I'm coming back to this 2 years later because I need to refresh my knowledge and use your information for myself since my company just announced a bunch of layoffs. Thank you for keeping this resource out here! 😁
Thank you for watching, Brenda! I do not think it is necessary to hire a resume writer (for any resume, let alone a federal resume!). I you want to use the USAJobs resume builder, I recommend using the builder to create your first draft. I then recommend taking that draft document and formatting the information into a word document. While I don’t recommend getting fancy, you can use simple formatting to help your resume stand out from the crowd. You could even use my master resume template to help you do this! lwbalance.com/2020/05/09/free-master-resume-template/
Should applicants highlight or prioritize their relevant experience/education/skills near the top, or as long as it's included in the document somewhere it's good?
Great question! I would recommend applicants highlight it within each job - so it wouldn't be a standalone section, instead a "subsection" within each experience. This isn't a rule though - just my preference.
On a federal resume, this will be very easy to see because your education and employment should line up - when there is a gap in one, the other fills that gap!
Another question I have is on the work experience section is the mark of yes or no important at this stage of the hiring process if I was to mark no if I didn't tell my current employer I am looking for a federal job? I would prefer them to contact him when I am in the later stages of the process and doing interviews when the change of getting picked up is higher than the beginning.
Another great question! It doesn't really matter what you mark, though I have historically marked "no" as I want to ensure I am in control of who my future organization is contacting for references. It sounds like you'd probably feel most comfortable answering "no" to that question. You won't be judged for that!
Hi Abby! Thank you for the video, so incredibly helpful. For one of my previous jobs, I no longer have any information for. The facility is closed down and I don’t have a working number for my old supervisor. What should I do? Also, should I only list jobs within the last five years or so? Or all of them? TIA!
Great question! I would list the information you have and if you need to list a phone/contact number, list the number of the main HR line. If the HR contact with the federal government has any issues contacting them, they'll likely let you know and you can give your best effort to connect them to the right people, but sometimes that isn't possible!
University of Arizona’s Career Center has one of the best templates! If you can’t find it, send me an email at abby@lwbalance.com and I’ll get you a copy!
Question, in the education part, would a military member add their military schools? For example, • Non-commissioned Officer Academy, or AIT (after Basic Training) (such as Military Police School). When it comes to the MP's, they get a diploma from the "United States Army Military Police School".
Great question! I would recommend including 2 different sections: "Academic Education" (which would be non-military schools, unless you went to a school like West Point) and "Military Education" or "Military Education and Training."
@@joshualyon74 Hi Joshua, this is absolutely something I do! I do resume reviews for $60 - if this is something you'd be interested in please email me at abby@lwbalance.com and I can send you more details. I'll provide you with a tracked version of your resume with comments and edits as well as a clean version for you to use.
Hi Ryan, I do! You can check out the services I offer on my website: lwbalance.com/services/pricing/ If your interested in working together, we can set up a free 15-minute consultation call so we can discuss what you’re looking for and how I might be able to help. While I do offer resume review and even resume writing services, I highly recommend writing your own resume rather than paying someone to do it. Looking forward to hearing from you if you decide you want to work together!
Abby, thanks so much for the tips, invaluable :) I’m hesitant to state my current salary because wouldn’t HR use that against me to offer me less? And it’s illegal or not allowed for companies to ask for that in my state. Any thoughts on this ?
Great question, and I have a simple answer for you: No need to list your salary! The federal government uses a step system for pay, so your pay is based on your education and experience, so they don't have much wiggle room for how much they can pay you - they have to follow the system based on your qualifications.
In a government job you are applying for a level like a WG 8step 1 or a GS 10 step 1 and you can go online and see what everyone is making, it’s not at all like a civilian job
Abby I just subscribed to your channel, I just got laid off from a temp agency as a COVID 19 Tracer, I'd like to transition into Federal Government jobs, are you very familiar with how the USAJOBS pick up resumes... What are your success rates?
