Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
Federal agencies will soon only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with Executive Order 14170 and the Merit Hiring Plan. By the end of September 2025, USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages and you will have to update the resumes you have in your profile.
If you’ve made your resume searchable for recruiters to find you, the searchable resume will expire at the end of September 2025. You will need to sign into your USAJOBS account and choose a new resume to make searchable.
How do I check if the resumes I have in my profile are two pages or less?
For resumes uploaded to your profile, you will have to download them to check their page number.
For resumes created from the resume builder, you must:
- Sign in to USAJOBS.
- Select Documents to see your current resumes in your profile.
- Go down to a resume and select More.
- Select View to see your resume.
- On the preview screen, select Print resume.
The print preview screen that appears will help you estimate how many pages your resume is so you can decide to update your resume or upload or create new resumes that meet the new two-page limits.
If you have any resumes are longer than two pages, we recommend you edit them to make them shorter or upload or build new resumes that are two pages or less.
How to add a resume to your USAJOBS profile.
What is required in a federal resume?
Resumes submitted for federal jobs are required to have:
- Contact Information—your name and the best way to contact you.
- Only relevant work experience—Job experience should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
- Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure you include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.
Learn more about what to include in your resume.
Are there other things I may need to include on the resume?
The job announcement will list any required information you should include in your resume or in other documents. Read the job announcement and make sure you include any required information or documents when applying.
Optional information you may need to provide:
- Current security clearance
- Job-related training
- Language skills
- Organizations and affiliations
- Professional publications
- References
What should I not include in my resume?
- Classified or government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, sex, religious affiliation, etc.
- Encrypted and digitally signed documents