Writing Your Federal Resume - Fresno State

Writing Your Federal Résumé1

Objectives Understand why a Federal résumé is importantand how it is different from other résumés Make your résumé more marketable Know how to use a Federal jobannouncement to write a better résumé Learn simple steps to write your experiencefor better results Understand the USAJOBS Résumé Builder2

Why a Résumé? Your résumé IS your Federal applicationBest way to “market” yourself to employersConveys your qualifications for the jobShows you can provide immediate resultsYour first and possibly only impressionUsed to determine minimum qualificationsUsed to separate those who are bestqualified from those only basically qualified3

Federal Résumé Writing Tips Use plain language – avoid jargonExplain acronyms and use them sparinglyHighlight relevant experience and educationState the facts – do not exaggerateExplain WHAT you did and HOW it made adifference, i.e., did you leave the job betterthan you found it? Clearly show how you meet the knowledge,skills, and abilities (KSAs) for the job4

Federal Résumé Writing Tips (Cont’d) Consider creating up to five customized résumésbased on the extent/variety of your experience Do not include personally identifiable information Do not include photographs You can use résumés created with the USAJOBSResume Builder or uploaded from your own files Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to learn whatinformation must be included on your résumé Carefully check spelling and grammar5

Federal vs Private Sector Résumé Length– Private: 1-2 pages– Federal: Unlimited (unless specified by agency) Qualifications– Private: Flexible– Federal: Must meet all minimumqualifications Accomplishments– Private: Less detailed and more generalized– Federal: Specifics and how you made a difference6

Format Two typical formats:– Functional– Reverse chronological Recommended – Reverse chronological:– List your most recent experience first thenwork backwards to describe previous jobs– Use RELEVANT experience, even if you haveto go back a few years to show it– Include unpaid/volunteer experience aslong as it is RELEVANT7

What Human Resources Requires Complete Application— Résumé— Supporting documents (e.g., transcripts) Proof (from the résumé) of:— Eligibility (may you apply for this position?)— Minimum qualifications (KSAs) Relevant experience (amount/level) Questionnaire responses supported on résumé Additional assessments (if applicable)8

What the Hiring Official Wants to See Immediate results (qualifications) Clear examples of experience andaccomplishments— Amount— Level Additional relevant experience A reason to interview you as compared to others9

Ineffective Federal Résumés Are limited to one page or are excessively longProvide only general information and experienceDo not clearly show results and accomplishmentsDo not clearly reflect possession of the KSAsContain spelling and grammatical errorsUse unexplained acronyms and jargonAssume that agencies will “read between the lines”Do not support answers on the occupationalquestionnaire or exaggerate accomplishments10

Effective Federal Résumés Are sufficient in length to show qualificationsDemonstrate specific, relevant experienceClearly show results and accomplishmentsReflect possession of the KSAs, leaving no doubtAre flawless with regard to spelling and grammarExplain acronyms and avoid jargonProvide agencies the necessary info to qualifySupport answers on the occupational questionnairewith genuine descriptions of accomplishments11

Preparing to Write Your RésuméSources of Information:————————Former job descriptionsSupervisory reviews and feedbackTranscriptsCourse feedbackMilitary honorsAwards and recognition (in the narrative)Customer acknowledgementsSurvey results12

Preparing to Write Your Resume (Cont’d)Think outside the box and don’t ignore:——————Leadership roles in social/civic organizationsVolunteer experiencesProjectsProfessional/Academic challenges or successesSpecial assignmentsTravel experiences13

Use the Job AnnouncementJob Opportunity Announcement (JOA) sectionsthat will help you craft a better résumé:– DutiesResponsibilities– Qualifications– Occupational QuestionnaireLinked from the JOA14

5/8/2020Job Opportunity AnnouncementJA-2018-17-RG15

Duties and Responsibilities16

Qualifications17

Occupational Questionnaire18

Occupational Questionnaire (Cont’d)Which of the following best describes your experience verifying the accuracy of computations?19

Remember Other Required Documents20

How to Best Present Your Experience Write experience this way:– Amount of experience:“Managed an 8 person team over 15 years ”– Level of experience:“Routinely advised and briefed organizational seniorexecutives on ”Note: Repetition is OK Also add WHY it mattered:Accomplishments show why you should beselected as compared to others21

Detail Accomplishments Who was impacted?What were the cost savings?Did you exceed deadlines?Did you receive awards or recognition?What changed or improved?Did you leave the job better than you “found” it?Quantify wherever possible22

Example (Accomplishments) Before:Responsible for planning, executing andcoordinating special operations mountain anddesert training. Served as primary instructor forall new Soldiers in training. After:Developed and executed numerous sensitive andrealistic training courses for nearly 1,500 personnelannually. Rated as the number one instructor over20 peers on last 3 annual performance reports.23

How to Write Your Experience Review the job opportunity announcement tounderstand the requirements and description ofthe work to be doneBreak the requirements down into easy tounderstand short statements or bulleted itemsCompare what you’ve done in the past withthe requirements and find the similaritiesWrite your experience by matching your personalexperiences and accomplishments with thelanguage in the requirements24

Step 1Understand the requirements in the announcement25

Step 2Break requirements down to short statements26

Step 3Match Your Experience with the Requirements27

Repeat for each requirement28

Résumé Summary Optional Highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilitiesas they relate to the job————Keep it briefPaint a pictureInclude your security clearance, if applicableComplete only after you have listed all ofyour experience and accomplishments29

Cover Letter Optional Don’t use just to reiterate items on your résumé Highlight particular experience you want toplace in the spotlight Use compelling language Draw attention, e.g., if you want to beconsidered for a special hiring authority30

Special Considerations - Veterans Avoid jargon Compare your military skill sets withcomparable civilian position duties Request consideration for special hiringauthorities for veterans————Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)Veterans 30% or more disabledVeterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)Disabled veterans who completedU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs training31

Special Hiring Authorities Request to be considered for any specialhiring authorities for which you are eligible— Schedule A for certain individuals withdisabilities— Military Spouse— Certain former overseas employees— National Service AmeriCorps VISTAPeace Corps Review USAJOBS Hiring Paths for details32

USAJOBS Account – Résumé Builder33

USAJOBS Account – Résumé Builder34

USAJOBS Account – Résumé BuilderJA-2018-17-RG35

Experience36

Education37

References38

Other Qualifications39

QuestionsEmail: Outreach@opm.gov40

Preparing to Write Your Resume (ont’d) Think outside the box and don’t ignore: —Leadership roles in social/civic organizations —Volunteer experiences —Projects —Professional/Academic challenges