Lesson 6 practice

Resume and documents

Show clearly — and honestly — how your experience matches the job. Follow each announcement's own instructions.

Resume length and format

USAJOBS publishes current resume requirements, which can include length limits. Check the USAJOBS Help Center before you write — don't rely on older advice that federal resumes should always be long. Check current USAJOBS resume guidance(opens usajobshelp.opm.gov in a new tab)

Federal resume checklist

Before you submit

0 of 9 reviewed

I checked the current USAJOBS resume guidance, including any length limit.
My contact information is current.
Each job lists the employer, title, start and end dates (month and year), and hours per week if requested.
I described duties that match the announcement in plain words.
I included specific, truthful accomplishments.
I explained work or education from outside the U.S. clearly, including the country.
I only claimed veterans' preference or special hiring eligibility that I truly qualify for.
I attached only the documents the announcement asks for.
I removed sensitive numbers that weren't requested (like Social Security number).

Do not upload passports, citizenship certificates, Social Security cards, or clearance documents to this site. This site never asks for them.

Sample resume (fictional)

SAMPLE — fictional person and employers

Jordan Example (fictional)

City, State · email@example.com

Work experience

Office Coordinator

Community Health Clinic (fictional), Anytown, USA

03/2022 – Present · 40 hours per week

Schedule appointments for 6 providers using an electronic calendar system.
Maintain patient intake records and prepare a weekly summary report for the clinic manager.
Answer about 30 phone and email inquiries a day in English and Spanish.

Administrative Assistant

Regional Logistics Company (fictional), Lima, Peru

01/2018 – 12/2021 · 45 hours per week

Organized shipping records and filed customs paperwork for a 12-person office.
Created a shared tracking spreadsheet that reduced missing paperwork.

Education

Associate degree equivalent in Business Administration — Institute (fictional), Peru. Credential evaluation available if required.

Describing accomplishments honestly

Use numbers you can stand behind: "Processed about 40 customer orders a day," not "Processed thousands."
Describe what you did, not just your team's results.
Translate job titles and terms from other countries into plain U.S. English, and briefly explain the organization.
If you were responsible for something, say so. If you helped, say you helped.
Everything on your resume may be checked. Never exaggerate dates, titles, or degrees.

Veterans' preference and special hiring paths

Only claim veterans' preference or a special hiring path (such as Schedule A) if you truly qualify and can provide the required documents. Learn about veterans' preference

Experience and education from outside the U.S.

Experience gained outside the United States can count. Describe it clearly with dates, duties, and hours.
If you use education to qualify, and your degree is from outside the United States, the announcement or agency may require proof that it is equivalent to U.S. education. This is often done through a credential evaluation by an organization that specializes in foreign education.
Only get an evaluation when the announcement or agency requires it, and follow their instructions on what is accepted.

Source: OPM General Schedule qualification standards(opens opm.gov in a new tab)

Map your experience to the announcement

Copy each specialized experience requirement from a real announcement, then write the real experience that matches it. Saved only on this device.

Requirement 1 (from the announcement)

My real experience that matches

Next: Lesson 7: Apply and complete agency steps