While it likely will not take an Act of Congress to get you an administrative job within the federal government, it will typically take the right resume.
A stable job in 2025 is what a lot of job seekers are searching for, and it’s leading them to apply for positions with the federal government. However, your application has to be tip-top.
Generally, when it comes to a government job application, forget most of what you know about creating a resume.
A federal resume is an entirely different beast compared to a professional document for a private-sector position.
For example, when compared to applications in the private sector, federal resumes:
- Have more pages
- Include more details about your experience and qualifications
- Are used to determine if you have the credentials to fill the position
This means you have to make your resume different than you would if you were going to apply for a job at a private company.
It’s worth noting that there is no standard job application for federal government jobs. Your federal resume is the ONLY document that will be utilized for employment consideration.
So, what exactly is a federal resume? In what ways does it differ from a conventional one? What might a federal resume look like? Finally, where might one look for federal job listings?
Keep reading to get the answers to these questions in this article and understand:
- What a federal resume is
- What format you should use
- How to make yours stand out
Along with the answers to this info, use our free federal resume template to quickly create your application for any government job.
What Is a Federal Resume?
In short, a federal resume is used to apply for US government positions.
No other type of job in any area requires a job application in the same format and layout as a federal resume.
A federal resume:
- Is more than 1 page long
- Contains a lot of details about your experience and qualifications
- Contains your citizenship information if you’re not from the U.S.
Federal resumes do not include a photo, and all acronyms should be spelled out.
Make your headlines and keywords stand out in a federal resume by taking advantage of our free online resume builder with AI-powered suggestions.
How To Make Your Federal Resume Stand Out
The government isn’t only thorough when it comes to taxes, they also want to make sure they are picking the right person for the job.
That’s why your resume will need to go into more detail about your qualifications to ensure that you land a role with the federal government.
Depending on your level of experience, you may need to focus on one section over another if you are an entry-level candidate.
We’ll break down each of the following sections to ensure you know exactly how to tailor your resume to a government job:
- Skills
- Experience
- Education
- Certifications
- Awards
We’ll also cover any additional sections that may be useful, such as second languages that you speak and other pertinent information.
Skills summary
Crafting the Skills section of your federal resume demands precision and relevance. If you don’t have any work experience, your skills will be key.
Highlight skills that directly align with the job, focusing on both hard and soft skills. For instance, if applying for a technical role, detail your expertise in specific software or systems relevant to the job.
Check out this skill section of a federal resume example for students to understand how you can mention skills on your resume if you don’t have much workplace experience to highlight:
Skills Summary
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat for document management and presentation.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills for effective communication across all levels of government.
- Skilled in project management tools such as Asana and Trello for efficient workflow coordination
Incorporate keywords from the job listing to ensure your resume passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and stands out to hiring managers.
Experience section for a federal resume
Federal employers look for candidates who demonstrate a track record of success, responsibility, and the ability to meet the demands of the job. When detailing your experience, focus on achievements and responsibilities that align with the federal position you’re applying for.
Use clear, quantifiable examples to illustrate your accomplishments, such as “Managed a team of 10 in developing a new data entry system that increased departmental efficiency by 20%.”
Example Experience Section.
Experience
Government Policy Analyst, Department of Energy
Washington, D.C.
(January 2020 — Present)
- Conducted comprehensive policy analysis on renewable energy initiatives, influencing the adoption of three major policies.
- Led a cross-departmental team to streamline data collection processes, improving reporting accuracy by 25%.
Education section
The education section of your federal resume should be detailed and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Start with your highest degree and work backward, and remember to include the:
- Name of the institution
- Location
- Graduation date
- Degree earned
If you’re a recent graduate, highlight academic achievements, such as GPA (if above 3.5), honors, or awards, that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, ABC College, New York, NY
May 2020
- Minor in Legal Studies
- Dean’s List (2016-2020)
Certifications for government jobs
In the certifications section of your federal resume, list any credentials that enhance your qualifications for the government position you’re targeting.
Certifications can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing specialized skills and knowledge.
Here’s an example of a federal certification section on a resume.
Certifications
- Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Institute of Internal Auditors, Obtained March 2023
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, Obtained July 2022
Awards
The Awards section of your federal resume is your opportunity to showcase recognition received for your work, academic, or volunteer achievements. This section can distinguish you from other candidates by highlighting your excellence.
Example awards section:
Awards
- Distinguished Service Award, National Park Service, June 2023
- Awarded to the top graduate student in the Public Administration program based on GPA and faculty recommendations, September 2022
Extra sections for a federal resume
Beyond the standard sections, consider adding extra categories to your federal resume to highlight diverse competencies and experiences.
These can be:
- Volunteer work
- Languages
- Professional affiliations
- Publications
For instance, fluency in foreign languages can be a significant asset in federal roles requiring communication with diverse populations or international partners.
Take a look at an example of an extra section below.
Languages
- Fluent: Spanish and French
- Intermediate: Arabic
Sample Federal Resume Template
To give you a clearer picture of what a federal job resume should look like, here is an example. You can really take it to the House with a federal resume like this!
