federal government job resume examples

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Writing a federal government resume

This page provides an overview with examples of how to write a federal government resume, which have content and formatting that differ from most private sector resumes.

How to write a federal resume

Written by , external, Amanda Costello , 18F content designer and gummi bear enthusiast, July 2019. (Revised March 2024)

Writing a US federal resume is hard. When I started writing mine, all I wanted was a solid example. What needs to be included, in what order, and what would it look like with real information. This is that example. ( Law and Order chimes )

It can be helpful to think about a federal resume like an academic CV, an overview of your whole career. Also, these are long documents . This is not the place for a 1-2 page resume. When I applied, my resume was 7 pages long; after 5 years at 18F, it’s close to 15 pages.

Below are excerpts from my federal resume, along with details and notes about how it’s written and formatted. I want more awesome folks from all backgrounds and experiences as colleagues. I don’t want the resume formatting or particulars to be a mystery; it’s already a very challenging piece of writing.

General things to keep in mind:

• Pay particular attention to the Specialized Experience section of a federal job posting. These items must be clearly represented on your resume to show you’ve done the work to be qualified.
• New in 2024! Another tactic that’s been successful for me has been making the job posting’s Specialized Experience the headers for duties and responsibilities. Obviously you can’t do this until you’re looking at a specific job, but it can be a good way to organize your work for readability.
• Throw out your formatting. I used CAPS for headers, italics for mission statements, and bullet points. Expect that the bulk of your formatting will be stripped out. No columns, no fanciness. Just write. Hard.
• Speaking of writing: get your words going, and then get more words. I had to submit two writing samples, and that was where I could show off my content strategy particulars. Remember the job of the resume content: clear, straight lines between the requirements and your experience.

Explicit disclaimer: This resume format is what I chose to use in applying to 18F in the US Federal Government’s General Services Administration. It is not the only acceptable format, but is what worked well for me. I currently work as a content designer at 18F, but put this together on my own time, using no government resources to do so. Using this formatting is not a guarantee of consideration. You still gotta do the work.

Want to chat more about this? Shoot me an email at [email protected]

My comments below will all be in text boxes

Resume formatting

AMANDA COSTELLO 123 Lutefisk Street You Betcha, MN 55555

Mobile: 555-555-5555 Email: [email protected]

Availability: April 1, 2024

Job Type: Permanent, Telework Work Schedule: Full-Time

Desired locations:

United States - MN Remote

WORK EXPERIENCE

Workplace name, Unit name if relevant - City, State, Country

Your job title - MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY - Hours per week: xx

Mission statement(s) of the workplace, or summary of the company’s work on a larger scale.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A paragraph-long description of what the work was overall. Describe your work using a wide scope, leaving the specific details for later.

SPECIFIC TOPIC (e.g. CONTENT STRATEGY)

• Examples are in a bulleted list, each point describing a project or part of a project, or a piece of work that fits the heading, plus matches up with the qualifications/reqs.
• I chose to start each bullet with a past tense verb (Collaborated, Wrote, Managed, Edited), because that’s how I usually write resumes.
• Some of these bullets reference specific things I wrote, and those were included as writing samples with my application.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Software you know, tools you use, best practices and methods. This can’t just be a list, but has to have context in your work overview of how and why they were used. Also, please throw Microsoft Word on there because I was once rejected from a job in 2007 because I put “Microsoft Office” and the listing said “Microsoft Word.” Word matching! Seriously!

SELECTED WORK:

• Another bulleted list, this time of URLs related to work I did.
• They had quick little blurbs underneath about what they were, and what I did.
• Photos won’t come through on this resume, so no screenshots or anything.

Work experience example from my 2018 resume

University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development - Minneapolis, MN

Lead Content Strategist - 07/2012 to Present - Hours per week: 40

The mission of the College of Education and Human Development is to contribute to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. The college is part of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, a land-grant high-level research institution, dedicated to generating and preserving knowledge through research, sharing that knowledge through teaching and learning, and apply that knowledge through outreach and public service.

Developed and led college-wide content strategy combining current and prospective student needs with college goals for recruitment and retention. Worked as a member of a cross-functional team including designers, developers, business analysts, marketers, and well as content strategists across 7 academic departments to promote and deliver effective processes and consistent content strategy.

CONTENT STRATEGY:

• Collaborated with college academic departments, research centers, student support offices, and senior leadership to develop a “bottom up” content strategy, prioritizing student needs based on their relationships with academic programs. Assessed content through the lens of recruitment and retention.
• Wrote “Stakeholder’s Guide To Launch,” a two-page reference for the launch of a new college website. By anticipating the top questions stakeholders might field, this guide gave talking points surrounding new features, along with contacts for further questions.
• Served as strategist, editor, and project manager for regular essay series on college diversity and inclusion work, written by academic leadership. This generated authentic, meaningful content and helped stakeholders better understand the time commitment involved in content production.
• Established user-centered college voice and tone guidelines, using “A, but not B” format. This was informed by close work with students in formal and informal usability testing, and brand sort activities with college leadership and key stakeholders.

USER EXPERIENCE (UX) WRITING:

• Combined findings from user research, new graduate student interviews, faculty and researcher focus groups, higher ed industry trends, and analytics to consolidate more than 600 areas of academic research expertise into 111 categories. Categories were deployed across the college for consistent organization and increased findability of research work.
• Developed strategy and standards to categorize and sort 127 academic programs and 111 areas of research expertise. This was incorporated into two web-based tools developed in-house and allowed students to explore college offerings and expertise independent of department. Wrote and edited descriptions for each area, capped at 25 words to promote ease of reading and top-level understanding.
• Planned, edited, and delivered a “Web Writing Best Practices” guide for college content strategists. Formatted as a “one-pager” for printing and pinning up as a reference, this collected links to and recommendations from external tools and guides (Hemingway, 18F, King County Editorial Guide), internal editorial recommendations from the university and college, and voice and tone particulars. Strategists often felt intimidated and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of recommendations connected to good web content; this guide promoted four starting points to improve content: addressing the user (you/your/yours and we/our/ours), employing structured content, concise writing, and using plain language.

USABILITY TESTING AND USER RESEARCH:

• Led and managed annual process of web usability testing, including project kick-offs, stakeholder workshops, scenario development, task analysis, lab and field-based testing, issues analysis, research and recommendation presentations to project team members, key stakeholders and college senior leadership.
• Helped subject-matter expert teams and stakeholders understand their users through research and usability testing methods, defining problems and crafting effective solutions based on both quantitative and qualitative data.

COLLABORATION ON CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS:

• Contributed to responsive redesign of college website by conducting a content audit, editing student-facing content for an overall 75% file reduction, and migrating updated content to custom-built CMS. Collaborated with design and development teams to create comprehensive style guides, pattern library interface copy.
• Convened monthly “coworking days” among all college web professionals, bringing us together as a team of peers for a day of training, collaborative problem solving, idea sharing, and camaraderie. Set programming, mentored colleagues on presentations, and collected feedback to regularly adjust how our central content strategy was best supporting the specific work of the departments.

ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH:

• Advocated for content strategy best practices to over 30 University departments by regularly meeting with peers and presenting to leadership stakeholder groups. Promoted clear, consistent, user-centered writing from all contributors, even those who don’t identify as “web people,” and facilitated collaboration across organizational silos to increase efficiency and support.
• Consulted with faculty and staff in academic departments outside the college that frequently contributed to content strategy. Regular guest lecturer and student mentor in the Writing Studies program.
• Contributed as one of four subject matter experts to the University of Minnesota’s Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, recommending resources and structuring process for the centrally-maintained system to help contributors at all levels improve content writing and strategic thinking for the web.
• Frequently presented at local Twin Cities-based tech meetups, translating content strategy best practices to adjacent fields such as front- and back-end development, UX research, accessibility, interactive design, and marketing.

Provided strategic content design with skills in copywriting, style guides, plain language, comprehension/reading levels. Conducted usability evaluations using card sorting (OptimumSort), tree testing (Treejack), direct observation user research methods. Worked on a cross-functional team that used Asana, Trello, Slack, Hemingway, pattern libraries, Google Drive, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), and semantic HTML.

• CEHD Academic Programs, www.cehd.umn.edu/programs Developed content and structure for directory/sorting tool
• CEHD Research & Expertise, www.cehd.umn.edu/topics/ Created new content structure around college research, including categories and descriptions
• UMN Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, , external, z.umn.edu/csmap Subject matter expert for update to university-wide guide

VOLUNTEER WORK

MinneWebCon Annual Conference - Minneapolis, MN - www.minnewebcon.org

Conference Director - 10/2011 - 06/2015

MinneWebCon is a two-day web conference in Minneapolis that encourages inclusive grassroots knowledge-sharing. In addition to keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and half-day workshops, our annual conference is a space for speakers and attendees to collaborate, talk, learn, ask, test, and grow.

• Directed volunteer-run tech conference for 200+ annual attendees, bringing local and national speakers to the Twin Cities web community.
• Oversaw event logistics, speaker recruitment and support, partnerships and sponsorships, promotion, and attendee experience with conference committee support and input.
• Introduced speaker mentoring program, pairing conference speakers with an experienced mentor to review slides, practice presentations, and provide support.
• Expanded conference to two-day event in 2012, adding half-day workshops to meet attendee demand for deeper learning.

SELECTED SPEAKING AND PRESENTATIONS

My resume listed about 15 sessions that I thought were relevant to this job. I also had sections on selected publications and selected podcast guest appearances, because those are cool too! The format I use is:

"Title of the Presentation," what kind of session - MM/YYYY Conference Name - City, State, Country

• “How Silos Learn: Working in the Idea Factory,” closing keynote address - 08/2018 (scheduled) PSEWEB Conference - London, ON, Canada
• “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 10/2018 (scheduled) edUi Conference - Charlottesville, VA
• “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 05/2018 Confab: The Content Strategy Conference - Minneapolis, MN
• “Explain Anything to Your Boss & Grandboss,” closing keynote address - 05/2018 Manage Digital Conference - Minneapolis, MN
• “How Silos Learn,” opening keynote address - 10/2017 Digital Project Management Summit - Las Vegas, NV

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN United States Bachelor's Degree MM/YYYY Major: English Minor: Japanese

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language: Japanese Spoken Level: Novice Written Level: Novice Reading Level: Novice

Name: Jeff Awesomeboss Employer: University of Minnesota Title: The Best Boss Email: [email protected]

• , external, [email protected]

Handbook.tts.gsa.gov

An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration

An official website of the United States government.

Here’s how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• American Rescue Plan
• Coronavirus Resources
• Disability Resources
• Disaster Recovery Assistance
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Guidance Search
• Health Plans and Benefits
• Registered Apprenticeship
• International Labor Issues
• Labor Relations
• Leave Benefits
• Major Laws of DOL
• Other Benefits
• Retirement Plans, Benefits and Savings
• Spanish-Language Resources
• Termination
• Unemployment Insurance
• Veterans Employment
• Whistleblower Protection
• Workers' Compensation
• Workplace Safety and Health
• Youth & Young Worker Employment
• Breaks and Meal Periods
• Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
• FMLA (Family and Medical Leave)
• Full-Time Employment
• Mental Health
• Office of the Secretary (OSEC)
• Administrative Review Board (ARB)
• Benefits Review Board (BRB)
• Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
• Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB)
• Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ)
• Office of Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA)
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
• Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM)
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP)
• Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
• Office of the Solicitor (SOL)
• Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
• Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOMBD)
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
• Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Women's Bureau (WB)
• Agencies and Programs
• Meet the Secretary of Labor
• Leadership Team
• Budget, Performance and Planning
• Careers at DOL
• Privacy Program
• Recursos en Español
• News Releases
• Economic Data from the Department of Labor
• Email Newsletter

Tips for Writing a Federal Resume

Creating a federal resume that brings your qualifications to life and shows that you are a perfect fit for the job can be a challenge. Be sure to demonstrate how your skills, experience, training and education match the employer’s needs. Avoid misspelled words and bad grammar. Following are a few ways to make this easier.

