Use Key Words and Phrases To Satisfy Electronic Graders

Nadine Boone is a federal worker who wants to change her job series from commercial loan specialist to realty specialist.

Boone's résumé contains little of the detail that a rating official needs, said Dennis Damp, author of "The Book of U.S. Government Jobs" and a retired senior manager for the Federal Aviation Administration.

She must be more specific. "Use narratives to lead off each work experience and use subheadings to highlight and accentuate the work experience that supports the job announcement's required duties and qualifications," he said. "Use specific examples of actual projects and/or assignments that were completed."

Damp said Boone should expand on the bullet item "Attended and participated in pre-award and post-award conferences."

Here, Boone should include the number of conferences attended, her involvement and any outcomes that helped the agency achieve its goals. "Did you save the agency money, assist the borrower to properly evaluate collateral to qualify for the loan, etc.?"

Boone must also be mindful of tailoring her résumé to each job announcement. "The majority of applications are now graded and ranked electronically, and if you don't use the exact words and phrases [from the announcement] you will lose points."

-- Mary Ellen Slayter