It’s important to note that this sample federal resume, or any government resume examples, will not represent a full job application, as a proper document would run 4-6 pages.
This federal resume example is meant to give you a general idea of what it should look like.
Dana Katherine Scully
1414 Skinner Way
Reston, VA 20191
SSN: xxx-xx-0499
Citizenship: U.S.
Veteran’s Preference: None
Highest Grade: GS-2601-4
Availability: Permanent, Full-time
Skills Summary
Focused IT professional with demonstrable skills in Computer Troubleshooting, Hardware and Software Installation, Wireless Communication, and providing IT business solutions for efficiency and cost savings. Deploying analytical and strategic planning abilities and background in Project Management, Resource Management, and Business Operations to repair, maintain, and upgrade various systems to meet organizational needs and expectations.
- As IT Support Leader, completed full hardware and software installation for new IT system for Airlift Economics, Inc., providing an immediate improvement in product tracking, packaging, and distribution resulting in a 30% increase in market share and 23% decrease in inventory and shipping costs.
- Upgraded wireless communication equipment for Solar Power Instruments, creating a 40% increase in mobile communication capabilities and a 28% increase in information access while saving the company 20% in equipment maintenance and installation.
- Developed an automated inventory program to lower costs and improve materials tracking efficiency as IT Project Manager. This led to assisting executives in making more informed decisions and maintaining more detailed inventory reports regarding purchasing and production decisions.
Work History
Senior IT Support Specialist
08/2020 – Present
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Salary: $78,676 Hours/Week: 40
Pay Grade: GS9
Supervisor: Walter Skinner (202-555-0911); may contact
(1) MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR:
- Performed weekly network, software and hardware troubleshooting processes to ensure optimal performance of 30+ workstations and all information systems.
- Maintained 50+ Windows computers including all required configuring.
- Designed and implemented new network connectivity configurations, resulting in a 23% improvement in network capabilities.
- Oversaw the installation of 100+ desktop computers during a company-wide systems replacement and upgrade.
(2) END-USER SUPPORT:
- Implemented a new IT support system, improving response times for server support.
- Managed all desktop support issues.
- Provided training for a team of 15 desktop support engineers.
- Responsible for writing documentation for helpdesk operations procedures.
(3) SOFTWARE INSTALLATION:
- Analyzed all potential software updates to decide which updates were most needed to department users.
- Oversaw all update installations for software systems throughout department. Installed laptop software systems for all users.
Key Accomplishments:
- Managed negotiations with vendors for best pricing for software quotes, resulting in a $12,000 overall savings over two years.
- Reduced response time for server support from one hour to eight minutes on average.
- Developed and implemented software upgrade plan for 100+ computers that completed software project at $14,000 under budget.
[All subsequent experience information will follow this format; remember: be as detailed as possible!]
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Columbia University, New York, NY, 2018
GPA: 3.82
Certifications
- CompTIA A+, 2022
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), 2021
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), 2020
New US Government Initiatives To Attract Younger Workers for Federal Jobs in 2024
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance to help young individuals find more federal opportunities, such as:
- Internships,
- Fellowships,
- Apprenticeships
- other early career programs in the Federal Government.
This guidance aligns with the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) and aims to enhance your ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain top talent.
These opportunities can be found on the federal internship portal.
It’s a great time to search for federal positions as the government is increasing its effort to find young talent, as it would bring new skills and a fresh perspective to many federal positions.
According to Handshake, the government has increased job postings by 22% over the past year.
The guidance encourages you to seek paid internship opportunities and reduce reliance on unpaid internships. It also stresses the need for improved coordination, funding, and strategic development of federal internship and fellowship programs.
USAJobs Resume and Federal Job Search Tips
Sustaining a workforce of more than two million employees (not counting those in the U.S. Postal Service), the U.S. government typically has many job openings.
Each year, current federal workers retire, change jobs, or leave the workforce for other reasons. The federal government hires approximately 200,000 employees annually.
So, where do you find job postings for all of these federal job openings?
🌟 USAJobs is an online job board maintained by the U.S. government that lists civil service openings within federal agencies. It is THE site you would check out if you are seeking a federal government career.
In order to search for job openings on the USAJobs website, you first need to create a profile. Once you have established a profile and created a username and password, you can then access job listings.
You will be able to search available jobs by:
- Keyword
- Location
- Agency/subagency
- Department,
- Salary,
- Work type
Also, include any other filters you can use in the site’s Advanced Search.
Key Points
Whether private or public, your resume needs the right information and must avoid adding anything that shouldn’t be included.
When creating your federal resume, keep in mind that:
- Federal resumes are usually a few pages long
- You should focus as much as you can on your qualifications
- Include your citizenship if you are not an American citizen
- Add certifications and extra sections if you have relevant titles and awards
Also remember to use helpful online tools such as our resume templates to create any federal application to avoid costly mistakes during the hiring process!
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