Yes, we write federal resumes
Since 1971 we have written federal resumes for every kind of applicant. Tell us who you are, and we will build an impressive, interesting, and targeted federal resume matched to your announcement, your grade, and your goal. Our No. One Goal is to help you get BEST QUALIFIED for a federal job.
1971
First federal resume service
50+ years
Tracking OPM rules
8th edition
Federal Resume Guidebook
2 pages
The 2025 federal format
01
What changed
RP / The rules
The federal resume rules changed in 2025. Our books keep up.
The 2025 guidance rewrites how a federal application is organized, presented, and written, with the emphasis on your last ten years. We have tracked every OPM format era since 1971, so when a rule moves we already know how to edit, reorganize, and target your resume to get Best Qualified.
Format
2025
The two-page federal resume
Agencies are requiring two pages today: 10-point body, 14-point headings, half-inch margins, and instructions that are very specific. Every accomplishment has to earn its line.
Questionnaire
2025
Assessment questionnaire
The job announcements MIGHT include job-related questions for you to answer, multiple-choice and sometimes narratives. These questions must also be covered in your resume. We will make sure the resume covers the questions and the announcement qualifications.
Language
2025
Active voice and critical keywords
No more “tasked with” and “served as.” The new writing style opens every line with an action verb, and keywords from the job announcement are mandatory. We build the keyword list for your resume.
This Merit Hiring Plan will prohibit the current longform Federal resume structure. Instead, there will be a 2-page limit on resume length. This will make resume review easier and make it easier for employees to move between the private and Federal sectors.
OPM memo, May 29, 2025
02
How it works
RP / The method
A Certified Federal Resume Writer® interviews you and writes your resume, start to finish.
01
Share
Hand us what you have today
Send your current resume, the job you are seeking, and a sample announcement if you have one. We read your roles, dates, agencies, and duties, and come back fast with recommendations on organization, content, keywords, and accomplishments.
02
Strategize
A certified writer reads it against the announcement
One hour with a consultant tells you what to change: the organization of your sections, the keywords, the accomplishments, the projects. Then we give you homework. You write the content of your career; we edit, organize, format, and target it. We do not invent a sentence.
03
Delivered
We write your two-page federal resume
You get a finished, OPM-correct resume written to the current two-page format and matched to your target announcement. Not a template, not a wizard. Our goal is Best Qualified; the referral itself is an HR decision, and we build the page to earn it.
Who are you?
We write federal resumes for all applicants: current federal employees, new graduates, veterans, military spouses, contractors, and private sector employees changing their careers. Start with yours.
Federal Employee
Move up a grade or change series with a resume built for your next announcement.
Learn more 02Transitioning Military
Translate your service into the federal format that hiring managers actually read.
Learn more 03Military Spouse
Use your hiring preference and tell your story across every move and gap.
Learn more 04Recent Graduate
Land your first federal job through Pathways and entry-level announcements.
Learn more 05Private Sector
Cross over from industry into government with the right keywords and structure.
Learn more 06Government Contractors
Make the move from contractor to federal employee without losing your record.
Learn more 07Schedule A (Disability)
Apply through Schedule A with a resume and letter that meet the requirements.
Learn more04
Success stories
RP / Results
Our clients are thankful for our writing and coaching services!
An offer the next day.
We discussed and reworked my resume, also developing a suitable cover letter. I sent it out to four potential employers, and I was amazed to receive an outstanding offer the next day.
A federal resume in under a week.
Rita dedicated herself to understanding my concerns with my old resume. In under a week, she took my federal employment history and helped me craft an easy-to-read professional resume.
On working with Rita Chambers
More than a half-dozen federal job offers.
Kathryn Troutman literally wrote the book on federal resume writing. Her personalized feedback and coaching has been absolutely invaluable in helping me receive more than a half-dozen federal job offers, and still counting.
On working with Kathryn directly
Senior Executive Service
The SES application is ALL NEW. New ECQs, new 2-page resume format, new QRB Structured Interview. Our SES writers know the new format and how to coach and interview you for the new accomplishments.
Senior Executive Service
The 2-Page SES resume is all NEW and AMAZING. MUST cover all of the ECQs, TQs, and your career in 2 pages.
Learn more 02Executive Core Qualifications
The new ECQs and new sub-competencies are critical to integrate into your SES resume. The CCAR format is still standard and mandatory for QRB success.
Learn more 03SES Two-Page Resume
The previous SES application was 21 pages. The new application is now the 2-Page SES Resume! We are experts in the accomplishment development and editing your executive history.
Learn more 04SES Interview Prep
Prepare for maybe 2 SES interviews, the ERB and the brand new OPM QRB interview. They are different. We hope you make it to the QRB. Work with an executive coach to practice and prepare.
Learn more 05SES Consulting
The all new 2-page SES resume can be created with expert consultation and interview about your leadership accomplishments.
Learn more 06SES Writing Workshop
Years of experience in teaching ECQ Writing is now converted into teaching the 2-page SES Resume and the QRB Interview. We are experts with leadership accomplishments, writing and agency training.
Learn moreServices and samples
Federal Resume Writing
One-on-one writing and coaching for USAJOBS, entry level through executive.
Learn more 02Federal Resume Consultation
Map your next federal move with a consultant who knows the system.
Learn more 03Interview Preparation
Practice the behavior-based federal interview and walk in ready.
Learn more 04Federal Resume Samples
See real before-and-after federal resumes across grades and series.
Learn more 05Federal Resume FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we hear most about federal resumes.
Learn more 06Writing Fees
Clear pricing for federal and private-industry resume writing.
Learn moreGet started
Start with the one-hour consultation
A Certified Federal Resume Writer® reviews your resume against your target announcement and maps the plan. $210 (up to GS-13 target) or $260 (GS-14 and up target), one hour, writer and coach.