Can anyone recommend a quality federal resume writing company? Any idea on pricing for these services?

Doesn't the USAJOBS.gov system basically walk you through a series of questions/tasks which then builds/prints out a resume type of document at the end? I know that during the process you are allowed to upload other required/desired documents (like your own resume or supporting required docs).

Are you military? I know a lot of bases (Tinker does) teach a class and will give you one on one support for USAJOBS resume writing. It is all about getting those key words that match the KSAs. I know the Tinker folks have a very high success rate. May even be worth a phone call.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, on the military, though been off active duty since 2000. Will contact them about squaring away the resume to maximize the KSA match. Thanks for the suggestion.

USMCflyer is correct, the usa jobs system walks you thru it. Save your money. Keep in mind, you're not resume writing for a person to read --- instead you're writing it for a computer to read so format is not that critical. What is critical: the KSA's or key words the computer is looking for. Read the job description & qualifications, etc..,, and use those key words. One more thing, answer all qualifying questions: expert.

You almost have to be a veteran today (5 or 10 point preference) to get high on the referral lists. But by all means, apply anyway if you are not.

For your KSA's, regency is important. Remember the acronym CCAR(M). Challenge, context, action, result, and I add the "m" as measurement. As in how did you or someone measure the results, how did the results help improve the operation, company, etc.?

In your KSA's tell your story about specific instances that back up your experience described in your career history. You should be able to answer the CCARM for each narrative. Always spell out every acronym at least one time. The initial people reading your package may have no idea what an FMS, RNAV, etc., means. Do not assume anything.

There is a great deal of info out there. I think there is a LinkedIn group thread on doing USAJOBS applications.

Good luck!

"Regency" in my above post should have been "recency". Too late to edit.

Yes, there are some good interview/resume books at the local library usually. Get these and read them. One had me do exercises writing about myself. The more you do that, the more things you start remembering as "applicable" to the KSAs, so you are actually answering them and not BSing with vague stuff. They are usually looking for specifics.

^^^ What he said. Plus (and somebody correct me if I am wrong) I believe you have lifetime access to most ACAP services including the federal resume writing class. Just bring your DD 214 as proof of service to your local installation and I'm fairly certain they'll sign you up for the class and even do a one on one with their resident federal resume writing expert. Good Luck.