Usajobs Guide to Creating a Cv

8/6/2019 Usajobs Guide to Creating a Cv

1/22

US News& World Report

Top Site forFinding WorkJob-Hunt.org

ForbesBest of the Webfor Job HuntingJob-Hunt.org

PC MagazineBest of the Internet

for CareersJob-Hunt.org

Camille Carboneau Roberts, CFRW/C, CPRW, CEIP, CARW, CIJSE

Federal Career Consultant, CC Career Services

Create an Eective Federal Rsumwith the USAJOBS.GOVOnline Resume Builder

Job-Hunt is a registered trademark of NETability, Inc. 2010 2011, NETability, Inc. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use nor modification without prior written permission.

Job-Hunt

Quick Guide


2/22

Creating an Eective Federal Rsum www.job-hunt.org

2010 2011, NETability, Inc. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use nor modification without prior written permission.

The United States Government implemented an update to the

USAJOBS.gov Website. This Guide will help you navigate the new

USAJOBS Resume Builder on the www.usajobs.gov Website. Because the

Website may change, this is an overview, providing guidance and tips or

creating an eective Federal rsum using the USAJOBS Resume Builder.

Your rst step in getting a job with USAJOBS is to create at least one

rsum using the Resume Builder, and that is what this Guide will help

you do.

NOTE: The USAJOBS Resume Builder is one rsum ormat that may

be accepted by Federal agencies. Some agencies accept only their own

ormats, including a Word document. This Resume Builder rsum can be

used only to apply to announcements listed on USAJOBS with agencies

that accept it. Read the announcement careully. It will state in the How to

Apply section how the rsum will be accepted. While most agencies do

use USAJOBS, a ull list o agency recruiting pages may be ound on Job-

Hunt.org at www.job-hunt.org/jobs-in-government/government-jobs.shtml.

Success SecretsAlign Your Rsum to the Job Requirements

USAJOBS.gov is the ocial Website or Federal Government job openings.

They are reerred to as job announcements. For the most eective results,

customize your rsum content to the job announcement you are pursuing.

Focus each rsum on the details o your experience that most closely

relate to the job announcement, using the exact terms (keywords and

qualications) in the announcement, assuming you possess those

qualications. Aligning and customizing do not mean embellishing or lying.

It is critical that you demonstrate throughout your content that you havethe qualications, experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities

required to perorm the duties outlined in the job announcement.

For example, i the job announcement states that you must have C++,

JAVA, PHP, PL/SQL or Microsot ASP/.NET skills, and you only have C or

Visual Basic programming skills, more than likely you will not qualiy or the

position. In that case, you should look or something that better matches

your skills, education, and expertise. Likewise, i you do possess C++,

JAVA, PHP, PL/SQL or Microsot ASP/.NET and the announcement states

C++ as the only requirement, you could be overqualied.

Leverage the Resume Builder to Help You Stand Out rom the

Competition

The online Resume Builder is used to ensure that all necessary inormation

is collected and stored appropriately or review. The ollowing inormation

will provide tips on leveraging the Resume Builder to help you stand out

rom the competition and hopeully get you screened into the interviewprocess:

Take the time to complete the Resume Builder in its entiretybeore

applying to any ederal job announcement. I you are unable to nish your

rsum in one session, be sure to use the Save or Later eature to

nish later. This could take a ew hours to copy and paste rom a prepared

rsum, or several hours i you are using the Resume Builder to create your

1
http://www.usajobs.gov/http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs-in-government/government-jobs.shtmlhttp://www.job-hunt.org/jobs-in-government/government-jobs.shtmlhttp://www.usajobs.gov/


3/22



rsum. Save your rsum oten as you step through the process so that

you do not lose your work in case o a power loss or other computer ailure.

It will not be visible to recruiters in its incomplete state until you choose to

make it searchable. Plan to do this when you have sucient time.

Use the Additional Inormation section to list your qualications and

competencies. Customizing this section, which is oten let blank by job

seekers, can be what sets you apart! This section is where you can sell

yoursel electronically an important step in the process. Complete

this section with inormation that qualies you and shows how you

add value list qualications, core competencies, leadership activities,

accomplishments, honors, skills, awards, computer knowledge, sotwareknowledge, and any other inormation relevant to the position that is not

listed elsewhere in the Resume Builder.

Remember the Resume Builder eeds a very large rsum database so

be sure to use the keywords that t your qualications rom the job

announcement throughout your rsum. This is one o the advantages

o using the Additional Inormation section.

