Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. Image: ARMMY PICCA/Shutterstock.com
By: Nancy SegalMany of us think about September as the beginning of a new year—new fiscal year, new school year—and the definite end of summer. This September, why not take the opportunity to celebrate “Update Your Resume Month” and turn over a new leaf! Following are some easy steps to get started, plus what to include, and just as important – what to leave out.
Need help getting started? Here are 7 easy things to do:
1. Assess your existing resume; is your current job included? Is there still content from the 1990’s or early 2000’s? You can remove jobs that are from more than 10 years ago—at the very least, you can minimize them and create a new category called Earlier Professional Experience (or something similar).
2. Does your resume include recent accomplishments? Those of your who are federal employees, probably had your performance review recently (or coming up shortly). Be sure to include this year’s accomplishments on your resume. And remember, all accomplishments should demonstrate the “so what.” It’s not enough to say you did “x”—you need to show how “x” added value / made a difference.
3. Did you earn a new degree? New certifications? If so, be sure to add.
4. Have your contributions been formally recognized? Don’t forget to update your resume for awards—especially those awarded by entities outside your organization.
5. Has the scope of your work changed?. Do you have more or fewer employees? A larger or smaller budget? Is your area of responsibility different? Numbers help give your work context.
6. Assess your Summary; is it sufficiently focused? Include key words? If your summary does not accurately represent you and what you’re targeting, fix it.
7. Review your resume to ensure there are no typos. Even better, have someone else review it for typos; sometimes it’s easier for others to proofread your document.
The above steps can likely be completed in less than an hour—your career is worth it! If you keep your resume updated, you’ll be ready—and not panicked—when the perfect opportunity comes along.
Should It Stay or Should It Go?
Hardly anyone likes to write a resume. One thing to think about is what to include—and what to leave out. Let’s look at both:
What should I include in a federal resume?
Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.
· Include important contact information. Don’t forget to add current contact information. Most job applications require this information:
· Address
· Phone number
Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.
· Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience.For each work experience you list, make sure you include:
· Start and end dates (including the month and year—some agencies require the days too!).
· The number of hours you worked per week.
· The level and amount of experience—for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
· Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.
· Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations. Don’t limit yourself to only including paid work experience. Include relevant volunteer work or community organizations roles that demonstrate your ability to do the job.
What should I leave out of my federal resume?
Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:
· Classified or government sensitive information
· Social Security Number (SSN)
· Photos of yourself
· Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
· Encrypted and digitally signed documents
Following the rules for federal applications—all of which are clearly outlined in every job announcement—will help your resume receive the attention it deserves!
Nancy H. Segal is a federal job search expert. Following her own senior-level federal HR career, she founded Solutions for the Workplace LLC to provide a HR management perspective to astute applicants to U.S. government positions.
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