federal resume example 2021

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

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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.

• Federal Resume Templates
• Federal Resume Guide

Do You Need an Eye-Catching Resume That Quickly Communicates Your Skills and Qualifications?

Examples of federal resumes will provide guidance that increases your chances of landing an interview. The following samples of federal resumes display proper formats that will meet the standards of government job recruiters. 

When you study resume samples for federal government jobs, look for ones geared toward your career field and the government department where you’re seeking work. Government agencies perform thousands of different functions, and you’ll want a federal government resume template download that highlights the topics pertinent to the job that you want.

You’ll need to tailor a resume so that it fits the posted job requirements. A resume that addresses the needs of government hiring managers will help them satisfy their administrative guidelines for screening candidates. 

In these examples of a federal resume, you’ll note that it focuses on professional accomplishments, education, and training. Simple lists of job duties lack the impact of strong statements about your successes and capabilities.

You don’t have to confine your federal resume to a single page either if you need more space. A long resume is not necessarily a detriment when applying for a government job, unlike in the private sector that generally prefers single-page resumes. 

Government Resume Template

Federal resume templates simplify the process because you can focus on describing your job qualifications instead of sweating every detail of the document’s format. When filling in a free federal resume template, select statements that stress your talent for managing details and multitasking. Your statements should also convey strong knowledge of the government regulations applicable to the job opening. 

You’ll have to consider your personal background when looking for the right federal government resume template download.

• A military veteran seeking a civilian job should study examples of federal resumes that explain how military duties translate into civilian job requirements.
• A civilian professional looking to switch from the private sector to the government sector should seek inspiration from resume samples that describe service for a public mission.

Federal Government Resume Example

As you look at each example of a federal resume, note how action-oriented verbs dominate the language. This is a powerful technique for attracting attention to your career accomplishments and unique qualities. Don’t hesitate to include statements that highlight critical values, like your integrity and honesty. 

Describe your greatest accomplishments first when organizing your work history. Use as many specific details as you can, like:

“Managed 20 volunteer teams during a fundraising event that exceeded goals by 58%.”

Many sample federal resumes clearly show how to present your experience and education effectively. 

Proper paperwork is essential to the functioning of federal agencies, and job applications are no exception. To connect with hiring managers who can advance your career, you need to base your resume strategy on proven resume samples for federal government jobs.

These government resume samples will allow you to write a resume that helps you stand out from other candidates. Although a free federal resume template is not hard to come by, keep in mind that you can hire a professional government resume writer when you need extra assistance with the task. 

No matter how professional, efficient, and effective your firefighting protection competencies are. You won’t be able to get employed without showing off your reliability to an employer.  We’ll do our best to explore what looks good on a firefighter resume, and provide the best firefighter resume examples with detailed descriptions for each element.  Creating a Perfect Firefighter Resume Objective The

Overall, the role of paralegals lies in assisting attorneys and law firms in preparations for court cases, dealing with witness interviewing, drafting trial notes, consulting and guiding clients, and so on. Whether you are in the category of entry-level, mid-level, or senior candidates and wonder how to create one of those excellent paralegal resume samples individually, you’ve come to the

Work in the field of law is always considered prestigious. However, if earlier this profession was not so accessible, today, almost every second university in the country graduates legal specialists. Therefore, competition among lawyers is growing exponentially.  For the last few years, a well-written resume for attorney began to play the most critical role in the selection of candidates for

Cover letters are crucial when applying for a new job, especially in the military industry. This is your main argument and statement that you are better than other applicants and worthy of this vacancy. Therefore, in a cover letter, every word and every comma are essential. But if in a motivation business letter, a candidate can show his/her creativity, the

An entry-level resume of any specialty is always complicated to write. The main challenge is to describe short work experience as advantageously as possible. Nowadays, recruiters are full of those who are seeking work. They are looking through hundreds of resumes per day, so it is almost impossible to surprise them. Anyway, you shouldn’t surprise anyone with an entry level

These examples of military resumes will allow you to overcome mental roadblocks to writing your resume. The resumes possess similar sections, particularly summary, work experience, skills, and education. Except for starting with the summary, you can place other sections in the order that makes the most sense for your situation. Don’t try to compose your resume completely from the beginning.

