usajobs resume builder tool

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How to build a resume

To build a resume in usajobs:.

Sign into USAJOBS.
Go to your Documents .
Make sure you're in the Resumes section and select the Upload or build resume button.
Click Build resume .
Name your new resume and click Next .
Click Add Work Experience , enter the required information and click Save Work Experience . To add additional work experience repeat this step or click Next to continue with your education information.
Click Add Education , enter the required information and click Save Education . Repeat this step to add additional education or click Next to continue with your references. You may also click Finish if you don't want to add more information.
Click Add Reference , enter the required information and click Save Reference . Repeat this step to add an additional reference or click Next to continue to the next step.
You can enter additional information on your resume such as job related training, language skills, organizations/affiliations, professional publications, and other information. Click the corresponding button under each section to add your information, enter your information and click Add or Save for each section once completed.
Click Finish to save your resume. Your new resume will appear in your Documents list.
Click View on the resume icon to preview your resume. To edit your resume click Edit on the resume icon and it will bring you to the first page of your resume in the resume builder tool.

Save your work periodically

For security reasons, your session will time out after a period of inactivity. We recommend you Save periodically so that you do not lose any work.

Updating your resume

In order to capture changes that you have made to your profile you will need to build a new resume. USAJOBS does not automatically update existing resumes. This allows you to easily keep a set of resumes to apply to different jobs and only apply changes when you desire.

Tips for formatting resumes in USAJOBS resume builder

You can copy and paste text from Word documents into the resume builder. However, some formatting in these documents may not work in the USAJOBS resume builder. To fix formatting errors inside your resume, you must first save the original file in a .txt format.

To copy and paste from Word:

Open up your Word document or other word processing tool.
Select the File tab at the top.
Go to the Save As option.
Choose to save it as a Plain Text (.txt) file.
Open the new file and ensure the text appears in an acceptable format.
Copy and paste your resume text into the resume builder.

To edit your USAJOBS resume-builder resume:

Click on your username at the top of the page and select Documents from the menu.
Find the resume you want to edit and click "Edit" (located below the resume).
This will bring you to the first page of your resume.

Tips for submitting resumes to agencies

Some agencies accept uploaded resumes and resumes created using the USAJOBS resume builder, while some may only accept one or the other. Even though you may have both types of resumes in the Document section of your profile, the agency determines which ones to accept when you are applying online. The Apply button displayed on the job announcement page activates the process for a job seeker to complete an application.

USAJOBS automatically provides a list of available resumes and other documents to attach to your application, and will only display resumes and documents the hiring agency is willing to accept. For example, if the hiring agency only accepts resumes created using the USAJOBS resume builder, then your uploaded resumes will not be available to add to your application. Please pay special attention to the How to Apply section of the job announcement to find out which resume format and documents are accepted and how to submit them to the hiring agency.

Still need help?

USAJobs Resume Builder Preparation The Ultimate Guide

Section 1: Create a USAJobs.gov Account and Profile

Getting started.

Let's create an account on usajobs.gov and sign in.

You will need to create a login.gov account to sign into USAJobs.gov. It’s pretty simple, but you need a very strong password, so have one ready.

Set Your Credentials

Step 1: Enter your email address .

Tooltip: Don't use an unprofessional address, (like [email protected] ). If necessary, create a specific usajobs email address. Keep out span by only using it for employment purposes. ( [email protected] for example)

Step 2: You must Confirm your email address to proceed.

Step 3: Select a primary authentication method .

Tooltip: Some of these security options may be new to you. You may learn about Authentication Applications here . If you have a security key, it must support the FIDO standard. These methods are the most secure. Using any method you prefer will be acceptable.

Example: If you chose to authenticate by phone, enter a phone number . You will receive a one-time security code via text.

Step 5: Déjà vu? Go ahead and choose a backup method .

You've Created an Account with Login.gov!

Write down the email and password you used to create this account. You don't want to forget your user ID or password. You may now Sign in to usajobs.gov . It might take 5 tries and 3 password resets, so be patient!

Create Your Profile:

Important: USAJobs.gov may sign you out before you can save anything. It may be best to prepare in a Word document and paste onto the form. You don't want your session to expire before you save.

Click on “Guest” and it takes you to the Legal Name field. Use the name you would like hiring officials to see.

Remember if you use nicknames, they will be visible to others. I prefer full first name (formal) middle name, full last name.

Enter your full address . Use official abbreviation of street codes (ST, AV, DR). Enter the Zip code, city and state (state from drop down).

You may enter up to 2 phone numbers.

Be sure to enter your cell phone number if you have one. Hiring officials don't want to speak to a family member. Cell phones eliminate the problem.

Click on “Save Contact Information” to go to the next step.

Citizenship

Answer the citizenship question.

Click “Registered” or the correct exempt choice. Since January 1, 1960, many register for selective service in 11th grade.

Click “Save Citizenship” to continue.

Hiring paths

This information narrows down job searches that apply to you. Click on all that pertain to you.

IMPORTANT: Veterans receive 5 to 10 extra eligibility rating points. This will help you be placed at the top of the list. Include your DD-214 with your application package.

List your federal, military, and professional experience here. Make your profile searchable. Agencies can find you based on your experience.

Do you have Federal experience? Enter the type and Series and the highest grade achieved . Then enter the pay scale and your federal occupation (title).

Create a Biography by listing the federal jobs you had.

Federal Service: US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau. 1998-2000 ACE Team Supervisor, Philadelphia 2005-2008 Field Representative/Senior Field Representative Los Angeles Regional Office 2008-2011 Regional Technician/Area Manager Census 2000, Los Angeles Regional Census Center 2014-2015 Government Contractor/Sabre Systems/Technical Writer

You don’t need to go into detail at this time. When you enter work experience, you have space to enter duties, skills, etc.

At this point they signed me out. I had to sign in again and re-enter the Biography. Good thing I saved it!

Military Service – Have you served in the US Military? Claim Veteran's Preference. This is very important. Veterans receive 5 to 10 extra points on your eligibility rating.

