your Resume:
   1. Make your resume fit the job you're applying for.
   2. Leave out education and work experiences that don't directly relate if your resume gets too long.
3. Keep It ”Easy-to-Read” and Clear:
   1. Add clear headings to make it easy to read.
   2. Follow headings with short, easy-to-read details.
4. Use Bullets:
   1. Describe your experiences and achievements with bullet points. It's easier to read.
5. Check for Mistakes:
   1. Make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors. Your resume is your first impression – make it a good one!