How to Write a Federal Resume That Gets You Hired

Writing a resume that gets results is tough. Writing a federal resume? Things just got even more complicated. If you're interested in working for the U.S. government, your traditional resume will need to undergo a serious overhaul to meet the strict application requirements. 

From formatting to key details, knowing how to write a good federal resume can make or break your application. This guide will walk you through what to include, common mistakes to avoid, and expert-backed tips to help you create a strong resume that improves your chances of landing a government job.

What is a federal government resume?

Like any traditional resume, a federal resume is a key tool in the first phase of the job application process when applying for jobs within the U.S. government.

You can expect a federal resume to be longer than a private sector one which is usually type: entry-hyperlink id: 6A6Q4Y1jKRJj2Sid9NhpWC. To include all the critical data essential for the federal application process, you might find yourself needing three to seven pages for your federal resume, depending on the length and breadth of your work experience.

Related reading: type: entry-hyperlink id: 4oy0mZntBX3MnHtWgGABjP

What should a federal resume include?

A federal resume must follow specific guidelines set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and provide detailed information about your work history, education, certifications, and qualifications. It should also include key details from the job posting, known as the vacancy announcement, to ensure your resume aligns with the required skills and experience.

How far back should a federal resume go?

Federal resumes typically go back 10 years or more, depending on the job requirements. Unlike private-sector resumes that limit experience to the most relevant jobs, a federal resume should provide a comprehensive work history, including job titles, employers, duties, achievements, salary, and hours worked per week.

What are keywords in a federal resume?

Keywords are essential for getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and meeting government hiring criteria. These keywords come directly from the vacancy announcement and include specific skills, qualifications, and job-related terms. Using these exact words in your resume increases your chances of being selected for further review.

Overall, it should contain the following categories of information:

Personal information

The header should contain your personal data, including your name, contact information, citizenship, Veterans Preference, and federal employment history (as applicable).

Professional job history and/or military career

This section doesn't start off too differently from a traditional resume: 

For each job, list your professional and/or military career history with 

• Your role titles

• Employers' names

• Detailed description (bullets) of each job so the reviewer knows your daily responsibilities. 

Be sure to type: entry-hyperlink id: SWB3xLzYKhww6wVzDyhwd on your resume to display your individual value. Then, add an extra layer of information to satisfy the requirements for a federal resume, such as 

• The start and end months of each job

• Your ending salary

• Hours worked per week

• Your supervisor's contact information

Education and training

While you generally include education and degrees on a traditional resume, a federal resume requires you to dig much further into the details of your educational background. This means including 

• Your GPA

• Credit hours earned

• Date of degree completion

• Any awards or special recognition you may have earned along the way. 

Yep. They want it all.

Relevant Training and Certifications

Earned a certificate? Finished a course or training program? They want to know about it when you're applying to work in the U.S. government. Don't forget to name the granting organization and date you completed the program!

Additional details

They may not fit into any other category, but they're still necessary to include on a federal resume. 

• Languages spoken

• Technical skills

• Professional associations

• Publications, presentations, or projects

• Security clearance level (if applicable)

Be sure to include a list of references, if the vacancy announcement requires it. These can be past supervisors, managers, mentors, or even colleagues — just make sure they're willing and ready to talk you up.

See why federal resumes are longer?

Sample Federal Resume

A good federal resume example follows the structured format outlined above and includes all necessary details.

What not to include in a federal resume

A federal resume should be detailed but also concise and relevant. Including unnecessary or incorrect information can hurt your chances of getting hired. Here are three things you should not include:

1. Personal information not required for hiring

Unlike private-sector resumes, a federal resume does not require details such as:

• Age or date of birth

• Social Security Number (SSN)

• Marital status

• Photograph

Government agencies follow strict hiring laws, and adding this information can lead to disqualification.

2. Unrelated or Outdated Work Experience

While federal resumes are longer than private-sector ones, that doesn’t mean you should include every job you’ve ever had. Avoid listing experience that:

• Is more than 10–15 years old (unless directly relevant)

• Doesn’t relate to the job you’re applying for

• Repeats similar job duties from more recent roles

Instead, focus on recent, relevant experience that aligns with the job posting.