Veterans may be placed at the top of the list. Be sure to include your DD-214 with your application package. Aslo, Have your D-214 ready to answer the questions in this section. Skip to Demographics – Answer or decline by clicking the first box.

Section 2: Build Your USAJobs.gov Federal Job Search

Here is what you do to find a list of federal government jobs:.

Tooltip: Use your USA Jobs login or create your usajobs.gov account if you'd like to save your job search later! For step-by-step guidance, see the "Create Your USAJobs.gov Account and profile" section above.

Before you start looking at USAJobs resume examples, let's find your first list of government jobs. You will use www.usajobs.gov for your Federal government job search.

USAJobs.gov provides a complete list of Federal Government Jobs (Vacancies). We recommend this resource for finding a federal job.

Build Your First Federal Job Search

Go to www.usajobs.gov on your desktop
If you do not see a search bar, click the "Search" icon (top right)
Enter a Location
Click the blue "search" button next to the search bar to submit

How to Search for Federal Government Jobs

You've completed your first Federal Job Search. Great job!

Look through your search results. You will see Vacancies available in the location you entered. Many of these vacancies may be outside of your career path.

Next, let's filter out the jobs you don't fit.

How to Filter Your Federal Job Search:

Filter by location.

First, let's set how far we are willing to travel within this location. The default is 25 miles.

When I used the 25 mile radius, it returned 44 Results. When I expanded to a 60 mile radius, I had 579 results! That's a huge difference.

Setting A Travel Radius

Tooltip: You can enter multiple locations and click search again. This is helpful if there are multiple places you are willing to work.

Click “More Filters" .
Use the slider to set the distance you are willing to travel .

The "More Filters" section

Look under “More Filters”. You will also find limits like Work Schedule, Appointment Type, and more. I do not find these filters necessary.

Additional Resources: Here is the Official Documentation for filtering results by: Location , Work Schedule , Appointment type , Security Clearance , and Travel Percentage .

How to Use "Top Filters" to gain an edge:

Tooltip: Current/former Federal Employee can leave filters unchecked. This will maximize your result options.

Top filters give you access to vacancies exclusive to certain groups. These vacancies may have less competition.

I only use these filters to add vacancies to your list of results. Try not to limit yourself to only one filter.

Click "Top Filters"
Click "Open to the Public"
Click each additional filter for which you are eligible.

Filtering by Pay

Before you filter by pay, remember that what's important is getting in.

Changing Jobs within the Federal Government is Easy.

Have you served 90+ days after competitive appointment as a Federal employee? You may typically apply to ANY "status" position.

That means you get more opportunities with much less competition, so you can move up or move around very quickly. I recommend non-federal employees apply to EVERY relevant job. If qualified, just get in somewhere and figure it out from inside.

Use Pay Filters to Match Your Work Experience

If you have no Federal Experience:

Tooltip: Want to find the positions for which you most likely to be qualify? Start with the highest salary you've earned. Subtract 10-15k for your minimum salary. Add 10-15k for your maximum salary.

Scroll down to "Pay"
Click the radio button next to "Salary"
Click the $ amount next to "Min" to type a minimum salary
Submit using the "Enter" key
Click the $ amount next to "Max" to type a maximum salary

If you have Federal Experience:

Tooltip: Even Federal employees should apply to every grade level. Look at the the 2021 Pay Schedule . A step-10 for one grade level may pay more than the step-1 of a higher grade level!

Click "grade"
Click to add each grade level for which you qualify

How to Filter Jobs by Keywords

Non-veterans.

Non-veterans might have a better chance using "Direct Hire" as a keyword. These jobs are critical to fill.

Many direct-hire jobs do not offer Veterans preference. This may level the playing field for you.

Student or Recent Graduate

You might have a better chance if you use "Pathways" as a keyword. These vacancies may value education over experience. Pathways are often excellent entry level government jobs.

Under “Keywords” in the search bar, enter your interests .
Click Search

Example: Do you want to work for a specific agency? If you like the Census Bureau, enter "Census Bureau". If you have IT experience, enter "IT Experience". I entered “Manager” and it returned 124 jobs. I would look at each one to see if I qualify.

Nice work! Now you have a well filtered job search.

Look at the job titles and save all that match your qualifications.

Is this your first time working for the government? Pay particular attention to any "assistant" position. These jobs are usually entry level. Many do not even require a degree or experience in that field. Be sure to save every job that has "Assistant" in the title. You face less cometition moving up to a higher grade level from inside.

Saving Searches

How to create a saved search.

Tooltip: To create "Saved Searches", You'll need to Create an account first and log in.

With saved searches, any time new jobs become available, you will receive an email. This ensures you are always up-to-date on new opportunities.

Click on the “save search bookmark.”
Name the search (Keyword and Date)
Select how frequently you want to be notified
Select how the jobs should be sorted (I like to sort by job title)

Final Thoughts on Job Searches

You can create up to 10 Saved Searches. They will appear on your usajobs.gov dashboard.

Once you have saved the jobs to your dashboard, you can determine which ones fit you. You are allowed to save up to 25 job vacancies. Don’t forget to delete the one’s you don’t want.

Section 3: Understand Your Vacancy

Tooltip: Read "Build Your Federal Job Search" to select a vacancy.

Why is the vacancy important?

Ready to learn the secret that every USAJobs Resume Builder tutorial leaves out? The Vacancy Announcement has what you need to customize your resume. The trick is to understand what they want, give it to them, and back it up.

Where to Start

Use the job search tool on www.usajobs.gov to find your vacancy announcements. Simply cut and paste, and edit every part that applies. This will satisfy the job requirements to get through the initial screening.

Open a vacancy announcement on the www.usajobs.gov website. You'll find a lot of information you need to review. This is how to find out about the job that is being offered.

How do I use the Vacancy?

First, you translate a vacancy announcement into understandable terms. This helps you decide if you are even qualified for the job. Then, later, you can review for additional information about the job.

How do I read the vacancy?

Government terminology can be complicated and hard to understand. They also use acronyms that may not be familiar to you.

There is a secret to understanding government Human Resource Specialists. Break every sentence down comma to comma . The sentences can be long and complicated. They take 30 extra words to make a point.

