Federal resume writing
Federal Resume FAQ
Straight answers to the questions we hear most about federal resume writing. If yours is not here, a certified consultant can answer it in a working hour.
BEFORE YOUR CONSULTATION
You can save money by preparing first.
Steps you can take to prepare for the consultation and save time for the analysis and the writing that follows.
Update your current resume
Add your current position with dates, title, and a description of your duties. This helps us analyze the resume quickly against the target position.
Draft an accomplishment
You do not have to do this before the consultation, but it is great practice for the new resume. Use our free CCAR builder to write one or two accomplishments, so your writer starts with real material.
Common questions.
The federal resume follows its own rules. Here is what applicants ask most.
How do I edit my 5-page federal resume down to 2 pages?
Focus on the last ten years of employment. HR specialists want to see recent and relevant experience. Edit earlier positions down to 3 to 7 lines, and consider removing positions older than 15 years.
Should I use the Builder or upload my federal resume?
Uploading a PDF federal resume is usually better, because you can organize the content your way instead of the rigid Builder format. You can put a profile, certifications, and education at the top of page one. If you have a new degree or required certifications, list them on page one.
What are keywords, and where do I find them?
Keywords are the seven to ten words and phrases the HR specialist looks for. You will find them in the Requirements, Qualifications, How You Will Be Evaluated, Questionnaire, Summary, and Duties sections. Your resume should include at least 5 to 7 of the important keywords from the announcement.
What are KSAs?
Some announcements include Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities statements: required knowledge you must have and write about in the 2-page federal resume. They will probably come up in the behavior-based interview, so get ready with examples.
What makes a good accomplishment?
An accomplishment is a specific project or problem you took on to help meet your agency’s mission. It shows initiative, problem-solving, and follow-through. It tells a short story on the Challenge, Context, Action, Result model and ends in a specific, measurable result. Accomplishments are what get you Referred, so we add five to seven. Draft yours first with our free CCAR builder.
What does it cost?
Two rates: $210 per hour for GS 5 to 13, and $260 per hour for GS 14 to SES. We prepare a quote for full-service writing from the consultation. See Pricing for how the process runs.
Can you guarantee a job, or a Best Qualified rating?
No, we cannot guarantee either. We do our best to help you get Best Qualified, which is the first step, and we make a huge effort to add accomplishments and make the resume impressive to help you get Referred and interviewed.
Do you write the new 2-Page SES Resume?
Yes. It is an executive writing masterpiece. The former SES package was 21 pages; this is now 2 pages total. We make sure the resume covers the new ECQs, with accomplishments to match the ECQs and the TQs, and we emphasize your last ten years of executive experience. See our Senior Executive Service pages.
Which book should I get for the best samples?
Executives and federal jobseekers: Federal Resume Guidebook, 10th ed. Service members and veterans: Jobseeker Guide, Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 10th ed. Military spouses: The Stars Are Lined Up for Military Spouses, 3rd ed. Students and recent graduates: Student’s Federal Career Guide, 3rd ed. Print books ship next day. Browse them in the bookstore.
GET STARTED
Work with the Certified Federal Resume Writers who wrote the book.
Our experts wrote the Federal Resume Guidebook, the number-one federal resume book in America, with all 2-page federal resume samples. They will give you the best direction to target your 2-page federal resume.