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Imagine playing darts while blindfolded, how accurate would you be? Now imagine that you had darts specifically designed to hit the bull’s-eye? Now how accurate would you be?
This analogy is directly applicable to the design of a resume. If the objective is simply to get any job available, and have a very general "one size fits all" resume the results would not be satisfying. In all likelihood this type of resume would be found minimally qualified for many jobs and highly qualified for none.
There is another reason why resume should be focused. Most applicants cannot qualify for more than two or three different occupational fields. If the truth were known, most are experts in only one or two distinct specialties within all of the occupations minimally qualified. The objective of submitting a resume for a government job (or any job for that matter) is to obtain the highest possible rating so the resume is within reach to be referred for consideration for a vacant position.
The preparation of a "one size fits all" resume almost certainly ensures a low rating and negates any effort devoted to the development of a government application package.
Narrowing the scope of the resume to support legitimate career objectives provides the opportunity to highlight those areas possessing in-depth knowledge and experience, and coincidentally, those general occupational areas most likely to be successful in obtaining another position. Enough said. Although not mandatory, it is strongly suggested to compile a resume directly supporting the attainment of near-term career goals. Doing so only enhances chances of success.
Be Concise: Include in the resume only those items of experience, education and training that directly support the qualifications for the specific position you are applying for.
Think about it: If applying for a position as a General Schedule (GS)-12 budget analyst, previous experience as an insurance claims processor or as a salesperson for a major electronic outlet is not directly related to the budget analysis field. It will not support your qualifications (or a high rating) for a budget analyst job. While this conclusion is fairly apparent, it is also based on the nature of federal qualification standards applied by the job announcement to determine basic eligibility for further rating and placement on a valid register of job applicants. For every position in the government at the GS-5 level or above, candidates must demonstrate in applications that they possess:
There are other ways of ensuring the resume is concise, but meaningful. For example, if applying for a secretarial position, it is not necessary to specifically name and describe four previous and distinct word processing systems used. Just state, "a substantive knowledge of" and "have used word processing skills and systems."
Don't be repetitive; get to the point. This same basic principle applies to education and training. If the objective is to obtain a GS-12 position, a one-half day seminar on business writing six years ago will be of no significant value in determining your overall rating. Leave this fact off.
Don't use "flowery" language: Avoid adjectives and adverbs. No additional points are received for descriptive terms, use the following description as an example:
A resume should be completely free of unneeded details that are not materially contributing to the overall occupational qualifications.
This same logic is also basically applicable to awards and honors. If the award or honor was received far in the past, or if it was received in a position not used to support your qualifications, there is no good and substantive reason to include the award or honor in the resume. For the same reasons, minor or outdated training received in the past should not be listed.
This analogy is directly applicable to the design of a resume. If the objective is simply to get any job available, and have a very general "one size fits all" resume the results would not be satisfying. In all likelihood this type of resume would be found minimally qualified for many jobs and highly qualified for none.
There is another reason why resume should be focused. Most applicants cannot qualify for more than two or three different occupational fields. If the truth were known, most are experts in only one or two distinct specialties within all of the occupations minimally qualified. The objective of submitting a resume for a government job (or any job for that matter) is to obtain the highest possible rating so the resume is within reach to be referred for consideration for a vacant position.
The preparation of a "one size fits all" resume almost certainly ensures a low rating and negates any effort devoted to the development of a government application package.
Narrowing the scope of the resume to support legitimate career objectives provides the opportunity to highlight those areas possessing in-depth knowledge and experience, and coincidentally, those general occupational areas most likely to be successful in obtaining another position. Enough said. Although not mandatory, it is strongly suggested to compile a resume directly supporting the attainment of near-term career goals. Doing so only enhances chances of success.
Be Concise: Include in the resume only those items of experience, education and training that directly support the qualifications for the specific position you are applying for.
Think about it: If applying for a position as a General Schedule (GS)-12 budget analyst, previous experience as an insurance claims processor or as a salesperson for a major electronic outlet is not directly related to the budget analysis field. It will not support your qualifications (or a high rating) for a budget analyst job. While this conclusion is fairly apparent, it is also based on the nature of federal qualification standards applied by the job announcement to determine basic eligibility for further rating and placement on a valid register of job applicants. For every position in the government at the GS-5 level or above, candidates must demonstrate in applications that they possess:
- At least one year of specialized experiences that directly related to the duties of the position for which they seek consideration, and also appropriate.
