Gone are the days when you could successfully use one résumé to apply for multiple jobs. Federal agencies (and private sector employers too) are searching for the candidate that most closely matches the requirements for the jobs that they are seeking to fill. This means that a generic résumé will not be as successful as one that is written specifically for a job announcement.
This is especially important for job seekers who have not narrowed their job search down to one type of position. Automated application systems (used with increasing frequency by federal agencies) make the use of focused résumés even more important.
Computerized application systems search for “keywords” in the résumés that are submitted. Human Resource Specialists look for keywords as well. The difference is that a HR Specialist has the ability to utilize judgment in searching for keywords, while an automated system will only search for the words it is programmed to find.
So, what is a keyword, and why is it so important?
A keyword is a noun, or noun phrase, that describes a duty, responsibility, knowledge, skill or ability that is necessary in the successful performance of a job. The more keywords that are specific to the job for which you are applying that you have in your résumé or application, the better is the chance that you will receive serious consideration for the position. This is especially important if you are applying for positions outside of your current agency.
For example, even though both positions require knowledge of accounting, a Tax Auditor position would have significantly different keywords from that of a Cost Accountant.
You can locate the keywords for a federal position by reviewing the position description for the job. Look in the “Duties and Responsibilities” section, as well as the KSAs. Once you know the keywords, it is time for you to revise your résumé or application so that the duties, responsibilities and accomplishments that you list are close to (or identical to) those in the position description.
If you are planning on applying for positions that are not similar (e.g., do not share many keywords) it will be to your advantage to prepare separate résumés or applications.
This seems like a lot of work just for a promotion. But take a look at the results of a promotion. In this hypothetical case we are looking at a 35-year-old GS-13 Step 5 employee in Pittsburgh, PA who has applied for a GS-14/15 promotion. This person will work until they are 57 years old (their MRA under the FERS retirement system) and will live 30 years in retirement.
If this person is selected for the promotion, they will realize an additional $1,130,000 over their lifetime. That is a result of $770,000 in additional wages over the 22 years left in their career and $360,000 in additional retirement benefits due to their higher salary at retirement.
At lower grade levels the difference will not be as many dollars, but in terms of higher salary and increased pension benefits, it will still be dramatic.
A good way to start developing powerful résumés for different jobs is to list everything you have done in your career and to develop responsibility and accomplishment statements for them.
When applying for different jobs, pick and choose the responsibility and accomplishment statements that most closely match the job for which you are applying. Check keywords when you prepare your resumes by carefully comparing the accomplishments listed in your résumé with the duties and responsibilities in the new job.