Consider what positions you are interested in and review what qualifications or experience they require by reviewing different types of jobs and job opportunity announcements on USAJOBS . Gather information and begin to build out a description of your knowledge, skills and experience to add to your resume. How you present your skills and experience in your resume will help determine whether or not you are invited to interview for a job.

Attend job assistance training prior to departing the service. Contact your Transition Assistance Center as soon as possible and sign up for a Transition Assistance Program Workshop. If you are not near a Military Transition Center, you may use the services at Transition Assistance Offices operated by the other military services. Use your transition counselors. They have the tools and knowledge you need. If available, get their help in creating your first resume or filling out a draft application. Ask them to critique your work and then make the changes they suggest.

One size never fits all. As you apply for jobs, tailor your resume to the position’s requirements. Study the job opportunity announcement and emphasize the parts of your work history that match the qualification requirements listed there. It is important to portray your knowledge and skills as a match to the requirements of the position and demonstrate the ability to do the job. This is easy to do when you include your results, achievements and accomplishments. Minimize the use of technical jargon or specialized terminology (e.g., military abbreviations) in your resume.

Resumes are generally presented in one of three formats: chronological, functional or a combination of both. Which format you choose will depend, in part, on the type of work you have performed and whether or not you are going to continue in the same field.

• Chronological resumes list work experience according to date, with the current job appearing first. Chronological resumes work well if your career has been progressive and you plan to continue in the same line of work.
• Functional resumes are organized by the skills you have used on the job. Functional resumes work well if you are contemplating a new career, do not have a lengthy work history, or have held a number of different positions because they sell your abilities based on the skills you have acquired throughout your career. Be sure to include relevant volunteer experience.
• Combination resumes both describe your work experience and highlight your skills. Combination resumes usually provide the most comprehensive overview of your career.

Unlike resumes used in the private sector, federal resumes require additional information. For each past job, give the standard information found in most resumes. Your federal resume should include the following:

• Job announcement number, job title , and job grade of the job for which you are applying
• Your full name, mailing address , day and evening phone numbers and home e-mail .
• Country of citizenship , if different from U.S.
• Veterans – Ensure that you attach or upload supporting documentation (e.g., DD214 or Statement of Service if still on Active Duty; SF-15, Application for 10-point preference; and Disability Rating Letter of 30% or more from the VA, if applicable).
• Peace Corps / AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers – If you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, you will need to provide your Description of Service (DOS) to claim non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs. AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers
• Persons with Disabilities (Schedule A) – To verify eligibility for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, you must provide proof of disability issued by a licensed medical professions, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal agency, state agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia, or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Contact the Department’s Selective Placement Coordinators for help with hiring and accommodation requests.
• Veterans – Keep in mind that your military training may count towards qualifications. Use your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) document (DD Form 2586) to document your training and education.
• Begin with your current position and list all other positions held in chronological order.
• State the job title, starting and ending dates (including month and year), prior employer's name and address (or write "self-employed," if that applies), and major duties and accomplishments. Include any positions temporarily held.
• Show the average number of hours worked per week or simply state "full-time"; salary or wage earned; supervisor's name, address and telephone number; and whether you’re most recent supervisor may be contacted.
• Veterans - Avoid using military job titles or occupational codes. Instead, look at what you did using your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) as a starting point. Employers prefer proven performers, so make sure you know what employers are looking for in comparison to your military work experience.
• Indicate if your current supervisor can be contacted
• Job-related training courses (title and year).
• self-management skills refer to the way you manage yourself on the job (e.g., dependable, resourceful, etc.);
• functional skills are the skills you use on the job or have used in previous jobs (e.g., operate equipment, supervise, analyze, etc.); and
• technical skills relate to specific skills required to perform a described task (e.g., computer programming, accounting, sales, etc.)
• Current job-related certificates and licenses - Make sure you understand the licensure and certification requirements for your job objective.
• Job-related honors, awards, special accomplishments , leadership activities, memberships, or publications.

Once you have spell checked your resume, take a good look at its overall appearance. Is it appealing and easy to read? Is there enough white space? Are the margins appropriate? Have the headings, font and formatting style been used effectively? Keep in mind that your resume is an employer's first impression of you. Make sure it makes the best one possible.

• Review the job announcements carefully for key words
• Use verbs and adjectives (e.g., managed, implemented, created) that match key words identified in the job announcement.
• Eliminate military lingo (use words such as personnel instead of squad or platoon).
• Include your accomplishments; do not be shy, be truthful.
• Focus on the mission of the agency and translate your experiences.
• Your positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm goes a long way.

How to Write a Federal Resume in 2024 [3 Free Templates]

Creating a federal resume is a lot trickier than a conventional one.

For starters, you need to make it way more comprehensive (3-4 pages instead of the usual 1-2).

You also have to add very specific details, such as your GS rating, clearance, and more.

Want to learn how to create/build a federal resume the easy way?

• What’s a Federal Resume & How Does It Differ From a Conventional One
• How to Write a Federal Resume in 6 Easy Steps
• How to Look for Federal Jobs

So, let’s get started.

What’s a Federal Resume?

A federal resume, as the name implies, is the type of resume you need to make in order to apply for US federal positions.

It is similar to the conventional resume in the way you describe your experiences. You include all the must-have sections in your resume, and describe your skills and past experiences.

There are, however, some differences from a conventional resume that make creating a federal one a bit trickier.

Federal Resume VS Conventional Resume - Key Differences

The differences between the two types of resumes are as follows:

Sounds a bit complicated, right?

Worry not - once you’ve gotten the hang of it, writing a federal resume becomes a child’s play.

And you’re about to learn just how you can do that!

How to Write a Federal Resume [6 Easy Steps]

Step #1. start with a trusted format.

There are 3 typical resumes formats you can pick from:

• Reverse-chronological: this one’s the standard and it lists your experiences from most recent to the oldest one.
• Functional . This one doesn’t include work experiences and focuses solely on your skills.
• Combination , a mix of the other 2 formats.

Since you’re making a federal resume, though, you need to go with a reverse-chronological format .

It’s the most common format in the US and is recognized by every single federal recruiter.

• How Long Should a Federal Resume Be?

While a traditional resume is 1-2 pages max , the federal resume provides you with a LOT more freedom.

As we highlighted above, a federal resume includes a lot more detail than the conventional one. So, if you aim for 1-2 pages, you’ll just come off as lazy (and most likely unable to list all the information you need to land the job).

• Which Format Should You Use ForYour Federal Resume?

Unless the job ad specifically asks for a specific format, we recommend you stick to PDF.

A PDF resume maintains its original formatting and will look just like you intended regardless of which computer you open it with.

The same, however, can’t be said for a Word resume format. 

• Should I Use a Federal Resume Template?

Yep - if you use a resume template, your resume is going to be a lot more noticeable and at the same time, easier to create.

You can pick one of our hand-crafted CV templates and get started with yours in minutes!

Step #2. Include a Detailed Contact Information Section

Once you’ve picked your federal resume format, you should create a contact information section at the top of your resume.

That's where you include the typical information you’d put on a standard resume:

• Phone Number
• Email Address

For a federal resume, also include the following essentials:

• Citizenship.
• Mailing Address.
• Highest GS Score. You can find yours here .
• Veterans’ Preference (0, 5, or 10). Find yours here .
• Disability. Learn more about this here .
• Clearance (if any)
• Desired Location (if relevant)

202-555-0101

[email protected]

Citizenship: United States

Desired Job Type: Security Specialist

Highest Federal Pay Grade: GS-10

Desired Location: US, Massachusetts

Step #3. Create an Attention-Grabbing Resume Summary

Federal or not, a resume summary is essential.

Picture this: you’re a hiring manager and you’ve got 1,000 resumes to go through for a single position.

Are you going to 1) go through them in detail , one by one, and read them cover to cover?

Or 2) glance through them , find the ones that are relevant and give them in-depth attention.

You’d probably pick #2 (and so do hiring managers).

This is exactly where the resume summary comes in.

A resume summary is a short, 2-4 sentence paragraph that goes right on top of your resume (under contact information). As the name implies, it’s used to quickly summarize your work experience and give the hiring manager a snapshot of your application.

If you get the resume summary right, then you can rest assured that the hiring manager is going to read your resume start-to-end.

Federal Resume Summary Example

A well-written federal resume summary contains the following information:

• Your title & objective (i.e. the job you’re applying for)
• 2-3 of your most noteworthy achievements or key responsibilities
• 2-3 of your top skills
• Your areas of expertise

Here is a real-life federal resume summary example:

• Maintenance and Management professional with 10+ years of experience seeking the role of a Production Planning Manager. Past experience includes equipment maintenance and repair, policy enforcement, transportation coordination, and more. Seeking a GS-10 to a GS-11 position.

Step #4. List Your Past Work Experiences in Detail

Your work experience section is going to make or break your federal resume.

At the end of the day, this is what hiring managers really care about, while the rest of your resume is supposed to “support” this section.

Creating a convincing work experience section for a federal resume is a 2-parter:

First, you need to make sure that you include all the relevant work experience information.

Then, you need to present your path responsibilities and achievements in the most convincing way possible.

Let us teach you how to do both: 

What to Include in a Federal Resume Work Experience Section

For each entry in your work experience section, start off with the employment information. This includes:

• Employer name
• City & State
• Hours Worked Per Week
• GS Rating (If Relevant)
• Supervisor’s Name
• Supervisor’s Contact Information
• Whether It’s OK to Contact Supervisor

Supervisory Security Specialist

National Nuclear Security Administration

04/2015 - Present

Washington, DC

Pay Grade: GS12

Average Hours Per Week: 40

Supervisor: Michelle Doe (202-555-0180)

Yes, you may contact the supervisor.

Then, in plain text or in bullet points, describe all your responsibilities and achievements right underneath each work experience.

If you had several roles for the same employer, bold out each role and put the corresponding responsibilities and achievements underneath.

Here, It’s important to note that you want to be as detailed as possible, compared to when compiling a conventional resume.

For the latter, you’d list out 4-6 bullets of your top achievements and responsibilities and call it a day. With a federal resume, you need to include more information.

• Oversaw the Office of Defense Nuclear Security (DMS). Handled HR processes including classification, recruitment, training, workforce management, and more. Responsible for developing NNSA policies and guidance, as well providing guidance to NSSA headquarters, NNSA field organizations, and NSSA contract organizations.
• Exceeded sales KPIs by 20% for 3 months in a row
• Responsible for outbound cold calling, doing up to 100+ calls per day.

How to Write a Convincing Work Experience Section

Now, let’s talk about part 2:

How do you effectively communicate your past achievements and responsibilities?

The key here is to be as achievement-focused as possible.

Most job seekers, when writing about their past work experiences, tend to talk about their former responsibilities.

While this is OK (and will land you a job here and there), it doesn’t help you stand out much.

The hiring manager can probably figure out what your past responsibilities were - they’re hiring for your role, after all.

What they’re really interested to learn about you is how you excel compared to the rest of the job-seekers.