3. Generic or overused phrases

Hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for keywords from the vacancy announcement. Avoid vague or generic terms such as:

• “Hardworking professional”

• “Team player”

• “Responsible for…”

Instead, use specific, measurable accomplishments that demonstrate your qualifications.

Should I use bullets on a federal resume?

Yes, bullets can be used for listing key achievements, but federal resumes typically rely on detailed paragraphs rather than short bullet points. However, using a mix of paragraphs and bullet points can improve readability.

What is the best font for a federal resume?

A federal resume should be formatted in a clear, readable font, such as:

• Arial

• Times New Roman

• Calibri

Font size should be between 11-12 points, with clear headings for each section.

Common mistakes to avoid on a federal resume

Even small errors on a federal resume can cost you the job. Federal hiring processes are strict, and missing key details can cause your application to be rejected before a human ever sees it. Avoid these common mistakes when writing your resume:

1. Ignoring the vacancy announcement

A vacancy announcement is the federal version of a private sector job posting. Just like you would target a traditional resume toward specific job goals, your federal resume should also highlight your qualifications for the job you're targeting. 

Hiring managers – whether they're working for the federal government or for the private sector – don't appreciate a resume that takes the “jack of all trades” approach. Customize your resume to demonstrate how you're a good fit for the role you're pursuing, and your application will stand a better chance of making it to the top of the pile.

Use the vacancy announcement as a checklist. Include key skills, qualifications, and keywords exactly as they appear in the posting.

Related reading: type: entry-hyperlink id: 2hUVWM6owg1AuaLMjRjAGi

2. Failing to quantify achievements

A good federal resume needs more than just job descriptions – it should include type: entry-hyperlink id: 7uvySAFKCvbyrFQsmgMKR1 that show your impact. Many applicants fail to provide specific data. To make the most out of your federal resume real estate, use numbers, percentages, and specific examples to highlight your contributions.

• Instead of writing: “Managed a team and improved efficiency.”

• Quantify your achievement: “Led a team of 10 employees, increasing operational efficiency by 20% within six months.”

3. Submitting a federal resume with errors

Technically, writing an error-free resume is critical for all types of resumes, but because of the scrutiny federal resumes undergo it’s even more crucial. Make the most of your word processing program – MS Word, Google Docs – by using spell-check and grammar tools. Also, read your federal resume outloud. Your ears will catch an error before your eyes will. 

Tips for writing a strong federal resume

Your federal resume will go through a strict review and scoring process when you apply for a job. To help you score higher, getting every detail right is essential. Here are some expert-backed tips to help you create a strong resume that improves your chances of landing a government job.

Understand the vacancy announcement

Thoroughly review the requirements in the vacancy announcement and select the details and achievements from your background that align with those requirements. Make a note of quantifiable data and specific achievements from your career history that resonate with what the employer seeks. Hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for keywords and qualifications from this announcement.

Consider using a federal resume writing service

Due to the strict requirements, writing a federal resume can be overwhelming. A professional resume-writing service can ensure your resume is correctly formatted, keyword-optimized, and tailored to the job posting.

If you choose to work with a resume-writing service, provide them with detailed information about your work history, key achievements, and job goals to ensure they create a resume that accurately represents you.

After your writer has delivered your final document, the rest is up to you. Follow the directions in the application process and pay attention to additional questions or essay requirements. And of course, be mindful of the application deadline!

Put your federal resume into action

Applying for a federal job isn’t just about meeting the qualifications – it’s about proving you can follow instructions, pay attention to detail, and communicate your skills effectively. Your federal resume is the first test, and getting it right is the key to moving forward in the hiring process.

Looking for a position in the federal workforce? Hire a TopResume federal resume writer today!

This article was originally written by Lauren Settembrino. It’s been updated by Marsha Hebert.

Recommended Reading:

• type: entry-hyperlink id: 3i1S3c8VBUezqqRKc3PdmS

• type: entry-hyperlink id: 1DCtGh88oX4tdmAnXHwx8q

• type: entry-hyperlink id: 2qzIHB8cwqMBhvDBObhC7b