USDA FSIS Resume WritingWorkshop

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Workbook 1 of 2

FSIS USDA RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP

Workbook 1 of 2

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Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................................1

Course Overview...............................................................................................................1

Resume Basics .....................................................................................................................2

Module Overview ..............................................................................................................2

What is a Resume?...........................................................................................................3

Federal vs. Non-Federal Resumes – What’s the Difference?........................................4

Federal Resume Structure ...............................................................................................6

Sample Federal Resume – Food Inspector – Poultry Focused .....................................7

Sample Federal Resume – Consume Safety Inspector – Swine/Beef Focused.........12

Federal Resume Writing Tips.........................................................................................18

5 Steps to a Successful Resume.......................................................................................20

Module Overview ............................................................................................................20

Step 1 – Gather Information ...........................................................................................21

Available Resources .......................................................................................................22

Step 2 – Identify Your Daily Duties ................................................................................23

Daily Duties Example of a Food Inspector ....................................................................24

Step 3 – Write 10 Accomplishments Stories in the SAR Format .................................25

Activity: Accomplishments ..............................................................................................29

Activity: Develop an Accomplishment Story ..................................................................30

Step 4 – Integrate Action Verbs and Keywords ............................................................31

Activity: Identify and Integrate Action Verbs..................................................................33

Step 5 – Tailor Your Resume.........................................................................................34

Tailor Your Federal Resume..............................................................................................36

Module Overview ............................................................................................................36

Parts of the Job Announcement.....................................................................................37

Example Food Inspector Job Announcement ...............................................................39

Activity: Identifying Key Terms for FI’s...........................................................................40

Activity: Identify and Use Key Terms .............................................................................41

CSI Position Description Example .................................................................................42

Activity: Identifying Keywords/Requirements for CSI’s .................................................43

Activity: Using Key Terms and Keywords for Inspection Program Personnel.............44

Assessment Questionnaire.............................................................................................45

Previewing the Assessment Questionnaire...................................................................46
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Complete the Assessment Questionnaire .....................................................................47

Proofread Your Resume.....................................................................................................52

Module Overview ............................................................................................................52

Why is Proofreading so Important?................................................................................53

Edit Your Resume...........................................................................................................54

Writing Tips......................................................................................................................55

Activity: Proofread Sample Resume ..............................................................................56

Action Plan & Next Steps ...................................................................................................59

Module Overview ............................................................................................................59

Review 5 Steps to a Successful Resume......................................................................60

Activity: Prepare an Action Plan.....................................................................................61
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Introduction

Course Overview

The purpose of the Resume Writing and USAJOBS Workshop is to provide detailed explanations, 

as well as step-by-step processes, for creating an effective resume. This workshop integrates 

the use of interactive activities and detailed content to provide you with the opportunity to 

learn the necessary skills to develop a successful resume.

The workshop includes two (2) sections: the Resume Writing Guide and practical exercises to 

build a Federal resume, and, the USAJOBS Hands-on in-class training for submitting your 

resume on USAJOBS.GOV.

The Resume Writing Guide includes the following modules:

• Resume Basics

• 5 Steps to a Successful Resume

• Tailor Your Federal Resume

• Proofread Your Resume

• Action Plan & Next Steps

The USAJOBS Hands-on Training includes the following:

• Create a USAJOBS Account

• Activate an Email Account

• Set up a USAJOBSAccount

• Create a Profile

• Build a Resume

• Navigate USAJOBSHomepage

• Discover Search Options

• Explore USAJOBS Help Center
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Resume Basics

Module Overview

The goal of this module is to educate you on the basics of Federal resume writing. 

It is important to understand the fundamentals of a high-quality, professional resume before 

you get started on your own.

The following topics covered in this module include:

• What is a Resume?

• Federal vs. Non-FederalResumes

• Federal Resume Structure
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Resume Basics

What is a Resume?

A resume is a document that summarizes your professional background and includes sections 

related to your work history, experience, and qualifications. Your resume serves as your first 

impression on a hiring management team. It is important to make sure that your resume 

effectively represents you and your accomplishments. In some cases, the written resume serves 

as the basis for hiring consideration (there may not be a full interview to supplement the 

resume).

Your resume should:

• Describe your education and training

• Show your level and amount of experience

• Highlight your expertise and skills

• State your accomplishments

• Demonstrate that you meet the job requirements

The goal of the Resume Writing Guide is to provide the best strategies and recommendations 

for you to meet those requirements and develop an effective resume that will help you get 

rated highly qualified.
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Resume Basics

Federal vs. Non-Federal Resumes – What’s the Difference?

Resumes are used to apply to a variety of jobs, including positions in the public (government), 

non-profit, and for-profit sectors (industry/Department of Defense (DoD)). While most 

positions in the private and non-profit sectors require a regular/non-Federal resume, when 

applying for a Federal position, the required resume has a different structure and content. 

Federal resumes and non-Federal resumes are not the same things.

Federal resumes are much longer than non-Federal resumes. Non-Federal resumes are typically 

1 to 2 pages maximum and use bullet-point lists, while Federal resumes are ideally 3 to 5 pages 

in length and include short topical paragraphs to allow you an opportunity to provide more 

information, specific examples of what you do, and demonstrate how what you do impacts the 

organization. As you will see in the Federal resume samples, keywords also play a unique role as 

headersin paragraphs.

Additionally, Federal resumes require more detailed personal information including, but not 

limited to, veterans’ preference status, country of citizenship, supervisors’ names, and past 

salaries. A non-Federal resume may not typically require such specific information. A non-Federal 

resume is more concise and used to get your foot-in-the-door for an interview.

Essentially, a Federal resume needs to clearly and explicitly state your relevant qualifications for 

a position and why you are a top candidate. At the United States Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), you may be hired based on your Federal 

resume alone. 
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Resume Basics

Federal vs. Non-Federal Resumes – What’s the Difference? (Continued)

The table below highlights some of the similarities and differences between Federal and nonFederal resumes:

FEDERAL RESUME NON-FEDERAL RESUME

Focus on Agency mission Focus on the business mission

Unlimited length (ideally 3-5 

pages)

1-2 pages (maximum)

Short topical paragraphs Bullet points

Keywords required Keywords required

Detailed personal information Not as much personal information

Traditional format (reverse chronological) Can be a functional or creative format

More specific and detailed More concise

Selected by Human Resource personnel Selected by Applicant Tracking Systems 

(ATS)
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Resume Basics

Federal Resume Structure

A Federal resume includes nine (9) main sections. These sections include:

• Basic Information: Legal name, contact information (address, city, state, zip, phone, 

email), citizenship, veterans’ status, Federal status, employment status, and more. Fill in 

all of the required boxes inside the USAJOBS builder.

• Work Experience: Employer, job title, full address, start and end dates (with months and 

years), average hours per week, salary, duties, accomplishments, related skills, and 

more as required.

• Education: School, location, degree attained, GPA, relevant coursework, etc.

• References (Professional or Personal): Reference name(s) and phone number(s).

• Job-Related Training: Titles and completion dates of relevant training (different from

“Education”). Pull information from AgLearn. 

• Language Skills: Reading, writing, and speaking proficiency.

• Organizations/Affiliations: Organization name, affiliation/role.

• Professional Publications: Any relevant professional publications.

• Additional Information: Related honors, awards, leadership activities, skills, information 

requested in the job posting, computer proficiencies, certifications, unique experiences 

(Marathon runner, mountain climber, soccer coach).

You may not have relevant information to include in all nine of the sections. That is okay. 

However, you must fill out the sections that are relevant to you as completely as possible.

