Book offers resume-writing tips for Defense civilians

Federal employees and those aspiring to work in the government need to master the art of electronic resume writing, according to a new book from a federal resume expert. Kathy Kraemer Troutman's Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook provides readers seeking civilian jobs in the Defense Department with advice on navigating Resumix, the department's electronic database for managing resumes. The Defense Department uses Resumix software to manage resumes and search for qualified candidates. The transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system means that Defense employees and potential applicants have had to brush up on their computer and resume writing skills, according to Troutman. Under the electronic resume system, applicants submit their resumes for specific positions, and hiring officials search the resume database to find an applicant with the right mix of qualifications. "I believe the electronic system is here to stay and that it will be better in the long run. If you can write a good resume and understand the application process, you can master this," writes Troutman. Troutman, a former columnist on careers for GovExec.com, includes advice on writing and editing resumes, a brief history of the Resumix system, and a soup- to-nuts description of how automated human resources systems work. A CD-ROM that contains electronic resume samples and official job kits accompanies the book. Special tips ("One resume is the best for today's electronic job search") and inside information ("Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force agencies require self-nominations for announcements") are sprinkled throughout the book, and Troutman provides a review summarizing the section's main ideas at the end of each chapter. Most of the book is devoted to crafting the perfect electronic resume-with tips ranging from how to incorporate keywords that will yield successful job matches through Resumix to avoiding bureaucratic jargon. A list of dos and don'ts in the electronic resume process includes:

• Do research keywords, skills and industry language.
• Do limit experience to recent jobs and jobs that directly support your qualifications
• Do keep acronyms to a minimum.
• Do write with nouns and verbs in the active voice.
• Don't submit extra documentation unless requested.
• Don't use phrases like "responsible for," or "worked with."
• Don't fax your resume.
• Don't repeat yourself. The Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook is Troutman's second book. The Federal Resume Guidebook was published in 1995. To order a copy of Troutman's Electronic Federal Resume Guidebook, go to The Resume Place, Inc.