Thanks for subscribing, Annie! I am sorry to hear you got laid off, and I think transitioning to the federal government could be a good next step. However, federal jobs are VERY competitive, and those with veteran's preference tend to beat out others who do not. So, with that being said, while I would recommend starting to apply to federal jobs, I would focus on other areas as well. Your resume will not be reviewed if you do not score high on the supplemental questions, so only apply to jobs where you can score high on the questionnaires. Otherwise, chances are low. You also want to ensure you have the education and experience necessary for the GS level advertised. The federal government is relatively rigid when it comes to that. Good luck!!
Hi! Yes, I certainly am helping review resumes for Federal Jobs. I am not a federal jobs expert, so if you are looking for someone who can write your resume for you, I am not a good fit for that. However, if you have a job you would like to apply for AND you've created a federal resume that you would like someone to look at, I can certainly help, I charge $60 for a single review (usually about 30 minutes). If this is something you'd be interested in please email me at abby@lwbalance.com and I can send you more details. I'll provide you with a tracked version of your resume with comments and edits as well as a clean version for you to use.
I'm coming back to this 2 years later because I need to refresh my knowledge and use your information for myself since my company just announced a bunch of layoffs. Thank you for keeping this resource out here! 😁
There's also a great template by the University of Arizona to help you get started, if you're looking for help on the resume!
Great vid! At 3:30 you can include GPA if its above a 3.0, but it is optional.
Thanks for adding! Yeah, it is optional, and when you have to submit your transcripts, they’ll see your GPA anyway 🤷♀️
Thank you for this. I've taken several Federal Resume Workshops and have taken many notes. This is a good refresher.
Thank you for watching! Hopefully this helps you with your next federal application 🤞 best of luck!
Thanks!
Excellent advice right here!! first time I heard it like this
Glad it was helpful!
Great basic info thanks
USA jobs resume builder solves all of this. Much simpler and easier to work with.
TOTALLY!!!
Thank you for your video. Do you think it's necessary to hire a federal resume writer ($500!!) or is the USA JOBS builder enough?
Thank you for watching, Brenda! I do not think it is necessary to hire a resume writer (for any resume, let alone a federal resume!). I you want to use the USAJobs resume builder, I recommend using the builder to create your first draft. I then recommend taking that draft document and formatting the information into a word document. While I don’t recommend getting fancy, you can use simple formatting to help your resume stand out from the crowd. You could even use my master resume template to help you do this! lwbalance.com/2020/05/09/free-master-resume-template/
@@LifeWorkBalance That is so very kind of you. I really appreciate it, thank you!!!
Should applicants highlight or prioritize their relevant experience/education/skills near the top, or as long as it's included in the document somewhere it's good?
Great question! I would recommend applicants highlight it within each job - so it wouldn't be a standalone section, instead a "subsection" within each experience. This isn't a rule though - just my preference.
What if you have gap of work experience due to attending college
On a federal resume, this will be very easy to see because your education and employment should line up - when there is a gap in one, the other fills that gap!
Another question I have is on the work experience section is the mark of yes or no important at this stage of the hiring process if I was to mark no if I didn't tell my current employer I am looking for a federal job? I would prefer them to contact him when I am in the later stages of the process and doing interviews when the change of getting picked up is higher than the beginning.
Another great question! It doesn't really matter what you mark, though I have historically marked "no" as I want to ensure I am in control of who my future organization is contacting for references. It sounds like you'd probably feel most comfortable answering "no" to that question. You won't be judged for that!
Hi Abby! Thank you for the video, so incredibly helpful. For one of my previous jobs, I no longer have any information for. The facility is closed down and I don’t have a working number for my old supervisor. What should I do? Also, should I only list jobs within the last five years or so? Or all of them? TIA!
Great question! I would list the information you have and if you need to list a phone/contact number, list the number of the main HR line. If the HR contact with the federal government has any issues contacting them, they'll likely let you know and you can give your best effort to connect them to the right people, but sometimes that isn't possible!
