Many businesses and recruiters sift through about 500 resumes for one available position. So, the likelihood of your resume going unnoticed is relatively high. That is even more true when it comes to finding a government job.
One mistake people make when applying to government agencies is sending in a regular resume. Doing that will ensure yours will end up straight in the trash bin. Many people do not realize that there is a difference between a federal resume and a regular one.
Is this news shocking to you? If so, you might want to know how to create a resume for potential federal employment. Keep reading to find out how to create a government job resume.
Contents
The Length
No doubt you think your resume should never exceed one page. Many people recommend only one to two pages for a resume meant for private industry. That means you know how to cram a lot of information into a small space.
However, a federal resume will usually take up 3-4 pages. So, you will have to expand all of those details into larger, fuller paragraphs.
Why? Well, the governmental companies reviewing your resume want to know everything about your skills and accomplishments- not just the basics. They want to hire someone knowledgeable and well-rounded.
The Details
Private industries want details that are quick and easy to digest. That usually means bullet points. You have probably written quite a few bullet points in an attempt to spell out your work duties and qualifications.
With a federal resume, you can ditch the bullet points. As stated above, you must detail everything to know about your qualifications.
The first 15-20 words of your resume are the most crucial part. So, take extra care to describe yourself in the beginning summary.
After that, you want to have a few paragraphs within your document. Dedicate each section to each of your core skills. From there, you can explain why these are your core skills and why they are critical to the job you are applying for.
The Keywords
Most private industries do not care about keywords. So, if you apply for a regular job, you don’t need to worry about that. But if you apply to a government position, you will need to brush up on pertinent keywords.
Many of these involve words like:
- Team leader
- Logistics
- Coordinator
- Database
- Administrator
Remember, many of these specialists receive hundreds of resumes per position. Keywords are an excellent way to get potential employers’ attention. For more, check out these resume examples.
For More Tips on Creating a Federal Resume
The differences between a federal resume and a regular one are vast. Remember, a private industry resume is shorter and requires fewer details. But a federal resume will take up a few pages and needs paragraphs to explain your work experience.
We hope this article helps you with your federal job search. To further improve your job hunting, continue reading our blog.