Look specifically for what you need be qualified for the job .

Finding The Qualifications

Start out by looking for 4 main headings :

Proficiency Requirement
Qualifying Experience
Specialized Experience
KSA's (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Look for these headings in the announcement. You need to determine if you have that experience and meet those requirements . Often, this information is listed by Grade Level.

Here are the salary equivalents for each grade level .

Let's review the qualifications and evaluations of a vacancy. I am going to highlight the specific qualifications needed for the job. I have added notes next to any that need "translation".

Follow an Example Vacancy

Qualifications required:.

GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Entering information into a computer system ;
Answering routine questions from other employees ;
Distributing information to appropriate personnel .

GS-6: You qualify at the GS-6 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience , equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Assisting analysts with interpreting and analyzing data . (Helping a supervisor compare information with expected results.)
Assisting in the performance of ongoing reviews of documentation and verification of status . (Helping a Supervisor make sure documents are complete and accurate.)
Assisting in the development of methodologies and plans for system utilization activities . (Helping plan and use tools and manuals to achieve results.)
Assisting in compilation of statistical information from automated resources to be used in past, current and future evaluations of data quality . (Helping a Supervisor use programs like Excel to compare information.)

GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills necessary to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Interpreting and analyzing data. (Comparing incoming information against what is expected)
Performing on-going reviews of documentation and verification of status . (Reading documents and making sure they are complete and accurate)
Developing methodologies and plans for system utilization activities with analysts . (Helping to plan and use tools and manuals to achieve results.)
Compiling statistical information from automated resources to be used in past, current and future evaluations of data quality . (Using Microsoft Excel or other programs. Comparing information so that others can decide if the quality of the data meets the requirements.)

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION:

GS-5: You may substitute 4 years of education above high school for the experience required at the GS-5 level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-5 grade level.

All requirements for this position must be met by 11:59pm (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement (Wednesday, June 01, 2015).

You qualify for this position at the Grade 5 level if you have a Bachelors degree. You may also combine education and experience to meet the requirements.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application packet.

You will be evaluated for this position based on your resume. Your resume must support your responses. This includes job specific assessment questions. Include level of education claimed, experience, and training.

To be considered for this position, be sure your resume is compliant. Your resume must be submitted as part of your on-line application.

You must completing the online assessment questions. You must also upload your resume with any required supporting documents.

How to know if you are qualified

Review the "Finding the Qualifications" Section. Highlight the qualifications required to apply for the position. Next, you can decide if you have those qualifications.

Look at the highlighted items , one by one, and ask yourself, "have I done this?" .

Do you meet all qualifications under one grade level? This qualifies you at the next higher grade level. Can you answer yes to each of the requirements for Grade 4? You are qualified for Grade 5. Can you answer yes to each of the requirements for Grade 5? You are qualified for Grade 7, etc.

Pay attention to the closing date! At 11:59 PM (Midnight) Eastern Time (9PM Pacific Time) the job will close. After this, your application package will not be accepted. In fact, the job will no longer appear on the screen.

If you are qualified for the position, you will click on "Save Job." Once the job is saved, you can go back to your USAJobs.gov account page. Click on "Saved Jobs" when you are ready to apply for the job.

Section 4: USAJobs Resume Builder process

Federal resume guide.

IMPORTANT: Your resume must make it through the federal screening process. Do not apply to Federal Jobs with a non-compliant resume.

What is a Basic Federal Resume?

Your basic resume is a starting point. You will use it as a foundation for all of your job applications. Remember, only qualified applications will pass the screening. You may use the USAJobs resume builder or upload a customized resume in the official USA Jobs resume format.

You can use the USAJobs Resume Builder to apply for a federal job. To build the basic resume yourself, continue below.

If you prefer, you can Hire a USAJobs Resume Writer [$499] from our team. Just click the button that says "Write My Resume".

As a shameless plug, our customized resumes are compliant with all Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Standards. They are provided in the official USAJobs resume builder format ready to be uploaded. The service include the necessary USA Jobs resume keywords and phrases specific to your vacancy. Targeting your experience to the specific vacancy gives you a huge edge and allows us to confidently offer our 100% money-back guarantee .

Thank you for your interest and patience.

Get started with the USAJobs Resume Builder

Tooltip: If at any time you have questions, email me at [email protected] . I will be happy to try to clarify.

Go directly to Documents and click on “Upload or Build Resume” . Select “Build Resume.” Your profile information should carry over.

Experience does not carry over. There is no need to enter experience twice. Enter it only in the USAJobs Resume Builder. Do you already have a private sector resume? Keep both windows open so you can copy and paste.

Name and date the resume. Example: Basic Resume 8/2018

Work Experience

This is one of the most critical sections in your resume.

You will customize this section for each application. You may enter work experience 3 different ways.

1. Did you have only one position in a company ? Enter the company name and the position you held, most recent first.

2. Did you have several positions in the company ? Enter the company name once. Enter the dates employment began and ended . List each position in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Include the dates you held each job within the narrative. This gives the hiring official the details of your term with the employer. It also lets them know that you were promoted.

3. Did you do freelance, consulting or volunteer work? Did you have gaps in your employment? You will enter it differently. In the "Company" field, enter the type of work you did.

(example: Administrative Consultant, Volunteer Work, Set Designer) .

In the field for "position", enter the company you worked for and the dates . These dates do not have to be chronological. Perhaps you had several consulting jobs at the same time.

