Federal Resume Writing

FEDERAL RESUME WRITING

Presented by NASA 2016 BEYA STEM Conference

What is a Resume?• Summary of knowledge, skills, abilities,

and accomplishments • Marketing tool• First impression• Ever changing document

Resume Types

• Functional• Chronological• Combination• Government

FunctionalIMA APPLICANT66 Milky Way

Nasarules, DC, [email protected]

Chronological

Government

Most Common Mistakes

10. Inappropriate email address

9. Errors/Misspellings8.“References upon

Request”7. Inconsistent format 6.No accomplishments

5.Irrelevant material4. Lack of specificity3. Pictures/graphics2.Too long/short1. Distortions/Lies

Cardinal Rules

Use 1 inch margins Proofread

Limit abbreviations Use simple font

Print on quality paper Remain consistent

across the document

× Include personal information

× Use “I”, “me”, “my”× Include pictures

× Make photocopies× Include irrelevant

information

Do Don’t

Resume components

1. Contact information2. Objective/Summary3. Education4. Experience/Skills5. Honors, Affiliations, Awards, Activities

Objective/Summary

Objective Summary

*Both are optional. If included, tailor to position description

Tells what you are seeking.

Example: Seeking a full timeposition as a sports writer with LRT News.

Tells the readers about yourselfand what you are seeking.

Example: Office manager andsupervisor with 10 years of experience in payroll seekinga full time position with Zenos Corporation.

Education

Degree University Expected graduation Current GPA Relevant coursework

Research/Focus area Conferences/Paper

presentations Thesis work

Undergraduate Student Graduate Student

*Only include high school information until you have established yourself in college

Experience

• Employers’ name• City and state of

employment• Employment dates • Salary

• Job title• Tasks and

accomplishments• Supervisors’ name

and number (Contact consent)

CAR Model

• Write down a challenge, task, project, or situation

• Describe the actions taken to accomplish the task or resolve the challenge

• Identify skills and knowledge used• Specifically describe the

outcomes/results

Challenge Worked on company’s campaign.

ActionAdministered

TestedDesigned

SupportedMeasured

Researched

ResultsReducedIncreased

SavedEliminated

Action Statement

“Designed and implemented new

International campaign resulting in 28% increase

in revenue.”

Skills

Can be listed…

Skills: C++, JAVA, Front Page, BASIC, Oracle

…and consider incorporating them into job descriptions

• Assisted in the software development of network management product using C++ that resulted in 28% revenue increase.

Training and Certification

× CPR√ Certified Financial Planner√ Cisco Certification× Anger Management

*Define certifications/trainings specific to your company that others might not be familiar with.

Activities and Awards• College awards and activities first

followed by high school (if you’re in your 1st or 2nd year of college)

• Recognition from employers • Volunteer work • Include those related to your major

References Someone who…

1. You’ve actually worked with2. Has a good reputation in their

position and the industry3. You have a good relationship with4. Knows your goals and can speak to

your competencies

USAJOBS & Your Resume

• Store up to 5 resumes on your profile (one is searchable)

• Resume builder • Plain text document• Emphasis relevant KSAs• Read directions carefully (eligibility, deadline,

required documents)• Be honest and accurate• View your application status

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