After years of military life, you might find it difficult to explain your job qualifications to civilians. The military resume examples for civilian jobs presented here offer clear guidance for translating military skills into a civilian style. Writing a resume isn’t easy for anyone, but veterans have to overcome extra hurdles. The jargon and acronyms that you’re familiar with might

Salary negotiation letters should avoid being longer than one page unless someone has an extraordinary list of credentials to highlight. A short letter that quickly makes its point will show respect for the hiring manager’s time and ensure effective communication.  Templates for salary negotiation letters all follow a standard format. At the top, the job applicant enters contact information. This

The FBI has developed a specific resume template for people who want to become FBI special agents. Job postings for these positions will include access to the FBI federal resume template. Applicants must complete every section on the template with the exception of the Military Experience section, which is only necessary for veterans. The template sections are: Summary Statement Professional

PDF Version Size: 56,9 Kb MS Word Size: 21,6 Kb Need more information? See another federal job resume example.

Federal Resume Example

Seeking to apply to a federal position, but don't know how to structure your resume? We've got a federal resume guide that will help you match your work experience and skills to a federal position.

Our resumes have been proven to work.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

A federal resume is not your average resume. It does not consist of only one page, and it can look very different for each government employee depending on what they do. It also shows more detail on the jobs you have done than your average resume as well. In other words, federal resumes are not just proof of your work, but way more than that. They can include:

• Citizenship
• Veteran Status
• Prior employment salaries
• Prior employment persons of contact
• Hours worked per week
• And much more

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , "The federal government offers employment opportunities in a wide range of occupations, agencies, and locations." Therefore, if you're just entering a federal field or have been in one and are now looking to professionalize your federal resume, then you've come to the right place. In this article, we are going to go over 3 important steps when creating a federal government :

• How to format your resume and what to include
• How to write a federal resume summary
• How to describe your work experience

Note: Now, we are only going into detail on these specific items that should be included in your federal resume, but this is not all you should include on your resume. Like in a regular resume, your federal resume should also include key skills, your education, relevant licenses and certifications, relevant organizations, languages, and more. Ideally, your federal resume should be between 4-6 pages, which means you are covering a lot of detail.

1. formatting your federal resume.

As we keep trying to stress, a federal resume is not your average resume. Therefore, the way you format your resume is critical. Of course, there are elements you should include that you would in any other resume, like the following:

• Resume summary
• Contact information
• Work experience

However, there are also other elements that are crucial to include:

• Availability

In addition, when structuring your resume, it's important to have the following information on the first page :

• Veteran status

Tip: If you have space on the first page, try and include your skills, but this is not necessary. In addition, it is okay for your work experience to extend multiple pages.

Now, when it comes to choosing the format of your resume, we recommend to use the reverse-chronological format . In other words, your resume will emphasize your previous work experience in reverse-chronological order from your latest relevant experience to your earliest relevant experience.

Tip: While a federal resume may look different from a regular resume, the most important thing is to keep professional. This will draw recruiters and hiring managers in, increasing your chances of being hired for the position you are applying for.

If you're wanting to learn more information about formatting your resume, we have a  guide that can help.

2. Writing an impressive and professional resume summary

Federal government positions are no joke, and you can show how serious you are about your career to hiring managers and recruiters by getting straight to the point with your resume through a resume summary . A resume summary is a 1-3 sentence blurb that summarizes the important stuff on your resume, especially what role you play within your federal career. It can also showcase what you are looking for, which shows hiring managers your dedication and responsibility. Some items to always include in your federal resume summary are the following:

• Years of experience
• Type of experience
• Achievements, if applicable
• Personal characteristics
• What level of government you've worked in

Tip: Sometimes, it's easier to write your resume summary after you have already written your resume. That way, you can pick and choose what you want to include.

Here's an example of what your resume summary can look like if you were a federal network administrator: Dependable Veteran network administrator with 8+ years experience and proven skills in data communication and keeping an organization’s computer network up-to-date and operating as intended. Have demonstrated network support at the U.S. Courts in Miami, FL by troubleshooting servers with 50% faster success rates than previous network administrators. Seeking to grow within the U.S. Courts system in Albany, NY. If you're looking for more help, our guide on writing resume summaries has tons of examples.

3. Describing your work experience

As we've mentioned, your federal resume can be quite a few pages long. However, it is important to begin describing your work experience on the first page. ‍

Tip: Describing your previous work experience using multiple bullet points detailing what you did on the job shows hiring managers and recruiters the kind of experience you have and if it matches what they need for the job you are applying for.