I a eld does not apply to you, be sure to put NA (Not Applicable) so

the reader will know that you acknowledged a eld rather than skipped

over it. Some elds will not allow an NA entry; but include NA where it

is applicable and where a eld will allow.

Beore submitting your rsum to apply or a position, careully prooread it:

Spell check the rsum eliminate typos and misspellings.

Ensure your contact inormation, dates, and reerence phone numbers

are accurate.

Ensure that you have selected the proper check boxes and radio

buttons (answers) in each section.

Complete all the elds that pertain to you and list NA in the elds

that do not, when the Resume Builder allows.

You have the option to create and name up to ve rsums. Since the

rsum title will not be seen by anyone but you, using the job title rom

the job announcement is a good way to dierentiate among the ve

versions.

Preview, Save, and Backup Your Rsum

The Resume Builder gives you an option to preview your rsum as you

build it. I highly recommend that you do this. Click on View and a new

window will open which will display all the inormation you have put into

the Resume Builder. While you are in the preview mode, you can copy and

paste your USAJOBS rsum into your word processing program. To save it,

perorm the ollowing steps:

1. Press Control+A to select all the inormation in the new window.

2. Press Control+C to copy the highlighted inormation onto the computers

clipboard.3. Open a new document in Word (or any other word processing program).

4. Press Control+V to paste the rsum inormation rom the Preview

window into your new blank document.

5. Click Save to save the document to your computer as a backup. Be sure to

save it where you normally store your documents so you can easily nd

it. I recommend you save it as yournameUSAJOBSresumename.doc or

whatever extension is appropriate.

2


4/22



Be sure to print and prooread your rsum. Have a riend anda colleague

read it. Ensure the contact inormation, dates, addresses, and detailed

inormation is accurate. Fix anything that is wrong and ensure that you

have completed it in its entirety beforemaking your rsum searchable, or

applying to any job announcements.

Applying or a Position (Also known as Applying to an

Announcement)

Read the announcement thoroughly, including the How to Apply instruc-

tions. Begin with the end in mind. Know what you have to do, and plan to

submit it at least 24 hours before the deadline. I you want your rsum

to be ound by ederal recruiters, it is critical that you make your rsum

searchable.

You must nish the Builder and actually apply to the announcement

before the deadlinein order to have success in gaining ederal employment.

Just making the rsum searchable does not mean you have applied to the

announcement.

USAJOBS provides a Saved Search unction that you may set up so you

can be alerted to positions that t your background and education. You canhave up to 10 Saved Searches. This eature alone will save you hours o job

searching because it will allow you to receive job announcements that may

interest you via email. (More about Saved Searches on p. 20.)

Save the announcements o the jobs you apply to, especially the contact

inormation, so you can ollow up with the contact to check the status o your

rsum, when possible.

Some Federal Jobs Are Not Listed on www.USAJOBS.gov

Understand that not every job in the Federal Government is lled through

USAJOBS.gov. Excepted service agencies include Congress, the Judicial

Branch, the CIA, and some others. Positions may be in the excepted service

by law, by executive order, or by action o the Oce o Personnel Manage-

ment. Check Job-Hunts Government Job Resources section or links to the

recruiting pages o over 200 Federal agencies and departments.

Understanding Federal Government Terms and Jargon

Some o the government language can be conusing. To nd the ocial

denition o Federal terms, click or copy and paste the ollowing link into

your browser to review the Glossary o Federal Terms. http://www.usajobs.

opm.gov/inocenter/glossary/A.asp

Getting Started with USAJOBS.GOV

Saety Double-CheckBeore you enter any inormation into your profle on USAJOBS.GOV,

make sure you are really on the correct Website.

The onlyway to ensure that you are on the correct Website, even if it looks

exactly as it does below, is to check your browsers location bar where you

should see this URL:

3
http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs-in-government/government-jobs.shtmlhttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov/infocenter/glossary/A.asphttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov/infocenter/glossary/A.asphttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov/infocenter/glossary/A.asphttp://www.usajobs.opm.gov/infocenter/glossary/A.asphttp://www.job-hunt.org/jobs-in-government/government-jobs.shtml


5/22



Please note the ollowing:

When you go to the home page o www.usajobs.gov, you will see the screen below. You can also access a step-by-step tutorial or USAJOBS.gov through

the Ino Center or First Time Visitors links on the home page (www.usajobs.gov) shown below:

To begin the application process, go to

www.usajobs.gov and click on the Create

an Account link at the top o the home

page. Once you have completed theregistration process, you may create up

to ve versions o your rsum in order to

apply to a variety o dierent job

announcements. This Guide will help guide

you through that process, section by section,

with tips and additional inormation to help

you be as successul as possible.

