This information was adapted from http://gogovernment.org Revised: 12/18/15
Bureau of Indian Affairs –
Recent Grad Federal Resume Guide
This following is a guide for students and recent grads for crafting a federal resume. A federal resume is different from
a standard (corporate) resume because more specific information is needed to demonstrate you are eligible (qualify)
and is used by Human Resources and Selecting Officials to evaluate your application. Your resume is also used to
determine what pay level you qualify for if you are offered a position/internship with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Due
to the amount of information we request, the government standard resume is expected to be at least two-to-five pages.
To write your federal resume, the Bureau of Indian Affairs strongly suggests using the Resume Builder available on
USAJOBS.gov. It will guide you through the resume writing process, and ensure you do not leave out important pieces
of your application.
The information listed is Required on a federal resume, unless identified otherwise as “Recommended” or Optional”.
Make sure to read the announcement carefully.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN FEDERAL RESUME:
SECTION ONE
1. Personal Information
Full name (extra-large font)
Mailing address
RELIABLE phone number with area code (preferably 2 numbers –cell and evening phone)
RELIABLE email address
Country of Citizenship:
Veterans’ Preference: (yes/no) (Recommended)
If yes, applicants must submit a copy of their DD-214 for verification of eligibility
Indian Preference: (yes/no) (Recommended)
If yes, applicants must submit a copy of their Verification for Indian Preference & Employment Form (BIA
Form 4432)
Highest grade held and timeframe
Availability: Job type: Permanent, Temporary, or Recent Graduates and Work Schedule: Full-time or Part-time
Desired Location(s): Locations interested in working.
SECTION TWO
2. Objective (Recommended)
To be effective, your objective— like all other résumé features— should brandish what you offer rather than what you want from
your target job.
Brief statement
Job title applying for, Series and all Grade Levels you will Accept.
Vacancy Number
Jordan W. Phoenix
1234 Connecticut St, Denver, CO 80110
Country of Citizenship: United States
Veteran’s Preference: No
Indian Preference: Yes
Highest Grade Held: GS-04, 06/20XX-08/20XX
Availability: Permanent, Full-time
Desired Locations: Portland, OR / Metro
Denver, CO / Metro
______________________________________________________________________
This information was adapted from http://gogovernment.org Revised: 12/18/15
Most applicants tend to
list what they did (their
job duties), but forget
to include their
Accomplishments.
SECTION THREE
3. Education.
Normally work experience would come before education on a resume. However, if you’re a current student or a recent grad, your
degree(s) will relate more to your target job, unless you have work experience that is directly related to the job you are applying
for.
College or University with city and state, Country. Most current first.
Ensure that the formal name of the university appears on the resume just as it would appear on your
diploma. Do NOT abbreviate the name of your college or university.
Example: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US
Degree Major (Optional)
Double Degrees. If your two degrees came from the same school in the university, you do not need to list
the school twice. If the two degrees came from different schools in the university, then you should list both
schools.
Example: Forestry with a Forest Management Concentration
Minor (Optional)
Graduation date or expected graduation date (Required)
Credits Earned (Recommended)
Semester Hours.
OPM: One (1) year of education is defined as two semesters (30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).
Must provide copy of official college transcripts for documentation
GPA (Optional)
Coursework, (Optional)
Relevant course-related accomplishments, special academic awards, licenses & certificates (Recommended).
Consider these:
Dean’s List, Perfect attendance,
Honor roll
Time-intensive or complex class
or course projects
Speeches, individual presentations,
or productions
Research papers or studies
Group work, group presentations, or other
collaborative learning
Extensive reviews of any books, articles, or online
sources
SECTION FOUR
4. Work Experience (Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills)
You should include a minimum of 10 years of experience, which may require you to complete several Work Experience sections,
depending on how many jobs you have held in the last 10 years. List most current first.
Business, Company, or Agency
Address, City, State
Starting and ending dates (month and year, ex. Jan. 2007 – Aug. 2007 or 06/20XX-08/20XX)
Salary or grade level and hours worked per week (ex. $40,000, 20 hrs/wk or $8/hr, 24 hrs/wk or GS-03, 40 hrs/wk)
Formal Position Title (ex. Waitress, Cashier, Construction worker, Field Worker)
Supervisor name, phone number and/or email address
Permission to contact supervisor: (yes/no)
Job Duties and description. Use complete sentences (bullet points)
WORK EXPEREINCE
Department of the Interior 06/20XX-08/20XX
Bureau of Indian Affairs GS-3/4
Office of Trust Services, Division of Forestry 40 hrs/wk
1849 C St NW, Washington, DC 20240
Student Trainee (Forestry)
Supervisor: John Smith (XXX-111-1111)
Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Assisted in the suppression of structural, residential, commercial, industrial, chemical, petroleum, vehicle,
aircraft and Wildland fires; applying the appropriate extinguishing agents to the source of the fire.
Operated various pieces of fire equipment and gear for fire suppression and control; drove and operated fire
Environmental Planning: Integrating NEPA into NPS Activities 01//01/XXXX- 03/05/XXXX
Forest measurement techniques 04/20XX
Adult/Child Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aide certification, 10/20XX
Job Duties
Accomplishments
This information was adapted from http://gogovernment.org Revised: 12/18/15
Examples of Activities with results:
• Increased scores, rates, participation
• Created interest or awareness
• Increased safety
• Saved money and time
• Won awards or outside recognition
Accomplishments (Recommended)
Accomplishments highlight how you contributed to your organization and are seen as proof of your skills
and abilities. They are what you learned, skills (technical and nontechnical) gained, or the difference you
made for the tribe or organization.
o Technical skills refer to the numerical, scientific, and computer-related competencies and knowledge
needed to accomplish specific job tasks. For example, knowledge of Microsoft Excel is useful to
engineers, business analysts, and scientists; knowing how to use a stethoscope is crucial for a nurse; and
being able to use computer-aided design software is important for a fashion designer.
o Nontechnical skills refer to personal and social qualities such as the ability to work well in a team,
communicate effectively, display leadership, and learn new information quickly.
Example: Before: Conducted audit of XX Tribe’s timber inventory operations.
After: Increased efficiency of operations and how the accounting and record keeping
apply to the operations by conducting inventory audits of XX Tribe’s timber
inventory operations.
PART FIVE
2. Language Skills (Optional)
Name of Language (for each language, describe level of ability – advanced, intermediate, beginner)
Spoken
Written
Read
If English is your native language, specify that you understand English, and be sure to include your level of spoken, written, and
reading skills.
3. Additional Information (Recommended)
Using bullet points, list your other affiliations, volunteer work, and other leadership roles / community activities.
Be sure to identify computer program skills you are proficient in. For each item identified, identify time period of
involvement. If you have none, do not include section.
4. Awards and Certificates (Recommended)
Using bullet points, list accomplishments not listed anywhere else in resume (awards, certificates, scholarships,
etc.) (ex. MVP soccer, Employee of the Month, Science Award) If you have none, do not include section.
5. References (Recommended)
Include at least 3 Professional References (NO FRIENDS / FAMILY / FORMER SUPERVISORS)
Full Name
Title (teacher, counselor, coach etc.)
Phone number and/or email address