When it comes to describing your work experience on a federal resume, you're going to be including more details than normal. Here are some things to include when describing your work experience:

• The company or branch you worked for
• Dates worked
• Job location
• At least 4 job description bullet points
• Supervisor and method of contact, if contactable
• Key achievements

Tip: When listing your work experience, especially since your resume extends multiple pages, be sure to go in reverse-chronological order , showcasing your most recent experience at the top of your work experience section.

Here's an example of what your work experience section can look like for your federal resume: Network Administrator, U.S. Courts

Miami, FL • January 2014 — May 2021

Salary: $54,547 Hours/Week: 40

Supervisor: Megan Cassanes, 305-291-4122, may contact

• Assisted in network design and implementation.
• Provided network support with a variety of operating systems.
• Installed and configured computer network equipment.
• Maintained network connectivity of all computer workstations.
• Provided network support to users.
• Maintained servers and associated hardware, applications, services, and settings.
• Developed and monitored policies for the use of network resources.
• Implemented and managed disaster recovery and back-up.
• Evaluated and recommended security improvements and system upgrades.
• Monitored network to ensure optimal performance.
• Created and maintained network users/permissions.
• Tested release of products to minimize user impact and ensure compatibility.
• Created technical support documentation for systems and applications.

Key Achievements:

• Troubleshot network systems with a 50% faster resolution rate.
• Prevented 5/5 database hacks over a span of 6 years.
• Developed a network system to keep data communications private, organized, and easily accessible, which was implemented into other U.S. Courts Systems.

Want more tips and tricks on how to write your work experience description? Check out our guide on describing your work experience .

Key Takeaways

Now, there's much more that goes on your federal resume, but these are definitely the elements you want to include on the first page. When completing your federal resume, be sure it is at least 4-6 pages and contains the following:

• Certifications and licenses, if applicable
• Languages, if applicable

Here's a recap of the details we went over in this guide:

• Format your resume like a professional and be sure to include the aforementioned details
• Write an impressive and professional resume summary
• Describe your work experience in great detail

Following our guide and making sure to include plenty of detail will help your federal resume get the recognition it deserves. It takes a lot of work to put together this kind of resume, so be sure to give yourself some recognition, too. Structuring and formatting your resume like this is sure to help you land any federal position you are applying for. Best of luck!

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• • Developed a robust network of highly qualified professionals resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction.
• • Formulated strategic recruitment initiatives aligning with company goals, resulting in a 15% reduction in time-to-hire.
• • Managed a portfolio of 30+ client accounts, efficiently addressing and resolving issues to maintain strong professional relationships.
• • Devised a targeted outreach program which attracted top-tier talent from diverse backgrounds, enhancing the company's reputation for inclusive hiring.
• • Utilized advanced analytics to monitor recruitment KPIs, making data-driven decisions that improved the efficiency by 18%.
• • Spearheaded a company-wide training on cultural competency, significantly improving team collaboration and cross-cultural communication.
• • Led a team of 8 recruiters, achieving a record-high placement rate of 95% for our IT sector clientele.
• • Designed recruitment campaigns for specialized IT roles, which increased the quality of applicants by 25% within 6 months.
• • Introduced a CRM system for tracking candidate interactions, which reduced administrative workload by 30%.
• • Negotiated with third-party vendors to streamline the background check process, improving turnaround time by 40%.
• • Organized and attended 15+ industry networking events per year to maintain high visibility and attract top talent.
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5 Federal Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your federal resume must showcase your work experience with precision and clarity. Ensure it aligns perfectly with the job announcement's requirements. Demonstrate measurable achievements that reflect your expertise relevant to the position applied for. Tailor your qualifications to the federal standards and utilize the appropriate keywords.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Resume Guide

Resume Format Tips

Resume Experience

Skills on Resume

Education & Certifications

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

One specific resume challenge faced by federal job applicants is tailoring their experience to match the strict and detailed qualifications outlined by government positions. Our guide provides step-by-step instructions and examples to help you fine-tune your resume, ensuring it resonates with federal hiring protocols and boosts your chances of selection.

• Which sections do you need to include in your resume to meet recruiters' requirements;
• How to write your federal resume experience section - even if you have don't have little to no work experience;
• Real-life professional examples to guide you how to write the most important federal resume sections;
• Adding even more sections so your federal resume stands out with professionalism and your personality.