Here is an example of the how to enter three different types of work history into the USAJobs Resume Builder:

Adelphia Cable Positions Held: Title: Metro Area Sales Manager From: 08/2000 To: 03/2002 Salary: $90,000/year Supervisor: Phone Number

Work History Example 2:

US Census Bureau Positions Held: Title: Area Manager Then, in the narrative, enter: Title: Area Manager From: 09/09 To: Present Salary: $65,000/year Title: Regional Technician From: 03/08 To: 09/09 Salary: Grade 12 Title: Senior Field Representative From: 02/2006 To: 03/2008 Salary: Grade 6 Title: Field Representative From: 01/2005 To: 02/2006 Salary: Grade 5 Title: Team Supervisor From: 10/1998 To: 05/2000 Salary: Grade 12 Supervisor: Assistant Regional Census Manager Phone Number

Work History Example 3:

Self-Employed Positions Held: Title: Truly Unique Web Administrative Consultant From: 3/2002 To: 3/2004 Salary: Volunteer Title: Benefits Plus Administrative Consultant From: 03/2002 To: 03/2006 Salary: Commission Title: Say Cheese Photography Administrative Consultant From: 03/2004 To: 03/2006 Salary: Commission Supervisor: Phone Number

Things To Keep in Mind

Have the addresses of your employers ready to enter . Did you work from more than one place? Enter the mailing address of the company , or the most recent address.

if you are still employed select “present” as the end date for that company.

When you enter the salary information, use "$" and commas . Enter the annual rate if possible (ex: $40,000/year – do not abbreviate.)

Duties, accomplishments, and related skills

Important: You will need to customize this section. This targets your experienc to each vacancy announcement you select.

At this time you can briefly enter duties, accomplishments, and related skills . You will add to this section later to customize it. Don't write a book .

You may enter your highest salary here. Label it as yearly, monthly, or hourly under salary rate. This tells hiring managers the grade level for which you will qualify.

Average hours per week

Enter your average weekly hours worked.

May we contact your supervisor

If at all possible, answer yes . You will be prompted to enter the supervisor name and phone # .

Is this a federal Civilian position

If you have not worked fro the government, enter no . Otherwise, enter yes. Select the Department & Agency, Series, Pay Scale and Grade Level . Also, you can select the Employment Type .

Save your work experience!

Then click on “Add work experience” to add the next job you held . Continue until you have listed your work history to the year 2000. Enter jobs in reverse chronological order. Include all military experience, even prior to year 2000.

Educational History

It is usually optional to enter your education. Check if the vacancy requires a specific educational level. Enter your degrees , most recent first.

Example: Doctorate; Masters; Bachelors; Associates; High School. Enter certifications, licenses, additional coursework. Click on “Save Education" for additional fields.

You will be asked to list name, phone number, Email. Select a reference type (professional or personal). Include the employer and the title of the reference.

Job Related Training

List the titles and completion dates of training courses you have attended. List certificates you have earned.

If you are bilingual , answer these questions . It is always helpful to speak more than one language. It is a requirement for some jobs.

Organizations and Affiliations

List any professional organizations to which you belong.

Professional Publications

Enter any professional publications in the space provided.

Additional Information

This section of the USAJobs Resume Builder will be customized for each job application. This is where you will add:

Specialized Experience required in the job announcement.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities required in the job announcement.

Any continuation of work experience.

Anything else you haven’t entered but want them to see.

Congratulations! You have a basic federal resume.

At this point you are ready to start looking for a government job!

Shape America's future

Save your favorite jobs and searches
Upload your resumes and documents
Make your resume searchable
Apply for jobs in the federal government

Just starting out in your career? Start here.

As the largest employer in the U.S., the federal government has a variety of career fields to suit your skills and interests. Visit Early careers for guides, programs and opportunities to help you launch a rewarding career in the federal government.

Explore career fields that are hiring now.

The government is looking to fill positions that are in high demand. Find your opportunity to shape America's future.

Mathematics
Computer science
Mathematical statistics

Engineering

Human resources.

Human resources management

Business, industry and programs

Acquisitions and contracting
National Security

Social Science

Medical, dental and public health.

Fishery biologist
General natural resources management and biological sciences
General physical science
Health physics
Federal tech portal
Information technology management
Cross-functional positions
Cybersecurity
Cyber effects
Information technology
Other cyber opportunities

Learn more about the federal hiring process.

Below is an overview of the federal hiring process. This process is in place to make sure all applicants receive fair and equal opportunity.

Create a USAJOBS profile

First, create and complete your profile to apply for any job on USAJOBS.

With a USAJOBS profile, you can save jobs, automate job searches, and manage everything you need to complete your application, including resumes and required documents.

Search for jobs

Once you create your profile, you can search for jobs.

It's best to sign into your profile before searching. Why? We can use your information to improve your job search results.

You can also use filters such as location, salary, work schedule or agency to narrow your results.

Review the job announcement

If you find a job you're interested in, read the entire announcement to determine if you're eligible and meet the qualifications. It's important to read the announcement because there are required qualifications you must meet and include in your application.

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

Read the How to Apply section of the job announcement before starting your application. Click Apply , and we'll walk you through a five-step process where you'll attach a resume and any required documents.

During the application process, you can review, edit and delete your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go so that you won't lose any changes.

Submit application to the agency

When your application is ready, you'll be directed from USAJOBS to the hiring agency's system to submit your application. Before you submit, you may need to complete other agency-required steps such as a questionnaire or uploading additional documents.

The time it takes to submit depends on the job you are applying for and the hiring agency's requirements.

You can check your application using the Track This Application link in your USAJOBS profile or contact the hiring agency listed on the job announcement.

Transition to agency

Agency reviews application.

The hiring agency begins reviewing applications when the job announcement closes. The hiring agency will review your application to make sure you're eligible and meet the qualifications for the position.

The hiring agency will place applicants into quality categories. Those placed in the highest category are sent to the hiring official.

The hiring official will review the highest qualified applications and select applicants to interview based on agency policy. The hiring agency will contact applicants directly to schedule interviews.

You may be interviewed by a panel, in-person, video or phone interview, and there may be more than one interview round. For example, an applicant may have a phone interview and then an in-person interview.

Scheduling an interview may take some time, depending on the number of applicants to interview.

Agency selects candidates

After all interviews are completed, the agency will select a candidate(s) and contact them to start the job offer process.

For those not selected, the hiring agency will update the job's status to Hiring Complete .

What jobs can you apply for?

Hiring paths help you understand what jobs you are eligible to apply for and why. You may fall under multiple hiring paths.

Explore unique careers with the government

Infrastructure jobs.

Intelligence careers

Dec 05, 2024 Unlocking Federal Careers: Exploring Student Opportunities!