I you already have created a USAJOBS.gov

Account, click on sign-in, open your

rsum prole, and review it as you read

this Guide. You may also use this Guide to

step you through the process o creating

your rsum with the Resume Builder.

4


6/22



Creating Your USAJOBS AccountCreate your account by selecting the First Time Visitors link on the USAJOBS home page, or Create an Account in the upper right hand corner.

Complete the required elds, read the Terms and Conditions, and click the I agree. Create my account button at the bottom o the page, i you agree

with the Terms and Conditions.

The ollowing inormation is required to set up a USAJOBS account:

First Name

Last Name

Home Address

City/Town

State/Territory/Province

Postal/Zip Code Country

Telephone Number

Email

User Name

Password (ollow the directions)

Citizenship

Veterans Preerence (being a veteran is not a requirement

or employment). More inormation about Veterans Preerence

at www.edshirevets.gov/job/vetpre/index.aspx .

Throughout USAJOBS, required inormation elds are marked with a red asterisk. Do not leave them blank.

5
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspxhttp://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx


7/22



FAQ: I I orget my password, can I get help to retrieve it?

Answer: Yes, but it could take up to 48 hours to obtain the password, or help, so I recommend you write your username and password in a sae place. To

retrieve a orgotten password, click on Sign In rom the USAJOBS.gov home page and click on Forgot User Name and/or Password.

Navigating USAJOBS.govI you have any questions about what a section or eld o the Resume Builder wants, click on the small blue question mark or help.

Once you have created your account, you will have many options. The oundation o your Federal job search will be your ederal rsum you cannot apply

or most jobs without one. Read the ollowing tips to help you navigate within USAJOBS Website:

At the top o every USAJOBS Webpage, you will see Search Jobs, My Account, and Ino Center. This Guide ocuses on Resumes under My Account.

Also, at the very bottom o every USAJOBS Webpage, you will nd the set o navigation links below. To return to your USAJOBS Account home page i you

get lost, click on the Site Map link:

6


8/22



Once you are on the Site Map page, click on the My Account Main Page link to return to your USAJOBS account home page.

You can reer to this page rom any part o the USAJOBS Website.

Click on whatever link will be the most helpul to you.

While you are working on your rsum, the My Account Main

Page link will get you back to your Account home page where you

will nd links to your rsums and the other Resume Builder applications.

The Site Map also includes links to all o the other main sections o

USAJOBS, giving you access to the whole site, by subject.

Completing the Resume Builder

Resume Builder vs. Resume Upload

FAQ: Should I use the Resume Builder or the Upload Resume Option?

Answer: When you create a new account, or sign into your account on USAJOBS.gov, you will have an option to Build A Resume or Upload A Resume

under the My Account section. You can have a totalo ve rsums in the Resume Builder. Two o those rsums may be added to USAJOBS using the

Upload New Resume option.

1. Resume Builder

The rsums in the Resume Builder are created using several sections (elds) that are required or a ederal rsum. Rsums created using the

Resume Builder aresearchable by recruiters. Most agencies require you to apply or a position using the rsum you created using the Resume Builder.

2. Upload New Resume

The rsums you upload rom your computer are orwarded only to the agencies which accept uploaded rsums. I the job announcement states that

the employer will accept uploaded rsums, then your uploaded rsums(s) will appear in the list o rsums you can use to apply or that job. You can

have up to two uploaded rsums to choose rom.

7


9/22



Uploaded rsums must be in a le ormat which is usable by USAJOBS.

The acceptable ormats are .doc, .docx, .jpg, .pd, and .rt.

USAJOBS limits the size o the uploaded le to 3MB or smaller. You willnot be able to successully upload a le with larger than 3MB, or any other

extension.

Also note that uploaded rsums cannot be converted to Senior

Executive Service (SES) rsums.

Uploaded rsums are notsearchable by recruiters. You will need

to complete your rsum using the Resume Builder to apply or

almost all job announcements listed on USAJOBS.gov.

Creating Your Rsum Using the Resume BuilderOnce you have registered and logged in, click on the blue Resumes button on the let side o the page. Then, select the Build New Resume button

to get started. The rst section at the top o the Resume Builder allows you to classiy your rsum as condential or non-condential.

Confdential or Non-Confdential.