We've also selected some of the best (and most relevant) resume guides for the federal role you're applying for:

• Grant Writer Resume Example
• Government Resume Example
• Canvasser Resume Example
• Regulatory Affairs Resume Example
• Policy Analyst Resume Example
• Military Resume Example

Optimize your federal resume format to pass the recruiters' assessment

What recruiters are looking for is systematised content that is clear and coherent. Thus, your federal resume needs to answer requirements and why you're the best candidate for the role from the get-go.

• Sorting your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your most recent and relevant roles. This is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals;
• Writing your contact information (e.g. personal phone number and email address ) and your portfolio or LinkedIn link in your federal resume header. If you're wondering to include a photo or not, always make sure that it's appropriate for the country you're applying in;
• Use the basic, most important federal resume sections - your experience, education, summary, etc. Use your resume's real estate wisely to tell a compelling, professional story and match job description's keywords;
• Don't go overboard with the length of your resume. One page is absolutely fine if you happen to have under a decade of relevant experience.

Are you still wondering if you should submit your federal resume in PDF or Word format ? The PDF has a few more advantages, as it doesn't change the format and the text can't be altered upon application.

Format matters most when your federal resume is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS).

The ATS parses resumes, looking for specific keywords, skills or experience that match the job description.

P.S. We recently did a study on how the ATS works and were able to demystify three of the biggest misconceptions about how it assesses candidate resumes.

To pass the ATS evaluation, select any of the serif or sans-serif fonts. Popular choices that would help your federal resume stand out include Raleway, Exo 2, Montserrat, etc.

Most traditionalists go for Arial or Times New Roman, but it's often the case that many candidates choose these fonts, and you'd thus lose points on the uniqueness front.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.

Traditional sections, appreciated by recruiters, for your federal resume:

• Clear and concise header with relevant links and contact details
• Summary or objective with precise snapshot of our career highlights and why you're a suitable candidate for the federal role
• Experience that goes into the nuts and bolts of your professional qualifications and success
• Skills section(-s) for more in-depth talent-alignment between job keywords and your own profile
• Education and certifications sections to further show your commitment for growth in the specific niche

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Professional experience directly related to the specific position being applied for, including job duties and accomplishments.
• Evidence of specialized experience required for the position, including years of experience and level of responsibility.
• Clear demonstration of key skills and competencies relevant to the federal role, such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership abilities.
• Understanding of federal employment eligibility and citizenship requirements for the specific job title.
• Relevant educational background and certifications necessary for the position, along with any continuing education undertaken.

Guide to your most impressive federal resume experience section

When it comes to your resume experience , stick to these simple, yet effective five steps:

• Show how your experience is relevant by including your responsibility, skill used, and outcome/-s;
• Use individual bullets to answer how your experience aligns with the job requirements;
• Think of a way to demonstrate the tangible results of your success with stats, numbers, and/or percentages ;
• Always tailor the experience section to the federal role you're applying for - this may sometimes include taking out irrelevant experience items;
• Highlight your best (and most relevant) achievements towards the top of each experience bullet.

You're not alone if you're struggling with curating your experience section. That's why we've prepared some professional, real-life federal resume samples to show how to best write your experience section (and more).

