federal resume services
Government job requirements and hiring processes are very different than those found in Corporate America.
Applying with the same resume for both public and private sector jobs won’t work.
Generalizing your experience for the sake of “application convenience” won’t get your foot in the door at any agency.
Your 1 to 2-page resume won’t adequately demonstrate the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
And whether you’re transitioning out of the military or considering employment within the government for the first time, you won’t be alone in feeling overwhelmed at the sight of a USAJobs.gov job announcement.
Haven’t familiarized yourself with USAJobs.gov yet? Deep breath and take a peek…
If you’ve tried writing a federal resume on your own but can’t seem to achieve that coveted best qualified and “Referred” status on any of your applications, the problem is likely not you—it’s what you don’t know is happening behind the scenes after submitting your application.
Instead of investing countless hours researching, writing, editing, and waiting for your application status to change…
Let’s work together to craft a resume that lands you more interviews.
Imagine having a refined government resume with such a clear message that…
It triggers a sense of pride in all that you've accomplished over the years.
It up-levels your confidence and inspires you to apply for jobs you didn't think you were qualified enough for.
It positions you for higher-level and higher-paying job opportunities.
Resume Services
Since 2014, I’ve helped veterans, military spouses, new government job seekers, and experienced federal employees create resumes that:
Support your Application Questionnaire answers and your level of experience with the desired KSAs,
Demonstrate quickly to HR Specialists that you have the Specialized Experience and KSAs required to thrive in the role you’re applying for, and
Hit the “5-page Sweet Spot” by telling accomplishment stories that set you apart as a best qualified applicant
Resume Optimization Session, $299
For preparing your resume for a specific job application, includes:
Live video call (or pre-recorded video delivered in 3 business days) analyzing your job announcement and identifying strategies for targeting your resume
Worksheets to help you reach the “5-page Sweet Spot” and craft Accomplishment Stories for any job announcement
Lifetime access to the video and worksheets
A resume review with personalized feedback and minor edits to polish up your resume, delivered within 3 business days
Additional resume reviews available for purchase | $99 each or in discounted 2-packs and 4-packs to be redeemed within 60 days of purchase
Done-for-you Federal Resume Service
Pricing is determined by your targeted GS or equivalent pay grade, ranging from $499-1,499
50% off for return clients from the Client Portal
For reworking your resume for a USAJobs or federal agency application or creating a government resume from scratch, includes:
Value positioning strategy development based on targeted vacancy
A USAJobs-formatted resume that HR Specialists love to see and refer to hiring authorities at the agencies you’d love to work for
Resume targeting resources
Free cover letter guide, Thank You Note Generator, and other job search tools and resources in the Client Portal
Done-for-you, yes. But, similar to employers, I don't make any assumptions about your background. I'll need your help to get to know you, your strengths, and your experience well enough to write about them objectively and strategically.
First drafts are ready for review in 5 business days after I have collected all of the information I need to craft an effective resume and full payment for services.
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$499 for GS 1-4 and equivalent
$599 for GS 5-8 and equivalent
$799 for GS 9-11 and equivalent
$999 for GS 12-14 and equivalent
$1,499 for GS 15+ and equivalent
(SES/Executive Federal Resume)
Done-for-you State or Local Government Resume Service
Pricing is determined by your targeted career level or minimum requirements for the job, ranging from $499-999
50% off for return clients from the Client Portal
For reworking your resume for a state or local government job application or creating a government resume from scratch, includes:
Value positioning strategy development based on targeted vacancy
A government resume in an easy-to-skim format preferred by HR Specialists
Resume targeting resources
Free cover letter guide, Thank You Note Generator, and other job search tools and resources in the Client Portal
Done-for-you, yes. But, similar to employers, I don't make any assumptions about your background. I'll need your help to get to know you, your strengths, and your experience well enough to write about them objectively and strategically.
First drafts are ready for review in 5 business days after I have collected all of the information I need to craft an effective resume and full payment for services.
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$499 for entry-level applicants
(0-2 years of experience)$599 for early career applicants
(Bachelor's degree and 0-5 years of experience)$799 for mid-career applicants
(Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience)$999 for director-level and senior leadership applicants
Add-ons
Broad cover letter templates that reiterate what’s already on your resume won’t help HR Specialists to connect the dots that you’re the best fit for the job, team, and agency as a whole
Targeted Cover Letter, $79
Boost your resume with a cover letter that expresses your interest in the agency, that you understand the challenges facing the team, and how your passions and values align with the agency’s mission and vision.