Review the sample resumes to identify the main sections of a Federal resume. It is important to 

become familiar with the format and structure of a Federal resume. As you review the sample 

Federal resume, think of your related experiences that may apply to each section.
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Resume Basics

Sample Federal Resume – Food Inspector – Poultry Focused

SUSAN SMITH

1234 N Main Street

Atlanta, GA 30338 USA

Mobile: (770) 555-1234 / susansmith@yahoo.com

Availability: Job Type: Permanent, Temporary, Telework

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Part-Time

Work FSIS USDA OFO

Experience: 9876 Plant Lane (Use the plant address)

Atlanta, GA 30338 USA

01/2016 – present / Salary: 38,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week:40 

FOOD INSPECTOR (GS-1863-07)

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

FOOD (SLAUGHTER) INSPECTION: Perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of poultry. 

Perform visual, tactical, and incisor inspections of 35 slaughtered carcasses per minute in a 

poultry plant processing 72,000 carcasses daily. Determine the presence ofsanitary and 

pathological conditions. Condemn carcasses or parts of carcassesthat are unfit for human 

consumption. Tag and hold unfit products and ensure disposal in accordance with regulations. 

Make on-the-spot decisions to stop the production line, tag contaminated carcasses, and/or take 

immediate action to correct problems with line speed. 

SANITATION: Maintain sanitation procedures, verify compliance with sanitation regulations, and 

identify and report inspection violations, in accordance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control 

Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures 

(SSOPs), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other regulations for 

sanitation in a poultry plant. Observe for the following conditions: diseases, dirty chillers, 

equipment oil, condensation, broken plumbing, extremely slippery walkways, rodents and 

insects, employee hygiene, line speed, feathers, cross-contamination, viscera trays not aligned 

with carcasses, and other conditions that may contaminate or adulterate and prevent poultry 

from entering production. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS: Communicate regularly with Supervisory Public Health 

Veterinarians (SPHV), plant management, peers, Helpers, Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI), and 

other plant workers in on-line and off-line operations. Remain calm and resolve conflicts 

between plant management and inspectors concerning the condition of carcasses identified as 

condemned or needing trimming,shutting down the line, and or resolving insanitary or 

dangerous conditions. 

SHADOWING: Shadow the Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) (GS-8). Observe CSI in executing 

appropriateinspection methods, performingHazardAnalysis Verification(HAV), determining

noncompliancewith regulatory requirements, documenting noncompliance, and initiating

enforcement actions. ShadowCSIreviewing records, observing plantoperations and conducting

hands-on verification to ensurecompliancewith regulatory requirements; conducting regulatory

oversight activities(e.g., economicadulterationand misbranding);interacting with plant

managers, owners, and othersto explain legal and regulatory requirements, discuss operation of

the plants' SSOP,HACCPplan and otherfoodsafety programs; and conducting varioussamplings,
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surveys, and teststo obtain pertinentdata on potential problemareasincluding performing

health and safety verification samplingand testsfor detection ofspecific microbes(e.g.,

salmonella, listeria, etc.),residues, or contaminants, orsuspected economic violationsinvolving

netweightor labeling.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Observed that chickens entering the plant from the truck were slimy and foamy. Stopped 

production. Spoke with the truck drivers on the landing to inquire about the condition of the 

chickens. Learned fromthe truck drivers that the mister broke on the truck, and they cooled the 

chickens off at the car wash on the weekend. Informed plant management and SPHVof the 

situation. The entire truckload of chickens was condemned. Prevented thousands of 

contaminated chickens from entering production. Wrote a report and provided the report to the 

team at a brown bag lunch. 

- Identified that more than 20 carcasses being presented were in poor health with a high degree 

of pathology. Called for the Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) to the evisceration 

line, where numerous carcasses with inflammatory processes had severe airsacculitis.As a result 

of my notification, the SPHV reduced the speed of the evisceration line by 5%, ensuring adequate 

inspection of all carcasses. Carcasses with localized or mild disease were appropriately marked 

for reconditioning, and wholesome carcasses were passed, or trimmed accordingly. 

- Observed five carcasses that appeared to be cadavers or mis-bleeds while performing on-line 

inspections. Immediately instructed the Helper to retain the carcasses; and notified the 

supervisor. The supervisor verified Good Commercial Practice (GCP) and identified that the kill 

machine was not properly calibrated. My quick discovery prevented further improper slaughter, 

saving the plant money and time. 

- While shadowing a CSI, observed steam leaking from a pipe in the ceiling, which was dripping 

water onto and contaminating carcasses on the line. Called the CSI to the location, who shut 

down the line and called plant management and maintenance to fix the leak. Several carcasses 

were cleaned; others were trimmed. The line was restarted in 20 minutes. 

Supervisor: Alex Johnson (555)-555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor:Yes

FSIS USDA OFO

4739 Plant Lane (Use the plant address)

Birmingham, AL 35212 USA

07/2013 – 12/2016 / Salary: 29,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 30 

FOOD INSPECTOR (GS-1863-05)

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

SLAUGHTER PLANT PROCESSING INSPECTIONS: Gained experiencein a slaughterprocessing plant

that processedfood forhuman consumption.Made major observationsto identify diseased or

contaminated carcasses and broughtsuchto the attention ofthe Consumer Safety Inspectors

(CSIs).Observed carcassesfor tumors, airsacculitis, glucoses, cross-contamination, and other

conditionsthatmay cause a carcassto be condemned or trimmed.Madedecisionsto stop the

line if carcasses orline speed woulddeliveradulterated food to the chiller.

SANITATIONREGULATIONS:Maintainedcurrent knowledgeof generalsanitation practices, laws,

and regulations governing the food andpoultry industry;and Federalregulationsand laws on the

fitness of poultry for humanconsumption.Used good judgment and interpretationof various

requirementsto sort acceptablefromunacceptablecarcasses.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- While inspecting 35 carcasses a minute, applied proper inspection techniques by identifying 

that the line speed was too fast, potentially causing excessive contamination, as the carcasses 
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could not be properly inspected. Notified plant management to check the line speed; they 

agreed with my assessment, and the line speed was adjusted. 

- Performed quality assurance checksin the chiller. Noted that scores of poultry were 

contaminated with metal. The employee shoveling ice was using an aluminum shovel thatwas 

breaking off aluminum fragments into the carcasses. Notified supervision; and tagged 65 combos 

(300 chickens per box) that had to be condemned, by separating them into separate trailers for 

removal. Sent some boxes to another plant for inspection with metal detection equipment. 

Wrote several reports of the incident, preventing thousands of contaminated poultry from 

entering commerce, and ensuring safe and wholesome food for the consumers. 

- Noticed water droplets over the production line, and calledthe SPHV to the line, who then

stopped it. Plastic was placed to protect the production line, and condensation was mopped. 

Fans were installed in the area to present further condensation. Noncompliance Record 

AAA12345610 was written as a result of my observations.

- Nominated and elected as Union secretary. Attended quarterly meetings, took minutes and 

mailed out the newsletter. 

Supervisor: Tom Sawyer (555)-555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor:Yes

ChickenAmerica Farms

9573 Plant Lane 

Birmingham, AL 35212 USA

04/2009 – 07/2013 / Salary: 42,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 40 

3RD SHIFT QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

PERSONNEL SUPERVISION: Supervised and coordinated the activities of Quality Inspectors 

engaged in inspecting incoming materials, in-process products, and finished products to ensure 

adherence to company quality standards and customer specifications.

FOOD SAFETY: Supportedthe quality assurance and food safety program. Audited the Quality 

systems, including Safe Quality Foods (SQF), HACCP, GMP, and Standard Operating Procedures 

(SOP) for the plant Quality department. 

COMMUNICATIONS: Communicated food quality standards to plant personnel through training, 

corrective actions, quality audits, production, and facility monitoring. Worked with customers, 

suppliers, corporate personnel, and manufacturing staff.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Discovered that the water in the drinking fountain smelled distasteful. Immediately submitted a 

water sample to the lab. The lab identified that the water contained bird feathers, blood, and 

fecal materials. As a result, the plant was shut down for 3 days to resolve a serious plumbing 

problem that was cross-contaminating the water system. Once resolved, plant employees were 

no longer subjected to unclean drinking water.