Feb 27, 2025 national park service federal jobs webinar, mastering the application, sep 03, 2025 electrical engineers - federal resume webinar, your session is about to expire.

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes . Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Quick Guide to Preparing a Resume For Federal Government Positions

Due to the volume of applications received for any given vacancy announcement within the website, your resume will most likely be processed through an electronic filtering mechanism before being reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist for a qualification determination. Your resume will also be screened according to certain preferences (e.g., Indian Preference, veterans, disability, etc.) and rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training described on the vacancy announcement. It is essential that you tailor the experience listed on your federal resume to the specific position to which you are applying.

Once your application is rated, a quality review will be conducted by Office of Human Capital Management staff and/or a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Resumes are forwarded to the Hiring Manager for interview consideration. Once a hiring decision has been made, applicants will be notified.

Resume Writing

Before you begin, it may be helpful to compile all the information you want to include in your resume. The writing process will be much easier and faster.

It is important to thoroughly review the vacancy announcement for the position you are applying. You should tailor your resume to ensure you include the experience and skills that are required for the position.

What Should be Included in a Federal Resume?

A federal resume calls for some information that is not generally required on a standard resume for private industry positions, and not including the required information may immediately disqualify you from consideration. It is extremely important that you carefully read application instructions and include all required information. Below is an example of a resume for Federal employment:

First and Last Name Address City, State and Zip code Email address Phone Numbers

Special Hiring Authority: (Indian Preference, Veteran’s Preference or Person with Disability - Schedule A ) Federal Experience: ( Yes or No and Indicate Military, Federal or State Gov ) Security Clearance: ( Indicate what level and if it's still active ) OBJECTIVE: To obtain a full-time position in public service with ( Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs as a (Indicate the position including announcement Number if there is one )

SKILLS SUMMARY: ( Has 3 elements: An introductory paragraph, list of skills directly related to the position, and your skills you have acquired throughout your career, that you want to highlight ) (1st Element: The introductory paragraph - Must be specific and highly detailed for each job series and position you're applying to. You need to outline all the specific skills you have that are directly related to the position you are seeking including Key Words identified in the positions description.) Focused and highly motivated management professional, with 12 + years of extensive experience in Strategic Workforce Planning , EEO , OHR and Diversity Mgt . Utilizing my background in Disability, Accommodations, Business Operations, Project Management, and Statistical Analysis to develop comprehensive programs based on the employment needs and mission of the agency. Deploying metric -based solutions and maximizing our ROI . I'm an innovative and energetic team player, relationship builder, and highly effective communicator. (2nd Element: List of skills directly related to the position and the Key Words you identified - Back up your skill summary with specific examples from you career or education. Identify specific accomplishments, length of time, highlight numerical results and awards derived from those duties and skills. This is the most critical area of the resume. You are relating an activity in your career to that of the position you are applying and showcasing your accomplishments.)

• Develop and create a Strategic Workforce Planning program to ensure were accurately utilizing all available resources. Good Example

• Expert in Equal Employment, Labor and Employee Relations assisting managers and staff in identifying and solving EEO Policy questions on Accommodations, for the past 9 yrs. Better Example

• As Diversity manager I trained a staff of 100+ internal and external personnel on diversity rules and regulations. My efforts resulted in a 70% reduction in violations and improved the overall atmosphere at ABC Co. Best Example (3rd Element: Acquired skills - These are skills you want every employer to know you possess and feel they are what defines you as a model employee. Remember you MUST quantify and qualify every statement you make.)

• Analyze, develop, test and incorporated IT business solutions to enhance business process control and tracking. Good Example

• Supervised, motivated, mentored and lead by example, using experience backed judgment, strong work ethic, and irreproachable integrity, derived from my 12yrs as a Department Manager at ABC Co. Better Example

• Developed and implemented a supply inventory program, which tracked our use of production and office materials. This provided us detailed reports of our available inventory at all times. Allowing us to make more informed purchasing decisions. Resulting in ABC Co. to save 500,000 per year. Best Example

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Name of Employer Position & Title GS level or Salary and Years of Service From: Mo/Year to Mo/Year; (Indicate if the work was Full Time, Part Time, or Seasonal; provide number of hours for PT or Seasonal work) Write a brief description of your experience/duties, and identify your major roles and responsibilities. Describe in detail each position you held for at least the last 10 years and quantify and qualify each statement). IP: Describe each duty as if you are describing it to someone for the first time. Agencies are not allowed to assume you can or can't do anything. Ex: Cashier: A cashier can perform numerous duties, if you only list cashier we can only interpret that as someone we collected and distributed money). As Diversity Manager I analyze develop and manage programs and projects related to the successful deployment of our department's initiatives. My duties included ensuring we provided an inclusive work environment, free from discrimination and ensuring we met all federal and state regulations. This was accomplished by collecting, analyzing human capital data and statistics from various sources to get an accurate analysis of the programs and work environment we provided our employees. • Performed labor market Statistical analysis and employment projections locally and nationally to determine our recruitment strategy to ensure we were recruiting from a diverse population. Good Example • Coordinated with the Office of Human Capital and EEO managers to develop programs to improve our diversity in the workplace. Performed detailed analysis of the current workforce, and developed a strategy to ensure we targeted a broader workforce. This had an immediate impact on community relations and a 20% increase in local sales. Better Example

• Diversity manager for the past 7 yrs I was responsible for a staff of 20 employees. I coordinated with our Office of Human Capital to develop and measure recruiting timelines and efficiency, to determine cost per employee hired and accurate return on investment. Identified various key elements related to recruiting and performed a statistical analysis on reducing cost per hire. This lead to a yearly savings of 15% on recruiting expenses. Best Example

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Identify any areas of your career you feel an employer will get a better understanding of who you are and your additional activities, to included honors received by organizations, exceeding specific goals on projects, etc.)

• 2011 Supervised and managed the Specialty Hiring Programs, including NonCompetitive Direct Hiring Authorities, Military Spouse Employment and Individuals with Disabilities Programs, at the Department of Defense. • 2008 Liaised with union and management on contract negotiations and labor dispute settlements with global manufacturer. Prevented the loss of 200+ jobs and saving the company 1.3 million dollars.

