USAJOBS Resume Builder: Complete Guide for 2024-2025

Why Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder?

The official USAJOBS resume builder is the #1 recommended format for federal job applications because:

100% compliant with federal HR systems
Automatically includes all required information
Optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Higher scoring in federal evaluations

How to Access the Resume Builder

Log into your USAJOBS account
Click “Documents” in top navigation
Select “Create New Resume”
Choose “Use the Resume Builder”

Step-by-Step Resume Building Guide

1. Contact Information Section

✔ Full legal name
✔ Current mailing address
✔ Phone number
✔ Email (use professional address)
✔ Country of citizenship

Pro Tip: Never include photos, birth dates, or Social Security numbers

2. Work Experience (Most Important Section)

For each position include:

Job title (Official federal title if applicable)
Employer name and address
Supervisor’s name/contact (Optional but recommended)
Start/end dates (Month/Year format)
Hours per week (e.g., “40 hours/week”)
Detailed accomplishments using the CAR method:
Challenge (Problem you faced)
Action (What you did)
Result (Quantifiable outcome)

Example:

* Challenge: Backlog of 250+ unresolved IT tickets  
* Action: Developed new triage system and trained team  
* Result: Reduced backlog by 80% in 3 months

3. Education Section

✔ Degree type and major
✔ School name/location
✔ Graduation date (or expected)
✔ GPA (if above 3.0)
✔ Relevant coursework (for recent grads)

Note: Include only highest degree unless lower degrees are relevant

4. Additional Sections to Boost Your Score

A. Job-Related Training

List certificates (include completion dates)
Professional development courses
Federal training programs

B. Licenses

Professional licenses (number and state)
Expiration dates if applicable

C. Skills

Technical skills (software, equipment)
Language proficiencies
Security clearances

D. References

3 professional references
Name, title, phone, email
Relationship to you

Advanced Formatting Tips

Keyword Optimization

Mirror language from the job announcement
Include exact phrases from “Duties” and “Requirements”
Use standard federal terminology (e.g., “GS-7 equivalent”)

Length Guidelines

Entry-level: 2-3 pages
Mid-career: 4-5 pages
Senior roles: 5+ pages (federal resumes are typically longer than private sector)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using private sector resume formats
❌ Omitting hours worked per week
❌ Leaving date gaps unexplained
❌ Using vague descriptions like “duties included…”
❌ Including irrelevant personal information

How to Save and Use Your Resume

Save frequently during creation
Name your resume descriptively (e.g., “IT Specialist Resume 2024”)
Set as default if it’s your primary resume
Update every 6 months or when gaining new experience

Special Considerations

For Military Applicants

Include DD-214 information
Convert military job titles to civilian equivalents
List security clearance details

For Recent Graduates

Highlight relevant coursework
Include internships as work experience
Add academic projects with measurable results

Alternate Submission Options

While the builder is preferred, you can also:

Upload a Word/PDF resume (must include all required fields)
Use the Resume Upload Wizard to convert existing resumes
Create multiple tailored resumes for different job series

Final Checklist Before Submission

✓ All dates in MM/YYYY format
✓ Every section completed fully
✓ Spelling/grammar checked
✓ Keywords from announcement included
✓ Saved in correct format

Pro Tip: Build your resume first, then search for jobs – having a completed resume makes applying faster when time-sensitive openings appear.

Start Building Your Resume Now
Download Federal Resume Template