Federal Resume Examples - Templates, Skills + Writing Tips

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Table of contents

What is a federal resume?
Top federal resume templates
Federal resume vs conventional resume – Key differences
3 federal resume examples
How to write a federal resume
Add a cover letter
Additional resources for writing a federal resume
Key takeaways
Commonly asked question about resume writing

You want to serve your country as a government employee, but you’ve heard that creating a federal resume is tricky. You have two choices: Abandon your dreams or follow this simple guide to writing a federal government resume!

While a federal resume does have more detail and some different elements than a conventional resume, it isn’t difficult to create one once you know what to do.

Here you’ll find:

The definition of a federal resume.
Our top federal resume templates including free downloadable templates.
The key differences between a federal resume and a conventional resume.
A selection of federal resume examples for inspiration.
Detailed instructions on how to write a government resume.
Additional resources for writing a federal resume.
Key takeaways as you begin your job search.

If you’re ready to make your resume right now, head directly to our Resume Builder. There, you can choose a design of your liking and get advice and easy-to-edit, auto-generated text for every resume section.

What is a federal resume?

If you’re interested in a government job, you’ve probably heard about federal resumes. Something along the lines of: “They can be tricky to create because they have additional requirements that don’t apply to the average resume.”

As the name suggests, a federal resume is a comprehensive document used to apply for government jobs, specifically in the federal government. And they do contain information about you that would not typically appear in a regular resume, such as school transcripts or information about past military service. For this reason, federal resumes are longer than conventional resumes.

Learning to write a resume for a federal position is important if you want to land the interview, and it’s actually simple to do with the proper guidance. Read on to examine our federal resume templates and examples and learn more about how to write a federal resume in a few simple steps.

Top federal resume templates

Choosing an eye-catching but appropriate government resume template can be critical to getting noticed. Resume templates offer an array of designs and styles, including modern and simple resume templates that are clean and easy to read. You can also consider one of our free downloadable templates for Microsoft Word and Google Docs when you start writing your resume.

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Free downloadable federal resume templates

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Federal resume vs conventional resume – Key differences

There are several differences between a federal resume and a conventional resume. These differences fall into three main categories.

	Federal resumes	Regular resumes
Level of details	Level of detailsFederal resumes require a very high level of detail, including more background information and more specifics about your past roles and experience.	Level of detailsConventional resumes typically include just the highlights of your professional and academic experience, focusing most heavily on your achievements and skills.
Length	LengthBecause of the additional information they require, federal resumes are longer than standard resumes, often stretching to 4 or 6 pages.	LengthThe rule of thumb for a standard resume is 1 page per decade of experience, with 2 pages being the maximum length.
Additional documents	Additional documentsSome federal job applications ask that your resume include specific additional information, including contact information for past employers, school transcripts, military service records or other documents.	Additional documentsConventional resumes do not require additional documents or materials, though it is wise to include a cover letter along with your resume.

3 federal resume examples

The best way to learn how to write a resume is by studying a federal resume example. Whether you’re looking for a senior leadership position or are just entering the workforce, use our government resume examples to see what a robust federal resume looks like.

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Director of Government Relations

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Government Accountant

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Director of External Affairs

How to write a federal resume

You need a top-notch resume to land the federal job you’ve always wanted.
From your choice of resume header to the documentation only government employees need to list, every detail is essential to creating the perfect resume.

A great federal resume outline will always include the following:

Your contact info in the header.
A well-written, targeted resume profile.
At least one — if not more! — sections for skills.
A reverse-chronological list of work experience.
A full accounting of credentials in an education section.
Optional sections to help you stand out.

Read on for a deep dive into each section of a federal resume.

STEP 1

Start with your resume header

You can’t get called for an interview if a hiring manager can’t contact you, so ensure your resume header has up-to-date and easy-to-read information. These are the essential components:

Name
Phone number
Professional email address
City and state
LinkedIn profile (optional)

Since government offices are often pretty conservative, consider a resume header that is professional — not too colorful or showy. Here’s an example of an appropriate federal resume header:

header example

STEP 2

Add a professional summary or resume objective

Making a good first impression is critical, and it starts with your resume profile, which sits at the top of your government resume. There are two types of profiles for different experience levels.

