Fall 2013 Go Government Webinar Series How to Create a Strong Federal Resume October 8, 2013

Housekeeping We will open up the phone lines for questions at the end of the call. In the meantime, we encourage you to type your questions into the Q&A box.We will open up the phone lines for questions at the end of the call. In the meantime, we encourage you to type your questions into the Q&A box. The recording of todays presentation will be sent to all registered participants in 2-3 business daysThe recording of todays presentation will be sent to all registered participants in 2-3 business days

Presenters Emily McConnell Program Associate, Education and OutreachProgram Associate, Education and Outreach Caleb Campbell Program Associate, Education and OutreachProgram Associate, Education and Outreach Mark Doboga Director, Government Transformation and Agency PartnershipsDirector, Government Transformation and Agency Partnerships

Partnership for Public Service The Partnership is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is dedicated to revitalizing the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.

Agenda Federal ResumeFederal Resume Resume Best PracticesResume Best Practices How to Build a Resume on USAJOBSHow to Build a Resume on USAJOBS ResourcesResources Question and AnswerQuestion and Answer

LengthLength Level of detailLevel of detail Required informationRequired information What is the difference between a federal resume and a traditional resume?

Federal Resume v. Traditional Resume TIP: Federal resumes can range in length: from 1 to 5 pages for entry-level applicants!

Resume Best Practices OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Dos and Donts Do: Be concise and clearBe concise and clear Address all periods of timeAddress all periods of time Highlight strengths with examplesHighlight strengths with examples Amend resume to fit the jobAmend resume to fit the job Use correct grammar and punctuationUse correct grammar and punctuation Double check spellingDouble check spelling Be consistent in your formatBe consistent in your format Include cover letterInclude cover letter

Dos and Donts Dont: Use acronymsUse acronyms Include unnecessary informationInclude unnecessary information Write in current tense for former jobsWrite in current tense for former jobs Be chattyBe chatty Be untruthfulBe untruthful

Resume Best Practices: Write to the Position If the vacancy requires the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing… highlight your communication skills.If the vacancy requires the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing… highlight your communication skills. If the vacancy requires knowledge of Excel… focus on the most complex use of Excel.If the vacancy requires knowledge of Excel… focus on the most complex use of Excel.

Resume Best Practices: Highlight a Range of Skills Communication (written and oral)Communication (written and oral) InnovationInnovation CreativityCreativity AutonomyAutonomy SkillsSkills

Straight to the Source What best practices would you suggest regarding the federal resume?What best practices would you suggest regarding the federal resume? What is the most common mistake you see in a federal resume?What is the most common mistake you see in a federal resume? OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building a Federal Resume on USAJOBS.gov OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building Your Federal Resume Two primary ways to create a resume for a federal job: Resume BuilderResume Builder Resume UploaderResume Uploader

Building Your Federal Resume Create an account on USAJOBS.gov Build up to 5 federal resumes, each tailored to a different federal opportunity!Build up to 5 federal resumes, each tailored to a different federal opportunity! Upload your private sector resume to the Saved Documents folderUpload your private sector resume to the Saved Documents folder Carefully review the job vacancy announcement Focus on the Duties section and customize your resume accordingly by identifying and including key words and phrasesFocus on the Duties section and customize your resume accordingly by identifying and including key words and phrases

Building Your Federal Resume Sections: Candidate informationCandidate information Work experienceWork experience EducationEducation ReferencesReferences AffiliationsAffiliations Desired locationsDesired locations

Building Your Federal Resume

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Building Your Federal Resume Remember to include: Salary and pay periodSalary and pay period Average hours per weekAverage hours per week For federal positions, pay plan, series and gradeFor federal positions, pay plan, series and grade OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building Your Federal Resume Be specific and detailedBe specific and detailed Use keywords from the job descriptionUse keywords from the job description OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building Your Federal Resume Include information about schools attended, degree information, and relevant courseworkInclude information about schools attended, degree information, and relevant coursework OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building Your Federal Resume Other information can enhance your application: Job related trainingJob related training Foreign languagesForeign languages Organizations and affiliations – especially for studentsOrganizations and affiliations – especially for students OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Building Your Federal Resume Up to 5 references Good references: EmployersEmployers Professors and advisorsProfessors and advisors People who know you from organizations or community servicePeople who know you from organizations or community service OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG

Straight to the Source What are the advantages of using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool to create a federal resume?What are the advantages of using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool to create a federal resume? What are some more ways to tailor the resume to the job description? Are there any special keywords or phrases that hiring agencies look for?What are some more ways to tailor the resume to the job description? Are there any special keywords or phrases that hiring agencies look for? How can students who dont have much traditional work experience use the federal resume to highlight their qualifications?How can students who dont have much traditional work experience use the federal resume to highlight their qualifications?

Resources GoGovernment.orgGoGovernment.org Partnership ConnectPartnership Connect

Fall 2013 Upcoming Events Go Government Webinar: What Makes a Federal Job Application Stand Out? Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EST If youd like to learn more about the Federal Advisor Certificate Program, please visit

Questions?

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