The Resume Place, Inc.

1 The Resume place , Box 21275, Catonsville, MD 21228 Phone: in the United States of AmericaFederal Resume Guidebook 6th EditionISBN-13: 978-0-9861421-2-3 ISBN -10: 0 9 8 6142123 Updated January 2016 Copyright 2016 by Kathryn TroutmanThe Resume place and Ten Steps to a Federal Job are trademarks of The Resume place , rights reserved. The information provided in this title is provided solely for purchaser s own use, and no part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, stored in a database or retrieval system, used to prepare derivative works, used to distribute copies of this work, or publicly performed absent express, prior, written authorization from The Resume place , Inc (The Resume place ).

2 The Resume place offers individuals and organizations that are interested in teaching the information presented in this work the opportunity to obtain a three-year certification to teach those materials following participation in training programs offered exclusively by The Resume place , pursuant to a license agreement with The Resume place . More information describing such certification program is available from The Resume place at have been careful to provide accurate federal job search information in this book, but it is possible that errors and omissions may have been Resumes: Sample resumes are real but fictionalized.

3 All federal applicants have given permission for their resumes to be used as samples for this publication. Privacy policy is strictly TeamDevelopmental Editor, Cover, and Interior Page Design/Layout: Paulina Chen Contributors: John Gagnon, Rita Chambers, Debbie Hahn, and Rachel Blazucki Copyediting: Pamela Sikora and Sarah GreenbergIndex: Pilar WymanPart 1: Strategies for Writing a Winning Federal ResumeStrategy #1: Use the Outline Format ..6 Strategy #2: How Many Hats Do You Wear At Work? ..26 Strategy #3: Use Keywords to Match the Vacancy Announcement ..30 Strategy #4: Tell Your Accomplishment Stories.

4 38 Strategy #5: Add Your Core Competencies ..46 Strategy #6: Edit Carefully ..52 Strategy #7: Submit Your Resume in USAJOBS Correctly ..58 Strategy #8: Give Yourself All the Credit that You Can on the Questionnaire ..72 Part 2: Special Insights for Specific JobseekersInformation Technology Specialist ..78 Acquisition Professional ..106 Management and Program Analyst ..118 Career Change Resumes ..132 About the Author ..153 Index ..15 4 Table of ContentsSample Federal ResumesPart 1: Strategies for Writing a Winning Federal ResumeOutline Format Example ..9 Before & After Samples: TSA Lead Screener.

5 12 Before & After Samples: Legal Assistant ..16 Before & After Samples: Program Analyst ..20 Before & After Samples: Information Technology Specialist ..24 Sample "Hats" ..28 Sample USAJOBS Builder Resume : Mark Glenville ..66 Sample USAJOBS Builder Resume : Dawson Christopher ..68 Part 2: Special Insights for Specific JobseekersSample IT Resume ..103 Sample Contract Specialist Resume ..115 Management and Program Analyst Resume Excerpt ..131 Sample Federal Career Change Resume ..14 6 Introduction by Kathryn TroutmanI wrote the first-ever book on Federal Resume Writing, The Federal Resume Guidebook, in 1996 after the government eliminated the SF-171 (sometimes a 50-page form with a table of contents).

6 Ever since the first book, I have been teaching federal job applicants how to write the best federal Resume format, from paper format (sometimes 10 to 14 pages) to Resumix format, and now the USAJOBS format (average length of 5 pages).This latest edition is simpler and shorter, and makes it easier to understand the critical elements of a Best Qualified federal Resume . The USAJOBS vacancy announcements are better than ever really. The job announcements include the keywords and keys to your success with your federal Resume . If you REALLY want a federal job, you will follow this guidebook s lessons, samples, and outline format style guide (in the USAJOBS builder) for your federal The Resume place , Inc.

7 We write our federal resumes in this format and we receive many testimonials back from our clients: Looks like our hard work paid off! Interview is scheduled for this Friday. Thanks so much! We did one Resume for one position, a GS-12 with the VA. The outline format, keywords, accomplishments, and specialized experience hit the mark Bullseye! We will now prepare for the Behavior-Based Interview! The bottom line with your federal Resume is this:Your federal Resume must demonstrate that you have One Year Specialized Experience at the next lower grade level, and that you have the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform the position.

8 Your federal Resume must also be in the USAJOBS format and cover the KSAs in the Resume from the luck with your federal job search and federal Resume ! I hope you get Best Qualified, Referred, Interviewed and HIRED into a career ladder position! Kathryn TroutmanAuthor and Publisher, Federal Resume Guidebook, 6th 1: Strategies for Writing a Winning Federal Resume6 STRATEGY 1 Use the Outline FormatThe federal Resume is the most important document you can write to support your entrance into federal service, or to obtain a promotion to a new Resume place , INC. | Federal Resume Is NOT Private Industry ResumeWHY: Too short.

9 Not enough Functional ResumeWHY: You must list your most recent employment first, not Bulleted ResumeWHY: This format is usually just another version of the Private Industry Resume . Even with bullets, it is still too short and does not have enough Big Block ResumeWHY: Have you tried to actually read one of these lately? It s nearly impossible!If you ever receive a message like the one below in response to an application, it is time to fix your federal Resume format!"Your Resume did not document either the number of hours worked per week for all jobs listed, a detailed description of your duties performed, or the month/year to month/year worked for all jobs listed, as required by the vacancy announcement.

10 Please be sure to read each announcement for complete qualification requirements and instructions on 'How to Apply'."8 STRATEGY 1: Use the Outline Format8 Part 1: Strategies for Writing a Winning Federal ResumeIncludes AccomplishmentsWHY: In order to be rated Best Qualified, you must include accomplishments demonstrating excellent past Employment in Reverse Chronological OrderWHY: This order is used by the Resume builder in Refer to the USAJOBS builder to make sure your federal Resume includes the required information. Includes Information Required in Your Federal Resume :The federal Resume must match the USAJOBS Resume Builder fields.