• Successfully orchestrated the implementation of federal compliance regulations across 15 departments, ensuring adherence to government standards.
• Oversaw federal contract negotiations, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency and a 10% reduction in costs.
• Directed a team of 30 federal program analysts, achieving a record-high employee satisfaction rate of 85%.
• Managed a portfolio of federal IT projects with a combined budget of $125 million, delivering all projects on time and under budget.
• Implemented innovative cybersecurity practices that decreased security breaches by 40% within one fiscal year.
• Developed and maintained strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, improving the agency's public-private collaboration efforts.
• Executed the federal procurement process for technology upgrades, efficiently managing contracts worth $95 million.
• Led cross-functional teams in the delivery of critical infrastructure projects, improving nationwide federal services.
• Championed the adoption of green technologies in federal buildings, cutting energy costs by 25% over 4 years.
• Facilitated federal audit procedures, significantly reducing findings by 60% through detailed risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Curated and streamlined internal control systems for federal programs that boosted operational transparency.
• Pioneered a departmental restructure that enhanced workflow efficiency by 15%, aligning more closely with federal objectives.
• Developed federal grant proposals that secured over $50 million in funding for community development projects.
• Cultivated a comprehensive training program for grant management that increased staff competency by 30%.
• Coordinated with multiple federal agencies to align project outcomes with national priorities.
• Efficiently managed a federal program budget exceeding $30 million, optimizing resource allocation to meet program goals.
• Innovated data-driven decision-making processes that improved program performance metrics by 20%.
• Fostered collaborative relationships with state and local governments, enhancing the implementation of federal programs at those levels.
• Initiated and led a strategic analysis for federal health initiatives, influencing policy that affected over 3 million beneficiaries.
• Deployed agile methodologies in federal program development, reducing time to market by 25%.
• Negotiated with healthcare providers to incorporate cost-saving measures that saved the federal program $10 million annually.
• Led a team responsible for developing federal cybersecurity policy, enhancing national security posture against emerging threats.
• Conducted comprehensive reviews of federal information systems, leading to the identification and remediation of critical vulnerabilities.
• Collaborated with private sector leaders to incorporate cutting-edge technology and practices into federal cybersecurity strategies.
• Oversaw federal energy programs, introducing sustainable practices that resulted in a 10% annual decrease in carbon emissions.
• Managed stakeholder engagements that informed the development of federal energy efficiency standards.
• Identified funding opportunities and authored proposals that secured $75 million for renewable energy projects.
• Analyzed and interpreted federal legislation to provide strategic guidance to senior management, ensuring compliance across the organization.
• Led a cross-agency initiative to digitize records management, improving access to information for federal employees and the public.
• Coordinated an inter-departmental task force that successfully integrated innovative data analytics techniques into federal reporting systems.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Include the exact number of team members you've led or projects you've managed to demonstrate leadership and management skills.
• Specify the percentage by which you increased efficiency or productivity in a previous role to showcase process improvements.
• Highlight the dollar amount of the budget you've managed to illustrate financial responsibility and strategy.
• Present the numerical figures of sales growth or revenue increase to exhibit your contribution to business growth.
• Detail the number of training sessions conducted or participants trained to underline your mentoring capabilities.
• State the exact number of reports you've designed or databases managed to show your technical proficiency.
• Mention the quantifiable scale of events or campaigns you've organized to demonstrate your planning skills.
• Report the measurable reduction in costs or expenses from initiatives you've implemented to highlight your cost-saving efforts.

Action verbs for your federal resume

No experience, no problem: writing your federal resume

You're quite set on the federal role of your dreams and think your application may add further value to your potential employers. Yet, you have no work experience . Here's how you can curate your resume to substitute your lack of experience:

• Don't list every single role you've had so far, but focus on ones that would align with the job you're applying for
• Include any valid experience in the field - whether it's at research or intern level
• Highlight the soft skills you'd bring about - those personality traits that have an added value to your application
• Focus on your education and certifications, if they make sense for the role.

Recommended reads:

• How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume
• Perfecting the Education Section on Your Resume

If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.

Balancing hard and soft skills in your federal resume

Recruiters indeed pay close attention to the specific hard and soft skills candidates possess. Hard skills refer to technical abilities or your proficiency in technologies, while soft skills are the personal attributes and qualities developed over your lifetime.

If you're unsure about effectively quantifying these skills on your resume, follow our step-by-step guide. It's crucial to first understand the key job requirements for the role. Doing so enables you to accurately list your:

• Hard skills in sections like skills, education, and certifications. Your technical expertise is straightforward to quantify. Most organizations find it sufficient to mention the certificates you've earned, along with your proficiency level.
• Soft skills within your experience, achievements, strengths, etc. Defining interpersonal communication traits in your resume can be challenging. Focus on showcasing the accomplishments you've achieved through these skills.

Remember, when tailoring your federal resume, ensure that the skills you list match exactly with those in the job requirements. For instance, if the job listing specifies "Microsoft Word," include this exact term rather than just "Word" or "MSO."

Top skills for your federal resume:

Regulatory Compliance

Policy Analysis

Legal Research

Public Administration

Data Analysis

Budgeting and Finance

Grant Writing

Project Management

Government Procurement

Information Security

Communication

Problem Solving

Adaptability

Organization

Critical Thinking

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

The more trusted the organization you've attained your certificate (or degree) from, the more credible your skill set would be.

How to include your education and certifications on your resume

We're taking you back to your college days with this part of our guide, but including your relevant higher education is quite important for your resume.

Your degree shows recruiters your dedication to the industry, your recent and relevant know-how, and some form of experience in the field.