Cover Letter Trio, $159
BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE
Add Cover Letter Trio to your resume project to get three Federal Cover Letters for the price of two during your job search.
Or work through the same process that has helped clients land interviews in less than 30 days and have your new, reformatted, or revised resume reviewed and polished up by Steph in the…
Fix Your Federal Resume Course
For creating, reformatting, or revising government resumes
$197 ONE-TIME PAYMENT
Just looking for another set of eyes on your resume?
Get feedback from a Certified Resume Writer including an overall first impression of your resume, its strengths and weaknesses based on your job search strategy, an assessment of how well your resume passes the "6-second Test," and strategic recommendations for developing job-winning content
12-point Resume Critique, $37.00
Add-on a LinkedIn Profile Critique for only $17 more
FAQs
Can I see some examples of resumes you've worked on?
Since the majority of my government resume clients have security clearance, I don’t have examples of these types of resumes available.
Resume examples are best for previewing design style only, and government resume design best practices are to minimize design elements and focus on content.
In general, the resumes I design are minimalistic and take into consideration what is appropriate for each client's industry and career level. I also utilize resume formats and layouts that align with how resumes are reviewed by recruiters and hiring managers based on Eye Tracking studies. The resume examples available are for private-sector job opportunities.
How does a Resume Optimization Session work?
After purchasing, you’ll have the option to schedule a live video call or take no further action and receive an email with a link to access your pre-recorded Resume Optimization Session in 3 business days.
You’ll find the Resume Optimization Session video where I analyze the job announcement you provided, start reworking your resume, and share best practices for targeting your government resume. You will be assigned homework to finish the revisions and given tools to help you finish accessible within your private Resume Optimization Center.
Live Resume Optimization Sessions are Google Meet calls. No download is necessary, and you do not need a Google account to join the call!
You will be prompted to allow Meet to use your camera and microphone. Once you give permission, you may turn off your camera since I'll only be sharing my screen with you. Allowing Meet to use your microphone will make it easier to participate collaboratively and ask questions during the session.
If you are logged in to a Google account, you'll have the option to join using a phone for audio (call me or dial-in options available) instead of using your device's microphone.
After a live session, you’ll get access to your private Resume Optimization Center.
Your Resume Optimization Center will contain your session recording, additional instructions, worksheets to help you reach the “5-page Sweet Spot” and craft Accomplishment Stories for any job announcement, a resume upload widget to get your resume review, and a list of available add-ons you can purchase at any time.
What does your process for Done-for-you Federal Resume Services look like?
All new clients start with an Are We A Good Fit Quiz & Introduce Yourself Form with a resume upload option on my website. If you haven’t written a federal resume before or the resume you have doesn’t possess the compliance details required for a federal resume, you’ll be able to provide these within the Introduce Yourself Form.
A $149 non-refundable deposit will be collected, and I'll prepare a Targeting Analysis outlining areas for improvement to better target your resume and the additional information I'll need before I can start your resume project. I'll collect this additional information from you with a Best Qualified Questionnaire.
If the information I request isn’t provided within the requested deadline, your resume project may be placed on a waiting list.
Unless I need to fill in any information gaps, I'll collect the remaining balance and get started on your first draft. First drafts are ready for review by email in 5 business days.
How long will it take to get my first draft?
Your new resume's first draft will be ready for review by 9:00 PM Pacific Time 5 business days after the information needed to craft an effective resume has been collected and your payment has been processed.
How do I pay for my project?
I accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, Elo, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Facebook Pay, Amazon Pay, and PayPal. Payment plans are available with Shop Pay and PayPal Credit.
Full payment will be collected or payment plans will be initiated online after collecting the information needed to start your resume project.
If payment hasn’t been processed or a payment plan isn’t initiated by the requested deadline, your resume project may be placed on a waiting list.
What does GS stand for, and why does it affect the price of resume services?
The Federal Government categorizes jobs by series (groupings of similar occupations) and by pay grade. The General Schedule (GS) payscale is the most common.
The GS pay grade listed on your job announcement directly relates to the education level and experience required to qualify for that job. Since my pricing is based on your background and career goals, the GS pay grade determines the price of your resume.
What if I can't find the GS pay grade on my job announcement?
