How Do You Format A Federal Resume?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  1. Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience. …
  2. Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations. …
  3. Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments. …
  4. Customize your . …
  5. Use similar terms and address every required qualification.

How do you tailor a federal resume?

When tailoring your resume,

focus on the requirements section of the job announcement

. Mirror the language in this section by including keywords and phrases that describe the position and explain how you have developed the specific skills the agency requires.

What font and size should a federal resume be?

Federal follow a similar format to traditional resumes. A

conservative, 12-point font

is recommended, as well as 1-inch margins. Bolding headers and breaking up chunks of text with bullets to showcase specific items will go a long way in making your resume aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.

How long should federal resumes be?

While the length of your Federal resume is a personal choice, the general rule of thumb is

one – three pages

depending upon your level of experience. However, if you are building your resume in USAJobs, the average length is four to five pages.

What is the best format for a federal resume?

A federal resume should be

4 to 6 pages long

. It should be very detailed and include all sorts of essential information, such as GS codes, citizenship, hours worked per week, and more. In a federal resume, include the following sections: contact information, resume summary, work experience, education.

Should I use bullet points on federal resume?

For federal resumes,

use short paragraphs and use capital letters to highlight key words

. At times, it is also wise to avoid bullets, as online systems might turn the bullet graphic to unintended symbols.

Do you include high school on federal resume?

Education – Include: college name, city, state, zip code, majors, type and year of degrees held or number of semester hours completed, and high school name, city, state, zip code, and date of your diploma or GED, if requested. Veterans – Keep in mind that your military training may count towards qualifications.

What is required on a federal resume?

A good federal resume should clearly

outline your key work, volunteer experiences

, academic accomplishments as well as extra-curricular activities. It should also highlight the unique skills that set you apart and make you uniquely qualified for the position.

What level GS do I qualify for?

To qualify for jobs at the GS-9 grade (or equivalent) level you need a

master's degree

, and for the GS-11 grade (or equivalent) level you need a doctoral degree. At these levels, the advanced degree must be directly related to the work of the job you're applying to.

How do you list a federal reference on a resume?

List 3 to 5 professional references. Each reference listing should include

the reference name, their title, organization, City, ST, email, phone number, and relationship

to you. You may want to consider to consider listing projects or skills that they reference can attest to.

How is a federal resume difference?

Private industry resumes are usually 2 pages and federal resumes are more

often 3 to 5 pages in length

. The federal resumes are longer because the federal Human Resources specialists want your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (and duties and accomplishments) spelled out.

Do you need references on federal resume?

The federal format will require

a supervisor's name, contact information and title for each position you've had

. Most times, this supplies the 5 references generally desired. If you do not have 5 positions in your work history, add additional references to the bottom of the resume.

What should I put on skills on my resume?

  1. Computer skills.
  2. Leadership experience.
  3. Communication skills.
  4. Organizational know-how.
  5. People skills.
  6. Collaboration talent.
  7. Problem-solving abilities.

How far back should a resume go?

Generally, your resume should go back

no more than 10 to 15 years

. However, every applicant is different and so is every resume, and there are a few other rules of thumb that can serve as a GPS as you decide how far back your resume should go.

Is it OK to leave education off your resume?

If you have education–especially if it's in addition to similar education–that isn't related to your current career target,

you can leave it off your resume

. Including irrelevant information on your resume will do more harm than good.

What should not be included in a resume?

  • Too much information.
  • A solid wall of text.
  • Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
  • Inaccuracies about your qualifications or experience.
  • Unnecessary personal information.
  • Your age.
  • Negative comments about a former employer.
  • Details about your hobbies and interests.
Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.