Federal Resume for USAJOBS

Learn how to write a federal resume for USAJOBS.gov so you can get a job with the US government.

Get a free Federal Resume Template here:

Learn to write the:
- Specialized Experience
- KSA Knowledge, skills and abilities
- General resume Writing tips

Article on USAJOBS:

[yupperz]

I work as an HR Specialist in the federal government and everything said in this video is correct. I can't tell you how many times I've had this conversation with applicants to explain why they weren't referred. Great content!

[lyvwyr]

So basically someone said "lets make the resume format difficult and the job articles coded so we dont have to bother with reading very many, god i hate actual work'

[dalilaperez]

Wow, such clear instructions and demo! thank you! I don't know who are the dummies giving it a thumbs down.

[hulagirl]

Thank you for making this video! I’m about to graduate from my university and have been applying for jobs on USA jobs.

[bhaveshdivecha]

You're more helpful than you realise as-well you are the most perfect you there is.

[joewoods]

The positive comments here are from the 1% hired using USAJOBS, and this isn't typical. What is typical and standard protocol is applying for numerous jobs over a 4-5 year span and receiving occasional phone calls for interviews. You think you nailed the interview, yet they hire someone else. Perfect, if the person was more qualified than the two or three selected for the interview. This is called standard protocol in that organizations such as USAJOBS and many others that provide the same practices have to contact three "candidates" regardless of whether they are best qualified. So in layman's terms, this means that 99% of the time, the company/contractor that is hiring already knows who they will hire, but due to specific laws and regulations, they are required to conduct these interviews regardless. To break it down even further, John Smith is retiring from his current job, but Bob (his boss) needs to fill that same role in the civilian sector. Hence, Bob tells John to apply- they shake hands. The job is posted a few days later, the exhausting interview process pans out, and John walks right into that job a few weeks later and lives a lovely life, doubling his salary, which he made in the military. Everyone is happy, except the two other candidates that really had a zero percent of being hired regardless if they have more experience. This is called the "Good Ole Boys Network, " and Yes, it happens all the time. So, my advice to you is to work for yourself. Cut grass, write a book or just relax because you will never be happy with this system made for the officer corps/buddies of the government.

[BreezaBrown]

Very informative. You answered a ton of questions I had and provided information I didn't know. Thank you.

[sierratrammell]

Thank you for creating this video! Is there anything different on a resume that you recommend a person should or should not include if they are applying for a recent graduate internship position?

Also, what are some ways to increase your chances of becoming a part of the recent graduate internship program for recent college graduates?

Thank you!

[silencio]

Great summary, thank you for making this video.

[HvyMetalEver]

Thank you for this wonderful and concise video. I am looking to apply for GS-12 job here very shortly.
I have 2 questions if you would not mind.
1) The cover letter. I was always told you want to do your very best to attach a cover letter. Would it be advantageous to contact the HR rep on the post to get the hiring managers name?
2) Direct Hire Authority - Are there any advantages to this, versus a standard hiring?

Thank you again for some wonderful pointers.

[marcoguevara]

The federal government is overrated it's a rare event when jobs are open to the actual public, 95% of the jobs go to military, exmilitary, furloughed government employee, military wives etc..etc..., have to be the type of person that's ready to marry your job to keep up with it.

[cattmann]

Jaime, I've seen a couple of the federal job announcements that do NOT mention or have a section for Specialized Experience. For those job announcements, what would you recommend instead for that section of the resume? Thanks for all of this info, it's very helpful.

[rickbatulan]

So you said don’t go over 5 pages on your resume. I thought 2 pages is max.

[desertbee]

@Begin With, Jaime, great video. My question is whether the Professional Profile summary is independent from the actual resume. In other words, are they separate files? Thanks!!!

[shadyfieldhomestead]

Do you have format example to compare? I have a resume that I’ve been using that was successful with CBP but not with anyone else.

[austrob]

Thanks for this video, it is a great quick guide! I do have a question though.

I see many people recommending to list all jobs from the last 10 years on a federal resume, which makes sense for most people. However, I have worked a myriad of jobs because I have been in school, moved around, and many of them were seasonal. I do not want it to seem that I cant hold a job, as I have never been fired or anything like that. Would it be better to only list my jobs most relevant to the position, even if I have some gaps in work history?

[cyberdine]

Is military service considered federal service in the aspect of GS levels? i get different answers. If military service is considered GS where do i find a scale or comparison to be able to determine what GS level is equal to my military service and experience?

[johnmiller]

Hi Jaime, thanks for the video, very helpful. Question: Under the "qualifications" it simply references a website and then goes into the "specialized experience" I skip the qualification part of my first page or make it a "combo" ? thanks!

[gayleneflower]

GREAT video! Question: I am on the Non Competitive Hiring list. I am really not sure what that means exactly? If I go a year without working for the feds, can I still utilize the hiring policy? And can I ONLY be hired for that exact same position? So if I wanted to work in a different state, can I just email the supervisors and let them know the above and that I am interested in working for them? Can a previous employer "bump" me for another applicant that worked in prior years? Hope you can help, Im not getting answers from the feds. Thanks so MUCH!

[Defianceo]

Question, is copy/paste or even copying the questions on the questionnaire or duty responsibilities verbatim a good idea? Or should we use just the key words and incorporate it in our resume?