Government Jobs

Tips for Federal Résumés and Applications

Know Where To Look.

USA Jobs is a one-stop shop for federal job openings, descriptions, benefits and how to apply. State level government jobs are listed elsewhere, e.g., State of Oregon jobs for Oregon. Read up on the application process or take a training. Take time to educate yourself before applying; the process is competitive and not always intuitive.

You Must Demonstrate Each Requirement From The Job Posting.

• Being vaguely qualified doesn’t cut it on federal applications. They do not read between the lines. You must show how you meet all of the qualifications and skills marked as required.
• Print out the job description and highlight every required skill or ability. Then type out your résumé sections to match them, checking them off as you go.
• Reverse chronological format is easier than functional résumés for HR officials to match up your skills. They separate applicants into “doesn’t meet minimums,” “minimally qualified” and “best qualified.” You might be minimally qualified, but not advance to interviews, so be thorough and bold about your accomplishments.
• Be explicit. If “Microsoft Word” is a requirement, you must list it. If a required skill is “Oral Communications,” talk about the class presentations or work briefings you’ve given.
• Unpaid/volunteer experience is considered. Use your volunteering, class projects, courses, clubs, leadership, etc. to build out your experience.
• Be honest, not modest. If you are wavering on whether to check “no” on a supplemental questionnaire, err on the side of “yes.” Don’t selfselect out if you think you are in the ballpark of the qualification.
• Include things like your high school diploma, your college credits (indicate semester or quarter hours), your salary (hourly or yearly), number of hours worked at previous positions—not typical in other types of résumés.
• TIP: The federal government outlines minimum coursework requirements for many specific job titles. Visit the "Classifications & Qualifications" section of the US Office of Personnel Management website to make sure you are taking the right grad courses. For state jobs, investigate requirements on individual agency websites.

Tailor Your Application to Each Job

• Don't upload the same résumé for many jobs. Use keywords and phrases from the job description in your explanations. Be specific and quantify results (e.g., "Developed numerous sensitive training courses for nearly 1,500 personnel. Rated as number one instructor over 20 peers in performance report.")

Fill Out Your Online Profile/Résumé in Advance

• Federal job openings are often only posted for five days. Fill out your profile because: 1) you can set search preferences so that relevant jobs are sent straight to your inbox, 2) you can fill out the bulk of the information in your résumé so it's easy to tweak and apply on short notice. You can store up to five résumés on USA Jobs.

Use the Online Résumé Builder Instead of Your Uploaded Résumé

• You'll be more likely to thoroughly address all aspects of the application if you use the USAJobs Résumé Builder versus uploading your own résumé. Fill out all fields, including "optional" if possible. You can then download and reformat the résumé in Word if preferred.

Start Early — Federal Application Processes Can Take a While

• Hiring is full of steps (e.g., gaining security clearances). You can plan on months from application to hire date. Start applying in the fall and winter for summer positions. Apply before the closing date in case the agency has a cut-off number of applicants they are accepting.
• Tip: Most job posts close at 11:59 p.m. ET, that's 8:59 p.m. PT.

Find Out If You're a Preferred Candidate

• Check the job description for whether you qualify for a "special hiring authority." Groups of people such as those with a disability, veterans, Peace Corps/AmeriCorps volunteers, etc. may be more likely to get an interview for certain jobs. Visit Feds Hire Vets for more info if you are a veteran.

Gain an Advantage Through Networking

• There's no way to circumvent the USA Jobs application process, but your application may rise to the surface if someone on the inside knows your work. Make connections! Attend the agency's workshops, volunteer, mention contacts in your cover letter, connect with alums on LinkedIn who work there, get to know your local recruiter or call the hiring manager to introduce yourself and ask questions.
• It's a good idea to follow up (in moderation) after your application and ask about the status of interviews. Or, if you don't get hired, ask for feedback on your application for next time.

