If you are thinking about applying for a federal job, you need to customize your resume for the federal job application process. Federal hiring managers look for specific things in resumes; you will have a better chance of getting a federal job if you customize your resume to the federal job hiring process.
Tip #1: Start with Your Personal Information
To start with, you are going to want to put your personal contact information on your resume. For a federal job, that includes your full legal name, contact information, and your citizenship status.
It is also a good idea to include if you qualify for veteran's preference, which means you served in active duty as a part of the United States military.
Tip #2: Get Detailed with Your Work History
With a federal resume, you need to be detailed with your work history. You need to include your employer's name, location, and title. You also need to include the start and end date of your employment, as well as how many hours you worked per week.
Beyond this detailed information, you need to provide a list of specific responsibilities you held at the job and all the big things you achieved while in your position.
You need to get detailed in order to show that you meet the requirements of the job you are applying to, and you need to be detailed because the federal government is going to fact-check your job details, including small details like your start and end date, so don't fudge any information.
Tip #3: Included Academic Achievements
Even if it has been a while since you graduated from college, you still need to include your educational information. You need to include all the degrees that you have obtained from accredited schools.
If you obtained any special qualifications, such as a training certification you obtained, be sure to include that information as well. Most federal jobs have very specific education requirements, so if you meet those requirements, be sure your resume reflects that information.
If you have any training you achieved on the job, such as through certifications or seminars, and it relates to the federal job you are applying for, be sure to include that information on your resume.
Tip #4: Special Qualifications
If you have any special qualifications, such as language skills or professionally published pieces, be sure to include that information as well on your resume. Those special skills can help you stand out.
With a federal job resume, you don't need to keep your resume to one page. You want to create a detailed resume that will provide them with all the information they need to determine if you have the minimum skills and training to move on in the job application process.
To get further tips and information, talk to a federal job resume writer.
