Differences between corporate and federal resumes

The resumes used to apply for US federal jobs are different than those in the civilian (corporate) workplace. Some of the differences are described below.

1. Formats: Federal resumes have specific formats that differ by advertisement. These include specific information, order, character count, page length requirements, and fields. Many of these are online forms, which can be confusing, complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to complete due to space limitations and the number of fields that must be completed.

2. Required Information: Federal resumes require specific information, such as social security numbers; month of start and end of work, and sometimes day; use directions; salary information; names and phone numbers of supervisors; College GPA and graduation dates; Secondary education; all training, including course name, date, and number of hours; and other information not normally included in corporate resumes. If this information is not included, the application may be rejected.

3. Length: Federal resumes (3-15 pages) are typically much longer than corporate resumes (1-2 pages typically). They require detailed descriptions of the duties: repeated for each job in which you did them. They must also specify how the client meets all the requirements and has performed most of the tasks for the job he is applying for or the application will be rejected. Like corporate resumes, federal resumes must detail accomplishments.

4. Additional Documentation: Many federal advertisements require additional essay questions. These questions are 1-2 page statements that specify specific examples of an applicant’s experience in relation to the job advertisement. There can be multiple of these declarations per application. Federal resume applications will often ask applicants to send, fax, or upload additional information, including transcripts, evaluations, personal information forms, demographic information forms, and military service forms.

5. Additional Questions – Many federal ads have additional multiple-choice questions for applicants to apply for jobs. If an applicant cannot answer yes to most experienced questions, an applicant is not likely to be selected for the job.

6. Who can apply: Many federal ads can only be applied for if a person has the correct status: such as a current federal employee or veteran. Most federal ads require the applicant to be a citizen of the United States

7. How to apply: Federal resumes specify in their advertisements how to apply for each job: and the applicant must follow the instructions to the letter. If an applicant does not apply by the required closing date, the application will generally be rejected.

8. Must Meet All Requirements: If an applicant does not meet all the requirements that are required in an advertisement for a job, by LAW, the applicant will not get the position.

9. Veterans Preference: If an applicant is a Veteran, an applicant may earn preference (5 or 10 points) based on the applicant’s service and disability status. Also, disabled veterans may get additional consideration based on their status.

10. Screening – Applications are typically scored based on submission, if it meets the requirements. After adding up the veteran points, applicants are considered top-rated, highly-rated, qualified, or unqualified. Typically, the top 3 applicants are sent to the hiring manager, who can choose one of the top 3 by interviewing or not interviewing the candidate.

If these steps are confusing to you, you may want help with your application. If so, a professional may be able to help you and you may want to seek the help of a professional.