Your federal resume education should:

• Include your applicable degrees, college (-s) you've graduated from, as well as start and end dates of your higher education;
• Skip your high school diploma. If you still haven't graduated with your degree, list that your higher education is ongoing ;
• Feature any postgraduate diplomas in your resume header or summary - this is the perfect space to spotlight your relevant MBA degree ;
• Showcase any relevant coursework , if you happen to have less professional experience and think this would support your case in being the best candidate for the role.

As far as your job-specific certificates are concerned - choose up to several of the most recent ones that match the job profile, and include them in a dedicated section.

We've saved you some time by selecting the most prominent industry certificates below.

The top 5 certifications for your federal resume:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
• Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives (FAC-COR) - Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI)
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) - Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) - Microsoft

List all your relevant higher education degrees within your resume in reverse chronological order (starting with the latest). There are cases when your PhD in a particular field could help you stand apart from other candidates.

• How to List Expected Graduation Date on Your Resume

Professional summary or objective for your federal resume

federal candidates sometimes get confused between the difference of a resume summary and a resume objective.

Which one should you be using?

Remember that the:

• Resume objective has more to do with your dreams and goals for your career. Within it, you have the opportunity to showcase to recruiters why your application is an important one and, at the same time, help them imagine what your impact on the role, team, and company would be.
• Resume summary should recount key achievements, tailored for the role, through your career. Allowing recruiters to quickly scan and understand the breadth of your federal expertise.

The resume objectives are always an excellent choice for candidates starting off their career, while the resume summary is more fitting for experienced candidates.

No matter if you chose a summary or objective, get some extra inspiration from real-world professional federal resumes:

Resume summaries for a federal job

• Seasoned Financial Analyst with over 12 years of experience, proficient in using advanced Excel features and ERP software. Spearheaded a budget reduction initiative that trimmed departmental expenses by 30%, significantly impacting the bottom line. Motivated by challenges in high-stakes fiscal environments and adept at long-term strategic financial planning.
• Experienced IT Project Manager who has successfully led complex cybersecurity infrastructure overhauls for a large federal agency over the past 10 years. Recognized for exceptional leadership in managing cross-functional teams and implementing state-of-the-art IT solutions that increased system reliability by 40%.
• Dedicated secondary education teacher transitioning to the Information Technology sector, bringing a unique perspective from 8 years of developing analytical thinking in young minds. Competent in foundational IT concepts and coding languages such as Python and Java, eager to apply educational techniques to foster technological advancement in government operations.
• Accomplished Mechanical Engineer with a decade’s experience in the aerospace industry, pursuing a new direction in Environmental Science. Holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Engineering and actively volunteers with conservation groups. Committed to contributing technical expertise to develop environmentally sustainable practices within federal programs.
• Aspiring to leverage my exceptional organizational skills and passionate commitment to public service, I aim to embark on a career in government administration. While my background is in community volunteer coordination, I'm keen to bring my 5 years of experience in fostering community relationships to support federal initiatives and programs.
• Eager to contribute a fresh and innovative mindset to the advancement of federal healthcare initiatives. With a background in public health education and a strong belief in the value of community wellness programs, I am determined to apply my skills and newfound knowledge to support the delivery of quality healthcare services.

Taking your federal resume to the next level with these four additional resume sections

Your federal resume can feature a variety of skills (both hard and soft) in diverse sections . Choose those that align best with the job requirements and reflect your suitability for the company culture.

Consider these four additional resume sections recommended by our experts:

• Languages - State any languages you are proficient in and your level of proficiency. This demonstrates your commitment to communication and potential for international growth.
• Projects - Highlight up to three significant projects you've completed outside of work, showcasing skill development. Include a link to your project portfolio in the federal resume header, if applicable.
• My Time - How you allocate your time outside work can indicate your organizational skills and cultural fit within the company.
• Volunteering - Detail causes you're passionate about, roles you've held, and achievements in volunteering. Such experiences likely have honed a range of soft skills crucial for your dream job.

Key takeaways

Writing your federal resume can be a structured and simple experience, once you better understand the organization's requirements for the role you're applying to. To sum up, we'd like to remind you to:

• Always select which experiences, skills, and achievements to feature on your resume based on relevancy to the role;
• In your resume summary, ensure you've cherry-picked your top achievements and matched them with the job ad's skills;
• Submit your federal resume as a one or two-page long document at the most, in a PDF format;
• Select industry leading certifications and list your higher education to highlight you have the basis for technical know-how;
• Quantify your people's skills through various resume sections (e.g. Strengths, Hobbies and interests, etc.) to show recruiters how your profile aligns with the organizational culture.