• 2006 The Minority Entrepreneur Network - Assisted 5 minority startup companies in researching, forecasting, and drafting their business plans and applications for small business loans.

• 2005 Restructured vendor contracts for a gross savings resulting in $375K per quarter.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE (List all software and applications you are experienced in and level. Identify formal training and where you received that training)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING (List any formal or informal training including accreditations and number of hours in the specific field)

• I have attended various seminars on EEO compliance and diversity Good Example

• Extensive EEO Compliance Training: Laws & Discrimination, Diversity in the Workplace, Workplace Relationships, EEO Complaints and Resolutions: (80+ hrs of training) Better Example

• Extensive Project Management Training specializing in large scale projects and developing the project plans and schedule. All training was done at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) 2002 thru 2011 (120 hrs) Best Example

HONORS AND AWARDS

(Any formal awards you would like to share)

VOLUNTEER WORK & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

(Depending on the type of work volunteering can count the same as formal on the job experience if related to the position) (2010 - current) I hold Diversity workshops at the ABC community center in Washington DC, 6 times each month. I provide employers with information on developing an inclusive and diverse workforce. Note: volunteer work must include the total # of hours PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AAPD - American Association of Peoples with Disabilities HAVA - Honored American Veterans Afield NRA - National Rehabilitation Association PMI - Project Management Institute Wounded Warriors Project - Warriors to Work REFERENCES (List at least 3 references including their contact information)

indianaffairs.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of the Interior

Federal Resumes Guide for USAJobs

Introduction

USAJOBS.gov

Writing Strategies

Federal Resume Sample

Introduction to federal resumes.

Searching for a federal job can be a daunting task. The stringent guidelines for both the application process and the formatting of required materials, including the federal resume, can seem overwhelming to first-time applicants and seasoned professionals.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the key steps in the application process, including successfully navigating USAJOBS (the official job-search website of the US government), targeting vacancy postings, and crafting an effective resume that highlights your career accomplishments while aligning with federal resume-writing best practices.

How a Federal Resume Differs From a Private Industry Resume

The main differences between a federal resume and a private sector resume are the length of the resume and the detail involved. While a typical resume should be no more than two pages in length, a federal resume can extend to five pages or more. In addition, federal resumes require more details in regards to references, availability, and expanded job descriptions and accomplishments. Also, readers of your federal resume will be expecting certain stylistic attributes and exact phrasing that mirrors the language of vacancy postings on USAJOBS.gov.

Grade Levels: General Schedule (GS) & Senior Executive Service (SES)

In the federal job arena, there is a highly specific and expected career progression and salary roadmap referred to as the GS pay scale, ranging from GS-1 through GS-15. Applicants are required to meet clearly defined expectations for jobs at each level, and each progressive step includes a raise in salary:

GS-1 through GS-7: Entry-level positions – If you have recently entered the workforce and have at least a high school diploma and a few months of work experience, you qualify for positions up to GS-2. If you have more than a few months of general experience, you qualify for GS-3 and GS-4 levels. Following this (GS-5 and above), positions require at least 1 year of specialized experience to be considered. Graduates within a specific career field are eligible for GS-5 jobs and qualify for GS-7 if they attained certain grades, test scores, or other criteria while in college.
GS-8 through GS-12: Mid-level positions – Jobs within this range typically require master’s degrees or a doctorate for GS-11 grades and beyond. In lieu of a degree, acceptable candidates can qualify with at least 12 months of experience at an equivalent grade level.
GS-13 through GS-15: Senior managers, high-level technical specialists, physicians – Positions in this range are typically reserved for top professionals holding advanced degrees. Candidates must be able to demonstrate relevant job experience. At levels 14 and 15, the candidate is eligible to apply for a Senior Executive Service (SES) job.

SES & Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

SES roles represent executive-level positions across management and policy. These roles are classified above GS-15 in most Executive Branch agencies of the US government. These also represent the highest-level positions below presidential appointments. To qualify for an SES position, one must demonstrate alignment with five ECQs and their key components:

As you’ll see, the questionnaire asks about certain abilities that the ideal candidate would possess that might not be spelled out in the job posting itself, so it’s important to identify these and leverage them in your federal resume.

In addition to specific phrasing of expected abilities and accomplishments, you will want to identify the KSAs that are specific to the position. USAJOBS makes this process easy by highlighting them at the bottom of a vacancy posting with the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Remember, these are expected to be written verbatim in a federal resume.

After you have made a list of both the KSAs and phrases you need to incorporate into your federal resume, it’s time to start writing.

Strategies for Writing a Successful Federal Resume

Define Your Core Skills

With your list of KSAs and duty phrases in hand, ask yourself what five high-level responsibilities describe your current role in order to define the key knowledge, skills, and abilities you apply every day and how they align with the information you obtained from the vacancy posting. Once you have compiled this list, brainstorm about specific examples of achievements in these areas and how they support the position you’re applying to as well as its KSAs.

If you are making a transition from military service into civilian service, you will need to translate your experience and accomplishments to align with the language of the vacancy postings. Using the posting language and KSAs as a guide, consider how your accomplishments within the military reflect the skills and abilities required for the position. A good starting point for this information is your performance evaluations.

Formatting & Layout

As with a private industry resume, a federal resume is most impactful when it is organized and highly readable. A main point of difference between the two is that while a private resume can take many forms including functional or creative, the federal resume must be in the traditional reverse-chronological order covering the last 10 years. Private sector resumes use succinct career highlights and bullets with few details, whereas federal resumes use full phrases, sentences, and paragraphs to cover the informative descriptions and extensive details that support the job qualifications. While a private sector resume is typically limited to 2 pages, a federal resume can average anywhere from 3 pages to 7 or more.