Choose Confdential to hide your contact inormation,

current employer name, and reerences rom recruiters

conducting rsum searches. I your rsum is markedcondential, recruiters who nd your rsum will contact

USAJOBS which orward the recruiters message to the

email address you have provided in your contact inormation. It can slow down the process o being reached by a recruiter, but it can protect your job.

Choose Non-Confdential i you want all inormation to be visible to the recruiter.

8


10/22



FAQ: I I create a rsum and do not fnish it, do I have to start over?

Answer: No, you can save your rsum, and nish it later. Be sure to save it oten.

FAQ: What is the reason or having multiple versions o the rsum?Answer: The reason or multiple versions o your rsum is to customize each version or a specic job announcement/job title. In the dierent versions,

describe your qualications and competencies using the Additional Inormation section, ocusing on relevant aspects o your employment, education,

training, and volunteer experience.

For example, i you have the skills and education to apply or two positions such as Program Analyst and Procurement Analyst, you should have two dierent

USAJOBS rsums, one or each position. Each rsum should contain the appropriate, customized Additional Inormation section where you describe

your skills and qualications or that type o position. The Education, Work Experience, Specialized Training, Volunteer Service, and other sections

o the rsum may not need to change, but the inormation in the Additional Inormation section should change to align your qualications with those in

the announcement. On a traditional rsum, those sections are sometimes called the Qualications and Core Competencies sections. Those are the sections

that sell you to the employer the sections where you communicate your value to the hiring manager.

It is criticalthat the rsum contain the keywords and qualications contained in the announcement,

paralleling your knowledge, skills, and abilities within your rsum to the announcement.

Candidate InormationIn this section, you will enter your rsum title and contact inormation. I recommend you name the

rsum the same as the job title o the announcement such as Contract Specialist, Intelligence

Ocer, or Program Analyst whatever the job title is on the announcement. This will help you

organize your rsums and use the proper one, depending on the announcement you apply to. The

rsum title is not seen by anyone but you.

Social Security Number

The Federal Government requires any person doing business with the Federal Government to urnish

a Social Security Number or tax identication number. (Executive Order 9397, November 22, 1943).

9


11/22



It is used to identiy your records because other people may have the same

name and birth date. The Oce o Personnel Management may also use your

Social Security Number to request inormation about you rom colleges,

employers, and banks, but only as allowed by law or Presidential directives.FAQ: Do I have to provide my Social Security Number? I am

worried about identity thet.

Answer: Although providing your Social Security Number is voluntary, your

application will not be processed without it. Some agencies are using the

last our digits o the Social Security Number, but not all agencies have

changed to the our digit system. It is critical to provide all the inormation

requested in the announcement to be considered or the position.Email

It is important to create and use an email account in order to receive

correspondence rom potential employers, including the Federal government.

I recommend you set up a new email account specically or the purpose o

job searching. Make sure you choose a proessional email name, not one

such as [email protected], or [email protected].

In act, I highly recommend you use your name. An example is

[email protected] . A web-based email service is best.

You could set up your email to be [email protected] and

use it only or your job search. Be sure to check it oten.

Having an email with your rst name and last name will help brand you.

It will ensure your materials are identiable and will make it easier or

Human Resources personnel to remember you. Use your new email address

or all proessional contacts and job searching.

Veterans Preerence

By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the

Armed Forces during specied time periods, or during military campaigns,

are entitled to preerence over non-veterans both in hiring rom competitive

lists o eligible candidates as well as in retaining employees during reduc-

tions in orce. To nd out i you are qualied or this preerence, visit this

link FedsHireVets.gov or contact the Department o Veterans Aairs.

When you have completed and saved your rsum, you can upload a scanned

copy o your DD-214, or other discharge document you received, to your

USAJOBS records using the Upload a New Document ound under the

Saved Documents area. Find more about how to upload your DD-214 onpage 18 o this Guide.

Highest Career Level Achieved

Select the level that most clearly refects where you are in your career. You

can change this selection as your career level changes. This is an optional

eld and not always necessary or current or ormer Federal employees.

Read the announcement careully.

Federal Employee Inormation

Are you, or were you ever, a Federal civilian employee? The denition o

civilian includes some Veterans. The answer to this question will be

Yesifyou are a current or ormer Federal civilian employee who holds or

has held a non-temporary appointment such as the ollowing:

10
mailto:[email protected]://www.fedshirevets.gov/http://www4.va.gov/VECS/http://www4.va.gov/VECS/http://www.fedshirevets.gov/mailto:[email protected]


12/22



A Veteran who is eligible or veterans preerence or separated

rom the armed orces under honorable conditions ater three

years or more o continuous military service.