- Quality of experience equivalent to a position comparable to that of the next lowest grade of the position for which an application is being submitted.
There are other ways of ensuring the resume is concise, but meaningful. For example, if applying for a secretarial position, it is not necessary to specifically name and describe four previous and distinct word processing systems used. Just state, "a substantive knowledge of" and "have used word processing skills and systems."
Don't be repetitive; get to the point. This same basic principle applies to education and training. If the objective is to obtain a GS-12 position, a one-half day seminar on business writing six years ago will be of no significant value in determining your overall rating. Leave this fact off.
Don't use "flowery" language: Avoid adjectives and adverbs. No additional points are received for descriptive terms, use the following description as an example:
"I was responsible for the processing of a wide variety of extremely complex financial transactions using two technically advanced automated accounting systems."
It would be more productive to simply and clearly state the facts "I was responsible for the processing of a variety of financial transactions using two automated accounting systems."
Remember:
- For any position at the GS-5 level or above one year of specialized experience in the duties of the position to be filled are necessary, or in a position the duties of which are directly related to those of the position to be filled.
- For any position at the GS-5 level or above, there is also a quality of experience requirement. In order to be creditable for qualification purposes, any specialized experience possessed must have been gained in a position equivalent to the next lower grade of the position of interest.
This same logic is also basically applicable to awards and honors. If the award or honor was received far in the past, or if it was received in a position not used to support your qualifications, there is no good and substantive reason to include the award or honor in the resume. For the same reasons, minor or outdated training received in the past should not be listed.
Use Clear Language:
Write the resume as though it is being submitting for review by someone who has no technical understanding of the specific kind of work. Let's look at several examples of how to better describe experience and the ways in which "technical jargon" is translated into something understandable for both the automated resume processing system and personnel staffing specialists:- “I use IATS to process travel vouchers.” Would be better:
“I use the Integrated Automated Travel System (IATS), an automated financial system, to compute and process travel reimbursements for transportation, meals, lodging and similar entitlements.” - “I process vouchers and issue a variety of disbursements using SRD1.” Would be better:
“Using knowledge of disbursing principles and procedures, I examine requests for payments to individual military and civilian employees, private sector vendors, and other public agencies. I perform a quality control review to ensure that these requests are in order, assign appropriate accounting classifications and prepare checks or electronic transfer payments. I use the Standard Finance System Redesign Subsystem 1 (SRD1), an automated financial system, to accomplish these actions.”
(NOTE: This straightforward three-sentence paragraph might well be sufficient to describe all of the major duties performed by a disbursing clerk or technician position). - “I assist functionals in writing SCRs. I develop interfaces and am the POC for all EC initiatives.” Would be better:
To help identify needed changes and to write system change requests (SCRs). I write computer programs to enable automated systems to interface and to communicate with each other. I am the primary contact for automated electronic commerce (EC) systems and improvements.”
- Would a third party not familiar with the occupational background understand this kind of work?
- Is there any nonessential information included?
- Are any unique but relevant special experience of skills been omitted?
- Have major characteristics of occupation or background and skills most common to the occupation and/or field been included?
Paint a Clear Picture:
Here are some more helpful questions to ask if applying for an accountant GS-12 position, and there is prior, relevant experience as an accountant.- What are the primary characteristics of professional accounting work, processes and procedures?
- What major skills, knowledge or abilities are generally accepted as necessary in the performance of this work?
- What portions of the working background best demonstrate accounting tasks performed using recognized accounting skills?
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When these questions have been answered, the resume narrative is ready for development. Be sure to construct the narrative in a logical manner, adding each descriptive "piece" until the full picture of an accountant is painted. The process can be like putting together a puzzle. A reference to one skill or a single job task is incomplete and may not lend itself to an obvious conclusion as to the occupation being described.
As additional commonly recognized tasks or skills are added, the picture becomes clearer. Finally, at some point, a knowledgeable observer will be in a position to hazard an educated guess as to the end product being described. Provide sufficient pieces of the puzzle to leave no reasonable doubt about the occupational or job profile being built, and the demonstrated possession of and ability to use the skills and competencies commonly associated with that occupation. 
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