Federal Employment | Government
No One Really Knows What a Federal Resume Is
How Much Concern Does the Government Have About It? [also, a federal resume copy is shared here]
Most people, at least in the United States, have heard about federal resumes, and some have put their hands to completing one.
I encourage you if have completed one, to put in the comments how you worked on yours. Did someone help you, did you whip it up yourself, etc.? Help me and others improve ours, in turn, we may have things you do not have on yours.
I have attached my federal resume for your viewing, with personal details blocked out.
Federal Resume
A federal resume is a resume one uses to apply for a federal job. Such as the ones listed on USAJOBS.gov
A federal resume covers basically your entire life. I say that because a private sector resume is ONLY 1 page in length. Someone will lay out just the reasons they are qualified for a job. Most people do not make multiple copies of their resumes (private sector resumes), either. I used to, though, so I can apply for more jobs than I truly have experience in.
A federal resume is intricate, detailing very small details about each of your jobs for the past 10+ years. And much more, as you will read from my resume.
YouTube
There was a YouTuber who I talked with about federal resumes after watching their video about federal resumes. They were a professional, they said. I never told them who I was, an executive of a small military-focused nonprofit.
I brought up military occupation specialty schools where military members are given a diploma and asked if they put that MOS school under education. They said that was a “real good question” and after some thought answered by saying they would make a military section on the federal resume. Some of you have now identified my point in asking the YouTuber this.
I proceeded to ask if they would mind looking over my resume to critique it. They said they would! But, the link they sent was for a $60 resume review.
I just had to laugh. Someone who full-well has not answered a military question about federal resumes is thinking of charging me.
Professionals
I’ve read through nearly 10 different websites of experts talking about federal resumes and literally, none of them agree. I wish I could say that was surprising. It’s not.
Being a professional in 2022 going into 2023 just means:
- “I walked past the fish market in New York City, so I now write about it”
- or, “I am a manager in a company, so let me tell you what I like to see” [of a company of 25 staff]
Resume
I took my complaint to the White House. Only technically, a friend has a friend who works in the White House and they inspected my resume.
Private Sector Resume
First, I’ll share with you my private-sector resume. Take note that I have blocked out some detail, but added the details that I erased. For the past 3 years, I have met with numerous employers (upwards of 85 companies) and helped a hundred or so people with obtaining employment. I taught clients how to do resumes, cover letters, job assessments, search engine profile creation (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, etc.), interviews, and employer follow-ups. And you’ll read about my other jobs — but, I learn jobs fast.
I told all my clients,
“Make the resume very good on one page. You will fill out the rest of your jobs in the past 5 years or the last 3 jobs (unless you had one job for 25 years, then put 2 jobs down) during the application. Any less than that, I would not expect a phone call back from them.”
Federal Resume
So, here’s my federal resume. Edit what you will for your own. In the comments ask any questions you have and I will make sure to answer.
A couple of things: as you will have noticed I left “Desired Job” and “Availability” blank. The desired job will change per job applied for and with Availability, I’m not sure what I’m going to put there.
Again, if you need any help, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for reading! Thank you for your positive comments!! Thank you for sharing!