- Conducted pre-op inspection for sanitation. Noted that the electrical box room was flooded. A 

hole in the back of the room was leaking contaminated water from the plant floor. Called for 

plant management, who called for maintenance. The hole was patched, the facility was sanitized, 

and the production equipment was turned on in 30 minutes for on-line plant operations to 

commence. 

Supervisor: Lisa Zones (555)-555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor: Yes

Brighton Hospice 

2009 ABC Street 

Birmingham, AL 35212 USA
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02/2007 – 04/2009 / Salary: 25,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 40 

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

Served patients’ daily needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Assisted patients with 

patient assessment and care plans, including collecting specimens and recording vitals. Assisted 

patients with nutrition and mobility needs, including transferring and turning patients as 

prescribed, and assisted patients with personal hygiene and grooming. Ensured patient safety 

and environmental cleanliness.

Supervisor: Bob McKay (555)-555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor: Yes

Subway 

5632 Pond Lane 

Birmingham, AL 35212 USA

02/2005 – 02/2007 / Salary: $10 per hour/ Hours per week:40 

MANAGER / SANDWICH ARTIST

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS: Managed and held accountable for store staff. Held store to 

corporate standards. Enforced and advised on corporate guidelines and regulations. Counted 

inventory. Proficient in POS system. Provided excellent customer service. Cleaned food prep and 

restaurant areas. Followed sanitation regulations. Stocked supplies. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Completed a monthly corporate evaluation. Completed daily and weekly inventory controls.

- Managed all bank deposits and till tender.

- Trained crew on all new promotions and new products.

- Oversaw food preparation of and completed large orders and catering orders.

Education: USA College Atlanta, GA USA

Bachelor’s Degree 05/2008

GPA: 3.4 of a maximum of 4.00

Relevant Coursework, Licenses, and Certifications:

Completed 18 semester hours of biological and agricultural sciences. Courses included Biology, 

Feed and Feeding, Genetics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Business Management, and Agri-business

Job Related Food Safety Regulation Essentials, FSIS, 2013

Training: HACCP, FSIS, 2013

Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), FSIS, 2013

Inspection Methods, FSIS, 2013

Food Safety Fundamentals Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), FSIS, 2013

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), 2007

Food Preparation, Hunts Foods (Conagra), 2006

Language Language Spoken Written Read

Skills: Spanish Intermediate Novice Novice

Affiliations: International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) – Member, 2015 – present

Local Union – Secretary, 2018 – present
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Professional N/A

Publications:

References: Name Employer Title Phone Email

John Myers FSIS Inspector (333)333-3333 john@yahoo.com

Additional COMPUTER SKILLS: Microsoft Office 2013 (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Information: CERTIFICATIONS: Quality Control, Food Handling, OSHA, First Aid, CPR, Sanitation

JOB SKILLS: Meat cutter, Butcher, and Trimmer; Quality Control; Personnel 

Supervisor; Food Safety; HACCP; SSOPs 

VOLUNTEER: Volunteer at the local soup kitchen; prepare, cook, and serve bread 

and soup. Clean the food preparation and service lines, meeting OSHA 

sanitation standards(2 hours permonth, 2015 to present)

AWARDS: Letter of Appreciation, First-line Supervisor, 2012 

Outstanding performance evaluations, 2018, 2017, 2016

Special Act Award, 2018

OTHER: Blogger for the MeatingPlace, 2017 to present

EARLIER EMPLOYMENT: FastFood America, 4/2003 – 2/2005. Prepared fast food and ensured 

restaurant cleanliness. Completed daily sanitation checks. 
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Resume Basics

Sample Federal Resume – Consume Safety Inspector – Swine/Beef Focused

JOHN MYERS

1234 S Maple Road

Dodge City, KS USA

Mobile: (555) 555-1234 / johnmyers@gmail.com 

Availability: Job Type: Permanent, Temporary, Telework

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Part-Time

Work FSIS USDA OFO

Experience: 9876 Plant Lane (Use the plant address)

Dodge City, Kansas USA

01/2018 – present / Salary: 45,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week:40 

CONSUMER SAFETY INSPECTOR (GS-1862-08)

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

ANTEMORTEM INSPECTIONS: Observe live animals presented for slaughter for numbers, overall 

health, and physical abnormalities. Notify the Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) of 

any suspect animals. Execute appropriate inspectionmethods, performHazardAnalysis

Verification (HAV), determinenoncompliancewith regulatory requirements, document

noncompliance, and initiate enforcement actions.

PRE-OPERATIONAL INSPECTION: Evaluate plant equipment for cleanliness and sanitation before 

use. Write Noncompliance Records (NRs) for areas that do not meet written standards according 

to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), 

Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA), and other regulations for sanitation in a swine plant. 

POST-MORTEM INSPECTION: Observe slaughter operations to include inspecting of carcasses, 

viscera and slicing, and evaluation of specified lymph nodes for a plant processing 1,500 swine 

carcasses in a day. Retain any abnormal carcasses for veterinary disposition. 

OPERATIONAL SANITATION: Evaluate maintenance of a clean and sanitary environment of the 

plant during operations. Observe employee hygiene, sanitation of the production environment,

and processing of meat products. Write NRs for areas or processes that do not meet written 

standards.

MONITOR AND OBSERVE THE PLANT’S HACCP PROGRAM: Review the plant’s ability to meet the 

Critical Control points set forth in the HACCP program. This includes ensuring all product is free 

from adulteration, time and temperature requirements are met, and correct ingredients are 

added. Observe the packaging, labeling, and storing of products.Observe for the following 

conditions: diseases/pathology (salmonella), dirty chillers, equipment oil, condensation, broken 

plumbing, extremely slippery walkways, rodents and insects/pest control, employee hygiene, line 

speed, cross-contamination, viscera trays not aligned with carcasses, and other conditions that 

may contaminate or adulterate and prevent swine from entering production. Observe for 

adequate lighting, ventilation, water usage, sewage removal, and grounds. Prepare 

Noncompliance Records (NRs) and other reports indicating the number and types of carcasses 
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passed for food, retained, and disposed of; and the number of inspection hours worked by the 

establishment.

SAMPLE COLLECTION: Retrieve meat products in an aseptic manner and submit for analysis to 

FSIS laboratories. Conduct varioussamplings,surveys and teststo obtain pertinentdata on

potential problemareasincluding performing healthand safety verification samplingand tests

for detectionofspecificmicrobes(e.g.,salmonella, listeria),residues or contaminants, or

suspectedeconomic violationsinvolving netweightor labeling.

COMMUNICATIONS: Conduct periodic meetings with plant management to relay results of 

testing, and discuss noncompliance records with subsequent corrective actions and operation 

schedules. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Inspected for and identified diseases/pathologies and contamination, including feces, ingesta, 

infections, bruising, and more. Inspected the lymph nodes, heart, liver, spleen, and looked for 

color, size, broken bones, tumors, abscesses, puss, hard masses, and consistency. Held, tagged, 

and retained all parts of an abnormal carcass, including head and viscera. Used the USDA retain 

tag’s, notified the SPHV for the disposition of the carcass. Ensured only unadulterated products 

entered production and commerce. 

- Identified a swine carcass with fibrous heart and puss. Railed off to the side, held, tagged, and 

retained the carcass for disposition by SPHV. 

- Identified multiple carcasses with feces on the front legs. Stopped the lineand walked back on 

the line to determine the source. Notified the SPHV. 

- Observed carcasses with increased contamination on the line. Notified the SPHVand HACCP 

Coordinator to slow the line. Retrained the employee skinning the carcasses, and added a hand 

wash area. Raised the work platform to ensure the trimmer had adequate visualsfor each 

carcass. Ensured that proper sanitation was maintained. 

- Inspected swine antemortem in the holding pens to ensure human handling. Identified swine 

with symptoms of foot and mouth disease (swine vesiculardisease (SVD), on the nose and feet). 

