The Top 5 Mistakes Most Federal Applicants Make When Writing Their Own Government Resume

Writing a federal resume is much different than preparing a resume for submission to the private sector. Consider the top 5 mistakes most federal applicants make then they try to write their own government resume:

1. Your resume is not the proper length and fails to provide sufficient details – a federal resume is 2-3 pages long while most private industry resumes are crowded onto 1 page;
2. Your resume does not include the right keywords to be considered for the position – it is essential to carefully review the job vacancy announcement for the keywords that describe the position you are applying for so you can use those keywords throughout your application;
3. Your resume does not contain necessary compliance details such as your social security number, citizenship information, military experience, federal government experience or pertinent background about your work experience;
4. Your resume is grammatically incorrect or contains spelling errors; and
5. Your resume fails to comply with the requirement for Federal submission as detailed in the job vacancy announcement.

If the Federal job application process seems overwhelming, you can make a solid investment in your future by hiring an experienced resume writer. A professional Federal resume can mean the difference between landing your dream government job or continuing to rewrite your resume to try to get it right.

Part 5: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement – HOW TO APPLY

The final component of a Federal job vacancy announcement is the section that outlines how to apply for the position. Once you decide you are interested in and qualified for a particular Federal job, this section provides the specifics required to apply and try to get an interview.

The how to apply section lets you know if you can send applications via email or facsimile as well as the deadline for applying. For people who are unable to electronically submit their resume or the hearing impaired, information is supplied about how to contact personnel for additional assistance. This section will also let your know what supporting documents are required to apply for the position such as a formal application and resume as well as responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. For those submitting with a veterans preference, additional documentation for submission may be outlined. The how to apply section also lets you know the addresses and numbers where you should send your application paperwork and who to contact if you are disabled and require reasonable accommodations to apply for the job.

When you are ready to try to get that dream job with the Federal government, the how to apply component of the job vacancy announcement gives you all the instructions you need to get the interview you want. Carefully following the directions will ensure you have an opportunity to be considered for a coveted Federal position.

Part 3: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement – QUALIFICATIONS & EVALUATIONS

The third component of a standard Federal job vacancy announcement is the Qualifications and Evaluations section.  This section is particularly important to review so you can make a determination as to whether or not you possess the necessary elements to apply for a specific Federal position.

The duties and accomplishments expected to fulfill the requirements of the job posted will be clearly outlined for potential applicants in the Qualifications and Evaluations section of the announcement. Education and experience required for consideration is listed along with requirements for describing and evidencing your own qualifications for the position posted.  If graduate education is expected or there are special requirements for the position, it is specified in this section.  Most importantly, this component of the announcement contains the job-rated questions necessary to prepare a Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Statement in support of your application if you decide to apply for the job.  Basis for rating applicants is also defined in this section including veterans preference.

A careful review of the Qualifications and Evaluations section of a Federal job vacancy announcement is the key to determining if the position is right for you and how to customize your Federal resume writing to the position.

Part 2: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement – DUTIES

When you search for jobs at the USAJobs website, it is essential to understand the components of a Federal job vacancy announcement.  The first page you reach will be the Job Overview, which provides enough information about the position to determine if you want additional details.  If you decide from the Job Overview that you want more facts about the Federal position posted, the next section to review is the Job Duties.

The Duties section of a Federal job vacancy announcement clearly details all the responsibilities required to fulfill the position.  While the Job Overview offers a summary of what needs to be done if you get the job, the Duties section outlines all the duties involved when you secure a particular Federal position.  You should carefully review the extent of the duties so you can ensure you are a viable candidate for the Federal position you consider.  If you have not performed some of the duties or they sound unfamiliar to you, you may not be the best candidate for that particular job.  On the other hand, if the duties sound like tasks you are familiar with and feel confident about performing, you may wish to consider this job further and prepare your Federal resume.

If a review of the Job Overview and the detailed Duties section of the Federal job vacancy announcement sound appealing, you are ready to move on to the next section of the online posting to get additional information about your potential dream job.

Part 1: The Components of a Federal Job Vacancy Announcement

JOB OVERVIEW

To understand how to look for a coveted position with the Federal government, it is important to know the components of a Federal job vacancy announcement.

When you visit USAJobs to search for viable Federal employment opportunities, the first page that will be shown for each position is the Job Overview. The overview will include pertinent details about the job so you can easily determine if this is a potential position you might be interested in. The Federal job overview will include facts such as:

• official job title;
• salary range for the position;
• the open period of time you can apply for the job;
• series and grade;
• potential for promotions;
• locations where you can find job vacancies;
• basic factors for consideration for the job posted; and
• a summary of the job that includes the basic duties required to fulfill the requirements of the position.

Carefully reviewing the Job Overview will tell give you enough information to determine if the position is an option that interests you, if you are qualified to apply for the job and how long you will be able to apply for the position. If you determine the Federal job posted is a good option you are ready to move on to the next component of the Federal job vacancy announcement.

