How To Write a Federal Resume
Federal resumes follow a unique structure that differs significantly from resumes in the private sector. To create an impactful federal resume, craft an accomplishment-driven document that highlights your career achievements while maintaining compliance with government requirements. Understanding these requirements is essential for obtaining a federal job. We’ll walk you through the unique aspects of federal resumes and provide expert tips to help you land your next big opportunity.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your federal qualifications in a dynamic profile
Unlike a typical resume, your federal resume must include an eligibility section that provides key information for government agencies. When applying for a federal job, provide important details such as veterans’ benefits, eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), preferred location, citizenship status, desired job type, work schedule, and availability. Failing to include this information in your federal resume could result in your job application being rejected without further consideration of your qualifications.
Eligibility Section Example
Eligibility
Country of Citizenship: U.S.
Veterans’ Preference: 5-point preference
VEOA Eligibility: Yes
Availability: December 1, 2024
Job Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full Time
Target Location: Philadelphia, PA
2. Outline your federal experience in a compelling list
When applying for jobs in the private sector, you may opt to leave off older jobs and experiences that aren’t aligned with your current career goals. On a federal resume, you need to provide a comprehensive timeline of your professional experience. Government agencies typically run very thorough background checks on candidates, and it’s important to understand that all of this information will likely be verified. You aren’t subject to length constraints on a federal resume, so including older positions won’t impact your ability to highlight your most recent experience and achievements.
Federal Resume Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
General Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
July 2017 – present
- Oversee daily operations for a high-traffic airport with over 5,000 passengers, manage over $150 million in annual profit and loss (P&L), and ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and personnel
- Manage over 200 personnel across 15 departments, oversee $5 million in monthly payroll, and identify opportunities to streamline operations and reduce labor costs by 10%
- Coordinate the delivery of cultural awareness and racial sensitivity to all personnel to promote diversity and prevent discrimination
Operations Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
June 2014 – July 2017
- Coordinated with the general manager and operations team to ensure compliance with safety regulations, import regulations, and export regulations across the airport
- Managed inventory valued at $1.5 million, scheduled maintenance for aircraft, and ensured optimal staffing levels based on flight forecasts and foot traffic
Warehouse Manager, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA
May 2012 – July 2014
- Managed operations for seven warehouses across the Greater Philadelphia area and identified opportunities to enhance driver utilization, optimize route planning, and reduce outbound freight costs by 25% over two years
3. List any education and certifications relevant to federal roles
Put all of your education on a federal resume, including your high school diploma. Also include your GPA, even if it’s below 3.0. Certifications and credentials should be featured prominently, as these may be requirements for certain types of positions. Showcasing certifications is also a good strategy for highlighting your industry expertise and qualifications for government agencies.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Supply Chain Management
- UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE, Syracuse, NY September 2010 – June 2014
- High School Diploma
- BROOKLYN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, New York, NY September 2006 – June 2010
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), 2017
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), 2015
4. Outline your most useful federal skills and proficiencies
Government agencies utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) just as much as companies in the private sector. Incorporate keywords from the job announcement into your federal resume to achieve ATS compliance. It’s also important to provide specific examples of you using these skill sets and industry knowledge rather than only listing them in your skills section. Below, you’ll find a list of potential keywords across a broad range of industries:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Business intelligence |
| Continuous improvement | Corporate intelligence |
| Cross-functional collaboration | Data analytics |
| Engineering | Financial analysis |
| Financial reporting | Health care management |
| Information technology | Operations management |
| Political risk analysis | Process improvement |
| Project management | Quality assurance |
| Risk management | Security |
| Supply chain management | Team management |
5. Feature volunteerism and community service
On a standard resume for the private sector, you would typically prioritize your industry experience over volunteerism in most instances. Federal resumes are different, however, as community service is important to highlight while applying for government jobs.
Hiring agencies are drawn to candidates with a strong background in public service, so feature relevant volunteer experience on your resume.
How To Pick the Best Federal Resume Template
For federal resumes, select a well-organized, straightforward template that uses minimal color. Although modern templates may seem visually appealing, flashy colors and bulky graphics are often distracting for hiring agencies. This is especially true for federal resumes, as the hiring manager will be reviewing a larger amount of information in comparison to typical resumes.
Federal Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia PA, 12345
Profile
An Operations Manager with nine years of experience specializing in cross-functional leadership, human resources, team management, and process improvement. A strong history of leading diverse teams to ensure operational excellence across high traffic airports.
Eligibility
Country of Citizenship: United States of America
Veterans’ Preference: 5-point Preference
VEOA Eligibility: Yes
Availability: December 1st, 2022
Job Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full Time
Target Location: Philadelphia, PA
Professional Experience
General Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
July 2017 – Present
- Oversee daily operations for a high-traffic airport with over 5K passengers, manage over $150M in annual P&L, and ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and personnel
- Manage over 200+ personnel across 15 departments, oversee $5M in monthly payroll, and identify opportunities to streamline operations and reduce labor costs by 10%
- Coordinate the delivery of cultural awareness and racial sensitivity to all personnel to promote diversity and prevent discrimination
Operations Manager, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA
June 2014 – July 2017
- Coordinated with the general manager and operations team to ensure compliance with safety regulations, import regulations, and export regulations across the airport
- Managed inventory valued at $1.5M, scheduled maintenance for aircrafts, and ensured optimal staffing levels based on flight forecasts and foot traffic
Warehouse Manager, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA
May 2012 – July 2014
- Managed operations for seven warehouses across the Greater Philadelphia area and identified opportunities to enhance driver utilization, optimize route planning, and reduce outbound freight costs by 25% over two years
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Operations Management
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2008 – May 2012
High School Diploma
North Philadelphia High School, Philadelphia, PA September 2003 – June 2008
Key Skills
- Operations Management
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- P&L Management
- Process Improvement
- Organizational Development
Frequently Asked Questions: Federal Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for federal resumes?-
It’s easy to run short on action verbs as you build your resume. Often, only a limited number of verbs can describe your professional experience and accomplishments accurately. Using the same verbs repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear redundant. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs to build your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Delivered | Developed |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Executed | Identified |
| Implemented | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Supervised | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a job announcement?-
Federal jobs offer lucrative salaries and benefits, so carefully align your resume with the job announcement to differentiate yourself from the competition. Each announcement will have a detailed description on usajobs.gov, and include specific keywords and qualifications that match the posting.
It’s also important to remember that each job announcement will have a specific grade that varies depending on the level of experience required for the role. Apply for an opportunity that matches your current grade. A higher-level position may require you to take additional measures to ensure your resume is perfectly tailored to that particular job announcement.
What is the best federal resume format?-
Although federal resumes are unique in many aspects, it is best to still employ a reverse chronological approach as you build your document. This ensures your most recent experience is featured toward the top of the resume. A functional resume format needs to be avoided in this instance, as a federal job application is expected to have much more detail than a standard resume.
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Cover letters can be beneficial for federal job applications. It allows you to showcase other aspects of yourself as a professional that wouldn’t fit in your resume. In the middle paragraphs, mention the government agency and why you’re drawn to apply for the position. This will show hiring managers your vested interest in government programs and initiatives, which may give you an edge over the competition during your job search. For more information, view our cover letter examples.