Looking to build your own Federal resume?

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• Federal Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Federal Resumes:

• Conduct research and analysis on federal policies and programs to provide recommendations and guidance to senior officials.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to support the agency's mission and goals.
• Manage and oversee the budget and financial resources of the agency, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and guidelines.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other federal agencies, stakeholders, and partners to promote interagency cooperation and achieve common objectives.
• Draft and review reports, memos, and briefing materials for senior officials, providing accurate and timely information on key issues and developments.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of federal programs and initiatives, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes.
• Represent the agency in meetings, conferences, and public events, advocating for the agency's interests and promoting its mission and objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including Congress, industry representatives, and advocacy groups, to gather input and support for agency initiatives.
• Lead and manage teams of staff members, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to ensure the successful completion of projects and tasks.
• Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and emerging issues in the federal sector, attending conferences and professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences, effectively communicating complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and policies, conducting audits and reviews to identify and address any potential issues or violations.

Speed up your resume creation process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to.

Federal Resume Example:

• Conducted in-depth research and analysis on federal policies and programs, providing senior officials with actionable recommendations that resulted in a 15% increase in program effectiveness and cost savings of $1 million.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan to align agency initiatives with organizational goals, resulting in a 10% improvement in mission performance and recognition from senior leadership for exceptional strategic leadership.
• Led a cross-agency collaboration effort, fostering interagency cooperation and achieving common objectives, which led to the successful implementation of a joint program resulting in a 25% increase in program impact and visibility.
• Managed and oversaw a multi-million dollar budget, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and guidelines, resulting in zero audit findings and recognition from auditors for exemplary financial management.
• Coordinated and collaborated with federal agencies, stakeholders, and partners to promote interagency cooperation, resulting in the successful implementation of a joint initiative that received national recognition and increased program impact by 20%.
• Drafted and reviewed reports, memos, and briefing materials for senior officials, providing accurate and timely information on key issues and developments, resulting in informed decision-making and improved communication with stakeholders.
• Developed and maintained relationships with key stakeholders, including Congress, industry representatives, and advocacy groups, resulting in increased support for agency initiatives and successful advocacy for increased funding by 15%.
• Led and managed a high-performing team of staff members, providing guidance and support, resulting in a 20% improvement in team productivity and recognition from senior leadership for exceptional leadership skills.
• Stayed informed about current trends and emerging issues in the federal sector, attending conferences and professional development opportunities, resulting in the implementation of innovative strategies that improved program outcomes by 10% and received national recognition.
• Strategic Planning
• Policy Analysis
• Budget Management
• Interagency Collaboration
• Report Writing
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Team Leadership
• Knowledge of Federal Regulations
• Financial Management
• Program Development and Implementation
• Research and Analysis
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Project Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Decision-Making Skills
• Performance Management
• Knowledge of Current Trends in Federal Sector
• Advocacy Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Conflict Resolution Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Attention to Detail
• Public Speaking Skills
• Relationship Building Skills
• Change Management Skills
• Risk Management Skills

Top Skills & Keywords for Federal Resumes:

Hard skills.

• Policy Analysis and Development
• Budgeting and Financial Management
• Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement
• Regulatory Compliance
• Contract Management
• Data Analysis and Reporting
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
• Legislative and Legal Research
• Security Clearance and Classified Information Handling
• Crisis Management and Emergency Response
• Interagency Coordination and Collaboration

Soft Skills

• Leadership and Team Management
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Coordination
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Decision Making and Strategic Planning
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
• Analytical Thinking and Data Analysis
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Integrity and Ethical Behavior
• Interpersonal Skills and Relationship Building

Resume Action Verbs for Federals:

• Implemented
• Collaborated
• Coordinated
• Facilitated
• Streamlined
• Investigated
• Communicated
• Strategized

Generate Your Resume Summary

Resume FAQs for Federals:

How long should i make my federal resume, what is the best way to format a federal resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a federal resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a federal, compare your federal resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Federal job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Complete the steps below to generate your free resume analysis.

Related Resumes for Federals:

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Questions and answers

Where can i get help with writing my resume.

The FedsHireVets.gov website has a Resume Writing guide posted at

Resume Writing Participant Handout PDF .

USAJOBS.gov Help Center: Resume Creation Guide