Does your Military Background Really Count for Anything on your Federal Resume? Let’s See…

If you are seeking a coveted Federal position, you may be wondering if your military background really counts on your resume. The answer is that your military background definitely gives you an advantage in the competitive Federal job arena.

Skills you gained in the military are directly transferable to may of the positions the Federal government is looking to fill. Military experience is valued and some of the jobs are quite similar to work done by members of the military. Certifications gained in the military such as top secret clearance are sought after by Federal agencies and these qualifications may not be recognized as important in the private sector. Military experience can even substitute for a degree in many situations when applying for Federal positions. Further, veterans have been given preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Veterans with an honorable or general discharge may be eligible for 5 or 10 points added to their application score. Federal agencies even have discretionary authority to hire certain veterans without competition.

When you are applying for a Federal position, you need to follow their specifications and indicate your military qualifications. Hiring a professional military to Federal resume writer who is familiar with the Federal job application process will ensure you have a total edge when applying for a desirable Federal position.

A Reader Asks: The Federal Job Announcement I am Interested in is Asking me to Answer a Technical Qualification. What is it?

A technical qualification is answered much like KSA (knowledge, skill and abilities) statements. Your specific qualifications are required and certain Federal job announcements may also have multiple choice questions that will need to be answered. If you are using USAJOBS, the question may not be in the job announcement itself but it may be found during the application process. In other words, to find out a technical qualification question, you may have to start applying for the job first.

You must answer technical qualification questions because they are required according to the Federal specifications for applying for the position. If you do not answer the technical questions, your Federal application will not be considered. Usually t he statements are written in a context, challenge, action and result format and require examples of your qualifications, such as the actions you took with regard to a particular challenge and the results achieved. Always include pertinent training, certifications and awards. Consider making a solid investment in your future by hiring a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal specifications to prepare your application. Giving your Federal application a professional touch can mean the difference between landing that desirable position – or not getting it at all.

OPM’s USAJOBS Continues to Attract Large Numbers of Job Seekers Who Want to Work for Their Country

Washington, DC – With millions of job seekers looking to find their “perfect” career, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) USAJOBS website continues to experience great success.

“USAJOBS is an example of a hugely successful internet job site, one that helps people identify opportunities with the federal government,” said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. “USAJOBS offers the American people a useful access point to federal jobs, and it helps them remain updated as to ‘what is out there.'”

During Fiscal Year 2007 (October 2006 through September 2007), a record 94,324,604 visitors went to the USAJOBS site, generating over 1 billion page hits.

“I am committed to USAJOBS and the helpful options it provides,” said Springer. “For those interested in federal employment and the benefits it provides, there is no better place to go.”

Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2008, visitors to USAJOBS have equated to another record 10,000,000 per month; and, they have generated an average 124,000,000 monthly page hits. Should that trend continue unabated or further increase, FY 2008 will be yet another banner year for USAJOBS.

USAJOBS can be found at www.usajobs.gov.

Understanding the Various Federal Resume Formats: A Brief Overview of the QUICKHIRE Resume

Every Federal resume has a different format and it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the requirement to apply for the job you want.  Many Federal agencies are currently using the QuickHire format for online job applications.  Knowing the format so you can properly submit your resume is essential to be considered for a desirable Federal position.

A QuickHire resume has a total of 16,000 characters.  This will need to be used carefully to describe your contact information, education, training, employment background, skills, awards, certifications, licenses and other pertinent information.  To find the KSAs, you are usually required to register on the QuickHire website for the agency you are interested in, provide your contact information and enter a preliminary resume, which you can update when you really apply for the position.  When you log into the QuickHire site, you will view the announcement, vacancy questions and KSA questions to be answered.  In most instances, the KSAs are 4,000 characters.

If you want to have a distinct advantage in the well-structured, competitive Federal job market, hire a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal specifications to complete your application.  It can mean the difference between getting the job you really want or settling for a job you don’t.

Understanding the Various Resumix Resume Formats: A Brief Overview of the Army Resume

If you are seeking a desirable position in the Army with the Federal government, be aware that every online application format has its own unique requirements when it comes to the length, the number of jobs you can describe and the number of characters you can use.  In order to even be considered for a coveted Federal position, it is essential to use the right resume format.

When you are applying for an Army job, the Army Resumix format allows you to use up to 12,000 characters to describe your work experience.  There is no limit to the number of positions you can list as work experience.  There are also additional fields in this resume format for you to specify your education, licenses, training, skills, certifications, awards and other such related information.  It is necessary to include the answers to all your KSA in the resume in this format.  You may only have one Army Resumix file for all the applications you make for positions with the Army, which can limit you depending on your achievements and background.  Although this format is used for most Army job postings, it is not used for all of them.

If you are overwhelmed with the specifications for applying for a Federal position, consider investing in your future by hiring a professional resume writer who is familiar with Federal rules.  Having a professional handle your Federal job resume and application will help you stand head and shoulders over the many other applicants for the job.