Professional Summary: Job seekers with relevant experience should write a professional summary. Summaries offer a four- to five-sentence overview of a candidate’s strengths.
Resume Objective: Entry-level job seekers or those making a career change should write a resume objective. Objective statements are more goal-oriented, explicitly saying what you can offer the employer and what you hope to gain from the job.

Regardless of which one you use, it’s critical to customize your profile for every job. Generic resumes often don’t get past an applicant tracking system (ATS). For a truly ATS-friendly resume, read the job description closely and add relevant keywords from the job ad.

Writing tip: Remember to highlight your licenses, special training and top accomplishments in your resume profile. Think of it as the selling point of your resume — the more interesting and impressive it is, the more likely a recruiter is to offer you a job interview!

Sample professional summary for a federal resume:

Results-driven and highly motivated civil servant with over five years of experience in federal program management and policy development.

Demonstrated expertise in driving operational excellence and achieving measurable outcomes within complex government environments. Successfully managed and implemented initiatives resulting in cost savings of over $2 million annually while enhancing program efficiency by 30%. Led cross-functional teams of up to 15 members, fostering collaboration and achieving project milestones within strict timelines. Proven ability to analyze data and develop evidence-based strategies, resulting in a 25% reduction in processing time and an increase in customer satisfaction by 15%. Recognized for outstanding performance, receiving the Agency Excellence Award for exemplary project management and leadership.

Seeking a challenging role within a federal agency to leverage my skills and experience in driving transformative change and delivering exceptional results.

Sample resume objective for a federal resume:

Highly motivated and detail-oriented recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and a minor in Public Policy. Equipped with a solid foundation in urban development, community engagement and policy analysis. Eager to apply academic knowledge and practical skills to contribute to sustainable urban growth and community revitalization efforts within a federal agency. Brings strong research and analytical abilities, complemented by excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Seeking an entry-level federal position to gain valuable experience and make a meaningful impact on shaping vibrant and inclusive communities while promoting environmental sustainability and social equity.

STEP 3

Showcase your skills

Regardless of the role you’re seeking with the federal government, your resume’s skills section must show a hiring manager what you’ll bring to the table if hired. Specifically, you need to list a mix of your hard skills — like technical skills and computer skills — and soft skills, like communication, to get noticed.

Writing tip:Figuring out the difference between soft skills vs. hard skills can be confusing for some job seekers. Think of it this way: hard skills can be taught in a classroom and measured, while soft skills are innate character traits that make you a great colleague.

Federal soft skills to add to your resume:

Problem-solving
Communication
Time management
Conflict resolution

Federal hard skills to add to your resume:

Strong writing skills
Computer proficiency
Safety protocols

STEP 4

Fill in your work experience

As a government employee, your work experience is impactful, and the work history section of your resume should be as well.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you write your experience section:

Each entry should include start and end dates (including the month and year), plus the number of hours you worked per week. Some applications might also ask you to list your past salaries.
You must include examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments, along with data and metrics that prove you can perform the required tasks. For federal roles, your work experience needs to show that you have experience with every required qualification outlined in the job ad or you can be disqualified.
If you are an experienced worker, show off your career progression. List your previous positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent job.

Writing tip:Use action words to give your experience extra punch. Words like “spearheaded,” “reimagined” and “created” give your resume something extra.

Sample federal work experience entry:

Program Analyst

Department of Health & Human Services | Boston, MA | June 2021 – Present

40 Hours/Week

$63,000/Year

Conducted in-depth research and analysis on federal health policies, regulations and legislation, resulting in the identification of key insights and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of health programs.
Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of 10 professionals to develop and implement data-driven strategies that enhanced program effectiveness by 15% and increased operational efficiency, leading to cost savings of $200K annually.
Utilized advanced statistical analysis and predictive modeling techniques to evaluate program outcomes, identifying trends and patterns that informed evidence-based decision-making and resulted in a 20% increase in program impact.
Prepared and delivered 30+ comprehensive reports, presentations and briefing materials to senior leadership, effectively communicating complex information, and facilitating informed decision-making processes.