Notified the SPHV and plant management. The animals presenting with the vesicular disease 

were segregated. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) was contacted to 

collect samples. 

- Reviewed records, observedplantoperations, and conducted hands-on verificationto ensure

compliancewith regulatory requirements.Conductedregulatory oversight activities(e.g.,

economicadulterationand misbranding).

- Tested animalsfor antibiotics using theKIS (Kidney InhibitionSwab)test.Retrieved livers,

muscles, kidneys, and moreto be sentto the USDA lab for testingofsuspected antibiotics above

the violation level. Identified such things assmall abscesses on a shoulder, an indicationof

antibiotics.WroteNRsfor any positiveantibiotics checks.

- Pulled sampleswhen requestedby the USDA lab.

FSIS USDA OFO

2030 Plant Lane (Use the plant address)

Dodge City, Kansas USA

01/2015 – 12/2017 / Salary: 38,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 40 

Food Inspector (GS-1863-07)

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

FOOD (SLAUGHTER) INSPECTION / BEEF: Performed ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of 

beef. Performed visual, tactical, and incisor inspections of beef in a plant processing 2,000 

carcasses a day. Determined the presence of sanitary and pathological conditions. Condemned 

carcasses or parts of carcasses unfit for human consumption. Tagged and held unfit products and 
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ensured disposal in accordance with regulations. Made on-the-spot decisions to stop the 

production line, tag contaminated carcasses, and/or take immediate action to correct problems 

with line speed. Applied thorough knowledge of animal physiology and pathology to determine 

if an animal could be slaughtered and if abnormal animal carcasses or parts should be held for 

veterinary examination.Applied strong knowledge of bacteriology and microbiology of meat 

products to determine the wholesomeness of products.Observed for the following conditions: 

diseases, equipment oil, condensation, rodents and insects, line speed, cross-contamination, 

viscera trays not aligned with carcasses, and other conditions that may have contaminated or 

adulterated and prevented beef from entering production.

SANITATION: Maintained sanitation procedures, verified compliance with sanitation regulations, 

and identified and reported inspection violations in accordance with Hazard Analysis Critical 

Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Sanitation Standard Operating 

Procedures (SSOPs), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other 

regulations for sanitation in a beef plant. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS: Communicated regularly with Supervisory Public Health 

Veterinarians (SPHV), plant management, peers, Helpers, Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI), and 

other plant workers in on-line operations. Remained calm and resolved conflicts between plant 

management and inspectors concerning the condition of carcasses identified as condemned or 

needing trimming,shutting down the line, and/or resolving insanitary or dangerous conditions. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Shadowed a CSI evaluating the health of live animals. Observed antemortem inspection of live 

animals in the pen for odd eye movements, drooling, staggering, or other symptoms. Noticed a 

bovine down and not ambulatory. Informed plant management and the SPHV of the downer 

bovine. Removed the animal to be condemned and euthanized. Sent animal for an autopsy to 

check for mad cow disease, encephalitis, or other neurological symptoms. 

- Shadowed a CSI in managing a recall. A BBQ product at a ready-to-eat plant presented with 

listeria. The product tested positive for listeria, and the plant unknowingly shipped the product 

to a distributor. Worked with investigators to recall the lot number distributed into commerce. 

Assisted in writing an NR that stated the violations and corrective actions required. 

- Attended weekly meetings with plant management. 

Supervisor: Bob Bergie (555)555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor:Yes

The Coffee Company

1234 Main Street 

Kuna, ID 55555 USA

01/2012 – 01/2015 / Salary: 25,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 40 

QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

QA MANAGEMENT: Managed Quality Assurance for the Coffee Lab and the Food Lab. Monitored 

the quality of production operations and performed laboratory services to ensure high product 

standards. Brewed coffees and teas, and set up tastings with management. Performed sensory 

evaluation of products (taste, appearance, properties, color) for food and beverages, including 

gluten-free products. Determined product and ingredient Hold and Release. Assisted in audits 

and exercises. Completed quality, safety, and GMP walkthroughs.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Conducted environmental testing and swabbed for listeria, salmonella, and E. coli. 

- Prepared daily biologic charts in Microsoft Excel and sent it to the laboratory for microanalysis.

- Properly documented all tastings, test results, and compliance issues in Excel spreadsheets and 

proprietary software. 
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- Performed regular scheduled and unscheduled coffee lab and food lab inspections that ranged 

from inspecting for air bubbles to physical packaging, labels (dates, weights), grind, and more. 

- Verified organic food (coffee beans) from foreign countries and calculated how much was 

blended into products. 

- Initiated 2-week project and renamed and recompiled the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) files 

(lab report analyses files). 

Supervisor: Linda Evans(555)-555-5555) / Okay to Contact this Supervisor: Yes

Specialty Baking Company

1234 Jefferson Ave 

Clovis, CA 55555 USA

02/2008 – 01/2012 / Salary: 23,000 USD Per Year / Hours per week: 40 

LINE FOREMAN/SUPERVISOR

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

MANAGEMENT: Managed and implemented all standard operating procedures for all production 

operations. Monitored lock-out tag-out procedures. Coordinated with Maintenance and the 

Planner to perform planned maintenance (PM) and equipment repairs. Monitored Quality 

Control Checks. Forklift trained and certified. 

PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Operated and managed an Autobake production 

line making desserts (cakes) for major retailers. Oversaw the production of the Pie line and Bagel 

Line, as requested,managing a mixing team of 3 and a pack team of 10 for each line. Effectively 

directed and ran each line and adjusted for changeovers from product to product and 

documented all production operations consistent with paperwork.

SUPERVISION: Documented all employee-related issues and incident reports. Resolved conflicts, 

responded to EEO complaints, and worked with HR to track employee performance issues. 

Motivated team members and evaluate employeesto encouragehigh performance. Enforced 

discipline. Monitored time and attendance. 

SANITATION & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT: Operated, cleaned, maintained, adjusted, and 

calibrated equipment and machines such as ovens, mixers, slabbers, folding machines, labelers, 

metal detectors, air compressor pumps, fryers, proof boxes, coolers, glazers, sorters, depositors, 

sprayers, heat tunnel, shrink wrap, and more. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- Conducted Research & Development. Developed and made special samples, properly 

documenting ingredients, flavors, and temperatures. Presented samples to management for 

selection into the product line. 

- Managed on-the-spot production requirements/special projects; quickly coordinated with 

machinery, adjusted production demands, ensured GMP requirements, and led the team to 

produce more than one product in a shift. 

- Developed and tracked improvements in the reduction of downtime. Tracked performance 

against the schedule to continuously improve revenue per employee hour worked. Drove 

continuous improvements and implementations of best practicesto change management 

processes. 

- Performed traceability exercises and made necessary changes to the recall procedures. 

Adjusted production and communicated with cleaning, maintenance, QA, production, and 

packing to produce two products simultaneously, carefully monitoring allergen ingredients and 

preventing cross-contamination.

- Ensured that QA received retained samples of all products run during every shift. 

- Read and adjusted production schedules based on production plan changes.
16

- Maintained excellent rapport with the maintenance team; clearly communicated which tools 

were needed for maintenance issues in order to keep production on schedule. Anticipated issues 

and worked proactively to resolve problems. 

- Monitored temperature control equipment and, metal detectors, and ensured scales were 

accurate. 

- Monitored cleaning practices; ensured production line workers cleaned as they went. 

- Enforced adherence to allergen program. Ensured adherence to GMP, SOP and SSOP standards. 

Managed monthly inspection requirements; reported corrective actions taken. 

- Performed line inspection and ensured in-process checks were properly conducted by 

supervisors and PICs. 

- Made improvements to the production process to reduce ingredients, packaging, and finished 

goods waste.