So, instead of saying:

• Managed 3 projects from start to finish over the last year.
• Helped implement a cutting-edge project management solution organization-wide, improving employee output by 20% for the year.

Step #5. Add Your Educational History

Next up in the federal resume is your educational history.

This one’s pretty straightforward - all you need to do is mention the following:

• College name
• Type of degree
• # of years attended (or semesters completed)

If specifically requested, you might also need to include the same information for your high school or GED.

Here’s what your education section would look like on your federal resume:

Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service

Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States

08/2014 - 05/2018

• Major: International Relations
• Minor: International Business
• Graduated Magna cum laude

Step #6. Top It Off With Optional Sections

If you have space left on your resume, you can add some of the following common resume sections to help you stand out:

• Awards & Accolades

Certifications

• Professional Associations
• Relevant Training
• Volunteer Experience
• Won first place in the Google Code Jam competition.
• Certification of Professional Achievement in Data Science (2019)
• English - Native
• French - Intermediate

Technical Skills

Federal Job Search Resources

There are a ton of useful internet resources to help you get a job in the federal government. Here are some of our top favorites:

• USA Jobs is the official government portal for federal jobs and careers.
• Learn how, exactly, the US government hires candidates .
• Discover the most in-demand government jobs here .
• If you’re a non-citizen, learn everything there’s to know about government jobs .
• If you’re looking for a job in a specific government agency, you can browse through the options here .
• If you’re a student looking for a government job, go here for entry-level positions .
• If you’ve served in the military, check out FedsHireVets.gov - it contains all the information you need about getting a federal job as a veteran.

And finally, in addition to USA Jobs, you can find federal work on the following websites:

• Careers in Government
• GovtJobs.com
• CareerOneStop
• GovernmentJobs.com

Other Federal Resume & Job Search Tips

At this point, your federal resume should be ready.

But before you go and start your job search, here are some of our top tips to help you succeed in landing your next job!

#1. Tailor Your Federal Resume to the Job

If you’re applying to several different types of jobs, make sure to tailor your resume to each of them.

A very common mistake job seekers make is that they create a single resume for dozens of positions.

This is effective at times, but it very rarely works for the type of job you’d LOVE to have.

So how do you tailor the resume? it’s pretty straightforward. Look up a job you’d like to apply for, and read the responsibilities and skills required in great detail.

Then, cross-reference it with your resume.

In many cases, you’ll see that you DO have a lot of the required experiences , you just didn’t mention them because you didn’t have space, or because you thought other types of experiences were more important.

Now all you have to do is add the relevant information to your resume, and you’re good to go!

#2. Mind the Additional Documents

Federal positions will commonly ask you for additional documents other than your resume.

If you miss one, chances are, you’re going to get disqualified (even if you have the most eye-catching federal resume in the world).

So, carefully read about the job you’re applying for and ensure that you have all the right documents.

Some documents required for federal jobs include:

• Cover letter
• Academic transcripts

#3. Are You Still Struggling? Hire a Federal Resume Expert!

If you’re still struggling with building an effective federal resume, you can always hire an expert to give you a helping hand.

Check out some of the best career coaches in 2024 here.

Federal Resume FAQ

Do you still have some lingering questions on how to build an effective federal resume? We’ll answer them here!

1. What should I include in my federal resume?

In your federal resume, include the following sections:

• Contact information
• Resume summary
• Work experience
• Optional sections like skills, languages, etc.

2. What format should my federal resume follow?

Definitely reverse-chronological.

The other 2 resume formats (functional and combination) are nowhere near as popular and are more likely to ruin your chances to land the job if the hiring manager isn’t familiar with them.

3. Should I include my picture on my federal resume?

No , you should not include a picture in your federal resume .

You should also avoid adding any sensitive personal information (age, date of birth, marital status, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.), as well as links to any websites.

4. How long should my federal resume be?

Your federal resume should be around 4 to 6 pages long, as opposed to the conventional resume which is 1-2 pages.

The reason for this is that federal resumes require a lot more background information about you than the traditional ones.

Key Takeaways

Phew, that was a lot to take in!

Now, let’s recap all the key points we’ve covered about creating a federal resume:

• A federal resume should be 4 to 6 pages long.
• It should be very detailed and include all sorts of essential information, such as GS codes, citizenship, hours worked per week, and more.
• In a federal resume, include the following sections: contact information, resume summary, work experience, education.
• If you have additional space left, you can also add things like volunteering experience, certifications, skills, etc.

Related Resume Examples

• Military Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Career Change Resume

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Find out about insurance programs, pay types, leave options, and retirement planning.

Discover resources to have a balanced career at NIH.

Resources for training to develop your leadership and professional skills.

Access your personnel information and process HR actions through these systems.

Information for managers to support staff including engagement, recognition, and performance.

Discover what’s next at the NIH.

Federal Resume Tips

Federal and private sector resumes.

Federal resumes differ from resumes used in the private sector with regard to both content and purpose.

• multiple pages long
• detailed description of work experience and qualifications
• used to determine if you meet requirements/qualifications for a job announcement. Be sure to list all your experiences (including non-paid).
• generally limited to two pages 
• brief summary of work history
• used as a marketing tool to get an interview

In the Federal Government, your resume is your application. There may be an additional component called an assessment questionnaire . The assessment questionnaire asks you to rank yourself on your qualities necessary to do the job being advertised. It must support the experiences listed in your resume.

Curriculum Vitaes

An academic curriculum vitae does not provide enough information to determine if you meet eligibility requirements. If you use one, please be sure to add the information listed below.

Resume Content

Resumes must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria in the job announcement. It must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. To do this, be sure to include detailed examples in your resume.   

Why? We operate under various federal employment laws, rules, and regulations. We are prohibited from drawing conclusions or making assumptions regarding your experience or qualifications.

Resume Checklist

We encourage you to use the  USAJobs online Resume Builder . If you use your own resume, you must include the following information:

• Contact information . This includes your name, address, day and evening telephone numbers, and email address
• Citizenship (if other than the U.S.)
• Relevant work experience . This includes paid and unpaid experiences. For instance, volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social)

For each employment listed, include the following information:

• Dates of employment . Include beginning and end dates in the following format: month/day/year
• Hours per week . We assume fulltime unless otherwise stated. Employment will be prorated in crediting experience.
• Include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable). This information helps determine if you meet minimum eligibility requirements for the position.
• Review the qualifications section in the job announcement closely and directly address the education, skills, and experience required in your resume.
• Series and grade or equivalent (if a Federal position)

Education R equirement

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, include the following:

• Education history .  Specify the type of degree and major of study. 
• Relevant courses . This information is needed if the position requires credit hours.

Do NOT Include

On your resume and cover letter, you should not include any of the following:

• A photograph or video of yourself
• Any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.)  
• Links to web pages
• Spell out all acronyms .
• Projects worked on
• Specific duties and tasks
• Tools, software, or systems
• Results and outcomes (i.e. saved money, time, consolidated resources, etc.)
• Example: an individual in the budget field has "worked with disseminating budgets for small projects." To make the description more relevant, the applicant describes the experience with numbers, "disseminated budgets for small projects amounting to $450,000."
• Example: When a recruiter reads the keyword "analyst," he or she might assume you have experience in collecting data and evaluating effectiveness.
• If a job announcement uses a keyword such as "develops," use it in your resume. It is representative of independence in work assignments and the range of responsibility for the available position.
• Be honest . Be honest in describing your accomplishments, but not modest.
• Use reverse chronological order to list experience . Start with your most recent experience first and work your way back. An exception: when it is more appropriate to list your most relevant work experience first (e.g. if you are changing careers).
• Tailor your resume to include information relevant to the specific position you are applying to. Education and work experience that is indirectly related can be excluded if the resume begins to grow too long.
• Be concise and keep paragraphs short. To make your resume easier to read, add a brief, relevant heading to paragraphs to maximize readability.
• Use bullets to describe your experiences and accomplishments.
• Ensure correct grammar and no spelling errors . Your resume is your first impression – make it a good one!
• Resume Builder
• Resume Writing
• USAJOBS Guidance  

Contact us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Quick Guide to Preparing a Resume For Federal Government Positions

Due to the volume of applications received for any given vacancy announcement within the website, your resume will most likely be processed through an electronic filtering mechanism before being reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist for a qualification determination. Your resume will also be screened according to certain preferences (e.g., Indian Preference, veterans, disability, etc.) and rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training described on the vacancy announcement. It is essential that you tailor the experience listed on your federal resume to the specific position to which you are applying.

Once your application is rated, a quality review will be conducted by Office of Human Capital Management staff and/or a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Resumes are forwarded to the Hiring Manager for interview consideration. Once a hiring decision has been made, applicants will be notified.

Resume Writing

Before you begin, it may be helpful to compile all the information you want to include in your resume. The writing process will be much easier and faster.

It is important to thoroughly review the vacancy announcement for the position you are applying. You should tailor your resume to ensure you include the experience and skills that are required for the position.

What Should be Included in a Federal Resume?

A federal resume calls for some information that is not generally required on a standard resume for private industry positions, and not including the required information may immediately disqualify you from consideration. It is extremely important that you carefully read application instructions and include all required information. Below is an example of a resume for Federal employment:

First and Last Name Address City, State and Zip code Email address Phone Numbers

Special Hiring Authority: (Indian Preference, Veteran’s Preference or Person with Disability - Schedule A ) Federal Experience: ( Yes or No and Indicate Military, Federal or State Gov ) Security Clearance: ( Indicate what level and if it's still active ) OBJECTIVE: To obtain a full-time position in public service with ( Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs as a (Indicate the position including announcement Number if there is one )  

SKILLS SUMMARY: ( Has 3 elements: An introductory paragraph, list of skills directly related to the position, and your skills you have acquired throughout your career, that you want to highlight ) (1st Element: The introductory paragraph - Must be specific and highly detailed for each job series and position you're applying to. You need to outline all the specific skills you have that are directly related to the position you are seeking including Key Words identified in the positions description.) Focused and highly motivated management professional, with 12 + years of extensive experience in Strategic Workforce Planning , EEO , OHR and Diversity Mgt . Utilizing my background in Disability, Accommodations, Business Operations, Project Management, and Statistical Analysis to develop comprehensive programs based on the employment needs and mission of the agency. Deploying metric -based solutions and maximizing our ROI . I'm an innovative and energetic team player, relationship builder, and highly effective communicator. (2nd Element: List of skills directly related to the position and the Key Words you identified - Back up your skill summary with specific examples from you career or education. Identify specific accomplishments, length of time, highlight numerical results and awards derived from those duties and skills. This is the most critical area of the resume. You are relating an activity in your career to that of the position you are applying and showcasing your accomplishments.)

• Develop and create a Strategic Workforce Planning program to ensure were accurately utilizing all available resources. Good Example

• Expert in Equal Employment, Labor and Employee Relations assisting managers and staff in identifying and solving EEO Policy questions on Accommodations, for the past 9 yrs. Better Example

• As Diversity manager I trained a staff of 100+ internal and external personnel on diversity rules and regulations. My efforts resulted in a 70% reduction in violations and improved the overall atmosphere at ABC Co. Best Example (3rd Element: Acquired skills - These are skills you want every employer to know you possess and feel they are what defines you as a model employee. Remember you MUST quantify and qualify every statement you make.)

