How to Build a Resume for Federal Government Jobs
Creating a well-written and formatted resume is essential when applying for nearly any job. However, if you are interested in obtaining a job with the federal government, the process for building your resume is slightly more complicated. A federal resume requires more detailed information regarding your education and prior work experience, such as your past supervisors' names and your salary information. Because many federal organizations provide resume forms, check with the human resources department to confirm their resume guidelines before you begin.
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Instructions
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Create a header at the top of your resume, centered. Type your name on the first line in a large font (18 or 20 pt.), using bold and/or italics if you prefer. Below the name, change the font to 10 or 12 pt. and type your street address, city/state/zip code, phone number(s), professional email address, country of citizenship and military status (if applicable). If you learned about the job from a posting, type the job-posting number beneath the header.
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Write your "Summary of Experience," which is a paragraph or two that summarizes your skills and experience, similar to what you would write in the body of a cover letter. Explain what federal position you are applying for and why you are the ideal candidate for the job, drawing on what you feel are your most impressive achievements. To organize your summary, it is acceptable to include a short, bullet-point list of skills in between or following the paragraphs.
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Write your "Experience" section, which you may divide into several sections if you have a lot of experience. Examples of separate sections include "Military Experience," "Civilian Experience" or "Volunteer Experience." Include your official job title, the organization's name and location, the dates of your employment, your supervisor's name and your weekly or annual salary. Beneath each job, write a list of at least five responsibilities you held during your time with the company. Begin each description with an action verb, such as "managed" or "trained."
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Write your "Education" section, starting with your most recent degree. If you have several degrees and certificates, create a separate "Certification" section. Include the name and location of the institution, the date you graduated or completed training and the type of degree or certificate you earned.
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Include an "Awards and Honors" section with a bullet-point list of all relevant awards you have received during your career. Beneath each award, write a short statement or two of what specific accomplishment led to this award.
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Tips & Warnings
Many federal agencies use computer software to scan resumes and choose the best applicants based on keywords. In order to increase your chances, highlight the key words and phrases in the job description and use as many as possible in your resume. For example, if the phrase "recruit and train new members" appears, mention that you "recruited and trained" new employees at your previous job.
