FAQ     -  Frequently Asked Questions

Maybe not different, but certainly enhanced. Hiring managers in the federal government are looking for some specific information that would not be included in a regular resume. For example, for each job, they want to know your supervisor’s name and telephone number and your yearly salary. In addition, you must include your social security number, your country of citizenship, your federal status and your veteran’s preference (if any). This is all compliance information. More can be found in publication OF 510.

A federal resume requires specific information about you that you would not include in a private sector resume. For example, federal resumes require your social security number and salary information for each job. Length is also different. Federal resumes run 3 to 7 pages (or longer). They want all the details of each job and what you specifically did and accomplished, not just the highlights.

Job announcements have to contain certain information by law. However, this works really well for the job applicant because the hiring manager has told you exactly what skills and abilities they are looking for. You are provided an enormous amount of information about the job and requirements. What a great source of information for creating your resume and KSAs! Use the information provided and you’ll be well on your way to getting a job interview.

Yes, if you are applying for similar jobs or jobs in the same series or classification family. If, however, you are applying for distinctly different positions, then no, different resumes are needed in order to get an interview. For example, if you are applying for both a Supply Specialist and a Distribution Specialist, one resume should work. However, if you are applying for an HR Specialist and an IT Specialist, that would require two different resumes.

KSAs stand for Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. These are stories that show you have done the work and are qualified for the position. Hiring officials are looking for specific examples of when you have used that skill or knowledge in order to accomplish a task and get results. Each KSA should be one-half to one-full page. This can be several different stories using the specific skill. Hiring officials are looking for each KSA to provide the situation, the specific task(s) you were challenged with, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. KSAs are just success stories.

It could be a number of things. Have you identified the keywords from the announcement and included these words in your resume and KSAs? Did you answer the KSAs? Are you making yourself ‘look like’ the position? For example, people form an opinion about you based on what they see and read about you first. So, does your resume clearly and quickly (on the first page) show the reader that you are qualified for the position?

Filling a government position can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months, with the average being about 3 months. Most agencies are working to shorten this time period.

Send in college transcripts only if you are qualifying based on your education. Otherwise, never send any materials the announcement does not ask for.

Yes, call the point of contact and make sure they received your resume.

You can try calling the point of contact and ask, however, almost always, the answer is no. You must meet all deadlines.