• Analyze, develop, test and incorporated IT business solutions to enhance business process control and tracking. Good Example

• Supervised, motivated, mentored and lead by example, using experience backed judgment, strong work ethic, and irreproachable integrity, derived from my 12yrs as a Department Manager at ABC Co. Better Example

• Developed and implemented a supply inventory program, which tracked our use of production and office materials. This provided us detailed reports of our available inventory at all times. Allowing us to make more informed purchasing decisions. Resulting in ABC Co. to save 500,000 per year. Best Example

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Name of Employer Position & Title GS level or Salary and Years of Service From: Mo/Year to Mo/Year; (Indicate if the work was Full Time, Part Time, or Seasonal; provide number of hours for PT or Seasonal work) Write a brief description of your experience/duties, and identify your major roles and responsibilities. Describe in detail each position you held for at least the last 10 years and quantify and qualify each statement). IP: Describe each duty as if you are describing it to someone for the first time. Agencies are not allowed to assume you can or can't do anything. Ex: Cashier: A cashier can perform numerous duties, if you only list cashier we can only interpret that as someone we collected and distributed money). As Diversity Manager I analyze develop and manage programs and projects related to the successful deployment of our department's initiatives. My duties included ensuring we provided an inclusive work environment, free from discrimination and ensuring we met all federal and state regulations. This was accomplished by collecting, analyzing human capital data and statistics from various sources to get an accurate analysis of the programs and work environment we provided our employees.   • Performed labor market Statistical analysis and employment projections locally and nationally to determine our recruitment strategy to ensure we were recruiting from a diverse population. Good Example • Coordinated with the Office of Human Capital and EEO managers to develop programs to improve our diversity in the workplace. Performed detailed analysis of the current workforce, and developed a strategy to ensure we targeted a broader workforce. This had an immediate impact on community relations and a 20% increase in local sales. Better Example

• Diversity manager for the past 7 yrs I was responsible for a staff of 20 employees. I coordinated with our Office of Human Capital to develop and measure recruiting timelines and efficiency, to determine cost per employee hired and accurate return on investment. Identified various key elements related to recruiting and performed a statistical analysis on reducing cost per hire. This lead to a yearly savings of 15% on recruiting expenses. Best Example

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Identify any areas of your career you feel an employer will get a better understanding of who you are and your additional activities, to included honors received by organizations, exceeding specific goals on projects, etc.)

• 2011 Supervised and managed the Specialty Hiring Programs, including NonCompetitive Direct Hiring Authorities, Military Spouse Employment and Individuals with Disabilities Programs, at the Department of Defense. • 2008 Liaised with union and management on contract negotiations and labor dispute settlements with global manufacturer. Prevented the loss of 200+ jobs and saving the company 1.3 million dollars.

• 2006 The Minority Entrepreneur Network - Assisted 5 minority startup companies in researching, forecasting, and drafting their business plans and applications for small business loans.

• 2005 Restructured vendor contracts for a gross savings resulting in $375K per quarter.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE (List all software and applications you are experienced in and level. Identify formal training and where you received that training)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING (List any formal or informal training including accreditations and number of hours in the specific field)

• I have attended various seminars on EEO compliance and diversity Good Example

• Extensive EEO Compliance Training: Laws & Discrimination, Diversity in the Workplace, Workplace Relationships, EEO Complaints and Resolutions: (80+ hrs of training) Better Example

• Extensive Project Management Training specializing in large scale projects and developing the project plans and schedule. All training was done at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) 2002 thru 2011 (120 hrs) Best Example

HONORS AND AWARDS

(Any formal awards you would like to share)

VOLUNTEER WORK & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

(Depending on the type of work volunteering can count the same as formal on the job experience if related to the position) (2010 - current) I hold Diversity workshops at the ABC community center in Washington DC, 6 times each month. I provide employers with information on developing an inclusive and diverse workforce. Note: volunteer work must include the total # of hours PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AAPD - American Association of Peoples with Disabilities HAVA - Honored American Veterans Afield NRA - National Rehabilitation Association PMI - Project Management Institute Wounded Warriors Project - Warriors to Work REFERENCES (List at least 3 references including their contact information)

indianaffairs.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of the Interior

FederalJobs.net

• Job Outlook
• Education Requirements
• General Schedule
• Qualifications
• Job Hunters Checklist
• Federal Employee Info
• Agency Listings
• Job Listings
• Resume Services
• Federal Executive Boards
• FAQ’s
• Resume Preparation
• Agency Links
• Job Hunter’s Checklist
• Overseas Jobs
• Law Enforcement Jobs
• Cybersecurity
• Healthcare Jobs
• Jobs for the Disabled
• Student Employment
• Jobs By Occupation
• Agency Job Listings
• Introduction
• Conditions of Employment
• Resume Writing Services
• Security Clearance Jobs
• Airport Screeners
• Border Patrol
• Investigative Group
• Police & Corrections
• Employment Options
• Postal Exams
• Postal Clerks
• Getting Started
• Required Info
• Writing Resumes
• Job Interviews
• Veterans Preference
• Mandatory Testing
• Clerical Test
• 473 / 473E Exam
• Available Jobs
• Job Locations
• Student Loan Payoff
• Job Announcements
• Higher Starting Pay
• Federal Applications
• Keys To Getting Hired
• Interview Prep
• Education & Experience
• Training Requirements
• Civil Service Tests
• Veterans Jobs
• Category Rating System
• College Degrees
• Medical & Drug Tests

Federal Government Jobs

Helping job hunters find, apply for, and land government jobs, federal resumes, federal resume guidance.

Federal resumes and KSA s provide selecting officials their first impression of the applicant through their application and federal resume composition, format, and content.  I personally reviewed and rated thousands of federal resumes during my career. Resumes and KSAs that are tailored to the job announcement receive higher ratings.

Your application makes a lasting impression on the selecting official and it tells them a lot about your attention to details, desire, qualifications, and motivation. These are essential first steps that you must take to write a professional federal resume that will help you attract the attention of the rating and selecting officials. Use our Federal Resume Guide to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Resume Menu

The essential first steps.

• Caution (Read this first)
• Required information
• Private and federal sector application differences.
• The Federal Job Announcement?
• Sample Federal Style Resume
• KSAs – Knowledge, skills & abilities
• About USAJobs
• Federal Resume Tips
• Federal Resume Guide

Certified Federal Resume Writing Services

• SES Positions – SES Resume Services
• What services do you need?
• Return to “Apply for Jobs”

To gain federal employment, candidates must be aware of two very specific strategies:

First, applicants must read the entire vacancy announcement and the position description if available. All too often, applicants transitioning from the military or private sector to the federal government do not read the entire announcement. Rather, they look at only the salary and the job description; if they like what they read, they decide to apply.

Many end up disappointed when, during an initial consultation, they realize that other mandatory elements were overlooked in their haste to find federal employment — elements they’re unable to fulfill.

Further, in reading the entire announcement, you will gain an up-front understanding of what supporting documents are required for the announcement. In many cases, we have seen candidates — who were perfectly qualified for a job — end up being rejected by the government because they failed to include a document requested as part of the How to Apply section of the announcement

Second, candidates must tailor their federal resumes to the position description or the vacancy announcement. The federal government does not want to hear that an applicant thinks he/she can do the job; rather, the government is looking for specific examples that demonstrate that he/she can do the job. For example, being self-taught in setting up a home computer network and having successfully set up one in a home is not the same as setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) for a multi-location agency spread over a 500-mile radius.

When you complete your federal resume online read the instructions carefully. When tailoring your résumé to a specific job description or vacancy announcement, it is important to mirror what the announcement is looking for, as best as possible. There is no such thing as “too much information” — the more examples of your success in fulfilling the job description you can provide in accomplishment-focused statements, the higher your application package will be rated.

A federal style resume is completely different from the simple one-page private sector résumé. There are over 40 specific informational data elements required and much of it repeats for each work experience. Before attempting to complete your federal résumé online, review the samples in this chapter and use the next section to complete your federal resumes. You must include all requested information and answer occupational questionnaires if required in the job announcement.

I suggest writing your federal resume using a word processor program prior to attempting to post it online. Some agencies still require hard copy submissions, and this way you can produce both a paper hard copy and electronic format. You will be able to spell check your federal resume and you will have time to compose coherent work histories tailored to the job announcement or position description without time limits. To submit your application online simply copy and paste each section from your draft into the online résumé builder.

This process can dramatically improve your federal resume, resulting in higher ratings, and you will be able to keep your resume updated on your desktop. When you bid on other jobs in the same or similar occupational group you may be able to simply change the job announcement number and title and send it in. However, review each job announcement carefully. Even occupations in the same job series within the same agency can have significantly different requirements, and you must tailor your resume to those criteria to improve your chances.

Federal Resume Writing Services

Applying for federal jobs can be frustrating and the federal resume has to be targeted to the job announcement and highlight your qualifications to be rated “Best Qualified.” Only applications rated best qualified are forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. Federal resume writing services can give you the edge that you need if you work closely with them to highlight your qualifications for the position applied for.

You must work closely with the federal resume writer to provide detailed information. Federal resumes and KSAs must be specific, and the only way the federal resume writers can get this information is from you, so be prepared. They will need lists of your awards, detailed work history, military service job descriptions, rank and time of service if applicable, education and training, special skills and certifications, volunteer work, and temporary details and promotion information. Only you can provide the details.

A professional federal resume service uses only certified writers. They will work with you to ensure that your federal resume, KSAs, or ECQs are thorough, grammatically correct, properly formatted, tailored to the job announcement, and in a file format suitable for the job you are applying for.

Applicants can also write their resume / application independently with the proper resources and knowledge. Many are able to complete their application using these excellent resources. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do it on your own, there are Federal Resume Writing Services available to assist you. The service you select will be based on several factors including:

• Complexity of your resume and application
• Grade level that you are applying for
• Personal contact − ability to talk with the professional you hire
• The time you have available to work with the writer, and
• Cost of service – what you can afford

When selecting a resume writing service, make sure you will have phone and email contact with your assigned writer before you sign up. A professional service will help you tailor your application and resume to the specific job announcement. A number of low-cost services offer only online contact through a resume desktop.

Professional Service

Creditable services will discuss your personal needs and fees by phone once you provide them information about your work history, education, and qualifications, and upload a copy of the federal job vacancy announcement of interest.

Based on their initial review of your background, previously prepared documents, and position specifications, they will propose a federal resume package quote to meet your individual requirements. If you would like to proceed, an invoice will be generated for your approval and your certified federal resume writer will contact you for an introduction via email and telephone. Project development will be discussed and any additional documents that might be required will be requested by your writer.

Your federal resume and/or KSA drafts will be submitted for your review via email, and you will have the opportunity to request any changes or provide additional information to your writer.

Which Service is Best for You?

It depends on many factors. With the proper resources you can write your resume yourself, time permitting. If you hire a professional resume writing service, you will have to work by phone and online with the resume writer. Only you know the details they need to write your resume. An entry level federal style resume is typically 3 to 5 pages long and you must tailor you application and work experience to the job announcement’s required qualifications.

One advantage of hiring a professional service is that once they complete your resume for you can use that same resume, with minor modifications, for other government jobs within the same occupational group that you apply for. Just change the job title and announcement number and review the new job announcement to check for additional or different required duties and responsibilities. If these changed you will have to incorporate them into the new application.

You will find a sample federal style resume on our Federal Career Development Site . You must devote the time necessary to read the application sections, understand the concepts, tailor your resume to the job announcement, and compile the data logically, spell and grammar check your work in a word processor, and then apply.

