What you must include on your federal resume

Are you applying for a federal job? Or have you been working for the federal government for a while now? Whether you already have a federal job or are looking for one, there are a few must-have resume elements you should be aware of. Read this article before you start creating your resume. If you already have a resume, we hope this helps you rewrite it.

Before you start writing your resume…

You must read and review the job announcement. The announcement will have several sections, such as "Duties and Qualifications," "How to Apply," and "How You Will Be Evaluated," which will tell you whether you are qualified for the position. The announcement will tell you the level and amount of experience, education, and training you must have to qualify for the role.

Decide which information you will mention

Creating a resume outline will help you write your resume faster. When you review the job description, be sure to highlight the keywords you notice. These will be things like a given set of skills, years of experience, or a particular degree. Also, pay attention to the priority the employer gives to different job duties. Once you have figured out the keywords, make a list of your skills, past jobs, and certifications you will mention on the resume to qualify for the job.

Mention the important contact information

The contact details you include on your resume must be current. It is important to mention your first name and last name, job title, email, phone number, city, and state in the contact information section of the resume. This usually goes at the very top of your resume. Also, include a link to your LinkedIn profile to add a little more value to the resume. Be sure to proofread the contact information section several times. You can’t afford to make a spelling error on the email address and risk never hearing back from the employer.

Create a strong work experience section

When you apply for a federal job, the career summary of your resume needs to be detailed and impactful. Select only the most relevant jobs among your past work experience to go here. Here is a list of information you must mention about each work experience you include in the resume:

• Job title
• Employer’s name and location
• Start and end dates including the month and year
• Number of hours worked per week
• Key accomplishments

Each job entry must be backed up by a set of 3 – 6 key accomplishments. For newer and more relevant jobs, you can add 6 bullets. If the work experience is older and less relevant to the role, you can mention 3 bullet points to highlight your achievements. Tailor the key achievements to suit the role of the new job. The accomplishments you mention must be strong enough to prove to the reader that you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job. Include a varied list of achievements that cover every requirement of the job.

Highlight your volunteer work

Employers love candidates who give back to the community. When creating a federal resume, your paid work is not the only experience that matters. Any volunteer work you’ve done or any roles you’ve performed for community organizations will add value to the resume. Be sure to select the volunteer work that demonstrates your qualifications related to the new job.

Use similar language as the job description

You must use the same terms and phrases as your employer when tailoring your resume to the job description. Make your resume ATS-friendly by optimizing it with the right keywords. For example, if the job description asks for “Competence in MS Excel,” don’t mention that you have “experience with spreadsheets.” Include, “Competence in MS Excel” in your resume instead.