Federal Resume Writing

In order to be considered for a Federal Job... you must submit a Federal Resume!

A Federal Resume is a specialized resume format that is used to apply for a job with the Federal Government.
The purpose of the Federal Resume is to prove in writing, every general and specialized skill that you have developed in your career. This is why the Federal Resume is so much longer than a traditional resume. It is typically 3 to 5 pages in length.
USAJOBS Resume Builder is a tool that will create a uniform resume that provides all of the information required by government agencies. Instead of creating multiple resumes in different formats, you can build your resume once and be ready for all job opportunities.
Most Federal Applications are composed of 2 or 3 parts:

1.) The Federal Resume (usually in electronic format)

2.) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) narratives

3.) Self-Assessment Questions and Essay Answers (faxed additional information)

Use keywords: You could get lost in a sea of applicants without the right keywords. Keywords have tremendous power and deliver a huge message because a single keyword can communicate multiple skills and qualifications.
Thoroughly review the job announcements: The idea is to find skills, experience, education and other credentials important in your field. You will also find keywords frequently mentioned by different agencies. Make sure your Federal Resume reflects the "requirements," "skills" and "qualifications" sections of job ads.
Get straight to the point: Your key selling points need to be prominently displayed at the top of the first page of the resume and directly address each question asked in the KSA section. Hiring Managers will scan your resume to determine if you have the qualifications to be considered. They will not dig. It must be evident in the first 10-15 seconds of reading your resume that you have the credentials to qualify.
For more tips visit: Federal Resume and Application Tips!