Check Out Pathways Programs for Students and Recent Grads

• Pathways internships are offered at many federal agencies and are a great way to get experience as a current grad student or a recent graduate (who graduated in the past two years / six for veterans).
• These programs provide individualized mentorship and the possibility of being hired full time afterward.

Become a Known Candidate through Networking

If state recruiters know who you are, they are much more likely to pay attention to your application. Ask for informational interviews with agencies of interest, meet recruiters at career fairs, connect with employees (especially Beavers) on LinkedIn, attend agency workshops or volunteer events, and reach out to hiring managers to express interest and ask questions.

Know Where to Look

Unlike federal positions that are all collected together on USA Jobs, state government jobs can be found on each state's own official jobs website (e.g., State of Oregon jobs). Filter by location, job type, agency or keyword. Make sure to sign up for job alerts so you don't miss positions with narrow application windows. Consider applying to less popular working locations to increase your odds of getting an interview.

Create a Tailored Resume

Don't use the same resume for every job; match your qualifications to the job ad. And DON'T be humble. If you are in the ballpark of qualified, apply and make a good case for your experience and education. States usually require a resume and/or an online application.

• Incorporate keywords from the job ad very explicitly into your resume and ensure evidence of ALL minimum qualifications are included.
• List experience chronologically using month-year format. State employers need to calculate your years of experience and they do this with clear chronological dates.
• Include up-to-date contact information for yourself and former supervisors.
• Include highly detailed bullet points that don't just explain what you did, but how, with whom, and numbers/statistics to quantify your results.
• Include all relevant licenses, clearances and/or certifications.
• State government resumes are often longer than private sector. The one-page rule does NOT apply. Be thorough. Be explicit about your experience.
• Unpaid experience counts! Include volunteering, class projects, coursework, etc.
• Avoid fancy or colorful fonts, styles, and formatting — choose a simple layout.

Include All Required Documents

You may need a cover letter, letters of recommendation, licenses/certificates, state ID or driver's license, proof of residence, transcripts, military documents, etc. depending on the instructions. Include a cover letter even if it's listed as "optional." One of the biggest reasons an applicant gets rejected is missing required content.

Follow the Application Process & Show Evidence of Minimum Qualifications

There's no one-size-fits-all here. Each state has its own process. Read instructions thoroughly. Most states are very focused on applicants meeting minimum qualifications. There are many states (such as California) that require you to pass an examination or assessment (e.g., written tests, interviews, in-person testing, performance tests, experience evaluations). Your score determines which positions you are eligible to apply for. Lower scores can still yield successful applications depending on how many candidates apply to a job.

Do a Government Internship or Fellowship

Doing a government internship or fellowship increases your odds of being hired full-time someday. These are great learning experiences and a way to expand your network. All the job principles and tips in this document also apply to internship applications.

Show Your Commitment to Public Service and the Mission of the Agency

Demonstrate your passion for helping the public, volunteering, etc. Many people do government work because they care about making a difference for real people and issues. Show that you care about what they care about.

Be Patient — Look Carefully at Job Classifications

Most state government jobs have a complicated hiring process and receive a lot of candidates. It may take a while for them to get back to you. Don't hesitate to follow up about next steps. Note that state governments often use general job titles like "program analyst," "project coordinator," or "specialist," but these may refer to very different jobs. Read job descriptions carefully to determine your interest and fit.

Be Aware of Hiring Statuses & Citizenship

Unlike federal agencies, some state agencies may consider hiring non-citizens/international students. But don't assume — policies vary. It's a good question to ask during interviews. Note that statuses like being a person with a disability or a veteran may gain you a hiring preference on state applications (such as skipping ahead to the interview phase). Make sure to include these statuses on your application.

Take Advantage of Help & Resources

Government applications are competitive and tricky. It can be a good idea to review yours with the career counselor for your college. You can make an appointment with them through Handshake. You can also attend career fairs and webinars OSU offers through Handshake to learn about and network with government agencies.