The Federal Resume Guidebook

Table of Contents

What Is Unique to a Federal Resume

How Does a Federal Resume Differ from a Private Industry Resume

How Does a Federal Resume Differ from the SF 171?

How Does a Federal Resume Differ from the OF 612?

What Else Should Go with Your Federal Resume?

What Are Benefits of a Federal Resume?

Looks Great

Provides a Flexible Format

Helps Career Changers

Highlights Your Background as Desired

Focuses the Resume with a Profile Statement

Emphasizes Accomplishments and Results

Highlights Critical Skills and Job-Related Information in the Position Descriptions

Taking the Next Step

Step 1: Find the Job You Want

Opm’s Worldwide Web Site: www.usajobs.opm.gov

The Career America Connection

OPM’s Federal Job Opportunities Bulletin Board (FJOB)

Federal Job Information Touch-Screen Computers

FedFax Service

Full-Text Announcements

Other Sources

Step 2: Obtain and Analyze the Vacancy Announcement

Sample Vacancy Announcements and Analyses

Announcement 1: Secretary

Announcement 2: Program Analyst

Step 3: Follow the Application Instructions

Just Follow the Steps

Background on Federal Resume Writing

The First Two Sections of a Federal Resume

Job Information

Personal Information

Special Instructions on Each Item

How the Points Help Veterans Get Federal Jobs

Job and Personal Information Samples

Considerations for Organizing Your Educational and

Training Background

Education Section Samples

No College Degree

Recent College Graduates or Those with New Degrees

GS-9 through GS-14

GS-15 through Senior Executive Service

SF 171 Material Transformed into a Federal Resume

Private Industry Resume Sections Convert Easily into a Federal Resume

Examples of the Other Qualifications Section

Job-Related Honors, Awards, or Special Accomplishments

Sports, Activities, and Special Interests

Media, Quotes, Articles, and Public Speaking

Travel Experience

The Importance of the Work Experience Section

An Overview of Your Work History

Getting Psyched to Write

Your Resume’s Audience

Researching Your Work Experience

Researching Federal Agencies

Getting Help from a Writing Partner

Sample Writing-Partner Interview Questions

Converting Your SF 171 into a Succinct Federal Resume

Focusing on the Factor Evaluation System (FES)

Analyzing Your Work Experience Section to Make Sure It Covers All FES Components

Rewriting

Examples of Work Experience Sections Converted from SF 171s

Expanding Your Job Descriptions and Converting Your

Private-Industry Resume

Special Issues on the Work Experience Section

Writing Your Part-Time and Small Business Job Descriptions

Writing About Unpaid Work Experiences

Federal Collateral Duty and Leadership Positions

Volunteer Teaching

Community Service and Volunteer Positions

Overview of the Three Types of Focusing Sections

Profile Statement

Critical Skills

Accomplishments

Targeting Each Announcement

The Focusing Sections Can Help You Change Careers

Highlighting Skills from Prior Jobs

Highlighting a Recent Degree

More Profile Statement Examples

Federal Resume Case Studies with Page 1 Focusing Sections

Packaging Your Resume Is Next

Organizing Your Resume Sections

Formatting Your Federal Resume

Grammar, Consistency, and Proofreading Tips

Packaging Your Application

Paper and Envelope Considerations

Checklist for Your Resume Application Package

Introduction to Scanning

Which Agencies Are Using Computers to Read Resumes?

How Computers Read, or "Scan," Resumes

How to Write a "Scannable" Resume

Format

Maximizing Hits

Rule 1: Skills, Skills, Skills

Rule 2: Be Concrete

Rule 3: Include Specifics

Rule 4: Use Industry Jargon

Rule 5: Be Brief, But Don’t Cram

Follow Instructions

What Happens to Your Resume in the Database?

Bottom Line: Read Directions Carefully

Automated Agencies Using Scannable Resumes

How to Submit a Resume by E-Mail or on the World Wide Web

You’re Ready for the Resume Revolution

An In-Depth Look at KSAs

Definition of Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

How Agencies Grade KSAs

A KSA by Any Other Name Is Still the Same

Federal Job Announcement Examples with KSA Requirements

How To Write Great KSAs

Important Elements of the KSA Statement

Write Your Statement in First Person as a Narrative Statement

Write About a Specific Situation, Project, or Task

Include Job-Related Education, Courses, Training, and Awards

Include Buzzwords

Five Approaches to KSA Statements

Situation KSA

Overview KSA

Education/Training KSA

Award/Recognition KSA

Historic KSA

Recommended KSA Format

Examples of Good KSAs

Time to Practice

A Profile of the SES

Who Should Apply?

Requirements for Successful Applications

Writing Executive Core Qualifications

OPM’s Recommended Format

The Changing Competition for SES Position

To Send or Not to Send

Emphasize Your Strongest Credentials

Cover Letter Formats

Cover Letters for SES Positions

Cover Letters in Summary

Setting Goals Makes the Difference

Six Steps for Reaching Your Dreams

One Hour a Week Can Pump Up Your Career

A.   Federal Resume Examples

College Resumes

GS-8 and Below

GS-9 and Above

Federal Government to Private Industry

Private Industry to Federal Government

Resumix Scannable Resume

B.   KSA and ECQ Examples

KSA Examples

ECQ Examples

C.   Federal Employment Forms

D.   Federal Occupational Information

Book of U.S. Government Jobs Excerpt

Federal Occupational Groups

E.   Resumix Job Kits

F.   Agency Employment Information

G.   Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications

Contributing Authors

Index