If you are applying for a job in the government, then there is a certain set of information required on the job resume that must be included to be under consideration for the job.  While an employment cover letter is important, the resume is the most important part of the hiring process and must be stressed for accuracy as much as the interview process is.

Federal Government Resume:

If you are applying for a position with the federal government, you need to be aware of a different way of presenting your resume, which is known as the Federal Resume.

Very seldom does the federal government use keyword software for selecting candidates. Most times your resume will be reviewed by a real person. This allows you the opportunity to impress the reader of your resume with some copywriting tactics as noted in this book. However, you must be sure to include the federal government’s resume criteria in addition to your copywriting techniques.

Here is what a Federal Resume must contain at a minimum:

• Job Information:
  • Open Position announcement number.
  • Open position title.
  • Open position grade.
• Personal Information:
  • Full name.
  • Mailing address and zip code
  • Day and evening phone numbers
  • Social Security Number (NEVER list SSN on a non-Federal Resume)
  • Country of citizenship
  • Veterans’ preference
  • Reinstatement eligibility
  • Highest federal civilian grade held.
• Education:
  • High School: name, address, zip code, and date of diploma or GED
  • College or University: name, address, zip code, majors, types and years of degrees (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate semester or quarter hours completed)
  • Send a copy of college transcripts ONLY IF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS THEM.
• Work Experience (paid and non-paid related to the open position):
  • Job title.
  • Duties and accomplishments.
  • Employer name and address.
  • Supervisor name and phone number.
  • Starting and ending dates (month/year).
  • Hours worked per week.
  • Ending salary.
  • Indicate Yes/No as to whether the supervisor can be contacted.
• Other Qualifications:
  • Job-related training courses (title and year).
  • Job-related skills such as other languages, machinery, computer software, tools, etc.
  • Job-related certificates and licenses
  • Job-related honors, awards, accomplishments such as publications, membership in organizations, etc. and give dates.

Resumes are very important for a government job, so make sure that you meet the information requirements.  Without including them, it would be far more difficult to get a job within the government now or in the future.