Stylistic Rules

As with private-sector resumes, some general stylistic rules apply to optimize the document:

Most jobs will have four to six paragraphs, and each should represent a KSA, if possible. “Communication skills” is the most common KSA.
Each resume should contain one paragraph on “Interpreting Regulations.”
Repetition aligning with job posting-specific phrasing is encouraged. If you did the work and have the skills, it’s acceptable to repeat these attributes throughout the resume. Avoid exact repetition, and paraphrase when possible.
Minimize using personal pronouns, and keep articles such as “an” or “the” to a minimum to optimize space.
KEYWORDS/CORE COMPETENCIES should be used to describe each duties paragraph and are in all caps. Nouns are preferred, but verbs can also be used if that is the language reflecting the vacancy posting.
Accomplishments should follow the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for a general federal resume or the CCAR (Challenge, Context, Action, Result) format for ECQs within the SES resume.
Some job announcements will require the full date (mm/dd/yyyy) and salary, supervisor name and phone, and whether or not to contact. It’s important to note that federal resumes will not be considered if required information is missing.
Certificates usually go under Job-Related Training, but longer programs such as the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification will go under education.
Military, Soldier, Veteran, Marine, etc. are capitalized throughout the resume, which is reflective of Military AP Style.
All acronyms, except those that are obvious, should be spelled out. This is especially important to elucidate department or industry-specific jargon. Remember that it’s often HR that is reviewing your resume first, not a specialist within your field.
Font size and spacing should remain the same, except for paragraph spacing.
Jobs more than 10 years in the past will still be listed but will be presented in the Additional Information section, with the number of years listed instead of dates.

Contact Information & Career Summary

The federal resume presentation begins with your contact information. These details should match your profile on USAJOBS. Following this is the Career Summary which should be crafted to align your experience with the vacancy posting of interest. Also list your citizenship status, current employment status (federal or private sector), the highest GS level you have obtained (if applicable), and any security clearances you have.

If you don’t have the security clearance required by the position, make it known that you are aware of the requirement and are willing to obtain the necessary clearance. You can also use this space to describe any high-level awards you have received or technical skills that are relevant to your desired position. Again, while the private sector resume is intentionally two pages on average, federal resumes are more expansive and inclusive of details.

Following your summary and contact information is a section of bulleted areas of expertise. Again, focus on the keywords that align your strengths and abilities with the requirements outlined in the vacancy posting.

Work Experience

Next, outline your work experience for each agency in chronological order. The federal resume requires exact dates (month/year) of employment as well as hours worked per week and exact details of each position (Series, GS level, etc.). As stated previously, the federal resume is a chronological document that describes your work history in terms of an outline. This means that you should outline your progression of roles within that agency and follow the timeline with a skills-based resume-writing format. You will do this for each applicable agency.

Next, use the list of duties and KSAs that you compiled from the vacancy posting as a template to describe how your career duties and accomplishments demonstrate your success in those areas. In this applicant’s case, the following phrases (among others) were listed on the vacancy posting:

Logistics and transportation
Provide oversight and guidance
Leverage knowledge of organizational development and culture
Team leader
Organize and direct teams
Interpret policy and regulations
Effective written and oral communication
Build professional working relationships

Looking at the example below, you can see how the resume entry has been customized to reflect these lists:

As with a private sector resume, you’ll notice the use of bulleted accomplishments to describe specific accomplishments related to the listed and described skills. These should describe both what you accomplished as well as how you did it.

You will go through this process with every agency within your career history, ensuring that you continue to frame your accomplishments and work history around the list of phrases and KSAs that you obtained from your review of the vacancy posting.

It is also customary to list your supervisors as references under each position in your job history. You should also specify whether the HR specialist reviewing your resume can contact them.

Additional Information

After outlining and describing your career history in a way that aligns with your desired position, you will list additional information that is important and relevant, including education, certifications, job-related training, professional affiliations, and publications. This is also where older employment information is listed without specific dates.

Some higher-level applicants (in particular in the GS-14 and GS-15 range) have exhaustive lists of publications that would significantly lengthen the document. In this case, it is perfectly acceptable to present a selected list of representative publications.

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USAJOBS Resume Builder
Federal Resume Guide
UsaJobs Tips

Last Updated on 02/08/2024

Before you start creating a brand new resume to apply for a federal government position, you need to choose the way to build it. You can either make use of the USAJOBS resume builder or upload your own resume. The former has a number of advantages over the latter.

First of all, by using the USAJOBS resume builder, you will create a document in a standard federal resume format. It will make searching and evaluating your resume easier for federal human resources specialists.

Second, the USAJOBS resume builder allows you to duplicate your resume, which is very helpful when you need to upgrade the document or tailor it to a specific position. Offering you to use its federal resume builder, USAJOBS provide you with a professional resume writing instrument, which is worth trying out.

Table of Contents

1.1 1. Searching for Jobs
1.2 2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Specific Position
1.3 3. Do Not Leave Blank Fields
1.4 4. Proofread
1.5 5. Keyword Research
1.6 6. Consider Your Audience
2.1 Step-by-Step Guide on USAJOBS Resume Builder
2.2 Should I Use USAJOBS Resume Builder or Upload My File?
3 Wrapping It Up

USAJOBS Resume Builder Tips

For your resume to be searchable and efficient, take your time to learn the subtleties of the federal resume builder USAJOBS has created. We have come up with the top 4 tips that will help you avoid the common mistakes that often prevent the candidates from being recognized as qualified for the job.

1. Searching for Jobs

The USAJOBS search engine can be tough. To speed up your job searching process, use OPM Job Series. It’s one of the effective methods to find the right job in your field.

Read the announcement carefully! Before appl ying for a position, go to the Qualifications section in the vacancy announcement and preview the vacancy announcement questions.

Let’s compare a basic Qualifications list for a Marketing Assistance position :

And more detailed Qualifications list for a Strategic Marketing Analyst position :

As we can see, Qualifications requirements may vary depending on GS position, education, expert level skills or other specific knowledge relevant to a job announcement. So make sure to select a corresponding answer to each question prior to appl ying for a job posting.

2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Specific Position

This is indeed a tedious task but it is totally worth the effort. USAJOBS allows the employee to have 5 resumes created and uploaded via the USAJOBS resume builder.

Tailoring your resume for each specific federal job announcement can be the key to your success.