Write Your Federal Resume Using Proper Guidance and Samples

When writing your resume, you have to consider many things and include all required information . Format is also important especially with RESUMIX and online submissions. If you are good at putting your thoughts down on paper and have the time available, you can complete your resume application as long as you fully understand the application process. I wrote many federal applications during my 35 + years of government service with great success. I was also a trained and certified federal rating official and reviewed and rated thousands of job applications.

The application and federal resume process isn’t formidable; however, you must tailor your federal resume to the job announcement . With a little coaching and the comprehensive federal resume samples that we provide here, you too can compile a comprehensive resume. Entry level job applicants can expect to spend at least 4 to 8 hours on their application. Midlevel applicants can easily spend several days compiling key information in preparation for completing their federal resume.

I encourage all who apply to complete their resume OFF-LINE. It is best to write your federal resume and/or application on your word processor and take your time to compile the info you need, draft your work experiences, spell check and ensure that you have ALL information that is required for the Job Announcement. Your federal style resume MUST be tailored to the job announcement to improve your chances of landing the job. After you complete your federal resume offline, it is a simple matter to copy and paste your federal resume data into online resume builders.

A word of caution. Once you have your federal resume completed and posted on USAJOBS, it’s easy to submit that same resume to apply for other job vacancies. That can cost you a possible job. Before resubmitting that same federal resume for another job vacancy READ the job announcement thoroughly to confirm other duties and specialized experience are not required for the new position. If you find different requirements, and you possess the new duties or specialized experience, incorporate them into your resume. It is not unusual to apply for the same job series and find other requirements, or new or additional KSA statements.

While all federal resumes typically require the same information, here are the significant character count requirements for the USAJobs online resume builder in order to file your application successfully online:

• Overall Length: 30,000 characters
• Work Experience: 3,000 characters per work experience
• Education (includes relevant course work, licensures, and certifications): 2,000 characters to describe course work
• Job-Related Training: 2,000 characters
• Professional Publications: 2,000 characters
• Additional Information: 22,000 characters; enter job-related honors, awards, leadership activities, skills, and professional profile. KSAs may be copied and pasted into this field, depending on the announcement’s instructions.

Candidates may store up to five separate federal resumes for use on the USAJobs site.

Tips for Preparing an Electronic Federal Resume

As you have seen in the previous section in which we discuss the different types of online application systems (USAJobs, CPOL, CHARTS, etc.), there is no such concept as “one size fits all” when preparing a federal résumé. However, below are a few tips to help you bridge the compatibility differences in most of the common application systems.

• Use white space and line breaks to separate topics and sections
• Use 10- or 12-point type size
• Use a margin of at least one inch on all sides
• Use CAPITAL LETTERS to highlight sections
• No graphics of any kind, including bullets
• Use date format mm-yyyy (example: “May1988” would be “05-1988”)
• No bold, italic, or underlined text
• Keep each employment block (duties and accomplishments) to about 3,000 characters and spaces each. (Note: If you must exceed this count, you can break up a job into two separate entries when you file your application online.)

Professionally Written Federal Resumes , KSAs, ECQs, and Cover Letters

Return to Top of Page

Federal Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Federal Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Federal Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Raheem Richardson  (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345

A Supply Chain Manager with seven years of experience specializing in supply chain management, logistics, vendor management, and fleet management. A proven track record of identifying cost reductions for multimillion-dollar supply chains both domestically and globally.

Eligibility

Country of Citizenship: United States of America Veterans’ Preference: No VEOA Eligibility: No Availability: December 1st, 2022 Job Type: Permanent Work Schedule: Full Time Target Location: New York, NY

Professional Experience

Supply Chain Manager, Boeing, New York, NY July 2017 – Present

• Manage and prepare 10-15 RFPs and RFQs daily and coordinate all aspects of the procurement process for $15M contracts related to military equipment and aircraft
• Identify opportunities to reduce procurement and delivery costs for contracts by $1.5M-$3M by consolidating customer demand and supply
• Lead a team of 15+ supply chain coordinators, analysts, and procurement specialists to evaluate technical requirements and create scope of work for client RFPs

Supply Chain Manager, NorthEast Logistics Co., New York, NY June 2015 – July 2017

• Managed a fleet of 25+ vehicles valued at $300K, oversaw procurement and fulfillment activities, and ensured a 92% on-time delivery rate for construction materials
• Drove initiatives to enhance fleet management operations, reduce delivery delays, and enhance route planning to reduce fuel and labor costs by $150K per year

Supply Chain Coordinator, Arthur Transportation Inc., New York, NY June 2014 – July 2015

• Provided support to the supply chain manager to identify process gaps, evaluate transportation costs, and evaluate vendor proposals to reduce procurement costs
• Gathered, analyzed, and delivered data to the supply chain team on supplier performance to ensure adherence with contractual agreements and quality standards

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Supply Chain Management University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY September 2010 – June 2014

High School Diploma Brooklyn Central High School, New York, NY September 2006 – June 2010

• Supply Chain Management
• Fleet Management
• Procurement
• RFPs & RFQs

Certifications

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), 2017
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), 2015

Kevin Morrison (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia PA, 12345

An Operations Manager with nine years of experience specializing in cross-functional leadership, human resources, team management, and process improvement. A strong history of leading diverse teams to ensure operational excellence across high traffic airports.

Country of Citizenship: United States of America Veterans’ Preference: 5-point Preference VEOA Eligibility: Yes Availability: December 1st, 2022 Job Type: Permanent Work Schedule: Full Time Target Location: Philadelphia, PA

General Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA July 2017 – Present

• Oversee daily operations for a high-traffic airport with over 5K passengers, manage over $150M in annual P&L, and ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and personnel
• Manage over 200+ personnel across 15 departments, oversee $5M in monthly payroll, and identify opportunities to streamline operations and reduce labor costs by 10%
• Coordinate the delivery of cultural awareness and racial sensitivity to all personnel to promote diversity and prevent discrimination

Operations Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA June 2014 – July 2017

• Coordinated with the general manager and operations team to ensure compliance with safety regulations, import regulations, and export regulations across the airport
• Managed inventory valued at $1.5M, scheduled maintenance for aircrafts, and ensured optimal staffing levels based on flight forecasts and foot traffic

Warehouse Manager, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA May 2012 – July 2014

• Managed operations for seven warehouses across the Greater Philadelphia area and identified opportunities to enhance driver utilization, optimize route planning, and reduce outbound freight costs by 25% over two years

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Operations Management Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2008 – May 2012

High School Diploma North Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, PA September 2003 – June 2008

• Operations Management
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• P&L Management
• Process Improvement
• Organizational Development

Yaling Zhang (123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio 123 Congressional Drive, Washington, DC, 12345

A Security Intelligence Analyst with 10+ years of experience analyzing high-level security threats, evaluating political risks, and providing corporate intelligence. A strong history of performing research to gather corporate intelligence across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Security Clearance

Top Secret Level Clearance, Active

Country of Citizenship: United States of America Veterans’ Preference: 5-point Preference VEOA Eligibility: Yes Availability: December 1st, 2022 Job Type: Permanent Work Schedule: Full Time Target Location: Washington, DC

Senior Security Analyst, Cadence Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC July 2016 – Present

• Define global research for a global business intelligence firm delivering high-level insights on political risks and corporate intelligence for government security agencies
• Manage, build, and develop a 20-person intelligence research department conducting due diligence and risk analysis on international markets and sensitive political issues
• Perform analysis on confidential financial data and coordinate with the corporate intelligence team to identify trends and uncover fraudulent activity

Business Intelligence Analyst, Centerline Technologies, Washington, DC October 2013 – July 2016

• Managed business intelligence operations for a premiere technology company, translated complex data sets into business reports, and conducted analysis on long-term market and financial trends to support data-driven decision-making
• Identified opportunities to enhance data visualization for corporate leadership by implementing a new dashboard to consolidate business intelligence insights

Business Intelligence Analyst, Desmond Pharmaceuticals, Washington, DC May 2011 – October 2013

• Coordinated with the business intelligence team to perform data analysis on research findings, financial indicators, and forecasting to identify business trends and risks for five pharmaceutical product lines
• Created business intelligence reports for senior management and business leaders

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Intelligence George Washington University, Washington, DC, September 2007 – May 2011

High School Diploma Benjamin Banneker High School, Washington, DC, September 2003 – June 2007

• Corporate Intelligence
• Business Intelligence
• Due Diligence
• Political Risk Analysis
• Security Intelligence

Federal resumes follow a unique structure that differs significantly from resumes in the private sector. To create an impactful federal resume, craft an accomplishment-driven document that highlights your career achievements while maintaining compliance with government requirements. Understanding these requirements is essential for obtaining a federal job. We’ll walk you through the unique aspects of federal resumes and provide expert tips to help you land your next big opportunity .

1. Summarize your federal qualifications in a dynamic profile

Unlike a typical resume, your federal resume must include an eligibility section that provides key information for government agencies. When applying for a federal job, provide important details such as veterans’ benefits, eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), preferred location, citizenship status, desired job type, work schedule, and availability. Failing to include this information in your federal resume could result in your job application being rejected without further consideration of your qualifications.

According to expert recruiter Ernestine Council, those who “join the ranks of federal employees shaping the nation’s future with integrity and commitment embark on a path where dedication meets duty, where service transcends self.”

Eligibility Section Example

Country of Citizenship: U.S. Veterans’ Preference: 5-point preference VEOA Eligibility: Yes Availability: December 1, 2024 Job Type: Permanent Work Schedule: Full Time Target Location: Philadelphia, PA

2. Outline your federal experience in a compelling list

When applying for jobs in the private sector, you may opt to leave off older jobs and experiences that aren’t aligned with your current career goals. On a federal resume, you need to provide a comprehensive timeline of your professional experience. Government agencies typically run very thorough background checks on candidates, and it’s important to understand that all of this information will likely be verified. You aren’t subject to length constraints on a federal resume, so including older positions won’t impact your ability to highlight your most recent experience and achievements.

Federal Resume Professional Experience Example

General Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA  July 2017 – present

• Oversee daily operations for a high-traffic airport with over 5,000 passengers, manage over $150 million in annual profit and loss (P&L), and ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and personnel
• Manage over 200 personnel across 15 departments, oversee $5 million in monthly payroll, and identify opportunities to streamline operations and reduce labor costs by 10%

Operations Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA  June 2014 – July 2017

• Managed inventory valued at $1.5 million, scheduled maintenance for aircraft, and ensured optimal staffing levels based on flight forecasts and foot traffic

Warehouse Manager, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA  May 2012 – July 2014

3. List any education and certifications relevant to federal roles

Put all of your education on a federal resume, including your high school diploma. Also include your GPA, even if it’s below 3.0. Certifications and credentials should be featured prominently, as these may be requirements for certain types of positions. Showcasing certifications is also a good strategy for highlighting your industry expertise and qualifications for government agencies.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Supply Chain Management
• UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE, Syracuse, NY September 2010 – June 2014
• High School Diploma
• BROOKLYN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, New York, NY September 2006 – June 2010
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

4. Outline your most useful federal skills and proficiencies

Government agencies utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) just as much as companies in the private sector. Incorporate keywords from the job announcement into your federal resume to achieve ATS compliance. It’s also important to provide specific examples of you using these skill sets and industry knowledge rather than only listing them in your skills section. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords across a broad range of industries:

5. Feature volunteerism and community service

On a standard resume for the private sector, you would typically prioritize your industry experience over volunteerism in most instances. Federal resumes are different, however, as community service is important to highlight while applying for government jobs.

Hiring agencies are drawn to candidates with a strong background in public service, so feature relevant volunteer experience on your resume.

