How to build a winning federal resume

Creating a federal resume for positions listed on USAJOBS requires a different approach than a traditional resume.?

Unlike industry resumes, applying for a job with the federal government (through positions listed on USAJOBS.gov) requires the submission of a federal resume. Like all resumes, a federal resume needs to highlight your skills and experiences in a comprehensive manner. However, a federal resume has some important differences that should be addressed to help you meet the requirements and certify you to be eligible for an interview.??

Be advised: the information in this article serves as a template to guide what I have found to be a successful resume strategy. This is NOT, not the position-specific federal resume that you'd use to apply for a federal job. In addition, each job listing will have its own unique criteria and requirements that you need to carefully review. Stay tuned for details on how to tailor your resume for a particular job in a future article.?

Here's a step-by-step guide to building your primary resume, which is the first step necessary when considering applying to a federal position. The following steps outline the anatomy of a federal resume template that will help you stand out, capture the attention of hiring managers, and sets you apart from the competition.?

1. Header

Start with your legal name, add your preferred name in parentheses, and include your advanced degree if you have one. Ensure your email address is professional, and provide your mailing address, phone number with voicemail, and possibly your LinkedIn profile (will I be impressed if I go there?). You can format this information horizontally or vertically to optimize space.

2. Key Skills

Your Key Skills section should include between 4-6 bullets that summarize and highlight your expertise over your career. Focus on only one skill per bullet. The skills you chose to focus on should align with the 4-6 most important skills that are sought out for the position you are applying to.?

3. Education

Often, one of the requirements for a federal job is to have a certain degree or completed education. The goal of a federal resume is to showcase that you possess the skills and educational requirements necessary for the job. We want to make it easy for the human resource team that is reviewing your resume to easily see that you meet all of the requirements for the position. List your education in reverse chronological order if you have more than one degree, abbreviating well-known degrees. Include the institution, city, state, and your graduation date (completed or expected). Add relevant certifications or training but avoid listing classes unless requested. Include your GPA, if required.

4. Professional Experience

The Professional Experience section will reveal your skills and how you satisfy the requirements for a job. You will often see language similar to this in a federal job description:

All of the skills, attributes, qualifications, etc. sought out for the role that you possess MUST jump off the page and be easy to identify by anyone reviewing your resume to deem that you are a qualified candidate for the position. Describe your professional experience in reverse chronological order, aligning each bullet point with the job you’re applying for.

Generally, you should feature one employer/experience per section. If you’ve held multiple positions within the same organization, show your growth. Communicate one skill per bullet and be mindful of how you label your title and employer (what do you want the reader to focus their attention on?) You should also accurately include the start and end dates (including month and year) for each position you held. Many job descriptions also request that you share the number of hours you work(ed) per week as well as your salary (I”m a bit conflicted about this).??

Since this will make up the bulk of your resume, it’s important to get it right. So let’s perform a thought exercise.?

Which statement sounds better?

“Delivered presentations to high school students to increase enrollment in STEM degree majors.”

Or

“Comfortable, humorous, and motivating public speaker who delivers information to high school students in a manner that inspires them to consider majoring in STEM. Enrollment in STEM degree majors increased 30% as a result of presentations delivered.”

As expected, the second statement is significantly stronger than the first and leaves the reader with an accurate picture of what the applicant was able to accomplish and how.?

Resume Bullet Formula

You can achieve this effect by using this resume bullet formula:?

• State the skill you want to communicate (+)
• Provide evidence of your proficiency using quantifiable achievements/outcomes (+)
• Explain why you excel at this skill compared to other candidates

This results in impactful resume bullets that effectively showcase your capabilities. This paints a more authentic picture of you and allows the reader to get to know you before the interview starts. By implementing this strategy, you are setting yourself up for success during an interview.?

5. Awards, Honors, Publications, Presentations, Patents, Grants, Contracts

This is a bit of a ‘catch all’ category depending on which of the items listed in this category you want to highlight. Each item should be a separate section. Select honors and awards that are impressive. Provide context so the reader can understand their importance as they relate to your candidacy. If the reader likely has never heard of that award, tell them why it’s meaningful.?

For publications, presentations, patents, grants, and contracts; if you have more than one item per category, start with an impactful summary bullet for each and then provide a list in bibliographic form. Give the reader a choice to read one summary bullet or to examine the list of your accomplishments in that category. The length of the resume can often showcase expertise.?

Order the items in this category by what you believe is most important for this role - e.g. are publications more relevant for this job than grants you’ve received? This 'brag' section should be customized for each application. If possible. Include impressive funding amounts and relevant funding agencies for grants and contracts.?

6. Other Activities & Interests

This final section allows employers to get to know more about you as a person beyond your professional skills. Highlight activities and interests that reflect your personality and cultural fit.

Final Touches

• Rule #1 for USAJOBS is to follow the instructions provided in the job description. Those may supersede our best practices recommendations
• Do a compliance check to make sure you’ve covered all of the requirements/skills listed in the job description in your resume. Be sure to review the section “How You Will Be Evaluated” in the job description
• Include a footer with your name on the left side and “Page #” on the right side, starting on Page 2
• Carefully review submission directions, including transcripts, cover letters, qualification questions, and compliance checks.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create a federal resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and stands out in the competitive hiring process. Good luck!

About Josh Henkin, PhD

For over 15 years I have worked as a consultant to the federal government for the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services. During this time, I have been asked to apply for federal jobs, where I made the ‘certification’ and was passed along for interviews (I never accepted a federal role as I have always preferred to keep my position as a consultant). As a career coach, I have helped countless clients apply for, and accept, offers of employment with dozens of federal government organizations. I am going on my 6th year as a career coach for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science & Technology Policy Fellows and many of these clients seek permanent roles in the federal government. I share this to show that I have a lot of experience and success helping people navigate the often complicated federal government hiring process.

Visit STEM Career Services to learn more and connect with me.