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Tips
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How much information do you provide? The goal of a resume is to determine if you meet the qualifications for the position; include all relevant experience and education. Work experience descriptions are generally more detailed for a Federal job application than for the private sector.
Be on time! Don't wait until the last minute to apply for a vacancy. It is your responsibility to get your application into USAJOBS by the closing date on the announcement.
Supporting Documentation? What do you need to send via email or fax? As part of your USAJOBS application package, supporting documentation may be required such as 1) transcripts which are required to verify education requirements; 2) SF-50 if the applicant is a current or prior federal employee to prove status; 3) DD-214 to prove eligibility for veterans' preference or Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). (If a DD-214 is not yet available, the applicant must furnish a letter from military personnel on letterhead, which shows the name, branch of service, periods of service, anticipated separation date; and that the separation is expected to be under honorable conditions); or 4) any other documents which prove the preference eligibility for consideration. The requirement for any of the documentation above will be described in the vacancy announcement. Do not send copies of position descriptions, performance appraisals, and other documents not related directly to your qualifications for a vacancy. Failure to provide the supporting documentation, if requested in the vacancy announcement will result in an ineligible rating.
Organization. A reviewer should be able to read your resume just like a report. The items should be in a logical sequence. Do not use fancy fonts or bold characters as USAJOBS converts your resume to a "text document" which removes everything except regular text.
The final package. USAJOBS limits characters to 16,000 including spaces which equates to 8 pages of single spaced text which should be adequate to cut and paste your resume. USAJOBS Information Center provides additional tips on preparing a resume. A concise, well-organized resume will vary in size depending on the experience of the applicant; they average three to five pages in length. More is not always better.
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