How To Pick the Best Federal Resume Template

For federal resumes, select a well-organized, straightforward template that uses minimal color. Although modern templates may seem visually appealing, flashy colors and bulky graphics are often distracting for hiring agencies. This is especially true for federal resumes, as the hiring manager will be reviewing a larger amount of information in comparison to typical resumes.

Frequently Asked Questions: Federal Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for federal resumes -.

It’s easy to run short on action verbs as you build your resume. Often, only a limited number of verbs can describe your professional experience and accomplishments accurately. Using the same verbs repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear redundant. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs to build your resume:

How do you align your resume with a job announcement? -

Federal jobs offer lucrative salaries and benefits, so carefully align your resume with the job announcement to differentiate yourself from the competition. Each announcement will have a detailed description on usajobs.gov , and include specific keywords and qualifications that match the posting.

It’s also important to remember that each job announcement will have a specific grade that varies depending on the level of experience required for the role. Apply for an opportunity that matches your current grade. A higher-level position may require you to take additional measures to ensure your resume is perfectly tailored to that particular job announcement.

What is the best federal resume format? -

Although federal resumes are unique in many aspects, it is best to still employ a reverse chronological approach as you build your document. This ensures your most recent experience is featured toward the top of the resume. A functional resume format needs to be avoided in this instance, as a federal job application is expected to have much more detail than a standard resume.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Cover letters can be beneficial for federal job applications. It allows you to showcase other aspects of yourself as a professional that wouldn’t fit in your resume. In the middle paragraphs, mention the government agency and why you’re drawn to apply for the position. This will show hiring managers your vested interest in government programs and initiatives, which may give you an edge over the competition during your job search. For more information, view our cover letter examples .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

Ernestine Council

Expert Recruiter

Ernestine Council is an accomplished chief recruiting executive with over 20 years of experience leading talent acquisition strategies and building high-performing teams across diverse industries. Council has a proven track record of attracting and retaining top talent through innovative recruitment practices and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Passionate about building engaged workforces, optimizing processes, and driving recruiting excellence.

Check Out Related Examples

Firefighter Resume Examples and Templates

Law Enforcement Resume Examples and Templates

Military Nurse Resume and Templates Examples

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• Create a Resume Guide Learn More
• How to Describe Your Current Job Responsibilities Learn More
• How to List Critical Thinking Skills on Your Resume Learn More
• How to Show Analytical Skills on Your Resume Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

What should I include in my resume?

Whether you're a current federal employee or new to the federal government, your resume is the primary way for you to communicate your education, skills and experience.

Before you get started

Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position. This critical information is found under:

• Duties and Qualifications
• How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
• How You Will be Evaluated

Make sure you have the required experience and/or education before you apply. Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and the required qualifications, including:

• Level and amount of experience

What to include in your resume

Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.

Include important contact information

Don't forget to add current contact information. Most job applications require this information:

• Phone number

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience

For each work experience you list, make sure you include:

• Start and end dates (including the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• The level and amount of experience—for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
• Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

Program Analyst GS-343-11 January 2009—Present 40 Hours/Week $63,000/Year

• Experience/Accomplishment

Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations

Don't limit yourself to only including paid work experience. Include relevant volunteer work or community organizations roles that demonstrate your ability to do the job.

Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments

Use numbers, percentages or dollars to highlight your accomplishments—you can find this information in things like your performance reviews, previous job descriptions, awards and letters of recommendation.

When explaining your accomplishments:

• Include examples of how you saved money, earned money or managed money.
• Include examples of how you saved or managed time.
• "Improved efficiency of document processing by 25 percent over the previous year".
• "Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines".
• "Managed a student organization budget of more than $7,000".
• "Wrote prospect letter that has brought in more than $25,000 in donations to date".

These statements show in concrete terms what you accomplished.

More resume writing tips

Customize your resume.

You should tailor your resume to the job announcement rather than sending out the same resume for every job. Customizing your resume helps you match your competencies, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience to the requirements for each job. Emphasize your strengths and include everything you've done that relates to the job you're seeking. Leave out experience that isn't relevant.

Use similar terms and address every required qualification

Your experience needs to address every required qualification in the job announcement. Hiring agencies will look for specific terms in your resume to make sure you have the experience they're seeking.

For example, if the qualifications section says you need experience with “MS Project” you need to use the words ” MS Project” in your resume.

Organize your resume to make it easy to understand

You need to organize your resume to help agencies evaluate your experience. If you don't provide the information required for the hiring agency to determine your qualifications, you might not be considered for the job.

• Use reverse chronological order to list your experience—start with your most recent experience first and work your way back.
• Provide greater detail for experience that is relevant to the job for which you are applying.
• Show all experiences and accomplishments under the job in which you earned it. This helps agencies determine the amount of experience you have with that particular skill.
• Use either bullet or paragraph format to describe your experiences and accomplishments.
• Use plain language—avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood.

Hiring agencies often receive dozens or even hundreds of resumes for certain positions. Hiring managers quickly skim through submissions and eliminate candidates who clearly are not qualified. Look at your resume and ask:

• Can a hiring manager see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
• Does critical information jump off the page?
• Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?

Review your resume before you apply

Check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors and have someone else, with a good eye for detail, review your resume.

Important facts about the federal hiring process

• The federal government does have a standard job application. Your resume is your application.
• Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and list the required qualifications and responsibilities.
• After applying, the hiring agency uses the information in your resume to verify if you have the required qualifications stated in the job announcement.
• Once the hiring agency has determined who is qualified, they may use other assessments such as interviews or testing to determine the best qualified applications.

Learn more about the federal hiring process .

Additional resources

• What should I leave out of my resume?
• How to build a resume
• How to create a resume

Still need help?

How To Use the Federal Resume Format [Template + Examples]

3 key takeaways

• If you’re applying for a job with the federal government, you need to use the federal resume format.
• A federal resume is similar to a traditional resume, but is longer and offers more detail about your experience and work history.
• Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you write a polished, metric-driven federal resume that impresses potential employers.

If you’re applying for a government job, you’ll need a federal resume.

The good news is that federal resumes have a lot of overlap with traditional resumes. However, they dig even deeper into your skills and experience, qualifications, work experience. They also include information only applicable for federal jobs.

That information carries a lot of weight. For many federal jobs, there are specific legal reasons why an employer can only consider candidates who meet all of the stated requirements. And if that weren’t enough pressure, it can also impact your pay scale. So needless to say, it’s crucial to present your qualifications effectively. 

This guide digs into how to create a resume that stands out for that federal position, including:

• Breaking down the federal resume format
• Key components of a federal resume
• 5 tips for writing a federal resume
• How to write a federal resume

Struggling to land interviews with your resume? Get started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder for free .

Understanding the federal resume format

Before you get into the details of your education, skills, and accomplishments, it helps to get a general understanding of what federal resumes are, when you need to use them, and what makes them different from other resume formats.

What is a federal resume?

A federal resume is a specific type of resume used to apply for a federal position—whether the role is with the government or another federal agency.

While a typical resume is a marketing tool aimed at helping you impress a recruiter and land an interview, a federal resume is more than a highlight reel or employment summary. It’s a crucial part of the vetting and evaluation process for federal jobs. 

Federal positions often have more strict and rigid requirements than private sector jobs. The hiring manager will use your resume along with the supporting documents submited to determine whether you have the experience required to fill the open position. This could include transcripts, performance evaluations, self-assessments, military service paperwork, and more.

Who needs a federal resume?

You need a federal resume when applying for a job with the federal government, whether it’s with an intelligence agency like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or another government department.

The easiest way to tell if you need a federal resume is to look where the job announcement is posted. If it’s posted on any of the following sites, you need to apply with a federal resume:

• USAJOBS.gov
• governmentjobs.com
• Any government agency website

What makes a federal resume different?

You’ll recognize a lot of the aspects of a federal resume. What separates it from a more typical resume is the depth. 

A federal resume will provide more context and information about your skills and experience, particularly within each position description. For that reason, it’s often longer than a typical resume that fits on one or two pages.

Federal resumes vs private sector resumes

Here’s a quick look at the key differences between a federal resume and a civilian or private sector resume:

Both approaches default to the reverse-chronological resume format , where your previous positions are listed with the most recent at the top. However, there’s flexibility to adjust to a functional resume or a combination resume format in terms of ordering sections, if that feels like the better fit.

Not sure whether to use a functional or chronological format? This post on functional vs. chronological resumes can help you make your decision. To understand when to use which resume format, check out this guide on the best resume format to have .

What are the key components of a federal resume?

Your federal resume will have all of the standard resume sections you’re accustomed too, albeit with more information and detail included. If you’re completely new to resume writing, review this beginner’s guide on how to make a resume to get the lay of the land first.

A federal resume includes the following sections:

• Resume header

Professional summary

Work experience

You can also add additional sections for other relevant information, such as military experience, volunteer work, or other qualifications pertinent to the role. Here’s a closer look at each of the above sections and how to make the most of them. 

Your header goes directly at the top of your resume and includes basic information such as your:

• Contact information (email address and phone number)
• Location or preferred location (if willing to relocate)
• LinkedIn profile

You’ll need all of that on your federal resume. However, depending on the specific federal job, you might also need to include other details such as:

• Availability: The job type you’re looking for (permanent, temporary, etc.) as well as your desired work schedule (full-time, part-time, shift work, etc.)
• Citizenship: Your country of citizenship (this is especially important if outside the US)
• General Schedule (GS) grade: Level used by the federal government to rank your qualifications and compensation for the position, so always include it if you have one
• Job description: Most federal jobs require you to include the job announcement number, title, series, grade, and any other important information related to the job.
• Security clearance: Required for some government jobs that work with sensitive information, so include this information if applicable
• Veteran status: Indicates whether or not you’re a military veteran

Federal resume header example

Jane M. Doe

[email protected] | 123-456-7890 | linkedin.com/in/janedoe/ | Washington, D.C.

Position: Cybersecurity Analyst, Department of Homeland Security

Announcement: DHS-CYBER-2024-0017, GS 2210-13

Availability: Permanent, full-time work

Citizenship: United States

GS Grade: GS-13

Veteran Status: 5-point preference

Your professional summary (often called your resume summary ) goes directly below your header and is a concise overview of your relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and special accomplishments.

Your summary should call attention to the qualifications that present you as the best applicant for the job. On a federal resume, that usually takes shape as an introductory paragraph of two to four sentences followed by a bulleted list of your related abilities and achievements. 

Remember that hiring managers use federal resumes as vetting tools, so your summary is less about highlighting what you’re most proud of and more about highlighting what's most relevant. 

Struggling to come up with your own? Teal’s Resume Summary Generator pulls keywords, technical skills, soft skills, and other important language from the job description and combines it with details from your work history and experience to create a tailored resume summary statement.

Federal resume summary example

Highly skilled and results-driven Cybersecurity Analyst with over 10 years of experience in the field of information security. Adept at protecting sensitive data and systems by identifying and mitigating cyber threats through advanced security measures. Proven track record of enhancing cybersecurity posture and effectively managing incident response efforts. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Incident Response Lead: Spearheaded the incident response team that successfully mitigated a major cyber attack on a federal agency, resulting in zero data loss and saving the agency an estimated $2 million in potential damages.
• Security Assessment Expertise: Conducted over 50 comprehensive security assessments for various government agencies, identifying critical vulnerabilities and providing actionable recommendations that led to a 40% improvement in overall security metrics.
• Cybersecurity Training Program: Developed and implemented a cybersecurity awareness training program for over 1,000 employees, which resulted in a 60% reduction in phishing attack success rates and significantly enhanced the organization's security culture.

