Write a Great Federal Resume
A federal resume is a tool to gain or advance one’s career in the field of government. In essence, it is similar to the standard private sector resume. However, there are key differences in the type and amount of information provided. Therefore, to be successful with federal employment, you need to be aware of these differences.
Unlike in the private sector, federal summaries are reviewed by people rather than software. In addition, these people are looking for information that shows that the applicant has direct knowledge or experience in the position for which they have applied. Therefore, it is necessary to review the specific job advertisement for the skills and knowledge required. A resume that speaks directly to the skills and duties of the position and uses keywords related to the position is most effective. You must use prior experience, often accompanied by measurable achievements and results, to directly demonstrate that a candidate can perform the duties of the position for which she is applying.
Information on a federal resume is most commonly presented in a chronological format. However, a candidate’s educational history should be listed before the person’s employment history. The highest level of education attained should be listed first, followed by previous schooling, including high school. If college courses were completed, but no degree was received, the number of course hours completed should be indicated. Also, work history should be listed in reverse order with the most recent experience first. Finally, the resume should cover the candidate’s employment history for at least the last 10 years.
Once the content of the resume is written, it is necessary to make sure that it is correctly formatted. The resume is usually in a commonly accepted font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, with the main text in 11-point font. Document margins should not be less than 1 inch. Given the amount of information that must be conveyed, a federal resume, which averages 3-5 pages, is typically longer than a private sector resume.
There are several key pieces of information that should be included on a federal resume that are not typically used on a private sector resume. The first of these is the placement of the ad number, title, and qualification of the position being applied for at the beginning of the resume. Additionally, it is necessary for the candidate to include their social security number and veteran preference. For each position listed on the resume, you must indicate the number of hours worked per week and the hourly or annual salary for the position. Also, if it is a government position, GS numbers and grades for current or past federal jobs. Finally, the supervisor’s name, phone number, and address must be provided for each position on the resume; It should also indicate whether the recruiter has the candidate’s permission to contact the supervisor. If a candidate specifies that a recruiter does not have permission to communicate with a supervisor listed on the resume, it is suggested that this issue be addressed in the cover letter that accompanies the resume.
In addition to the above formal resume, candidates for federal employment are generally required to address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) factors listed in job advertisements in separate attachments submitted with the resume.
By noting some informational and stylistic differences, candidates for government employment can create a resume that speaks strongly of their abilities to perform the duties of the job they are applying for.