Most federal agencies will use USAJobs to post their job announcements which will list the GS pay grade near the top of the announcement. If your job announcement is from another website and you can't find a GS pay grade, the agency may not use the General Schedule pay grade.
If no pay grade is listed at all, then the minimum requirements listed in the job announcement will be used for GS Pay Grade equivalency.
Will my new resume work for every job I apply for?
No, government job requirements will be specific to the role and agency with no wiggle room for generalized resumes. Even though your federal resume is submitted online, it won't be seen by an Applicant Tracking System. It will be read by an HR Specialist at the agency who must determine if you are qualified based on very strict requirements. He or she will determine if you will be referred to a hiring authority to be considered for an interview.
Only the highest qualified applicants will be referred to a hiring authority!
To prove you are more than minimally qualified, your federal resume must demonstrate in detail your level of experience with the required Specialized Experience, KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities), and Competencies outlined in the job announcement.
You are unlikely to be ranked as best qualified and "Referred" to a hiring authority without a highly targeted federal resume that adequately showcases your KSAs and understanding of the agency's mission.
Whether you work with me through a Resume Optimization Session, Done-for-you Government Resume Services, or the Fix Your Federal Resume Course, you’ll get tools to help you target your resume for new opportunities as they arise and access to additional feedback on your resumes throughout your job search.
Done-for-you Government Resume clients also get access to various revision services through the Client Portal including:
Resume Optimization Session: Live video call (limited availability) or pre-recorded video (delivered in 3 business days) analyzing your job announcement and identifying strategies for targeting your resume
New Job Target or Resume Refresh Revisions: Includes analysis of a job announcement, Best Qualified Questionnaire, and extensive revisions to the entire resume
What is your refund policy?
Refunds are not available for Resume Optimization Sessions, 12-point Resume Critiques, and the Fix Your Federal Resume Course since these are non-tangible goods that are digitally or vocally delivered.
Done-for-you Government Resume Services include revisions like any writing project, but your first draft may serve as a final document. Consequently, there are no refunds once your first drafts have been sent by email.
Do you make any guarantees?
I do not guarantee interviews, job offers, or any career outcomes. There are simply too many factors involved in the job search. Results will vary based on:
How proactive you are in the job search process
Whether or not you're applying for positions you are qualified for, and
If you use your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, etc. as advised
I provide 2 rounds of revisions for accuracy and clarity as well as a personalized video to show you how to make minor revisions and adjust your new resume for each application with Done-for-you Resume Services. If you neglect to request revisions or stop communicating with me about your resume project, I’ll complete the project by sending your final documents.
If you return weeks or months later wanting revisions that alter the focus of the resume, purchasing a Federal/State Government Resume Revision (ranging from $299-799) through the Client Portal will be necessary.
This is my first federal job search. What information will I need to provide that is typically not included on a corporate resume?
First, make sure you are eligible and qualified for the job before you apply. For example, some jobs are only available to current or previous federal employees.
Read the This job is open to section of the job announcement carefully.
Your federal resume must include specific compliance details that are typically not found on a corporate resume including:
Each employer's address,
Your supervisor's name and contact information as well as whether or not they may be contacted,
The number of hours you worked per week, and
The series and grade if you were a federal employee
You will also need to provide specific, detailed examples that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job. You must address every required qualification listed in the job announcement including details that support your answers to the Application Questionnaire.
Can’t I just use the USAJobs Resume Builder?
If you're creating a federal resume for the first time, using the USAJobs Resume Builder can help you make sure you include all of the required compliance details and organize all of the details needed for a federal resume correctly. However, HR Specialists have stated that the Resume Builder resumes are difficult to read on their end and prefer uploaded federal resumes.
Remember, HR Specialists will be reading your resume directly. A USAJobs-formatted resume should be a strong marketing document, not just a list of work history.
Having a federal resume designed by a Certified Professional Resume Writer and written for your specific job announcement can also save you a lot of time. While your federal resume's being written, you can focus on assembling the other elements needed for your application package.
So, what would you like to do?
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Get Clarity
Working with a trusted Career Exploration and Transition Coach first is recommended if you don’t know what you want to do next or have a clear direction for your job search.
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Work With Steph
Let’s work together to create a government resume that ranks you as best qualified and “Referred” to the hiring authorities at the agencies you’d love to work for.
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Explore Services
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