How To Write a Federal Resume

by Randall Scasny, Director, FS5 Consulting

Federal Resumes are detailed, targeted, structured documents that are quite different from standard resumes.


Federal resumes are quite different from the typical resume sample you see in most Career books that are sold at book stores. They are much longer, detailed, targeted, and technical. They are written for a specific vacancy announcement. They serve as evidence that you have the requirements stipulated in the vacancy announcement published on USAjobs.com.

Writing a Federal resume takes some training. And, if not training, then a lot of practice.

Most people are preoccupied with the physical format of the resume. Formats exist to assist the resume writer to provide all the necessary information. But the true value of the resume is what information goes into a resume. This information and how you express yourself is what the Federal resume screener will use to make a decision whether or not to pass you onto the next stage in the interview process.

The key to a well written Federal Resume is proving to the resume screener that you have most of the requirements of the job and you are the best candidate for the job. These screeners have to prune down a stack of resumes to a handful of applicants. The resumes that really stand out are the ones who will be selected for interviewing.