Education: USA College Atlanta, GA USA

Bachelor’s Degree 06/2015

GPA: 3.6 of a maximum of 4.00

Relevant Coursework, Licenses, and Certifications:

Completed 18 semester hours of biological and agricultural sciences. Courses included Biology, 

Toxicology, Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Economics, Business Management, and Agribusiness

Job-Related Food Safety Regulation Essentials, FSIS, 2015

Training: HACCP, FSIS, 2015

Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), FSIS, 2015

Inspection Methods, FSIS, 2014

Food Safety Fundamentals Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), FSIS, 2015

OSHA Training, 2013

ServeSafe, sponsored by FastFood America, 2012

Clean Hands Self-Certification, 2010 (online course)

Food Preparation, Hunts Foods (Conagra), 2009

Language Language Spoken Written Read

Skills: Spanish Intermediate Novice Novice

Affiliations: Marathon Runners of America – Member, 2010 – present

Professional N/A

Publications:

References: Name Employer Title Phone Email

James Brydon FSIS Inspector (333)333-3333 j@gmail.com

Additional COMPUTER SKILLS: Microsoft Office 2013 (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Information: CERTIFICATIONS: Forklift,Quality Control, Food Handling, OSHA, First Aid, CPR,

Sanitation

JOB SKILLS: Quality Assurance Manager; Baking Production; Butcher; Personnel 

Supervision; Food Safety; HACCP; SSOPs, Good Manufacturing 

Practices(GMP), Good Commercial Practices

VOLUNTEER: Volunteer at the local homeless shelter. Serve food, babysit children, 

and donate clothes. (2 hours a month, 2016 to present)
17

AWARDS: Letter of Appreciation, First-line Supervisor, 2018

Outstanding performance evaluations, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2011

On-the-Spot Award for Perfect Attendance, 2019, 2018, 2017

Special Act Award, 2017

OTHER: Ran 15 Marathons (including the Boston Marathon)
18

Resume Basics

Federal Resume Writing Tips

Now that you have seen the structure of a Federal resume, let’s review some Federal resume 

writing tips. Keep these in mind as you begin thinking about what information you will include 

in your own resume.

List all jobs you’ve held for the last ten (10) years, including:

• Your supervisors’ names and contact information

• The street address of each job location

• The dates you worked (including the month, year, and how many hours you worked per

week)

• Your ending salaries

• Detailed duties for each position

• A minimum of 10 accomplishments (2 to 3 accomplishment stories for each position 

back to 10 years)

If you have jobs that are more than ten (10) years old, only list them if they are relevant, and 

only include a short sentence description.

• Put your most recent job first and your oldest job last, unless: You are returning to the 

government. If so, you should list your governmentexperience before your other 

experience regardless of the dates.

• Include military service in your experience (if applicable). 

• Volunteer work counts too; if your volunteer and community service activities are 

relevant, list them. 

• If you don’t say what you mean, recruiters will not try to read your mind; clearly write 

down your accomplishments.

• Do not use the same resume for every job application. Customize it to the position for 

which you are applying.
19

5 STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL RESUME
20

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Module Overview

Resumes play a dual role. They allow employers to find the best-qualified candidates and allow 

candidates to showcase their job-related skills and professional experiences. Your resume is 

your opportunity to tell your story and demonstrate how well it relates to the position for 

which you are applying.

This module will walk through five (5) steps to creating a successful Federal resume. These 

steps summarize strategies and recommendations for you to effectively tell your story. You will 

have an opportunity to practice the skills you need to successfully create a Federal resume.

“Emphasize your strengths on your resume...Convey your passion and link your strengths to 

measurable results.”1

~Marcus Buckingham, New York Times best-selling author

The following topics covered in this module include:

• Gather Information

• Identify Your Daily Duties

• Write 10 Accomplishment Stories in the SAR Format

• Integrate Action Verbs and Keywords

• Tailor Your Resume

1 Buckingham, M. (n.d.) BrainyQuotes.com. Retrieved from 

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marcusbuck526900.html
21

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 1 – Gather Information

Before you write the body of your resume, you need to gather information. Below are some 

examples: 

• Find job postings that interest you.

• Review the relevant Agencies’ mission statements and visit theirwebsites.

• Locate your past resumes, performance reviews, and award justifications, if available.

• If applicable, request a copy of your training records through AgLearn+.

These items provide you with valuable information that is helpful throughout the resume 

writing process. It is a good idea to gather them before you start.
22

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Available Resources

The USDA has several resources available that can assist you in gathering information. The table 

below highlights the resources you can use to access your training records and USDA 

employment history records. The table also highlights how you can obtain assistance with

resume writing, USAJOBS navigation, and general questions about documentation, records, 

and/or USDA eAuthentication (eAuth).

RESOURCE CONTACT INFORMATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

AgLearn+ FSISAglearn@fsis.usda.gov • Training records

Electronic Official 

Personnel 

Folder(eOPF)

(eAuth Level 2 Required)

Inside.fsis.usda.gov 

EOPF@fsis.usda.gov

• Access to your 

USDA employment 

history records

Resume Writing and 

USAJOBS Hotline

1-800-336-3747

CFLHelpDesk@fsis.usda.gov

• Assistance with 

resume writing 

and USAJOBS 

navigation

• General questions 

about documentation, 

records, and eAuth

If you have any questions or need additional support, please call: Resume Writing and USAJOBS 

Hotline at 1-800-336-3747.
23

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 2 – Identify Your Daily Duties

The next step in writing your resume is identifying your daily duties. Daily duties are the 

responsibilities and work activities that you engage in that are related to your position. You will 

need to identify your daily duties for all of your current and previous jobs.

When you describe your daily duties from your current and previous employment, use action 

words to start each sentence – words such as “Inspect,” “Ensure,” “Determine,” “Report,” 

“Detect,” and “Maintain.”

The short duties paragraphs will be topical. This means that as you identify your duties, you 

should group them by topic rather than stringing multiple duties together in larger paragraphs. 

Topics may include:

• ORAL COMMUNICATION: Communicate with plant management, veterinarians, 

trimmers, and ________________ for _________________________.

• WRITTEN REPORTS / REPORT WRITING / WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: Write 

sampling reports. Write noncompliance reports (NR), complete tags, and 

___________________________.

• MATHEMATICS: Weigh _____________________. Read labels. Calculate 

_________________.

• ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Identified diseased / contaminated carcass. Called 

__________________ to __________________________.

• DEPENDABILITY: Received an award for perfect attendance.

• INSPECTIONS: Inspect poultry carcasses for disease and contamination. 
24

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Daily Duties Example of a Food Inspector

Let’s look at some examples of the possible duties of a Food Inspector. Notice the action words 

that begin each statement.

Make on-the-spot decisions to stop the production line, tag contaminated carcasses, and/or 

take immediate action to correct problems with line speed.

Perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of poultry; perform visual, tactical, and 

incisor inspections of 35 slaughtered carcasses per minute in a poultry plant processing 

72,000 carcasses daily.

Shadow the Consumer Safety Inspector (GS-8) in executing appropriate inspection methods.
25

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 3 – Write 10 Accomplishments Stories in the SAR Format

After you identify your daily duties, it is time to develop a list of 10 accomplishment stories. 

Accomplishment stories are more specific than duties and help “paint a picture” of your 

abilities and experience. You want to clearly spell out your strengths and achievements in your 

resume. For example, janitors do not simply pick up trash and clean; they significantly 

contribute to the health and safety of the individuals in their organization.

Likewise, entry-level Food Inspectors provide a very valuable service that goes beyond their 

daily duties (e.g., observing meat and poultry carcasses) may reveal. Food Inspectors provide 

the first line of defense against diseased and adulterated meat and poultry. They are 

responsible for much of the day-to-day in-plant inspection of animals before and after slaughter

and serve as safeguards of public health (tie your accomplishment stories to the FSIS mission). 

A well-developed accomplishment story effectively shows your expertise in food safety, while 

highlighting how your actions contributed to the organizational mission (ensuring clean food 

into commerce).
26

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 3 – Write 10 Accomplishments Stories in the SAR Format (Continued)

Accomplishments help you show others the value that you bring to an organization, so take the 

time to think about the great things that you have already achieved.

