7 Free Federal Resume Samples & Writing Tips and Trends (2023)

FAQs

What is the best format for a federal resume? ›

A federal resume should be 4 to 6 pages long. It should be very detailed and include all sorts of essential information, such as GS codes, citizenship, hours worked per week, and more. In a federal resume, include the following sections: contact information, resume summary, work experience, education.

There are 3 common resume formats - reverse-chronological, functional, and combination (or, hybrid). The reverse-chronological format is the most popular one in 2022, and we always recommend you to go with that one.

A federal resume should only go back 10 years in work history — 15 if the position is particularly germane to the job in which you are applying to. HR is especially interested in your most recent experience and how that ties to the open position's requirements.

False: A federal resume requires more information than a civilian resume, therefore, it is typically longer than two pages. Some of the things that should be included are your educational and work experience.

What is the best resume format for 2022? For most people, the reverse-chronological resume format is the best option. This means listing your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order, i.e. starting with the most recent position and working backwards through previous jobs or degrees.

Chronological resume

This is the most common type of resume format and is generally preferred by most hiring managers. A chronological resume leads with your work history, which should list your current and previous positions in reverse chronological order.

There are tons of free resume templates across various categories available for you in Canva. It's fairly easy to use since all you have to do is choose a resume format you like, type in the details and information, and download your resume for free.

The federal format will require a supervisor's name, contact information, and the job title for each position you've had. Most of the time, 5 references are generally desired. If you do not have 5 positions in your work history, add additional references to the bottom of the resume.

You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.

What is a federal style resume? ›

What is a federal resume? A federal resume is a comprehensive document used when applying for a job within a federal government. You need to provide more specific information both about yourself and your work experience than you would in a regular resume . A federal resume is typically longer than two pages .

There's no need to include personal information on a resume such as your social security number, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs. In fact, it is illegal for employers to ask for these personal details.

A resume headline is a concise description located just below your name and above your resume summary. It quickly communicates who you are as a candidate and, when written effectively, grabs the attention of hiring managers. Headlines are an important addition to your resume.

Federal resumes follow a similar format to traditional resumes. A conservative, 12-point font is recommended, as well as 1-inch margins. Bolding headers and breaking up chunks of text with bullets to showcase specific items will go a long way in making your resume aesthetically pleasing and easy to read.

Should a resume have color? Yes, in many cases a resume should have color. Adding color to your resume makes it stand out from the resumes of other job seekers and makes your application look more appealing. But a colorful resume can sometimes come across as unprofessional, especially if it's difficult to read.

Your resume should list all the relevant jobs you've held. Required: Employer, location, title, start and end date, average hours worked per week, responsibilities and accomplishments for each job you list.

“If your resume encompasses two pages, don't overthink it — focus on the content on those two pages to make your skills and experiences shine.” The extra space allows you to be more specific and expand your experience with concrete examples — something recruiters want to see more of, Salemi says.

What should you not put on a resume for 2022? ›

Don't include lots of information that's irrelevant to the job you're applying for. “Sure, you've got hobbies, interests, languages, favorite bands, and ambitions,” Cenedella says. “But keep the information that doesn't address your ability to be responsible, accountable, and a hard worker to a reasonable level.”

How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? You should list as many jobs on your resume as you can assuming they are all relevant and you're not going beyond the 10-15 year limit. The number of jobs typically varies between 7 and 3. As long as each job or position is relevant, you shouldn't worry about the exact number.

Many workers are proud of their careers and feel the information on a resume should reflect everything they've accomplished. However, the resume shouldn't contain every detail. It should include only the information that will help you land an interview.

Naturally, typos or spelling mistakes top the list of the most common reasons resumes get rejected. When employers are looking through numerous applications trying to select the best candidates to interview, why would they choose someone who hasn't taken care enough to submit an error-free resume?

You should certainly be uploading your resume on Indeed but we recommend passing on its resume builder. The formats are not optimized for ATS systems, they're too generic, and they offer little customization. You're better off uploading your own resume with simple formatting and plenty of keywords.

A resume is a one- to two-page document presenting key facts about your professional experience, educational background, and skills. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a longer document that details the whole course of your career. A resume is used for job search, a CV—for academic purposes.

How much does it cost to use MyPerfectResume? MyPerfectResume offers a 3-month subscription for $5.95 as well as an annual subscription for $71.40.

