Most job seekers dread updating their resumes, especially if they haven’t changed jobs in a while. Such fear is justified. Resume writing trends and norms continue to change, even in the more conservative segments of the job market, such as federal positions. So don’t worry if you want to find a great government job but you lack confidence in your resume writing skills. Here’s most of what you need to know.
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Learn more about the differences between private sector and federal government resumes
Many job seekers believe that ‘a resume is a resume’. While they’re not wrong, there are a few major differences between a regular resume (say, the resume you’d write to apply for a position in the corporate world) and a resume for a government job. Unless you want to miss out on an excellent career opportunity because of a poorly formatted resume, be aware of those differences. Here are a few:
- Federal resumes are much longer. The standard for a federal resume is about five pages, which is five times as long as a regular resume should be.
- They are more detailed. Such length comes from the amount of detail federal resumes are supposed to contain. The descriptions of the job seeker’s previous experience should be much longer and more detailed than in an outline for a private sector position.
- They are usually written in paragraphs (instead of bullet points). It’s also because of their length that unlike regular resumes, those for federal positions aren’t usually written in bullet points.
- They contain specific information that resumes from the private sector do not. For example, a job seeker applying for a government position cannot possibly land an interview unless their resume lists their GS level and security clearance. Such a thing is not required for a resume in the private sector.
Do your research
But a federal resume isn’t all that different from a regular business resume. And the most important thing that every expert of a federal resume writing service will recommend is to do your research. You need to understand the latest trends in resume writing in your industry, what key skills recruiters look for, and what the organization you’re applying for values in candidates.
Research is important because being a top-notch professional in your field is not always enough to land you a job. The job market is very competitive these days, especially for senior positions. Employers are not only looking for competent employees. They want to find people who share the company’s culture and fit in with minimal onboarding.
To make sure you’re a perfect fit for the position, research the organization you’re applying for and tailor your resume to emphasize the same values the organization believes in. You should also look at good examples of resumes from your industry to double check that you’ve included all the necessary skills and nuances in your resume.
Learn more about keywords and how to use them
Another detail when writing a resume that many job seekers don’t know or forget. Most recruiters use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to filter applications and save time. As a result, they don’t even see more than 70% of resumes because the ATS either completely excludes them or ranks them so low that it makes no sense for a recruiter to scroll down.
Unless you want to extend your job search indefinitely, pay attention to keywords during your research prior to writing. Other job seekers’ resumes, the job opening you’re applying to, similar jobs, and the organization’s online presence can help you identify the right keywords.
They include the key skills most professionals in your field should have, specific work experiences, the requirements listed in the job posting, your approval status, and more. Don’t copy everything from the organization’s job listing or the “Culture” section of the “About Us” page. But reformulating and including 80+% in your resume helps.
It is always a good idea to hire a professional
If you don’t have experience writing a resume for a federal position, have trouble writing in general, or feel overwhelmed after reading through everything you need to research and include, it might be better to seek professional help. Experienced resume writers know what a perfect resume should look like and can make it look like you’re a perfect fit for the position you’re applying for.
That said, choose the resume writing service wisely – you’re entrusting your career to it! First, it must have enough successful experience on specific federal resumes. Not all services do. Also pay attention to the reviews of other customers; they should be overwhelmingly positive. Popular review platforms like Trustpilot can help with that.
Don’t forget LinkedIn
Finally, make sure there are no significant differences between your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Surveys of recruiters show that nearly 90% of recruiters check the LinkedIn profiles of interested candidates before inviting them for an interview. So if the information on your LinkedIn doesn’t match your resume, it looks weird.
It is not necessary to make your LinkedIn profile identical to your resume. After all, you adapt your CV to every job you apply for while your profile remains the same. But the major milestones in your career, skills and education should align. If you’re not confident in your LinkedIn profile, it might be smart to invest a little more in your career and hire a professional to polish it up.
To wrap it up
Writing a federal resume is even more challenging and time-consuming than a regular business resume. You should do thorough research to include everything that is required (including things specific to federal resumes) so you can always use the help of to resume. Using the right keywords is also essential. And that also applies to matching your resume and your LinkedIn profile. So if you think it’s too much to handle, consider hiring a skilled resume writing service.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.