Served in competitive service in the Executive Branch, or in a position not

in the Executive branch specically included in the competitive service by

statute.

Served in an excepted service position covered by an interchange

agreement.

Eligible or reinstatement.

A person with a non-competitive appointment eligibility.

Pay Plan

This applies only i you answered Yes to the Federal Employee

question. A Pay Plan reers to a two letter code in the Federal Government

system or categorizing pay systems. For many Federal employees, the pay

plan is GS, or others it may be WG, ST, or NS. I you have ever held a

position as a Federal Civilian Employee, enter your highest permanent grade

attained, job series, grade level, as well as the dates you held that grade.

Series/GradeThis applies only i you answered Yes to the Federal Employee

question. A series reers to the Federal Governments system or

categorizing and dening jobs. A grade reers to the Federal Governments

system or dening and categorizing positions. You can nd out more

inormation on the job classications and pay at this link:

http://www.opm.gov/edclass/index.htm

FAQ: Are classifcation and qualifcations the same thing?

Answer: Classication and qualications are oten conused; each

has its own distinct unction.

Classication pertains to a position or job and the evaluation process

that determines the appropriate pay system, occupational series, title,

and grade/pay band.

Qualications pertain to a person and describe the knowledge, skills, and

abilities a person must have to be successul in a particular occupation.

ICTAP Eligibility

ICTAP applies only i you answered Yes to the Federal Employee

question. ICTAP stands or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan.

The participant in this plan is a current or ormer ederal employee that

has been displaced rom a Federal agency. To be eligible, you must have

received a ormal notice o separation such as a reduction in orce (RIF)

separation notice. I you are an ICTAP eligible candidate, you will normally

be provided priority consideration or vacancies within your commuting area

or which you apply and are well qualied.

Work ExperienceWork Experience is a required section. Complete a Work

Experience section or each o your employers. When you have

completed one Work Experience section, click the Add Experience button

to add your next job.

11
http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/index.htmhttp://www.opm.gov/fedclass/index.htm


13/22



FAQ: How many years o work experience should I include?

Answer: You should include a minimum of 10 years of experience,

which may require you to complete several Work Experience sections,

depending on how many jobs you have held in the last 10 years.

The number o years o experience to include depends on your

individual situation and the level o position. Some employees have

had one employer in 20 years. Some may have had 10 employers in 20

years. I you can, ask a Federal recruiter or a Certied Federal Rsum

Writer/Coach i you have specic questions on what and how much

to include or this section ater careul review o the announcement.

There are strategic reasons or using older work experience whichcould be included in the Federal rsum.

Your supervisor may be contacted i you choose Yes to the May

we contact your supervisor? question. Choose No i you do not want

your supervisor contacted. Or, i your search is condential, choose

Contact me rst so you can advise your supervisor beorehand.Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills Field

This eld allows up to 3,000 characters so you can, and should, provide a substantial amount o relevantinormation about your duties, accomplishments,

and any related skills. Again, use keywords rom the announcement as you complete this eld or each job you have held.

The USAJOBS Resume Builder provides you with a live Character Count below the input box so you can see how many characters you have used o your

3,000 character allotment. Be sure to use the spell check eature whether you are manually keying in the inormation or using copy-and-paste rom your

word processing sotware.

12


14/22



FAQ: Do I need to submit my current employer inormation?

Answer: Yes, but you can identiy that employer as condential so the

employer cannot be contacted. There is a radio button (selection) to make

this selection condential on your current employer inormation.

FAQ: Do I need to list my salary inormation or each position?

Answer: Yes. I you do not have the inormation, you can obtain your

salary history rom the Social Security Administration. They have a record

o each employer which has paid taxes on your behal. It is important that

you submit accurate inormation. This helps in the qualication process. The

time needed to obtain this inormation varies depending upon whether you

have a local Social Security Administration oce where you can walk in andrequest the inormation, or i you have to request it via email or U.S. mail.

FAQ: What i I work more than 40 hours per week, or less than 40

hours per week?

Answer: List the average hours you work per week. I you work an average

o 50 hours per week, list 50 hours per week. I you work a constant 40

hours in one job and 20 in another, list both positions with that detail. It

does help in the qualication process. The key is to be accurate.

EducationEducation is a required section. When you have added the last

screen o Work Experience inormation that is appropriate or this

rsum, scroll down the Work Experience page, to nd this section.

Be sure to complete the required elds designated with a red asterisk. The

highest level o education can be selected under Degree/Level Attained,

including high school i that is the highest level you attained.