• Have you identified any disease/condition, contamination, or other issuesin the plant that

resulted in sample submission or line speed control?

• Have you participated in a recall?

• Have you ever identified issues affecting sanitary dressing conditions to offline 

inspection personnelthat resulted in inline speed reduction and/or product

retention/condemnation?

• Have you everidentified, and brought to the attention ofthe off-lineinspection

personnel, contamination issues that resulted in regulatory control action andthe 

issuance of non-compliant reports (DNR / similar)?

• Did your manager or team implement your ideas? 

• What unhygienic issues have you noted/reported in the workplace? 
27

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 3 – Write 10 Accomplishments Stories in the SAR Format (Continued)

To help you identify your accomplishments, consider what results you have achieved at work. 

Ask yourself the following questions. Some of them are specific to your role as a Food Inspector

or Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI).

What projects were you involved in?

• Are there times you performed above average? (Check your performance evaluations or 

award justifications; keep a list of accomplishments in a log.)

• Have you solved any problems at work?

• Have you saved the Agency money ortime?

• Can you incorporate numbers to show the results of your work clearly?

• Did you serve on a Safety or Union committee? 

• What accomplishments can you develop from previous jobs outside of FSIS? (Perhaps 

you used Microsoft Word and wrote reports read by executives at a previous 

administrative job; or communicated with customers at a retail job, which led to an 

award.)
28

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 3 – Write 10 Accomplishments Stories in the SAR Format (Continued)

Developing and writing 10 accomplishment stories is an important part of creating a successful 

resume. To help effectively build and write your accomplishments, use the SAR format. SAR 

stands for Situation, Actions, and Results.

Let’s take a look at an example of this format using a sample daily duty that we discussed 

earlier.

Example Duty: Make on-the-spot decisions to stop the production line, tag contaminated 

carcasses, and/or take immediate action to correct problems with line speed.

• Situation: While inspecting 35 poultry carcasses a minute, observed that the line 

presentation was off. The carcasses and viscera were not aligned.

• Actions: Decided to stop the line, spoke with the plant management(who called for 

maintenance), and readjusted line speed.

• Results: The carcasses and viscera were then properly aligned for inspection, resolving 

the problem quickly, preventing further delay in plant operations. Ensured properly 

inspected carcasses were moved into production.
29

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Activity: Accomplishments

Write a list of 10 accomplishments – these accomplishments can be from your current position, 

previous Federal positions, or industry positions (non-Federal positions). 

1) ________________________________________________________________________

2) ________________________________________________________________________

3) ________________________________________________________________________

4) ________________________________________________________________________

5) ________________________________________________________________________

6) ________________________________________________________________________

7) ________________________________________________________________________

8) ________________________________________________________________________

9) ________________________________________________________________________

10) ________________________________________________________________________
30

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Activity: Develop an Accomplishment Story

Using the Situation, Actions, Results format below, select a favorite accomplishment from the 

list above and write the story in short sentences:

Situation:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Action:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Result:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
31

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 4 – Integrate Action Verbs and Keywords

Use present tense verbs for your current job and past tense verbs to describe previous 

employment duties/responsibilities. Identify keywords from the target announcement and 

highlight the keywords to build the topical paragraphs on the resume. Below are sample action 

verbs and keywords to integrate into your resume: 

A

Accelerated 

Accomplished 

Achieved 

Acted 

Activated 

Adapted 

Addressed 

Adjusted 

Administered 

Advanced 

Advertised 

Advised 

Advocated 

Aided 

Allocated 

Analyzed 

Answered 

Applied 

Appraised 

Approved 

Arbitrated 

Arranged 

Assembled 

Assessed 

Assigned 

Assisted 

Attained 

Augmented 

Authorized 

Awarded

B

Balanced 

Began 

Briefed 

Budgeted

Built

C

Calculated 

Captured 

Cataloged 

Centralized 

Charted 

Checked 

Clarified 

Classified 

Coached 

Collaborated 

Collected 

Combined 

Communicated 

Compared 

Compiled 

Completed 

Composed 

Computed 

Conceived 

Conceptualized 

Condensed 

Conducted 

Conferred 

Conserved

Consolidated 

Constructed 

Consulted 

Contacted 

Contributed 

Controlled 

Converted 

Conveyed 

Convinced 

Coordinated 

Corresponded

Counseled 

Critiqued 

Cultivated 

Customized 

D

Debugged 

Decided 

Defined 

Delegated 

Delivered 

Demonstrated 

Designated 

Designed 

Detected 

Determined 

Developed 

Devised 

Diagnosed 

Directed

Discovered 

Dispensed 

Displayed 

Distributed 

Diverted 

Documented 

Drafted

E

Earned Edited 

Educated 

Effected 

Eliminated 

Emphasized 

Employed 

Encouraged 

Enforced 

Engineered

Enhanced 

Enlarged 

Enlisted 

Ensured 

Entertained 

Established 

Estimated 

Evaluated 

Examined 

Executed 

Expanded 

Expedited 

Experimented 

Explained 

Explored 

Expressed 

Extended 

Extracted

F

Fabricated 

Facilitated 

Fashioned 

Finalized 

Fixed 

Forecasted 

Formed 

Formulated 

Fostered 

Found 

Fulfilled

G

Gained 

Gathered 

Generated 

Governed 

Grossed 

Guided

H

Handled 

Headed 

Heightened 

Helped 

Hired 

Honed 

Hosted

Hypothesized
32

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 4 – Integrate Action Verbs and Keywords (Continued)

I

Identified 

Illustrated 

Imagined 

Implemented 

Improved 

Improvised 

Incorporated 

Increased 

Indexed 

Influenced 

Informed 

Initiated 

Innovated 

Inspected 

Inspired 

Installed 

Instituted

Integrated 

Interacted 

Interpreted 

Interviewed 

Introduced 

Inventoried 

Investigated 

Involved 

Issued

J

Joined 

Judged

K

Kept

L

Launched 

Learned 

Lectured 

Led

Lifted 

Listened 

Located 

Logged 

M

Managed 

Manipulated 

Marketed 

Maximized 

Measured 

Mediated 

Merged 

Mobilized 

Modified 

Monitored 

Motivated

N

Navigated 

Negotiated 

Netted

O

Observed 

Obtained 

Opened 

Operated 

Ordered 

Orchestrated 

Organized 

Originated 

Outlined 

Overcame 

Overhauled 

Oversaw

P

Participated 

Performed 

Persuaded 

Photographed 

Pinpointed 

Piloted 

Pioneered 

Placed 

Planned 

Played 

Predicted 

Prepared 

Prescribed 

Presented 

Presided 

Prevented 

Printed 

Prioritized 

Processed 

Produced 

Programmed 

Projected 

Promoted

Proofread 

Proposed

Protected 

Proved 

Provided 

Publicized 

Purchased

Q

Qualified 

Questioned 

R

Raised 

Ran 

Rated 

Reached 

Realized 

Reasoned 

Received

Recommended 

Reconciled 

Recorded 

Recruited 

Reduced 

Referred 

Regulated 

Rehabilitated 

Related 

Remodeled 

Rendered 

Reorganized 

Repaired 

Replaced 

Reported 

Represented 

Researched 

Reshaped 

Resolved 

Responded 

Restored 

Retrieved 

Reviewed 

Revised 

Revitalized 

Routed

S

Saved 

Scheduled 

Screened 

Searched 

Secured 

Selected 

Separated 

Served

Shaped 

Shared 

Simplified 

Simulated 

Sketched 

Sold 

Solved 

Sorted

Spearheaded 

Specialized 

Specified 

Spoke 

Sponsored 

Staffed 

Standardized 

Started 

Streamlined

Strengthened 

Structured 

Studied 

Suggested 

Summarized 

Supervised 

Supplied 

Supported 

Surpassed 

Surveyed 

Sustained 

Synthesized 

Systematized

T

Targeted 

Taught 

Terminated 

Tested 

Tightened 

Totaled 

Tracked 

Traded 

Trained 

Transcribed 

Transformed

Transmitted 

Translated 

Traveled 

Tutored

U

Uncovered 

Undertook 

Unified 

United 

Updated 

Upgraded 

Used 

Utilized

V

Validated 

Verbalized 

Verified 

Vitalized 

Volunteered 

W

Weighed 

Widened 

Won 

Worked 

Wrote
33

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Activity: Identify and Integrate Action Verbs

Directions: These sentences list generic daily duties of a Food Inspector (FI). The beginning of 

each sentence is intentionally left blank. Pick a keyword from the list to fill in the blank.