Your work history takes up a large portion of your resume. You’ll list your different positions in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent or current position at the top. You’ll include the basic details that go on any resume, like your job title, employer name, employer location, and the dates you worked in that position.

However, your federal resume will include additional information that’s only relevant to federal positions:

• Hours worked per week
• Grade or rank level
• Salary or compensation
• Supervisor name, contact information, and whether they can be contacted

You may not need all of that—it depends on the specifics of the job and your experience. Underneath those basics, you’ll go into detail about your job duties. While you need to explain what you did, you also need to highlight why that work mattered by quantifying your bullet points and accomplishments. 

Remember to keep relevance in mind as well. Take another look at the job description to make note of the responsibilities so you can describe your own experiences in a way that connects directly to those duties. 

Federal resume work experience example

Cybersecurity Analyst | January 2020 - June 2023

Department of Homeland Security | Washington, D.C.

Hours/Week: 40 | Grade Level: GS-13 | Salary: $98,000 per year Supervisor: John Smith | [email protected] | 555-987-6543 | May contact

• Led the incident response team in handling over 200 cybersecurity incidents annually, reducing average resolution time by 30% through efficient processes and strategic planning.
• Implemented advanced security measures, including multi-factor authentication and encryption protocols, resulting in a 50% decrease in unauthorized access incidents.
• Conducted vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on critical systems, identifying and remediating over 300 high-risk vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing system security by 45%.
• Collaborated with other federal agencies and private sector partners to share intelligence and best practices, improving threat detection and response capabilities across the board by 25%.
• Developed and delivered cybersecurity training programs for 1,500+ employees, leading to a 60% reduction in phishing attack success rates and improved overall cybersecurity awareness.
• Ensured compliance with federal cybersecurity regulations and standards, including Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, achieving a 100% compliance rate during annual audits.
• Led a team in the successful migration of sensitive data to a secure cloud environment, enhancing data protection and reducing the risk of data breaches by 35%.

Writing your own metric-driven achievements can be tough, but Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help. Click to add an achievement to your resume and then select the “Write with AI” button. Teal will automatically generate three bullet point options for you to edit and add to your own resume.

Your skills section is where you’ll provide a list of your most relevant and impressive skills to your federal resume. While your abilities should shine through in your summary and work history, this section is an easy spot to tailor to the job description and swap in skills that show you have the knowledge and experience required for that position. 

Aim to include a mix of technical skills (like expertise with specific programs) as well as soft skills (like teamwork and leadership activities) to give the hiring manager a well-rounded understanding of what you bring to that position.

Federal resume skills example

• Cybersecurity Incident Response
• Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing
• Advanced Threat Detection & Mitigation
• Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• Compliance with Federal Regulations (FISMA, NIST)
• Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs
• Analysis & Problem-Solving 
• Communication & Presentation
• Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Strategic Planning & Project Management

Federal resume education

Your education section is similar to what you’d include on a traditional, private sector resume. You’ll list your degrees, the school you attended, and the date you obtained them. You should also include relevant certifications, designations, or specialized training in this section, especially if they’re mentioned in the job description.

If you want to go beyond the basics, you can add your GPA, relevant coursework, special honors, or important presentations, projects, and papers to this section. However, those aren’t required.

Federal resume education example

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Graduated: May 2012

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Graduated: May 2010

Certifications

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The above are the must-have sections to include on your federal resume. However, it’s not a rigid mold. You can add sections and information for your professional organizations, volunteer experiences, special projects, relevant awards and achievements, and any other qualifications that relate to the position.

Federal resume format template

[email protected] | 123-456-7890 | linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname/ | [City, State]

Position: [Current title]

Announcement: [job announcement number]

Availability: [Full-time, part-time, etc)

Citizenship: [Country]

GS Grade: [General schedule grade]

Veteran Status: [If a veteran, give your status]

Professional Summary

[Summary paragraph]

• [Bullet point achievement 1]
• [Bullet point achievement 2]
• [Bullet point achievement 3]

[Past role 1]

[Past role 2]

[Past role 3]

[University]

[City, State]

[Graduation date]

• Certification 1
• Certification 2
• Certification 3

5 must-know tips for writing a federal resume

Like any other resume, crafting a resume that’s suitable for federal job openings takes some time and finesse. Here are a few federal resume tips to keep in mind when you’re writing and reviewing your document.

1. Read the directions carefully

Federal job openings often include a lot of information about both the job and the application process. Review those closely so your resume and application materials check every box.

2. Lean on existing resources

Federal resumes can seem intimidating, but the government and other organizations offer plenty of resources to guide you. For example, check out:

• Federal resume templates from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Federal resume tips from the U.S. Department of the Interior
• Federal resume template from the FBI

When you’re ready to pull all of your information together, Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you craft a polished and impressive document without the stress and formatting headaches.

3. Spell out acronyms

Government employment comes with plenty of acronyms and jargon. Spell them out so the recruiter doesn’t have to guess.

4. Remember relevance

Employers don’t just want to know your previous responsibilities and accomplishments—they want to know how they’ve made you uniquely prepared to address the duties of that specific job.

So, don’t get so wrapped up in the logistics of writing a federal resume that you forget the importance of relevance. Use the job description as your guide as you look back at your career and decide what information to include.

5. Use a federal format

Consider this your golden rule: If you’re applying for a federal job, you need to use a federal resume format. Don’t create a traditional resume and expect the hiring manager to process and translate that information into the format they need. They won’t take the time to do so.

How to write your best federal resume with Teal

Ready to prepare your resume? Here’s how to make it easy with Teal’s AI Resume Builder : 

1. Import your LinkedIn profile or an existing resume, or start from scratch.

2. Attach a job description to your resume so Teal’s Matching Mode can identify keywords and skills to include.

3. Use the checkboxes in each resume section to decide which information to include and which to remove.

4. Use AI to add metric-driven achievements to your roles.

5. Review Teal’s Analysis to see your resume score and expert suggestions to make your resume even stronger.

6. Visit the Design tab to easily reorder or rename your sections to fit the typical federal resume format

7. On the Design tab, you can also customize your resume format, alignment, font, layout, styling, and more

When you’re completely satisfied with your document, export it as a PDF and submit it with your cover letter ( Teal’s Cover Letter Generator can help with that part too) and other supporting documents.

Applying for a federal job can feel nerve-racking, but Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you nail the right level of detail—without all of the nail biting.

Ready to write your best federal resume? Get started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal resume template format.

A federal resume template includes a detailed header with your contact information, citizenship, and job details, a professional summary, work experience with specific details like hours worked per week and supervisor contact information, skills, and education. It may also include additional sections for military experience, volunteer work, and relevant certifications. Each section is more detailed than a typical resume to meet federal job requirements.

What is the best format for a federal resume?

The best format for a federal resume is a detailed, reverse-chronological structure that includes a comprehensive header, professional summary, work experience, skills, and education sections. This format ensures all necessary information is presented clearly and comprehensively. It helps meet the specific requirements of federal job applications.

How far back should you go on a federal resume?

A federal resume should typically go back at least 10 years in your work history. Include relevant experience beyond 10 years if it directly applies to the job you're seeking. The aim is to provide a complete and detailed account of your work history, emphasizing relevant qualifications as some government employers can only consider candidates that meet 100 percent of the stated requirements.

Kat Boogaard

Related articles.

How To Use the PAR Method in Your Resume (+ Examples)

25 Best Jobs for Extroverts to Maximize Their Strengths

How To Use The SAR Method in Your Resume (+ Examples)

How to Create a Plain Text Resume That's Not Ugly (Template)

We help you find the career dream.

• Resume Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• Resume Examples

Federal resume examples & templates

What does a Federal employee do?

Federal job market: employment galore, follow the money, ats: always target specifically, federal jobs in your home country.

Getting a Federal job with the U.S. government can be a great way to start or continue your career. And as with any formal job, the very first step is to have an organized, powerful resume to land those high salaries and stable positions! So is it easy to write a federal job resume? 

If you’ve ever filled out an income tax return or applied for federal student aid, you already know that government institutions take every type of document very seriously. State organizations are often famous for their formal requirements and bureaucracy, and there are lots of hurdles to clear. However, please read the following statement, which comes from the official government website USAjobs.gov :  “Whether you’re a current federal employee or new to the Federal Government , your resume is the primary way for you to communicate your education, skills and experience.”

This is what we at resume.io have been preaching for years. Whether you’re a dogcatcher or a dentist, you need an outstanding resume if you’re in the hunt for a great job. And that’s where we can help. Our resources include more than 350 occupation-specific writing guides with corresponding resume examples .

This guide, along with the builder tool and resume templates at resume.io, will walk you through all the steps necessary to build a great Federal job resume, along with all special considerations applicable to those seeking Federal government jobs. What we’ll cover:

• The Federal Government job role and market, including size and scale, employment outlook, and pay
• How to write a Federal government job resume, starting with the correct framework and format
• Optimizing the impact of each resume section: header, summary, employment history, education and skills
• The pitfalls of the automated electronic systems that can reject your resume before anyone even reads it
• The need to tailor your resume to each job you’re seeking
• The essentials of resume design and the specific considerations of applying for federal jobs

Let’s dive in.

Job market: Employment galore

Federal jobs remain highly coveted, and with good reason, as they often are some of the most recession-proof opportunities out there (relatively speaking, of course). We’ll talk about some other countries below, but first let’s consider the United States, the third most populous country in the world.

The federal government is the largest employer in the United States, by far eclipsing No. 2 Walmart (which has 1.5 million U.S. employees). According to a 2019 article in The Hill , the U.S. government employs some 9 million workers, including 2.1 million civilian employees, 4.1 million contract employees, 1.2 million grant employees, 1.3 million active-duty military personnel and more than 500,000 employees of the quasi-governmental U.S. Postal Service . 

To a job seeker, these numbers add up to big opportunities. Not only are there lots of jobs, but federal workers generally enjoy exceptional pay and benefits, good hours and extraordinary job security. 

You might think that job projections for federal workers would depend on the administration in power, with more liberal governments fattening the payrolls and more conservative governments cutting them back. But over the long haul, government payrolls are relatively immune to political changes at the top.  Taking the long view, federal jobs in the U.S. rose by an annualized 1.5% per year between 1939 and 2015. On the state and local level, government jobs increased by 2.3% from 1955 to 2015.  In February 2020, employment by all levels of the U.S. government increased by 45,000, including 16,000 new jobs in state government education. Federal employment rose by 8,000, mostly because 7,000 temporary workers were hired to conduct the 2020 Census.

The following chart shows steadily rising federal, state and local government employment levels in the U.S. from 1939 through 2015. Note that recessions (marked by gray lines) tend to have a modest impact, if any.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Get inspired by other resume examples from the same government occupation category:

• First Selectman resume example
• Correctional Officer resume example
• Postal Service Worker resume sample

How much do federal workers make? Because of the wide variety of federal jobs, the changing number of jobs and the varying amounts of pay (all of which are moving targets), estimates differ on average salaries for federal employees. But the short answer is: The pay is good. According to a 2017 report by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management , the average annual base salary for full-time, permanent federal employees was $84,913. And according to a 2018 article in Forbes.com , the average federal employee earns a salary of about $90,000, with total compensation (including benefits) of around $125,000. Not bad for government work. 