The schools or programs you list in this section MUST be included in theUS Department o Educations directory o accredited schools to be

included in your application. You can perorm a search at http://www.ope.

ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspxto be sure that your school qualies.

Relevant Coursework, Licensures and Certifcations Box

Include this inormation i it is relevant to the position or i it helps to

demonstrate your skills, competencies, and/or accomplishments. The

Relevant Coursework eld allows up to 2,000 characters, and the live

counter below the box helps you see how many characters you have used.

13
http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspxhttp://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspxhttp://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspxhttp://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx


15/22



I you have attended more than one educational institution, you can click

on the Add Education button and provide the additional inormation or

each subsequent educational institution. Start with the most recent and

work backward. Be sure to include high school. It is required to be listed on

a Federal rsum.

FAQ: Do I need to submit my GPA? I did not do very well in col-

lege, but I graduated, and have held highly responsible positions

throughout my career, isnt that good enough?

Answer: Yes, you need to submit your GPA, and you will also need to

submit an ocial transcript at some point in the hiring process.

The GPA is used in the hiring process, but it is not the only actor in

deciding the candidate pool to submit to the hiring ocial. Focus on

your strengths in the selling sections that demonstrate your value and

throughout your rsum.

Do not leave o the GPA. Order your transcripts early. It can take up to six

weeks to receive your transcripts. Some agencies will allow you to scan

and upload the transcript into the online Resume Builder.

FAQ: Im not quite done with my degree. How can I show that?

Answer:There is a eld or semester/quarter credits complete. This will

tell the recruiter how many credits you have completed, but in the text

box eld, you can write an expected completion date, or an explanation o

the reason the degree is incomplete. I recommend that you do not leave it

blank, even i you have completed your degree. It helps give them timeline

o your activities.

FAQ: Do I need an ofcial transcript by the time I apply or the

position? I do not think I can obtain one that quickly.

Answer: It depends on what is stated in the announcement. Check the

How to Apply section on the announcement to be sure. Generally, i

transcripts are required at the time o submission, you can submit an

unocial copy o your transcripts, but you will eventually need to submit

the ocial transcripts. It is a good idea to request your transcripts as soon

as possible as they can take up to six weeks to obtain.

When you use education to qualiy or a position, Federal agencies will

normally ask you to provide a transcript, either when you apply or i you

are selected. By ully completing all o the elds in this section, you helpensure that you receive appropriate credit or your academic credentials.

I you have no degree, but have completed post-secondary courses, you

should provide that inormation.

14


16/22



Job Related TrainingJob Related Training is an optional section. I you do not have any relevant Job

Related Training, you can leave this section blank. I you have any training that might be

considered relevant, include the title and completion date.

For example:

Microsot Oce. January 2010.

Electronics Surveillance. May 2009.

Sexual Harassment Training. June 2009.

There is no need to provide a ull explanation o the course description, although you are allowed 5,000 characters.

FAQ: How many training courses should I list?

Answer: List only the training relevant to the position, training that adds value.

ReerencesReerences is an optional section. However, it is a good idea to include at least

three reerences. Be sure to complete the minimum required elds designated with a

red asterisk. It is helpul to complete each eld to assist in the background investigation.

As stated earlier in the Resume Builder, i you choose condential, this

inormation will not be visible to recruiters perorming rsum searches. Do not list

personal addresses in the elds o your reerences. Be sure to notiy your reerences

that you have included them on your Federal rsum. For privacy reasons, you should

ask them or their contact inormation that they would like listed on your rsum.

Additional Language SkillsAdditional Language Skills is an optional section. In this section, you have an opportunity to list your language skills. Even i you speak only one

language, it is best to include it here. You can list all the languages and the extent to which you speak, write, and read the language.

15


17/22



FAQ: Do I need to complete this section i English is my native language?

Answer: Yes. I you leave this section blank, anyone who sees it may be unsure what language you speak, read, or write since they have not met you. I

English is your native language, speciy that you understand English, and be sure to include your level o spoken, written, and reading skills.

Afliations

Afliations is an optional section. I you have proessional aliations, be sure to

include both the Organization Name and your Role. For example:

St. Louis Police Association.

Member.

Proessional Publications

Proessional Publications is an optional section. In this section, enter any

proessional publications you have written. You can have up to 5,000 characters or

this eld. I recommend that you list your publications as ollows:

Name o article. Name o publication. Where/who published it, or the purpose. Month,

Year.