Keywords:

• Instruct

• Observe

• Ensure

• Guide

• Train

1. diseased, contaminated, or defective carcasses.

2. Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) on how to maintain good 

manufacturing practices (GMP).

3. meat and meat products comply with sanitary practices, 

regulations, and directives defined in the Federal Meat 

Inspection Act (FMIA).

4. Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) on how to maintain good 

manufacturing practices (GMP).

5. Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) in food safety guidelines and 

ensure the facility is kept clean and properly maintained.
34

5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Step 5 – Tailor Your Resume

The last step to creating a successful resume is to tailor your resume to match the position that 

you are interested in for each application.

Federal Job Opportunity Announcements (JOAs) list the exact education, experience, 

knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), time-in-grade requirements, minimum qualifications, 

and other criteria that you will need to do a particular job.

Before you apply for a job, look at the duties and qualifications sections of the JOA to see 

if you have the required experience.

If you do have the required experience, you will need to tailor your resume to match the 

position description, making it easy for hiring managers to see that you are a qualified 

applicant. Use the resume sample format starting on page 7. Write the resume in your own 

words and use your accomplishments. 

The Resume Builder inside of USAJOBS allows you to create and use up to five (5) different 

resumes, so you can tailor your resume for a variety of positions that interest you.
35

TAILOR YOUR FEDERAL RESUME
36

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Module Overview

When applying for Federal job positions, it is essential to tailor your resume to show that you 

meet the requirements of the specific job. If your resume does not adequately demonstrate 

that you meet the required qualifications, then you will not be considered. This module will 

review steps to tailor your resume for a Federal position effectively.

The following topics covered in this module include:

• Parts of the Job Opportunity Announcement

• Identifying Key Terms

• Complete the AssessmentQuestionnaire
37

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Parts of the Job Announcement

The term “Job Opportunity Announcement” (JOA) refers to job postings hosted on 

USAJOBS.gov. JOAs provide information about the nature of the job, including the major 

assigned duties and level of responsibility, as well as the requirementsfor evaluating applicants.

There are five (5) main sections of JOAs:

1. Job Overview:

• Includes general information, such as job title, department, Agency,salary range, 

location(s), who may apply, a summary of the position, travel requirements, 

whether relocation is authorized, and any other key requirements.

2. Duties:

• Describes the responsibilities and work activities ofthe position (i.e., position 

description).

3. Job Requirements:

• Lists all of the required qualifications that you must have in order to be considered 

for the position, such as specialized work experience or education, and any other 

requirements (e.g., pre-employment medical examination, security clearance 

requirements, etc.).

4. Additional Information:

• Lists any employee benefits,such as eligibility to enroll in a Federal Employee Health 

Benefit (FEHB) health plan.

• Provides additional relevantinformation such as work schedule, Selective Service 

requirements, and background investigation requirements.

5. How to Apply & RequiredDocuments:

• Lists required documentation (e.g., college transcripts, Application for Veteran 

Preference, etc.) and the specific procedures you must follow in order to apply.

• Providesinformation on how you will be evaluated,the basis of rating, and the 

online assessment questionnaire.
38

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Parts of the Job Announcement (Continued)

As previously covered, the duties section of a JOA outlines the description of the particular 

position. The following discussion will focus on the position descriptions for two specific roles:

• Food inspector

• Consumer Safety Inspector(CSI)

CSIs work in one or more meat, poultry, or egg processing plants and ensure the plants are 

operating within their written plans for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), 

sanitation, and processing.

If you want to apply for a CSI position, it is important to note that the duties are different than 

those of a Food Inspector, so you will need to tailor your resume accordingly. For example, the 

duties of a CSI are more policy-driven than those of a Food Inspector, call for specific 

knowledge of regulations and types of adulteration, and require greater levels of responsibility.

CSIs communicate with people at all levels in a plant, and with FSIS and USDA, they write 

reports, pull samples, weigh and measure, review labeling, and more. Much of the CSI’s role is 

off-line. 

When applying for a CSI position, it is important to highlight your experiences that will most 

contribute to your success as a CSI. You can do this by incorporating the key terms specified in 

the CSI position description in your resume, where applicable. Use these keywords to outline 

the topical paragraphs like you see on the resumes beginning on page 7; this will help you 

demonstrate that you are a qualified candidate for the CSI position.

Continue to see example position descriptions for these two roles and learn about how you can 

tailor your resume to each one.
39

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Example Food Inspector Job Announcement

Review the duties of a Food Inspector in the example position description below:
40

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Activity: Identifying Key Terms for FI’s

When you see a JOA that appeals to you, it is time to review the position description for key 

terms. Key terms are words or phrases that refer to significant aspects of the job.

You should customize your resume to include the key terms that you find in the announcement. 

Use key terms / keywords as headings for your daily duties. 

Let’s practice identifying key terms.

Directions: Read the example Food Inspector position description excerpt below. Identify and 

underline the keywords/key terms. Make a list of the keywords that you identify to integrate 

into your resume.

Food Inspector (Slaughter) Position Description Excerpt:

Performs all inspection processes either on a sequential or rotational basis. Makes visual and 

tactile and/or incisors inspections of heads, viscera carcasses, and edible offal. Determines 

whether pathological and/or sanitary conditions make the product unfit for human 

consumption. Condemns portions that cannot be corrected by trimming. Tags and holds 

carcasses which cannot be corrected by trimming for final disposition by Veterinary Medical 

Officer.

For both animals and poultry, the incumbent performs required inspection of inedible tanking 

areas to ensure that products condemned, inedible offal, and other such products not fit for 

human consumption are disposed of in accordance with regulations.
41

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Activity: Identify and Use Key Terms

Some of the key terms in the example position description excerpt from the previous page 

include:

• Perform slaughter inspectionprocesses

• Visual, tactile, and/or incisor inspections

• Determine pathological/sanitary conditions

• Condemn/Tag and hold

• Ensure products

• Dispose of

• Not fit for human consumption

• Regulations

Directions: Practice incorporating these keywordsin your daily duties. You might list similar 

duties on your resume. Read the paragraph below and fill in the blanks.

FOOD (SLAUGHTER) INSPECTION: 

Perform __________________, _____________________, and _____________ inspections of 

slaughtered animal and poultry carcasses. ______________________ product(s) unfit for 

________________________________. Tag and hold unfit products and ensure disposal in 

accordance with _________________________. 
42

Tailor Your Federal Resume

CSI Position Description Example

Review the duties of a CSI in the example position description below.
43

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Activity: Identifying Keywords/Requirements for CSI’s

Directions: Read the CSI position description below and underline all the key terms you find.

Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Position Description Excerpt: 

As a CSI, you will ensure that regulated establishments produce safe product by executing 

appropriate inspection methods, determining noncompliance with regulatory 

requirements, documenting noncompliance, and initiating enforcement action where 

warranted. Here is what you will be assigned to do:

• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments’ Sanitation 

Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Point 

(HACCP) Plans meet regulatory requirements and are being executed effectively to 

prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product. 

