1. Use words wisely.
Today, the key to a good application is getting
the right information to the agency representative in a fast, readable
style. How do you do this? By using minimum words to provide maximum
information. Just look at this example:
In this position, it was my responsibility to assist the
program director on evaluating health care programs. Due to the
fact that most of these centers were in rural areas, it was important
that I traveled at least 3 days a week.
It's full of useless words and phrases such as due to the
fact, it is important, and it was my
responsibility that block your point. Cut them out for
a stronger, easy-to-access message:
In this position, I assisted the program director on evaluating
health care programs. Because most of these centers were in rural
areas, I traveled at least 3 days a week.
Repeats can slow your message, too. Look at this line:
I worked with new law enforcement officers who were just
entering the force and needed to learn techniques for identifying
and interrogating suspects who they suspected of illegal activity.
In my capacity, I trained them on these techniques.
Notice that new law enforcement officers and who were just entering
the force say the same thing? So does suspects and suspected of
illegal activity. Less obvious is the repeated work with and trained.
The revision would read:
I trained new law enforcement officers
on techniques for identifying and interrogating suspects.
2. Keep sentences short and clear.
Short, direct sentences help the agency get your point. But remember,
don't duplicate your resume. Rather, you're elaborating on significant
points in full sentences. This line is too long:
My 12 years as a customer service representative have given
me the opportunity to become comfortable speaking to virtually
anyone and to answering questions calmly and professionally even
when the person I am speaking to is upset.
It practically leaves the reader out-of-breath. By breaking up
sentences, your point is more flowing:
My customer service representative experience provided opportunities
to sharpen my skills. For example, I am comfortable speaking to
virtually anyone. I can answer questions calmly and professionally,
even when the person I am speaking to is upset.
3. Make your message stand out.
Paragraphs that are easy-to-see are more than
nice - they can make or break your message. So remember, keep your
paragraphs brief, usually between 5 and 10 lines depending on content.
Put important points first - where they're most visible. Here are
some possibilities:
Short paragraph
While an associate editor for Agricultural Magazine, I selected
each month's special features on scientific findings and agricultural
economics; hired five diverse new writers, all with scientific backgrounds;
and reviewed all copy to ensure a style accessible to readers ranging
from rural farmers to university researchers.
Subheaders
While an associate editor for Agricultural
Magazine, I was responsible for:
Critical content decisions. I selected each month's special features
on the relationship between scientific findings and agricultural
economics, among other articles.
Quality of articles. I reviewed all copy to ensure the style was
accessible to readers ranging from rural farmers to university researchers
4. Focus on outcome.
What is the most important aspect of your work
experience? The answer may be a surprise: the outcome. In fact,
you'd be amazed by how many people forget to mention this critical
aspect of their experience altogether. When discussing outcome,
be sure to discuss the whats, the hows, and the breadth and scope
of your experiences:
What occurred. Did you improve the workplace? Perhaps you refined
technology tools, created programs, or organized procedures. Regardless,
let the agency know what occurred. Use brief examples to best illustrate
your point whenever possible.
How much and how many. Did you start new projects?
How many? Did you save your previous office money? Time? How much?
Don't forget percentages, numbers, and degrees that apply.
Notice how this example falls flat because it ignores the outcome:
As a supervisor at Early Start, I oversaw the development of grant
proposals. While in this position, I put systems in place to ensure
that my employees provided the government with the exact information
it needed.
While this revision is more revealing...and competitive:
As a supervisor at Early Start, I oversaw a team of 10 employees
who developed grant proposals. While in this position, I developed
a template-based system to help my coworkers anticipate requirements.
This helped us meet all deadlines a week in advance and create proposals
that won us two grants more than the previous year.
5. Showcase your role.
Did you work on your own? As part of a team?
In a supervisory capacity? As a team leader? Let the agency know
your role in the projects. For example, this response:
I helped put together conferences. Among my responsibilities were
sending invitations, calling potential guests, and preparing the
conference materials. would be stronger if worded this way:
As part of a team of five employees, I helped put together conferences.
Among other responsibilities, I had to coordinate with my coworkers
to send invitations, call potential guests, and prepare the conference
materials.
Were you promoted while working on a project? If so, mention that
too. Note, for example, this response doesn't mention a promotion:
In my last position, I spent 2 to 3 months at a time in the field
collecting samples for the study. The following year, I spent most
of time in the lab, only going to the field occasionally.
while this revision does:
In my position as Project Manager, I spent 2 to 3 months at a time
in the field, overseeing 5 specialists who assisted me in collecting
samples for the study. The following year, I was promoted to Senior
Project Manager which required that I spent more time in the lab.
As a result, I only went to the field occasionally
6. Remember - timeframes count.
Timeframes count so be sure to address these
questions: what were the dates or length of time you worked on a
project or job? Did you work full-time or part-time? If part-time,
what percentage of your time did you do that work? For example,
this candidate could have worked in his position for a few months
as a part-time employee:
I served as a contractor for the agency. I regularly produced educational
videos and IVT training sessions.
This response is stronger worded this way:
From 1999-2002, I served as a full-time contractor for the agency.
I spent at least 30% of my time producing educational videos and
IVT training sessions.
If you didn't spend substantial time in a particular position, include
the dates anyway. Other information such as the outcome of your
experience or the scope and depth of your work will underscore its
value.
7. Value your experience.
Many experiences illuminate your significance
as a candidate. For example, you may have published relevant articles
in your college newspaper or a local publication. Or you may have
gained valuable experience through:
Leadership positions. Were you president of your
sorority or fraternity? Did you lead a team either as part of your
classroom experience or a volunteer group? Mention these positions
and the outcome of your efforts.
Extracurricular activities. Perhaps you volunteered
or belonged to a club that gave you valuable experience. Let the
agency know specifics including projects, dates, and how your experience
applies to the field.
Internships. Never underestimate the importance
of hands-on education, especially internships, whether during the
summer or over an entire semester.
Regardless, mention them!
8. Show and tell.
Telling about your experience is great but be
sure to use examples, too. See how this candidate's job sounds pretty
blasé:
As a maintenance mechanic, I often worked in settings that required
I maintain control of every move in the operation.
Look at the difference a few specifics can make:
As a maintenance mechanic, I often worked in settings that required
I maintain control of every move in the operation. For example,
for 16 months I worked on renovation projects in the Smithsonian
Institutions where I had to move priceless museum exhibits using
forklifts, cranes, skids, and rollers.
9. Resist additions
You may be tempted, but please resist sending
an additional package with copies of awards, publications, training
certificates, letters of recommendation, lengthy job descriptions,
writing samples, or a photo unless the agency specifically requests
it. Instead, keep important information where it belongs - in your
application or resume.
10. Illuminate your resume - don't repeat it.
When writing about your experience to describe
how it matches the competencies or ksa's required by a job, don't
simply repeat your resume but illuminate important facts or give
examples to shed new light on the breath and scope of your experience.
Notice how this resume sample provides an overview of the candidate's
experience - in this case as a trainer for law enforcement officers:
Scheduled and conducted training and maintained training records
of all law enforcement personnel.
When writing about her experience, however, the candidate added
these details:
While a supervisor in the training department I conducted sessions
in anti-terrorism techniques, security and protection procedures,
and suspect interviewing strategies. I also trained react teams
and counter-terrorism units, operated weapons ranges, and conducted
fitness tests. This gave the agency fresh information about the
experience she could bring to the job. Whatever your education and
experience, it deserves to be highlighted in your resume, competencies,
and KSA's. Follow these tips for guidance in presenting your strengths
to potential Federal employers.
