TOP TIPS TO MASTER 2025 USAJOBS APPLICATIONS
- Use the OUTLINE FORMAT for your federal resume so that the keywords from the announcement stand out for the “human” human resources specialists to see. This is your best chance to be rated Best Qualified.
- Upload your PDF format resume instead of using the Resume Builder submission. Make the resume12 point type, .75 margins, Times or Arial format.
- Look at the Self-Assessment Questionnaire Preview before you apply. Make sure your resume will support your answers in the questionnaire. AND… Give yourself all the credit you can in the questionnaire. VERY important!
- Write accomplishments or specific examples of your projects into your resume to prove your past performance with the KSAs required for the position. Why? Because the HR Reviewers like the examples! These can help you get REFERRED and selected for an INTERVIEW!
- If you are a recent graduate—or have a new degree—add your new college degree at the top of the resume before the Work Experience section. WHY? Because you want the HR person and manager see your new education FIRST on page one.
- Match your resume toward the QUALIFICATIONS section in the announcement. Why? Because the HR specialist will be specifically looking for these qualifications in your resume to hopefully find you Best Qualified and maybe even REFERRED to a supervisor.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to apply (deadlines are very tight now, sometimes 4 days). Why? The short announcement opening time is due to the high volume of applications that the human resources specialists will have to read. Cut-offs can be after they receive 50 or 100 applications. These can close in less than a day.
- Look at sample Outline Format federal resumes; ask for a one-hour consultation to review your resume for keywords, content and format before you apply. Here at Resume Place, we are experts at consulting on a resume against a job announcement. We can tell you what is needed to help you get Best Qualified!
- If you qualify under a Hiring Authority, write the authority at the top of the resume under your phone and email so recruiters will know the authority on the resume. This is good for networking, job fairs and the HR recruiters who search USAJOBS for candidates. And make sure the documentation is in your USAJOBS account
Kathryn Troutman
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Eligible for Schedule A Hiring Authority
Eligible for Post-Secondary and Recent Graduate Hiring Authority
Veterans Preference: 30% or More Disabled Veteran
Eligible for EO 13473 (Active Duty Military Spouses)
Eligible for DOD PPP MSP (Active Duty Military Spouses)