Additional Inormation

Additional Inormation is an optional feld. Take advantage o this section todemonstrate your value to the hiring manager! This can be the section that contains

the inormation that sets you apart! In my 20+ years of experience writing Federal

rsums, this is the section I see misused most often by Federal job seekers. Most o

the time, it is blank, or contains irrelevant, personal, or discriminating inormation.

The character limit is 20,000 plenty o space to list qualications, core competencies,

leadership activities, accomplishments, honors, skills, awards, computer knowledge,

16


18/22



sotware knowledge, and other inormation relevant to the position that demonstrate your expertise, skills, and abilities. Propose your value to the employer!

FAQ: Can I just upload my Word rsum (.doc/.docx) into this section?

Answer: No. You must complete all sections o the Resume Builder according to the specications in order to be considered. However, I recommend thatyou copy and paste the qualications and core competencies, or the other selling sections o your traditional rsum rather than leaving it blank. Also, be

sure to list only proessional, non-discriminating activities and inormation in this section. Avoid mentioning religion and politics and other sensitive issues.

When you create your account on USAJOBS, there is an option to upload additional documents, such as the SF-50, DD-214, transcripts, and others. There

is also a statement that you can upload your rsum in that eld. Please note: i you upload your rsum, in that section, it is NOT searchable by

recruiters. Only the USAJOBS rsum is searchable.

Availability

Availability is an optional section. However, I encourage you to check each boxappropriate or you to provide the recruiter with more inormation on the type o position

you are seeking.

However, check only all that apply regarding the type o work you are willing to consider.

You will also need to dene the work schedule you are willing to consider.

Looking For A Specifc Work EnvironmentLooking or a Specifc Work Environment is an optional section. This section

will provide recruiters with additional detail on the type o position you are seeking.

Checking options in this section will not exclude your rsum rom consideration. You

can check more than one option.

17


19/22



Desired LocationsYou will have an opportunity to dene the desired location in which you wish

to work i the announcement states options. You can choose the state where

you would like to work, then the location, as well as regional locations.

Select the locations you want, and add them to the box on the right by clicking

on the ADD button.

Make Searchable or Save or Later

At this point, you can make your rsum searchable, or save it or later and come back to prooread, then choose make searchable. I you click on the

Activate Resume button, you will allow recruiters to nd your rsum during their rsum searches, and you will be able to apply to job announcements.

I you need to obtain more inormation to add to the rsum later, be sure to click on the Save or Later button and ollow the prompts.

I you change your mind ater Activating your rsum, you will be able to make it unsearchable by clicking on the Make

Not Searchable link on the rsums Status. Keep your rsum not searchable until you are sure it is ready and contains

all the required inormation. Make it searchable when you are ready to be ound by recruiters and apply to job announcements.

Adding DocumentsUSAJOBS allows you to upload ve attachments along with your rsum such as the DD-214, SF-15, SF-50,

OF-306, college transcripts or other types o documents.

Click on the Saved Documents link on your USAJOBS My Account Main Page to access the page

which allows you to add attachments to your rsum.

18


20/22



What Now?Use this rsum to apply or as many announcements as possible that match up with the qualications outlined on your rsum. Remember, i you apply to

an announcement with a dierent job title, it will have dierent requirements, so you will need to use a dierent version o your rsum (see below).

Job Search Time-Saving Tips

Duplicating Your Rsum in the Resume Builder

Ater you create one rsum and customize it to align with one job announcement, you can use that

rsum to apply to positions with the same job title. You can then use the duplicate eature to

duplicate the rsum, and rename it.

Be sure to modiy the new duplicate rsum to reocus the Additional Inormation section and any

other sections appropriately to apply or a dierent job announcement with a dierent job title.

Be sure to separately name each rsum you create in USAJOBS so you can keep them organized, and

use the appropriate rsum or the proper announcement. For example:

Program Analyst Rsum 4-15-2010

Accounting Rsum 4-20-2010

Contract Specialist Rsum 4-30-2010

Keep Good Records

It is a good idea to print a copy o your USAJOBS rsum as well as copy and paste it into a Word document (or other word processing program) just in case

something should happen to it on the USAJOBS server.

19


21/22



It is also a good idea to keep a copy o the entire announcement. The best

way to do this, so you can view it ater the announcement closes, is to click

on Print Preview, then press Control+A, then Control+C (to copy), then

open up a Word le, and paste it into the document by pressing Control+V.

Then be sure to save the le the same name as the announcement number

and date so you can easily nd it.

