Top job, top resume

By Kathryn Kraemer Troutman
careercorner@govexec.com November 28, 2000

Paul Light, a Brookings Institution scholar and Government Executive contributing editor, predicts that the heads of the presidential transition will get about 150,000 resumes. The next President is going to have to work fast to select, interview and hire 6,000 political appointees. If one of those resumes is yours, your goal should be to figure out a way to rise above the masses.

I have helped presidential appointee candidates with their resumes for more than 25 years, since the Nixon administration. There is no official guidebook on how to write this special resume, either from the General Services Administration or the Presidential Appointee Initiative Web site. Here are some tips for writing a standout political appointee resume:

Application Process:

  • Take a look at The Plum Book, listing all the top policy and supporting positions in the executive branch.
  • Find the job you are seeking.
  • Research your selected positions and the agency meticulously.
  • Send a different resume for each job you are seeking.
  • Put them in different envelopes.
  • Mark the envelopes with the title of job, agency and department.
  • Include an objective stating the kinds of skills and expertise you have, as well as your salary requirements if you do not have a specific job in mind, but would like to submit your resume to the transition team.

Format:

  • Use a two page resume format, or three pages if you add an addendum detailing your political experience.
  • Use 11 point type with one inch margins.
  • Type headings in 12 to 14 point bold type.
  • Include a profile or summary statement. This paragraph should be four to eight sentences highlighting your relevant qualifications.
  • Make sure the resume is "scannable" for optical character recognition.
  • Do not use underlines, italics, shadows or boxes.
  • Include interpersonal traits and interests at the bottom, highlighting skills that will demonstrate you ability to hit the ground running.
  • Include an attachment only if you have important recommendation letters (two at the most).
  • Don't staple the resume.
  • Mail the resume in a large flat envelope.
  • Use 25% or 100% bond paper--preferably bright white.

Presentation:

  • Use a formal style.
  • Do not use bullets.
  • Keep white space between paragraphs and keep paragraphs to eight lines.
  • Use language that the reader will recognize in 10 seconds.
  • Focus on your last 10 years of experience.
  • Format the text flush left and flush right. Do not use indents because the resume will be scanned.

What to Include:

  • Name, home address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses.
  • Tentative Washington address, phone number.
  • Objective.
  • Summary statement.
  • Education and professional experience. Include details for the last 10 years; summarize previous experience unless you held a very important position in the 1980s--then you can write one or two paragraphs.
  • Memberships--only the important ones.
  • Written works/Public speaking--summary or short list.
  • Professional training--only if it is very significant.
  • Personal interests and capabilities. Example: "Avid golfer and gardener. Recognized for being a dedicated, hard worker willing to do what it takes to meet objectives. Excellent communications skills with success in recruiting; enjoy leadership and organizational change challenges."
  • Political experience addendum. If your political experience is extensive, you can use a third page for this experience exclusively. You should include a chronological list of your political activities, including your job title, activities, responsibilities and dates. Keep this to one page. If your political experience is more relevant and impressive than your work experience, then reverse the two sections and do not use the addendum.
This important resume has to be concise, focused, powerful, easy-to-read and scannable. Start with a longer version and start editing. Select every word. If you need an editor, find one.

If you need more help editing and formatting a presidential appointee resume, visit my Web site at www.resume-place.com.

Career Tidbits

Have you come across any resu-mysteries in your effort to apply for a new job? Send them to me at resume@resume-place.com. I will post them on my Web site with answers within a week. Keep writing to me on this subject. The mysteries need to be solved.

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Top job, top resume
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