@abby any sample federal resume you can share or where do you think I can get.
University of Arizona’s Career Center has one of the best templates! If you can’t find it, send me an email at abby@lwbalance.com and I’ll get you a copy!
Question, in the education part, would a military member add their military schools? For example, • Non-commissioned Officer Academy, or AIT (after Basic Training) (such as Military Police School). When it comes to the MP's, they get a diploma from the "United States Army Military Police School".
Great question! I would recommend including 2 different sections: "Academic Education" (which would be non-military schools, unless you went to a school like West Point) and "Military Education" or "Military Education and Training."
@@LifeWorkBalance Thanks so much!!
@@joshualyon74 Any time!
@@LifeWorkBalance any chance you'll look at my resume and give feedback?
@@joshualyon74 Hi Joshua, this is absolutely something I do! I do resume reviews for $60 - if this is something you'd be interested in please email me at abby@lwbalance.com and I can send you more details. I'll provide you with a tracked version of your resume with comments and edits as well as a clean version for you to use.
Thanks Abby, any chance you provide any services for resume reviewing/consulting etc?
Hi Ryan, I do!
You can check out the services I offer on my website: lwbalance.com/services/pricing/
If your interested in working together, we can set up a free 15-minute consultation call so we can discuss what you’re looking for and how I might be able to help. While I do offer resume review and even resume writing services, I highly recommend writing your own resume rather than paying someone to do it.
Looking forward to hearing from you if you decide you want to work together!
Abby, thanks so much for the tips, invaluable :)
I’m hesitant to state my current salary because wouldn’t HR use that against me to offer me less? And it’s illegal or not allowed for companies to ask for that in my state. Any thoughts on this ?
Great question, and I have a simple answer for you: No need to list your salary! The federal government uses a step system for pay, so your pay is based on your education and experience, so they don't have much wiggle room for how much they can pay you - they have to follow the system based on your qualifications.
In a government job you are applying for a level like a WG 8step 1 or a GS 10 step 1 and you can go online and see what everyone is making, it’s not at all like a civilian job
Abby I just subscribed to your channel, I just got laid off from a temp agency as a COVID 19 Tracer, I'd like to transition into Federal Government jobs, are you very familiar with how the USAJOBS pick up resumes... What are your success rates?
Thanks for subscribing, Annie! I am sorry to hear you got laid off, and I think transitioning to the federal government could be a good next step. However, federal jobs are VERY competitive, and those with veteran's preference tend to beat out others who do not. So, with that being said, while I would recommend starting to apply to federal jobs, I would focus on other areas as well. Your resume will not be reviewed if you do not score high on the supplemental questions, so only apply to jobs where you can score high on the questionnaires. Otherwise, chances are low. You also want to ensure you have the education and experience necessary for the GS level advertised. The federal government is relatively rigid when it comes to that. Good luck!!
Hello, Thanks for this video. Are you still helping/reviewing resumes for Federal Jobs? I'm feeling overwhelmed :(
Hi! Yes, I certainly am helping review resumes for Federal Jobs. I am not a federal jobs expert, so if you are looking for someone who can write your resume for you, I am not a good fit for that. However, if you have a job you would like to apply for AND you've created a federal resume that you would like someone to look at, I can certainly help,
I charge $60 for a single review (usually about 30 minutes). If this is something you'd be interested in please email me at abby@lwbalance.com and I can send you more details. I'll provide you with a tracked version of your resume with comments and edits as well as a clean version for you to use.
@@LifeWorkBalance ok, thank you. My deadline was yesterday on that posting. But, I'll contact you for future reviews.
@@naturallytab Sounds great, I hope your application process went smoothly!
Video NOT helpful. Made sure to hit the dislike button twice just so it would stick
Bummer! What would have made it more helpful?
@@LifeWorkBalance Nothing, I'm just evil 😎