Although having similar titles, the different job announcement will be using different keywords to describe their requirements for the candidate. Keep your resume brief, describe your work experience and education relevant to the position you apply for.

The advantage of the resume builder is that you get a consistent federal cv, which can be found by a recruiter using a keyword search. Building a resume that is perfectly in tune with the specific announcement will help your application score more points in the competition.

Information for Veterans: The Saved Documents section on USAJOBS allows to save up to 10 supporting eligibility documents as recommendation letters, cover letters or performance reports.

3. Do Not Leave Blank Fields

It is true that a resume should normally be kept brief but with the federal government resumes, it is all about the perfect balance between being concise and being informative. The technical trick about the USAJOBS resume builder tool is to use all the fields it provides.

4. Proofread

Believe it or not but such an obvious step in the resume writing process is often neglected by the applicants. Typographical errors, not to speak of grammatical and spelling mistakes, will seriously impair the impressions of the federal HR specialist even about a seemingly perfect resume.

As a practice task, you can take any USAJOBS resume builder sample and evaluate it in terms of the points described above. This will train you to be more critical and attentive when you start building your own federal resume.

5. Keyword Research

Don’t forget that there is no automated sorting out of resumes — your qualifications will be checked and analyzed by real people. Given that they read through dozens of submissions, your task is to boost your application’s informational strength. Highlight crucial keywords — place yourself in the potential reader’s shoes.

Make your USAJOBS resume format clear and precise. Although it contains long paragraphs describing your skills or job-related accomplishments, add proper keywords to fit into the target position’s frames.

The keyword research as a process should fail into these two categories:

General — “teamwork”, “communication”, and something like “leadership” commonly have a universal appeal in making your resume get noticed among other applications. Still, it is better to see what requirements your position stays on to avoid overly general terms.
Specific — nonetheless, industry-specific keywords will help you nail it and showcase your professionalism and expertise in the target field. When applying for a government position, enrich your resume with the right content in headers, work experience, skills, and accomplishments sections. You don’t have to allocate them evenly throughout the text — the beginning of paragraphs or resume’s new sections are quite good for the task.

6. Consider Your Audience

When working on your federal resume’s content, conduct a thorough research about the hiring agency and its standards. You can focus on the most widespread expectations and format preferences in your field and adhere to them. Following a typical resume structure and using USAJOBS resume builder without much creative customization will help you stay on the safe side.

Consider your industry of expertise. Attorneys, budget analysts, human resources specialists, and civil engineers as a few examples of federal government jobs will have their distinctive storyline formats.

How to Create a Resume with USAJOBS Resume Builder

If you do not know what to start with, read through the instructions on How To Create and Develop USAJOBS Profile . We provide all the necessary basic technicalities of the resume building process. If you have a vague idea about what to write in each section, we highly recommend examining at least one USAJOBS resume builder example to see how a well-built final document should look like. Do not forget that all the information you put in your resume should not only be up-to-date and 100% correct but also demonstrating the level of your qualification for the job to the full extent.

If you want to get the best federal employee compensation package with benefits like taking part in the FSAFEDS or long-term care and health insurance, it is crucial to raise your resume’s potential. The easiest way is to include all the crucial details in the document and choose a template that caters to the interests of several agencies in the market. That’s why using the services of the official employment website of the federal government is such a lucrative opportunity.

Step-by-Step Guide on USAJOBS Resume Builder

Let’s check the step-by-step guide on your course of action on the USAJOBS:

Sign in or sign up. Provide your valid email address and select your language preference. You can choose from English, Spanish, and French newsletters.
Acknowledge the platform’s terms and conditions to complete the registration.
Check your mailbox for a confirmation letter from USAJOBS.

Once the registration is completed, confirm your account. The system will let you select the desired authentication method: security key, backup codes, voice or text message, authentication app, face or touch unlock.

Don’t leave blank fields — it will simplify your interaction with the platform. You can add hiring paths, citizenship, languages, experiences, and further details. The system lets you save up to five resumes and up to ten documents of other types (DD214, for instance).

Open the Documents tab to be able to upload a finished and polished resume to start your job search. If not ready yet, create a custom version matching the target position’s requirements.
Fill in the fields. Click “Add Work Experience”, “Add Education”, and “Add Reference”, enter the data, and hit the “Save” button for each section. For more detailed descriptions of your skills, you will have a field with 5000 characters available.
To move your ready paragraphs and adjust the storyline’s order, use the web’s arrows.
Click “Add” to provide other pieces of information, including your academic accomplishments or training. Although you have to be open about your experiences, there is a list of exceptions of what data is insufficient for a federal resume on the website: – in-depth personal information, including your religious preferences, sexual orientation, etc.; – personal photos (another difference between federal resumes versus private ones); – Social Security Number; – government and classified sensitive data (only approved files of general use). If your GPA is below 3.5, it isn’t a compulsory detail to include in your resume. Besides, make sure you double-check the qualification of educational establishments on your list — OES and NCOES military schools won’t be considered as high education institutions to apply for a federal position.
Review the provided data and proofread the document. Once you submit the application, no further changes will be possible.
Hit the “Finish” button to complete your resume for USAJOBS.gov.

Should I Use USAJOBS Resume Builder or Upload My File?

Both options can help you deliver top-notch resumes and prove your worth as a federal worker. Still, creating such a document from scratch requires certain skills and experiences. If it is your first time, there is nothing wrong with relying on ready-made templates from USAJOBS resume builder.

“Should I use USAJOBS resume builder?” is one of the most typical concerns of novice applicants. The key advantage of taking the most out of the website’s functions is that you minimize prospective risks.

Wrapping It Up

By taking a closer look at USAJOBS resume builder examples, it is easier to understand what format to pursue to get the best results. Follow the tips and suggestions from this guide to ensure your value as an ideal applicant in the eyes of the target hiring agency in the federal market. Make sure to customize your resume for every position with proper keywords, job-related training, and other facts that match up to its requirements. Good luck in finding the job of your dreams!

Still unsure about how to make federal resume? Read our USAJOBS Tips articles:

How long does USAJOBS take to review applications

How to delete USAJOBS account

How to fill out USAJOBS questionnaire