Skip to main content
Help Center

How do I write a resume for a federal job?

Starting on September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying to a job.

We can help you with your resume. Use the USAJOBS resume builder to help you build a resume tailored to the job you want to apply.

Learn more about new resume requirements.

What do I do before I write my resume?

Before you write your resume, read the job announcement closely. The following sections will help you understand whether you qualify for the position and what to include in your resume.

  • Duties, which describes the job's daily activities and responsibilities.
  • Requirements, which lists the Qualifications, Specialized experience and education.
  • How to apply, which will include a link to a preview of an assessment questionnaire, if that is required.
  • How you will be evaluated, which may include evaluation criteria, such as including a writing sample or completing a job assessment.
  • Required documents so you understand what other documents you may need to provide.

What do I have to include on my resume?

Your resume is the primary way for you to communicate your education, skills and experience.

Your resume must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement.

There are several things to consider when creating your resume for a federal job.

  • Your resume must be two pages or less and explain why you are qualified for the job.
  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
  • Make sure your work experience descriptions address each of the requirements and qualifications listed in the job announcement.
  • You should tailor your resume to include experience relevant to each job you want to apply for.

Include important contact information at the top

Include current contact information. Most job applications require this information:

  • Full name
  • Your email address
  • Your phone number

Read the job announcement carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

Add relevant work experience.

For each relevant work experience, make sure you include:

  • Employer name
  • Job title
  • Start and end dates (include the month and year).
  • The number of hours you worked per week.
  • Brief descriptions that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement.
  • Series and grade for federal jobs only.

Example:

Program Analyst GS-343-11
January 2009–present
40 Hours/week

Describe your experience that shows you can perform any tasks listed in the job announcement.

  • "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."
  • "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."
  • "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]."

Add your education, certificates or licensures if required

When the job announcement requires position-specific education, license or certification information, make sure you include them in your resume and provide any required documents like transcripts, certifications or licenses.

Education information should include:

  • Name of school/institution
  • Completion date
  • Degree type
  • Grade point average (GPA)

Tips when writing about your work experience

  1. Use concise, results-focused language. Use numbers, percentages, dollars or descriptions to highlight your accomplishments.
  2. Focus on the work experience that is most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
  3. Include relevant volunteer work and roles in community organizations that demonstrate how you qualify for the job.
  4. Use similar terms and address every required qualification. For example, if the qualifications section says you need experience with MS Project, you need to use the words MS Project in your resume.
  5. Remove or deprioritize outdated or unrelated work experience.

What do I leave out of my 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, sex, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

What file type should I use?

Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files.

We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume.

The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.

Review your resume before you apply

Hiring agencies often receive dozens or even hundreds of resumes for certain positions. After applying, the hiring agency uses the information in your resume to confirm if you have the required qualifications listed in the job announcement. Look at your resume and ask:

  • Can a hiring agency see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
  • Does critical information jump off the page?
  • Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?
  • Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
  • Have I addressed all the qualifications listed on the job announcement?

Finally, have someone else, with a good eye for detail, review your resume.

Additional resources

Still need help?

Contact us