STEP 5

Highlight your education

The education section of your federal resume will look similar to the education section of a conventional resume. You’ll want to add the following information to your government resume:

High school diploma, but only if it is your highest level of education.
Colleges and universities attended and advanced degrees earned.
Add the exact name and location of the college or university for each entry.
Write out the name of the degree you earned.
Only add your dates of graduation if you are a very recent graduate.

Federal education entry example:

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Utah University, Provo, UT | 2023

Relevant Coursework:

Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Health Policy and Management
Environmental Health Sciences
Global Health
Community Health Promotion
Public Health Research Methods
Health Behavior and Education

Honors and Achievements:

Dean’s List, [2021, 2022 and 2023]
Outstanding Achievement Award in Public Health Research

Writing tip:Adding academic transcripts or details about relevant coursework may be requested for a federal job application so read the job description carefully before applying.

STEP 6

Consider adding special sections

Every applicant for a federal job must have the requisite experience to land the job, but it’s your unique skill set that can help you stand out. To shine, share the experiences and qualities that set you apart on your resume.

A great way to do that is by adding special sections, including:

Volunteer work: Volunteering is a great way to advance your career and help your community. Consider adding free clinics, medical missions, disaster relief efforts, hospice care or other volunteer efforts to your resume.
Language proficiency: Knowing a second or third language can be a major benefit in your federal job search and open you up to opportunities in places you never imagined working.
Hobbies and interests: Hobbies are a great addition to your resume — just make sure they’re relevant to the role you’re after.

Writing tip:When adding special sections, like Hobbies and Interests, make sure to keep them neutral. Adding partisan political affiliations or religious groups to your resume could be frowned upon and might introduce bias into the hiring process.

Add a cover letter

A cover letter is a must-have addition to your federal resume.

Your cover letter gives you extra space to convince the recruiter that they must interview you. It allows you to address aspects of your resume that might require further explanation as well, such as an employment gap or career change. Explore our collection of cover letter examples and learn how to format and write a cover letter that can improve your chances of getting the interview.

If you need a cover letter fast, our convenient Cover Letter Builder will do the work for you. It suggests job-specific content for every section of your letter. Just personalize it and you’re done! You’ll have a compelling letter in a matter of minutes!

Additional resources for writing a federal resume

Because the criteria for landing a federal role can be slightly different than for other jobs, you may need to provide some additional documents or tap into different resources to help you zero in on the role you have been seeking.

Federal job search resources

To land a federal or government job, you may need to use niche job boards to find what you are looking for. Here are three to consider:

Key takeaways

When writing a federal resume, here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

Familiarize yourself with federal resumes
There are differences between federal and conventional resumes. Study our chart above to learn more about how they differ.
Choose the right federal resume template
Government jobs are often performed in conservative environments. Choose a resume template that showcases your credentials and not your wild side.
Study the job ad for the specifics
Federal resumes often have different information and requirements than conventional resumes, and each one will be different. Be sure to study the job description to make sure you include all the required information.
Tailor your resume to the specific role
Customize your resume for each federal job by studying the job description and incorporating relevant keywords and skills that align with the specific role.
Emphasize your most relevant skills
Highlight your unique skill set and tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the role you’re targeting. Be sure to have a balanced list of both hard and soft skills on your federal resume.
Showcase your top achievements
Use bullet points in your work experience section to highlight your accomplishments rather than just listing your duties. Employers want to see the impact you’ll have if hired so quantify those achievements by using data and metrics.
Detail your education
Mention your educational background, especially if it includes degrees or coursework related to the role. Include any honors or awards earned during your academic career. Also, make sure to include any additional information on your education, like transcripts, if requested.
Include a federal cover letter and other documentation
To show you are willing to go the extra mile and to make an even more compelling case for your candidacy, include a targeted cover letter with your resume. Before sending in your resume, also be sure to include any additional documents requested in the job ad.

Commonly asked question about resume writing

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.

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What is a federal resume?

Top federal resume templates

Free downloadable federal resume templates

Federal resume vs conventional resume – Key differences

3 federal resume examples