Writing Resumes For Federal Jobs

Agencies in the competitive service are required by law and OPM regulation to post vacancies with OPM.gov whenever they are seeking candidates from outside their own workforce for positions lasting more than 120 days.

These vacancies are posted on OPM's USAJOBS and in America's Job Bank (AJB). Excepted agencies are not required to post their job announcements in USAJOBS.GOV. To learn about their job opportunities you must go to their websites.

what	where
job title, keywords or company	city, state or zip jobs by

So you're looking to land your first Federal job and are just about to start working on your resume. Stop right there. Before you put pen to paper (or fingers to keys), you should know that applying for Federal employment is different than the private sector.

They include job information (announcement number, title and grade), personal information (full name, address, phone, social security number, and country of citizenship), veteran?s preference or reinstatement eligibility (if applicable), education (chronological listing of high school and colleges with degree types, dates of acquisitions, major subjects, GPAs and total credits earned), and extensive work experience (with previous salaries included).

When detailing your work experience, you should keep the specific position you're applying for in mind. The Federal government is strict about ensuring that applicants? skills match the listed qualifications. So go into as much detail as possible regarding how you are qualified. This process will get you that much closer to getting hired.

The area of consideration, listed on the vacancy announcement, is the source from which the agency will consider candidates. The agency may designate whatever area of consideration it considers appropriate. A candidate who is outside the area of consideration will not be considered.

Don't Forget Your KSA 

The KSA is also known as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities and is a series of statements written in a narrative format that you must include with your Federal resume. It is written in first person and is meant to showcase in greater detail how you are qualified for the job you?re applying for.

Jobs that require a KSA will usually list between three and five statements in the posting that you need to provide answers for. You want your answers to be as thorough as possible by disclosing your knowledge, skills or abilities that relate to each statement, as well as when, how and why you acquired them giving concrete examples. In other words, use up to a page to sell yourself for this position with each answer. Don't make your KSA a carbon copy of your resume - make it original. And don't forget to type your full name and sign it before sending it off.

Adding the Extras 

As mentioned previously, acquiring a Federal job requires putting in some extra effort, which includes disclosing any information that will help showcase your ability to perform. If you have additional work experience that relates to the position, provide plenty of details (including salary info and who to contact to learn more about your work experience). Also, remember to list any software, training courses, certificates, professional memberships, or awards that might help tip the scale in your favor.

Custom Search

Veterans' preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform in times of strife, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans. Historically, Congress has reserved preference for those who were either disabled, who served in combat areas or during certain periods of time.

Federal Jobs | FederalJobs.com | Federaljobs.gov | Federal Jobsearch
 
Usajobs federal jobs listing | OPM.GOV