How should I be formatting a resume/application for USAJOBS?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:34:11 -0500

I've been applying for Army civilian jobs at Fort Knox after finishing my M.A. last month. Info I've found on government websites says that a Masters can qualify you for up to a GS9 position, but I've been striking out on every application from GS11 down to GS5. "You're qualified, but not the MOST qualified" is the tagline I keep getting. Advice would be very welcome!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 23 at 2016 11:37 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:37:22 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I am in the same boat, I know Kathy Troutman is the expert for USAJobs. http://www.resume-place.com/about/our-story/kathryn-troutman/

Kathryn Troutman - The Resume Place

Kathryn Kraemer Troutman is the founder and president of The Resume Place, Inc., a service business located in Baltimore, MD, specializing in writing and designing professional federal and private-sector resumes, as well as coaching and education in the federal hiring process. For the past 30 years, Troutman has managed her Professional Writing and Consulting Practice, Publishing and Federal Career Training business, and with her team of 20...

Response by SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. made Jan 23 at 2016 11:56 AM

SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:56:09 -0500

A federal resume is a different beast. First, there is no page limit like a traditional civilian resume. Any senior NCO or officer will likely have a resume at least 15 or more pages long. Thes is because your time in the Army does not constitute one job. Every PCS, deployment, and duty assignment likely constitutes a new job section within your resume. Think about how different for example your job was before a deployment and during a deployment.

Next, it's vital that you include the key job description words for the positions your applying for. The agencies no longer use Resumex, in theory, but a HR person still does the initial review. Hence, a low level employee with no experience in aquisitions may be reviewing your resume for that GS-15 spot. They decide whether you meet th experience and special experience needed to be forwarded to the hiring official. Some people say you should tailor your resume to each job in this manner, but I disagree. So long as your resume includes the essential duties of each of the jobs your interested in, you should be fine. Your better off at that point to simply shotgun blast and apply for as many jobs as possible. The more applications you have in, the more chances for selection you have. Also, I recommend using the usajobs resume builder, it formats your resume in the fashion that HR is used to seeing.

Finally, don't forget supporting documentation. 30% disabled veteran preference is huge. It allows you to apply for many jobs that are normally closed to agency hires only, hence you can click that little box for federal employees when doing your usajobs search. However, this preference is useless if you don't have an SF15 and VA letter submitted with each job. Since usajobs can save documents this is fairly easy. Likewise transcripts, military and civilian, should be included as well. And remember, you get veteran preference for jobs open to all us citizens, with ones open to merit promotion employees you simply get the right to apply and be considered.

Response by Sgt Joey Eisenzimmer made Jan 23 at 2016 12:15 PM

Sgt Joey Eisenzimmer — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 12:15:29 -0500

There is definitely a difference between resume formats in the civilian/government worlds. I was an MP in the Marine Corps and worked closely with civilian officers so I'm familiar with GS positions. I have some great resources, some that I've personally used. If you're able reach out to Cathy Miclat, go to http://www.vets2pm.com and click on resume. She works wonders with military personnel and has been an HR professional for over 20 years. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to take a look.

Vets2PM

We help Military Veterans become Project Managers. Turn your military leadership experience into your next career!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 1:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:18:23 -0500

In other words, you don't know the right people.
Networking is the key to many federal jobs.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 1:22 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 13:22:38 -0500

Here's the "secret sauce" that people use to be the "most" qualified. Copy the job description, paste it on your resume, make it the smallest font you can .01 or smaller and make the font white (so it isn't visible). That way your resume will bypass the automated job matching software they use.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 10:41 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:41:35 -0500

Recommendation
1. Use the USAJobs resumer tools and format
2. Go to https://acpol2.army.mil/fasclass/search_fs/search_fasclass.asp
Search the exact job PD (Position Description) to match the "keywords" on the particular exact position you're looking for. and spread those keywords on your resume. Don't make it look too obvious.
3. Prepare more than one copy within USAJobs portal (you can have up to 5).
4. Go wild and apply for EVERYTHING. Best of luck, just got mine first offer after 4 months.

To search for a position description, fill in all applicable fields then click the Search button. Click the icon, to bring up a list of valid values.