Findings of a 2017 study by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office comparing the wages and benefits of federal government employees with those of comparable workers in the private sector:

• For those with a bachelor’s degree, total compensation was 21% higher for federal workers than for similar workers in the private sector.
• For those with a high school diploma or none at all, compensation was 53% higher for federal employees.
• For those with a professional degree or doctorate, on the other hand, compensation was 18% lower for federal employees than for their counterparts in the private sector.
• Overall, the federal government paid 17% more in total compensation than the private sector for similar jobs.

How to write a Federal Government job resume

Regardless of occupation, this is the framework of elements that all resumes should incorporate on a single page:

• Employment history

Choosing the best resume format for a Federal employee

If your job history has followed mostly a linear path of employee positions, the most commonly used chronological resume format is recommended. Hiring managers favor it too, for being the easiest way to review your career highlights in the employment history section. These are listed under employer headings with dates, in reverse chronological order from most recent to earliest positions,

Other resume formats , such as the functional or hybrid (combination) alternatives, may be suitable for job seekers who are new to the workforce, making a dramatic change in occupations, or have worked mostly in freelance or consulting roles.

Resume header

An eye-pleasing resume header is the first way you can stand out in the crowd of other Federal Government job contenders. Off the top, it makes your resume look more inviting to read and distinguishes it with a personal brand. You can double the impact by making your resume and cover letter match with identical headers. Most important, the prominent placement of your name and contact information makes it that much easier for interested recruiters to get in touch with an interview invitation. 

Federal resume summary example: Make your best case

You may not be running for office, but like any candidate for a government job, you need to make a clear, strong opening pitch on why you’re the right person to fill it. The resume summary , sometimes called a profile of personal statement , is the first thing employers will see on your resume after your contact info. 

And you can turn it into a gold mine or a minefield. “ Profesional , experienced statistician seeking….” Oops! You lose. No true professional would misspell this word on a resume. Spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes, in fact, are the top reasons cited by hiring managers for deleting resumes without a second look. 

The summary demonstrates your ability to write in powerful, clear language. And the ability to write is among the simplest barometers of any candidate’s fitness for a white-collar job. That’s not to say there aren’t lots of blue-collar jobs in government, but even if you’re a groundskeeper, your resume is your ticket to a job, and it needs to be exceptionally well-written. 

This is the kind of strong, concisely descriptive language that belongs in a Federal job summary:: “Professional statistician with 10 years of experience in expert-level research and data mining, as well as writing and information design skills to present results to the public.” 

ATS stands for applicant tracking system — an electronic gatekeeper that can be friend or foe, depending on whether you pay any attention to it. An ATS application is a computer system that hiring managers use to filter resumes according to their job relevance. Employers input keywords and phrases into the ATS that describe the specific job qualifications they’re seeking. As resumes roll in, they’re fed into the ATS, which ranks them according to how well the words in the resume match the defined criteria.

Resumes that contain the desired keywords and phrases are green-lighted for further review. But when resumes fail the test, a human being may not even bother looking at them. Resume.io has long advocated the practice of ATS optimization for resumes in all fields. 

And it turns out the official website for U.S. federal hiring actually addresses this issue under the helpful item “ What should I include in my federal resume? ” It says: 

“Use similar terms and address every required qualification. Your experience needs to address every required qualification in the job announcement. Hiring agencies will look for specific terms in your resume to make sure you have the experience they’re seeking.

“For example, if the qualifications section says you need experience with ‘MS Project’ you need to use the words ‘MS Project’ in your resume.” 

You heard it here first: Do not make the mistake of sending off a resume or CV that does not mention the specific job skills an employer is looking for. 

An additional important note: pay attention to the exact wording/terminology in the job listing. You may be used to certain abbreviations or lingo, but always err on the side of caution (or in this case — the employer). 

A corollary point is that every resume should be individually tailored to the job you’re seeking. A resume is not a one-size-fits-all solution carved in stone. It’s an adaptable, editable document that should specifically address each target employer. Scour every job listing, find out what the employer wants and specify how your skills meet those needs. Don’t fly blind.

Here’s an example of a resume sumary for someone seeking Federal employment

Dedicated federal government HR Manager with 16 years of experience, ensuring HR systems support agencies in recruiting, hiring and retaining an excellent and diverse workforce. Respected provider of optimal staffing-related support to executives and officials. Uphold the highest standards of integrity, notably in securing the privacy of identities and documents. Proven track record of facilitating excellent workflows in HR departments. 

Employment history sample: relevant and specific

To get a job as a Federal worker, it’s useful to have experience as a Federal worker. But if it were impossible to get a Federal job without prior Federal job experience, then the government would have no employees. Everyone has to start somewhere. 

As noted previously, a resume's employment history section should list current and previous jobs in reverse chronological order (last job first, also described in more detail if appropriate). Include the name and location of the employers and when you worked there (for example, June 2017 to May 2019, but leave out the actual day of the month you started or departed). 

Most important, list your specific achievements at each job. Avoid saying “Was responsible for” and use strong action verbs to describe what you actually did . Be as specific as possible, ideally citing any numerical evidence (facts and figures) for your accomplishments (alternatively - project or team-based achievements). 

The U.S. government provides detailed guidance at USAjobs.gov on how to describe work experience on your resume. If applying for a U.S. government job, read this material carefully and do exactly what it says. In fact, the entire website at USAjobs.gov is extremely helpful to anyone seeking employment with the U.S. government. Rarely does any employer provide such detailed instructions on how to apply for one of its jobs.

If you have any trouble navigating the site, there’s a simplified guide here provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So we have a federal government website explaining in detail how to use another federal government website . No wonder there are so many Federal jobs!

This example of how to present your employment history comes directly from the official USAjobs.gov

Program Analyst GS-343-11 January 2009 - Present 40 Hours/Week $63,000/Year

• Experience/Accomplishment

The website also provides these examples of how to highlight your experiences and accomplishments

• Improved efficiency of document processing by 25% over the previous year
• Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines
• Managed a student organization budget of more than $7,000
• Wrote prospect letter that has brought in more than $25,000 in donations to date.

We’ve focused here on the United States, but federal jobs are available worldwide, and the basic rules of resume writing apply whether you’re in Latvia or Lesotho. Wherever you live, do a web search for “federal jobs” or “government jobs” in your home country to find information relevant to your area. (For example, we tried “federal jobs Lesotho” and found 28 openings in this small African country.)  Some useful websites for other locations:

Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html

U.K.: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk

EU: https://epso.europa.eu/job-opportunities_en and https://jobs.theguardian.com/jobs/local-government/europe/

Worldwide: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us

Below is our Federal employment history resume sample that you can modify.

Federal HR Manager at Federal Government, Washington D.C.  June 2006 - May 2022 

• Assisted in recruiting and retaining a high-performing and diverse workforce, adopting a strategy that was widely recognized by public service peers throughout the country.
• Handled all HR procedures with confidentiality and regard for ethics.
• Helped to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, with measurable improvements in staff morale and turnover rates.
• Provided optimal administrative support and conducted yearly reviews, followed up with actionable recommendations for improvement.

Federal resume education example: college and other knowledge

Federal governments hire workers from a broad range of educational backgrounds , from scholars with doctoral degrees to people who never finished high school. Study the requirements of government jobs in your field, and make sure you have the required education before you apply. List your educational credentials on your resume in reverse chronological order, along with any special certifications in your field.

Typical education required and starting salary for U.S. government workers, by selected General Schedule (GS) level

GS Level Education Level Starting Salary, 2020

GS-1 No high school diploma $19,543

GS-3 High school diploma $23,976

GS-4 Associate’s degree $26,915

GS-5 Bachelor’s degree $30,113

GS-9 Master’s degree $45,627

GS-11 Doctoral or professional degree $55,204

Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, federalpay.org

Click here for the U.S. government’s advice on how to report your educational credentials when applying for a federal job.

Below is the education section from our Federal resume example.

Bachelor of Communications, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.   August 2002 - May 2006 

High School Diploma, St. Rose's High School, Arlington  September 1998 - May 2002

CV skills example: how you excel

Every resume should include a section listing skills that are relevant to the job. Master chess player? Interesting, but probably not relevant. The skills section should typically include a mix of technical skills — computer knowledge, advanced expertise in your field, etc. — and “soft” people skills like customer service, a knack for sales or public speaking ability. 

Avoid clichés like “team player” or “self-starter.” Try to describe your skills in language that other resumes won’t have. These examples illustrate how to give generic skills a more original twist:

• Expert computer programmer
• Advanced UNIX skills
• Excellent mathematician
• Resourceful problem solver
• Collaborative coworker

Check out our Federal CV sample for the skills section below.

• Computer Systems
• Interpersonal Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Positive Work Ethic

Resume layout and design: keep it simple

If you don’t want your job hunt plan to fail, hold your resume to one page . If you think that’s just not feasible because you have to list so many skills, then learn a new one: brevity. 

Keep your resume layout and design simple, straightforward and elegant. Avoid gimmicks, splashy colors or excessive decoration. Strive for a professional, eye-pleasing look that says, “Read me.” Make room for some white space by trimming your text. Some resumes are too sparse, but most are too dense. Strive for the Goldilocks zone that’s just right.

Do not use any format except PDF unless requested to do so by the employer you’re targeting (some online application systems require Word files, so make sure to pay attention to technical requirements). What looks fine in one application on your computer may open in a different application on another computer and look awful. 

Also, remember those pesky ATS programs that can reject your resume without so much as a human reading? They don’t like buggy document formats either, so beware. 

You can take the guesswork out of all design questions by using the builder tool and templates at resume.io, created by experts and proven effective in the field. Just one note: While some of these templates include room for your photo, the U.S. government specifically requests that you not include a photo in its advice on “ What should I leave out of my resume? ” So you’ll want to choose a template that doesn’t include a photo.

Key takeaways for a Federal employee resume

• There are millions of Federal jobs with excellent pay, benefits and job security, and the job outlook for this sector is secure.
• The U.S. government itself tells job seekers: “Your resume is the primary way for you to communicate your education, skills and experience.” For anyone seeking federal employment, building an outstanding resume is the crucial first step.
• The federal government and resume.io will both tell you that each resume you send out must be custom-built to specifically address the requirements of the job you’re seeking.

Go to resume.io, choose one of our professional templates and start crafting a bulletproof resume today. The jobs are there — all they’re waiting for is you.

Get started!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

• Self & Career Exploration
• Blue Chip Leadership Experience
• Experiential Learning
• Research Experiences
• Transferable Skills
• Functional Skills
• Resume, CV & Cover Letter
• Online Profiles
• Networking & Relationship Building
• Internships
• Interviewing
• Offer Evaluation & Negotiation
• Career Core by Kaplan
• Arts & Media
• Commerce & Management
• Data & Technology
• Education & Social Services
• Engineering & Infrastructure
• Environment & Resources
• Global Impact & Public Service
• Health & Biosciences
• Law & Justice
• Research & Academia
• Recent Alumni
• Other Alumni Interest Areas
• People of Color
• First Generation
• International
• Faculty & Staff
• Parents & Families

Federal Resume Examples

• Share This: Share Federal Resume Examples on Facebook Share Federal Resume Examples on LinkedIn Share Federal Resume Examples on X

Federal resumes are used to apply to government jobs and internships on USAJOBS . They differ from resumes used in the private sector in a few key ways*:

* Adapted from the Office of Human Resources from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Federal Resume Tips page

Federal Example: Entry-Level Position/ Internship

Brandon Wilcox’s Federal Resume

This page contains a thumbnail for an embedded document.

Download this format as a template in Word

• Brandon is interested in pursuing an internship related to public policy analysis
• He wants to highlight his leadership experience and show that he is a strong communicator

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.