How to Write a Government Resume for Government Jobs

Applying for a government job may seem a bit intimidating, due to the long list of special requirements regarding your application. One of the requirements is a resume in a certain format, known as a government resume.

What is a Government Resume?

A government resume is simply a resume that is formatted to meet the needs of government jobs openings. When applying for a government job, more information is required than when applying for a job in the private sector. The government resume is formatted in such a way as to highlight this specialized information.

Pre-printed application forms are also sometimes used when applying for a government job. Although the SF-171 is generally considered an outdated form, some employers may still request it. The most commonly used form is the OF-612. A government resume contains all of the same information as these forms, but presents your application in a more attractive format and allows you more freedom to articulate your skills. Be sure to read the job vacancy announcement carefully, as it may specify which format applicants are to use.

Government resumes for government jobs are formatted chronologically, with the most recent instances given first. Whenever possible, the wording in your resume should reflect the wording in the job announcement. Due to the specific information required when applying for a government job, a government resume is longer and more detailed than a basic resume, covering up to the past ten years and achieving as many as five pages in length.

Personal Information

Just like a regular resume, a government resume lists the applicant's personal information at the top of the first page. Both day and evening contact numbers should be included, as well as your name and address.

In addition to the typical contact information, however, a government resume requires more specific information, such as your social security number and your country of citizenship. If you have been honorably discharged from the military, you may be eligible for veterans' preference, which should be listed next. Finally, the government resume for government jobs must contain information on your government status, such as the highest government civilian grade you have held, and your reinstatement eligibility.

Job Information

Below your personal information, the government resume must list identifying information about the job you are applying for, including the title, series, grade, and job announcement number.

Summary of Experience

The first section of the government resume summarizes your experience. This is your chance to be a little creative and make your application stand out from all the others. How you summarize your experience can impact how the employer interprets the rest of your resume, so choose your words carefully!

Professional Accomplishments

the next section of the government resume lists the positions you have held chronologically, with the most recent listed first. Just as in other sections, the government resume requires more details about previously held positions than a basic resume. In addition to the information you would provide in a regular resume - such as the employer's name (in bold), address, position, and dates the position was held - each entry will need to include your supervisor's name and contact information, whether you consent to your supervisor being contacted, your salary at the position, and the average number of hours you worked each week.

After this information, a government resume should follow with a brief summary of the job, followed by the duties you performed at the position. For each position, an employer expects to see between four and eight duties listed in a bulleted format, with each bullet being approximately four to six lines long. Due to these expectations of length, the Professional Accomplishments section of a government resume is considerably longer than the corresponding section in a basic resume.

Education

The education section of a government resume should list your degrees in chronological order, with the most recent appearing first. Each listing should contain the year the degree was received, the type of degree, the name of the school, and the city, state, and zip code where the school is located. Read the job announcement carefully to determine if you should include your college transcript with your application package.