Federal Resume vs. Standard Resume

Introduction

• Federal resumes are significantly different from standard resumes.
• Important to not submit a standard resume for federal jobs.

Key Differences

• Application Process:
  • Federal HR personnel look for specific information due to the high volume of applicants.
  • Missing required information can disqualify applicants.

Personal Information

• Must include:
  • Full name
  • Mailing address and zip code
  • Phone number (with area code)
  • Email address
  • Last four digits of Social Security Number
  • Country of citizenship
  • Eligibility for veterans preference
  • Security clearance level
• Standard resumes typically include:
  • Name
  • Email
  • Phone number
• Optional on Federal Resume: LinkedIn URL, objective statement (though often considered unnecessary).

Education Section

• Should be placed based on its relevance to the job:
  • If required, place it first.
• Include:
  • School or university name
  • Degree conferred and date
  • If not conferred yet, list credits received and remaining
  • GPA (recommended)
  • Relevant coursework/projects

Experience Section

• Include more information than standard resumes:
  • Employer's name, address, phone number
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • Average hours worked per week
  • Supervisor's name, phone, email, and permission to contact
  • Job title and series title
  • Salary
  • GS level and step (for previous federal employees)
  • List of responsibilities in bullet points using keywords from job description.

Additional Sections

• Possible sections to include:
  • Job related training
  • Certifications or certificates
  • Skills
  • Career accomplishments/awards
  • Membership in honor societies or professional associations

USA Jobs Resume Builder

• Allows candidates to enter information directly to generate a federal resume.
• Sections include:
  • Contact information
  • Availability and preferred job type
  • Work experience
  • Education and training
  • Languages
  • Affiliations
  • References
• Can be copied into a Word document for formatting.

Format Flexibility

• No required format for federal resumes:
  • Can be chronological, functional, or competency-based.
  • Order of sections is flexible, but must include required information.

Conclusion

• Submitting a standard resume can disqualify candidates.
• Questions and comments are welcome; encourage thumbs up and subscriptions for more advice.
• Offer of career coaching for federal resume review to improve chances with hiring managers.