The era of long federal resumes may soon be over. To comply with Executive Order 14170, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a new Merit Hiring Plan in May.
According to the Executive Order and Merit Hiring Plan, the new process is designed to:
- Streamline and accelerate federal hiring
- Emphasize practical, merit-based qualifications
- Eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers
- Align federal resume standards more closely with private-sector expectations
One of the major changes involved federal resumes, which are transitioning to a maximum of only two pages.
However,not all federal agencies have adopted the two-page resume format yet. Some still allow up to five pages at the moment. It’s important to always read each USAJOBS announcement carefully to determine the proper resume length and other application requirements.
How to Adapt Your Federal Resume to the New Federal Standard
Shrinking a traditional, multi-page federal resume into two pages might feel intimidating, especially if you’re used to including every detail. But you can create a resume that’s not only short but far more effective. Here are a few tips for creating a more effective federal or private-sector resume.
#1: Focus on Relevance
Begin by narrowing in on your years of experience, especially the roles that most directly align with your target position. Ask yourself:“Does this experience clearly support the job I’m applying for, or is it taking up valuable space?”
For most federal roles, you’re not required to list your full work history beyond 10 years unless it’s specifically requested or directly relevant to the position. Older or less relevant jobs can be grouped briefly in a section such as “Additional Experience.” This strategy keeps your resume focused without erasing your history.
#2 Emphasize Accomplishments over Duties
If you’re still copying and pasting entire job descriptions into your resumes, stop! Hiring managers, federal or private-sector, aren’t interested in what your role was supposed to be; they want to know what you did and what results you achieved.
For example, instead of using “Performed project management duties for IT system,” you could say, “Led implementation of new UNIX-based system using MS Project; managed $90K budget and vendor contracts.”
Ask yourself, “What did I improve, save, lead, or create? What changed because I was in the role?”
Even your soft skills can be quantified. For instance, you could use a statement such as “Improved team collaboration, reducing project delays by 30%.”
#3: Format Your Federal Resume Smarter, Not Smaller
Condensing your resume isn’t about cramming in more text or reducing margins, spacing, and font size until there’s no white space left. It’s about strategic formatting that enhances the clarity and flow of the information you’re providing.
Here are some formatting best practices:
- Use horizontal lists to save space to relay your training, certifications, additional experience, and awards. An example would be “Certified ScrumMaster | PMP | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.”
- Keep each job to three to six concise, results-focused bullet points that are ideally no more than one to two lines each.
- Use numbers, symbols, and plain language. For instance, say “Managed $2.5M budget” instead of “Managed a two and a half million-dollar budget.”
For a federal resume, make sure it includes all essential details, such as your job title, series, grade, dates, and hours per week. Keep it clean, skimmable and compliant.
#4: AI Tools Can Be Helpful, But Be Sure That Your Federal Resume Sounds Natural
Condensing and customizing your resume can feel overwhelming. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Microsoft® Copilot can help you:
- Identify the most important skills and keywords in job announcements
- Condense long sections into impact-driven summaries
- Optimize formatting for clarity and ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility
For instance, you can try AI prompts such as:
- “Help condense my resume to two pages using keywords and results-based language from this job announcement.”
- “Provide suggestions to rewrite this job entry emphasizing results instead of responsibilities.”
However, it’s important to remember that AI tools are only as good as the input they receive. Always review and revise any AI suggestions to ensure your resume reflects your authentic voice and values. Double-check all details for accuracy, as even small errors can undermine your credibility.
#5: Tailor Your Resume for Each Role and Industry
Every resume should be tailored to the specific position and the organization receiving your application. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume in federal hiring. Be sure to:
- Align your resume with the job requirements
- Study the job posting – especially the qualifications, keywords, and core competencies to confirm you meet all job requirements
- Mirror the job description’s language in your resume where applicable
- Emphasize the experience and achievements most relevant to the role
If you’re applying to employers in multiple industries – such as public health, project management, or cybersecurity – be sure to create different versions of your resume or templates that are tailored to each path. You can then adjust each version based on a specific job announcement.
Also, be sure to keep a document with interchangeable bullet points and phrases categorized by skill area, such as leadership, budgeting, and technical tools. This document will make tailoring your resume much faster.
Additional Tips for a Strong and Skimmable Resume
As you’re working on your resume, be sure to:
- Use strong action verbs to start each bullet, such as “Led,” “Reduced,” “Created” or “Improved”
- Name specific systems, tools, or platforms, such as Salesforce®, Tableau®, or SharePoint®
- Break up long paragraphs into bullets
- Avoid jargon where plain language will do
- Ensure that your formatting is consistent for information such as dates and job titles
Need Help Navigating the New Federal Resume Changes?
Whether you’re new to federal job applications or just adjusting to the new two-page resume model, there are various places to go for support.
First, start with the USAJOBS Help Center. The USAJOBS Help Center offers detailed guidance on federal resume standards, application steps, and frequently asked questions. It’s a great place to start if you’re unsure about specific resume formatting rules or required information.
To ensure your resume includes all necessary federal hiring details (like job series, grade level, hours per week, and supervisor contact info), use the built-in USAJOBS Resume Builder. It can be found under the “Documents” section of your profile.
Second, check out the University’s AI-powered resume and cover letter platform, Hiration®. This platform is handy if you’re applying to roles outside the federal government or just want help refining your resume for clarity and impact. It provides professional templates, immediate feedback and even offers a LinkedIn profile review!
Contact Career Services for Additional Assistance
Want to speak with someone in more detail about your resume or other aspects of your career journey? The University’s Career Services department is here for you. Reach out through your ecampus or email us at careerservices@apus.edu.
Note: This article is intended to provide tips for transitioning your current federal resume to a two-page format. It is not a comprehensive federal resume writing guide.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Salesforce and Tableau are registered trademarks of Salesforce, Inc.
Sharepoint is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Hiration is a registered trademark of Hiration, Inc.
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