The Federal Resume Part Four: Do’s & Don’ts

The Federal Resume

Part Four: Do’s & Don’ts

By: ResumeEdge.com

In some ways, federal resumes are similar to those you might create for a job in the private sector. However, there are also marked differences. Keep these guidelines in mind.

DO:

• Follow all instructions carefully and completely (resumes will be scanned, so this is important).
• Limit your resume to three pages (plus the separate page for supplemental information).
• TYPE your resume, ensuring that it is clear and legible. Handwritten resumes will NOT be accepted. A typewritten original or a high-quality photocopy is acceptable.
• Provide a laser-printed original if you do not use the official Resume Builder for your agency. Avoid dot-matrix printers, bubble-jet printers, and low-quality copies.
• Type with black ink on 8.5″ x 11″ white bond paper, printed on one side only.
• Use a minimum margin of one inch on all sides of your printed resume.
• Use standard business type fonts, such as Courier or Times New Roman, in 10-12 point.
• Use capital letters for section headings, as long as the letters do not touch each other.
• Proofread for any errors. Pay particular attention to spelling.
• Be specific when naming the computer software or types of equipment with which you have experience (e.g., Microsoft Word, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Unix, Oracle, computer-assisted design equipment, etc.).
• Describe your experience with specific words rather than vague descriptions.
• Be truthful! Falsification of your resume could result in termination or withdrawal of an offer of federal employment, and it may be punishable by fine or imprisonment. If selected, you will be required to sign a statement that all application materials are correct, complete, and made in good faith, and that no information has been falsified.

DON’T:

• Staple, fold, bind, or punch holes in your resume.
• Use vertical or horizontal lines, graphics, or boxes.
• Use two-column format or resumes that look like newspapers.
• Use fancy treatments such as italics, underlining, shadows, or bullets.
• Use unknown acronyms or abbreviations. Only use acronyms that are well-established and commonly understood.
• Submit your resume on colored paper.
• Submit your resume as an attachment to an e-mail, unless the agency specifies that it wishes to receive resumes in that manner.
• Fax your resume.
• Submit any documentation not specifically requested.
• Expect your resume or any documents submitted to be returned.

Read More

• Part 1: An Introduction
• Part 2: Self-Nomination
• Part 3: Supplemental Information