Your resume file name should include your full first and last name. If you have a common name, you could also add your middle initial. If, as you should be, you're sending customized resumes to each position you apply for, include information such as the job title or the company name in your resume file name.

Should I include a cover letter for a federal job? ›

Jobs for government or public sector positions often require a well-written cover letter or personal statement. So in addition to your federal resume, you should write a federal cover letter that follows the agency's application instructions and presents you as a highly skilled professional.

One of the ways you can achieve this with a USAJobs resume is to update it to meet the specific experience requirements and keywords of each job posting. Successful applicants also incorporate elements from their federal resume into the answers on the accompanying occupational questionnaire for the vacancy.

Many people believe applying for a federal job is a difficult and complicated process, but it is actually very achievable. The search process for federal government jobs can last about 6-18 months, which can be lengthy for many people.

Most resumes should be two pages long. Two pages are the standard length in 2021 to fit all your keywords, work history, experience, and skills on your resume.

Generally, new graduates list education first, while job-seekers with a few years or more of work history list experience first. However, when using the USAJobs Resume Builder, experience is always listed first.

How many bullet points per job on a resume? Write between 3–6 bullet points per job in your work experience section. Make them 1–2 lines each. Use more bullet points for your most recent and relevant experience.

Use program tools to set your line spacing

Typically, resumes stay within a single-spaced format up to 1.5-point spacing. You want enough space to keep your resume scannable without leaving too much white space between lines of text.

Do you put your address on a resume? ›

Traditionally, including your address on your resume was standard practice because employers would reach out to you via physical mail. Today, most (if not all) jobs handle hiring communication through email or online portals. For that reason, listing a mailing address on your resume is no longer necessary.

Listing your hobbies plays a role in demonstrating how you'll relate to the company's culture. Any extracurricular work that supports what you know about the culture is extremely relevant and should be present on your resume.

General career objective examples

To secure a challenging position in a reputable organization to expand my learnings, knowledge, and skills. Secure a responsible career opportunity to fully utilize my training and skills, while making a significant contribution to the success of the company.

A catchy title is the headline of a content article that contains elements to persuade readers to read it. Writing an effective headline can be an essential element of your content. A catchy title can bring a customer to your article by explaining what's in it or what value the reader can get from clicking on it.

What is a federal resume? A federal resume is a comprehensive document used when applying for a job within a federal government. You need to provide more specific information both about yourself and your work experience than you would in a regular resume . A federal resume is typically longer than two pages .

The proper formatting for federal resumes should include short paragraphs using capital letters to highlight key words. Always avoid bullets since they limit and abbreviate pertinent information.

Private industry resumes are usually 2 pages and federal resumes are more often 3 to 5 pages in length. The federal resumes are longer because the federal Human Resources specialists want your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (and duties and accomplishments) spelled out.

Should a resume have color? Yes, in many cases a resume should have color. Adding color to your resume makes it stand out from the resumes of other job seekers and makes your application look more appealing. But a colorful resume can sometimes come across as unprofessional, especially if it's difficult to read.

Should you use USAJobs resume builder? ›

Now that USAJobs is searchable throughout all federal agencies looking for qualified candidates, it is important to build USAJobs resumes in the federal resume builder instead of uploading your resume.

Most resumes should be two pages long. Two pages are the standard length in 2021 to fit all your keywords, work history, experience, and skills on your resume.

Your resume file name should include your full first and last name. If you have a common name, you could also add your middle initial. If, as you should be, you're sending customized resumes to each position you apply for, include information such as the job title or the company name in your resume file name.

A cover letter may be included if there is additional information you wish to express to the hiring authorities that is outside of what is normally included in a resume.

Many people believe applying for a federal job is a difficult and complicated process, but it is actually very achievable. The search process for federal government jobs can last about 6-18 months, which can be lengthy for many people.

Yes, they do. If you have done any previous state jobs that are relevant to the job you are applying for, do not hesitate to include them in your resume.

Generally, new graduates list education first, while job-seekers with a few years or more of work history list experience first. However, when using the USAJobs Resume Builder, experience is always listed first.

All FBI agents must hold a bachelor's degree at minimum, and many possess a master's degree or higher. FBI agents often earn degrees in fields such as criminal justice or political science, though the Bureau does not maintain any specific academic major requirements for applicants.

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

No. The FBI is a national security organization that works closely with many partners around the country and across the globe to address the most serious security threats facing the nation. We are one of many federal agencies with law enforcement responsibilities.