Saved Search (ormerly Job Search Agent)

Be sure to set up the Saved Search using keywords rom the announce-

ment, your skills, qualications, competencies, knowledge, education,

desired salary, and location. When you set up a Saved Search, you will

receive an email as soon as there is an announcement that matches yoursearch criteria. This eature alone will save you hours o time in manually

searching through thousands o job announcements. You can set up 10

dierent Saved Searches.Another eature to save you time and urther automate your job search, is

to set up your Saved Searches by Series. To do this, ollow these steps:

Notifcation Alerts / Application StatusNotication Alerts allow you to stay inormed o changes to your application

status. You can choose to be notied o a job that you have applied to that

has closed, status o an application you have submitted changes to, and

status o documents you have uploaded.

I you did not apply to the job announcement with your USAJOBS rsum

through the Apply Online button, you may not have successully applied

and your application cannot be tracked. When you click on Apply Online,

some announcements redirect you to a specic agency Website. In that

case, it is not possible to track applications in your USAJOBS account

when they have been submitted through an agencys application website orthrough the mail. You can contact the agency that posted the announcement

to veriy receipt o your application. Each record will be deleted 18 months

ater the Initial Application Date.

1. Log in to My Account.

2. Select Saved Searches rom the drop down menu.3. Select Create a new saved search on the let side o screen.

4. On the Create a new saved search page, you can select one or up

to 10 series titles rom the Occupational Series window. Finish

answering the other items on the page, then I recommend you save the

name o this Saved Search as Search by Series.

20


22/22



About Job-Hunt.orgJob-Hunt.org is a ree employment portal Website which links to over 18,000 employers, associations, and job search and career resources. Advice rom

various job search experts is also provided, including everything rom protecting your privacy to using Craigslist, LinkedIn, and Twitter in your job search.

Assisting job seekers since 1995, Job-Hunt has won much recognition or the quality o the content, and our goal is to continue to deserve that recognition.

US News & World ReportTop Site or Finding Work

ForbesBest o the Web or Job Hunting

PC MagazineBest o the Internet or Careers

Contact info:

Email:[email protected] Twitter:Twitter.com/JobHuntOrg Facebook: Facebook.com/jobhuntorg LinkedIn Group:Linkd.in/Job-Hunt-Help

Ofce: 508-624-6261

About Camille Carboneau RobertsJob-Hunts Federal Job Search Expert, Camille Carboneau Roberts, has over 20 years o successul experience providing career services,

writing, and consulting on Federal and private-sector rsums, Federal Senior Executive Service, interview coaching, salary negotiating, web

rsums/portolios, and computer training. Camille has an excellent reputation or success in helping her clients get jobs by writing high-

quality, brand-ocused Federal rsums, narratives (KSAs, ECQs, PTQs, MTQs), cover letters, thank you letters, job proposals, and social media

proles. She is recognized or helping her clients understand, interpret, and navigate the Federal hiring process. Camille teaches several

Federal-related topics, including Getting Re$ult$ with USAJOBS.gov. The courses can be taken via weekly webinars, or at your acility.

Contact inormation:

Website:www.ccCareerServices.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.Twitter.com/CamilleRoberts

Web Rsum: www.ccCareerServices/resumes/CamilleCarboneauRoberts LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/CamilleCarboneauRoberts

Join her new LinkedIn group: Federal Job Hunt Help and her new Facebook page and group: search CC Career Services

Camille is Job-Hunts Federal Government Job Search Expert oering advice every month on Job-Hunt.org to help job seekers succeed in their ederal job search.

Camille Roberts

Guide design/production by Graphics To Go21
mailto:[email protected]://twitter.com/JobHuntOrghttp://facebook.com/jobhuntorghttp://linkd.in/Job-Hunt-Helphttp://www.cccareerservices.com/http://www.twitter.com/CamilleRobertshttp://www.cccareerservices/resumes/CamilleCarboneauRobertshttp://www.linkedin.com/in/CamilleCarboneauRobertshttp://www.job-hunt.org/federal-government-job-search/federal-job-search-expert.shtmlhttp://www.graphicsto-go.com/http://www.graphicsto-go.com/http://www.job-hunt.org/federal-government-job-search/federal-job-search-expert.shtmlhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/CamilleCarboneauRobertshttp://www.cccareerservices/resumes/CamilleCarboneauRobertshttp://www.twitter.com/CamilleRobertshttp://www.cccareerservices.com/http://linkd.in/Job-Hunt-Helphttp://facebook.com/jobhuntorghttp://twitter.com/JobHuntOrgmailto:[email protected]

Usajobs Guide to Creating a Cv

Documents

Transcript of Usajobs Guide to Creating a Cv