How to List Employment History on Your Resume as a Contractor Working at a Government Agency
Having a government agency on your resume will show future employers that you had the skills and drive necessary to work at a respected an well-known institution. Unfortunately, some employers will view a contract position as temporary work, wondering why you could not find permanent employment. With careful crafting, you can show employers how your contract position gave you the skills they are seeking.
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Instructions
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List your employment history in chronological order. Place your current or most recent position at the top of the employment history section.
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Write your position, the name of the government agency and the location of the job on the top line, separated by commas. While you may have gotten the contract through a third-party company or recruiter, listing the agency itself first will help it stand out.
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Write contract position, followed by the name of the third-party company in italics on the second line. Separate the description and the company name with a comma to avoid confusion.
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Write the dates of employment on the second line immediately following the name of the third-party company. For example, "Contract Position, Kelly Services. March 2009 to present."
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Briefly explain the job position in one or two sentences on the third line. Use concise language and focus on any skills learned that will help you in future positions. For example, a database manager working for the Environmental Protection Agency would say, "Managed internal databases using advanced software. Performed routine updates and provided quarterly reports to management.
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Include the remainder of your employment history below your first entry, using chronological order.
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Tips & Warnings
Be prepared to explain your contract position in an interview. The hiring manager may want to know why you chose a contract position over permanent employment.