• May be required to perform Hazard Analysis Verification (HAV) under the oversight 

of the supervisor. HAV is an analytical review of establishment’s product process to 

ensure that regulatory obligations to conduct a food safety hazard analysis are being 

met. 
44

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Activity: Using Key Terms and Keywords for Inspection Program Personnel

Some of the key terms in the CSI position description from the previous page include:

• Ensuring safe products

• Executing inspection methods

• Determining/documenting noncompliance

• Initiating enforcement actions

• Verifying SSOP/HACCP

• Regulatory requirements

• Preventing unsanitary conditions/adulteration of product

• Performing Hazard Analysis Verification (HAV)

Directions: You can highlight key terms from a CSI position description in the daily duties of a 

Food Inspector. For example, discussing experience shadowing a CSI or your knowledge of 

different types of adulteration. Fill in the blanks for the job excerpt below:

SHADOWING: Shadow the Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) in _________________ 

appropriate _________________________ methods. Verify that Sanitation Standard 

Operating Procedures (_______) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans 

are being executed effectively to prevent _______________________. Conduct Hazard 

Analysis Verification (HAV); and determine noncompliance with __________________, 

documenting ______________________, and initiating enforcement actions. 
45

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Assessment Questionnaire

Part of the application process includes a self-assessment questionnaire. The self-assessment 

questionnaire is another important part of the Federal job application process. It must be 

completed for each application.

What is the self-assessment questionnaire?

• A set of self-assessment questions that ask about your qualifications and activities (e.g., 

years of experience, types of experiences, knowledge of policies and procedures).

• Helps hiring officials to identify the most qualified applicants.

• It supplements your resume and addresses the minimum qualifications for the position.

Can I preview the questions?

• Yes, you can often preview the questionnaire on USAJOBS before applying for a position 

(instructions on the next page).

• It is recommended that you preview the questionnaire before starting the application

process and finalizing your resume, because it can help you determine what to include 

in your resume.

Why is this important?

• Demonstrates and reinforces your qualifications for the position.

• Your answers on the self-assessment questionnaire must be consistent with your

resume; do not oversell your qualifications, and always provide evidence and examples

of your experience in your resume.
46

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Previewing the Assessment Questionnaire

You can preview the assessment questionnaire on the JOAs on USAJOBS.gov by following the 

instructions below.

Locate the section of the JOA entitled “How You Will Be Evaluated” (typically under the 

“How to Apply” section). Click the link that is directly below “To view the application form, 

visit:” (It may also say “View Assessment Questionnaire.”)

A new page will open that shows the Application Form Preview. Preview the assessment 

questionnaire under the Assessment Questions tab.
47

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Complete the Assessment Questionnaire

In addition to tailoring your resume, you will also have to complete the self-assessment 

questionnaire. Below are example questions and requirements: 
48

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Complete the Assessment Questionnaire (Continued)

I have experience working in:

 Slaughter plants – poultry

 Slaughter plants – red meat

 Processing plants – poultry

 Processing plants – red meat

 Processing plants – egg products

 Processing plants – thermal processing (e.g., scanning)

 Import stations

 Other food processing plants

 I do not have experience working in any of the above environments

I have work experience where my primary responsibility for the position was to inspect a 

plant’s or multiple plants’ operations and verify the execution of the plant’s (or plants’) 

food safety program. My years of experience where this was my primary duty was:

 More than 5

 4-5

 1-2

 Less than one

 No work experience where this was my primary responsibility
49

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Complete the Assessment Questionnaire (Continued)

Verify corrective actions and preventative measures, in response to noncompliance, were 

implemented and documented.

 I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

 I have had education or training in performing this task but have not yet performed it 

on the job.

 I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision by a supervisor or senior 

employee.

 I have performed this task as a regular part of the job, independently and usually 

without review by a supervisor, manager or senior employee.

 This task has been a central or major part of my work. I have performed it myself 

routinely, and I have trained others in performance of this task, and (or) others have 

consulted me as an expert for assistance in performing this task.

I have knowledge and/or experience working with the following laws:

 Federal Meat Inspection Act

 Poultry Products Inspection Act

 Egg Products Inspection Act

 Humane Slaughter Act (9)CFR(313)

 Rules of Practice (9)CFR(500)

 None of the above
50

Tailor Your Federal Resume

Complete the Assessment Questionnaire (Continued)

I have experience verifying the following were implemented:

 Sampling plans and sampling techniques (e.g., meeting criteria for random sample)

 E. coli monitoring and charting test results

 HACCP plans

 SSOPs

 Good manufacturing practices (GMPs)
51

PROOFREAD YOURRESUME
52

Proofread Your Resume

Module Overview

Your resume is the key for a hiring official to determine whether you are qualified for the job, 

so it is important to take the time to make sure your resume is free from errors.

To ensure that your resume is high-quality and error-free, you need to proofread. This module 

covers the basics of proofreading and provides important tips to guide the process.

The following topics covered in this module include:

• Why is Proofreading so Important?

• Edit Your Resume
53

Proofread Your Resume

Why is Proofreading so Important?

Even if you are highly qualified, spelling and grammar errors can keep your resume from being 

considered. Your resume makes the first impression for you – so you want that first 

impression with hiring managers and Human Resources to be positive.

Don’t let small errors hold you back from your career goals. It is essential to proofread your 

resume before you submit it.

It is recommended that you draft your resume in a Microsoft Word document and copy and 

paste the content to the Resume Builder when you are ready to apply. Word and the Resume 

Builder tool on USAJOBS include a spell check feature. It is recommended that you utilize this 

tool while writing your resume. However, even if the spell-check tool indicates everything is 

correct, this does not necessarily mean that all of the word usage and grammar are correct. 

Remember to manually read through the content several times.

Also, despite anyone’s best efforts, small spelling and grammar errors can easily go unnoticed. 

Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a friend, family member, or colleague also review 

your resume for errors.
54

Proofread Your Resume

Edit Your Resume 

Remember to proofread throughout all steps of the resume writing process. When you 

proofread, be sure to check for the following things:

Check Your Resume

1. Is everything spelled correctly?

2. Is the grammar appropriate?

3. Is the punctuation correct?

4. Are the right words capitalized/lowercase?

5.

Did you use the right verb tenses and first and third person in describing your 

work? (Use first person and drop the “I” in resume writing. Do not write resumes 

in third person).

Note: Use present tense when writing duties for your current position (i.e., “Inspect”), 

and use past tense when writing duties for your previous positions (i.e., “Inspected”).

6. Are your sentences as clear as possible? Sentences should be about 17 to 23 words. Use 

semicolons to avoid long paragraphs. 

7.

Did spellcheck leave you any surprises? For example:

Spellcheck will say “Retorted” is spelled correctly, but it doesn’t know that the 

word you wanted is “Reported.” So make sure you don’thave any typos that 

change the meaning of your words.
55

Proofread Your Resume

Writing Tips

The table below illustrates examples of strong resume writing and poor resume writing. Use 

this sample as a guide to powerful resume writing.

POOR WRITING STRONG WRITING

The sentence is too VAGUE:

“Conduct inspections and 

perform inspection-related 

duties.”

Be more SPECIFIC:

“Conduct visual and tactile inspections of animal heads, 

viscera, carcasses, and edible offal. Identify and condemn 

any portions of the product that cannot be corrected by 

trimming.”

The sentence is too 

OVERSTATED:

“Inspect and find all major 

causes of contamination.”

The sentence is WELL-STATED:

“Inspect a poultry slaughter facility that processes more 

than 70,000 birds per day. Detect sanitary hazards in 

processing and communicate them to establishment 

personnel, ensuring that the facility and equipment are kept 

clean and properly maintained.”

The sentence is too 

UNDERSTATED:

“Try to verify good 

processing.” “Learn about 

laws like the Federal Meat

Inspection Act (FMIA).”

The sentence is ACCURATE:

“Work alongside plant personnel to verify that Good 

Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are successfully 

implemented.”

“Properly apply provisions of the Federal Meat Inspection 

Act (FMIA) to prevent adulteration of meat products.”
56

Proofread Your Resume

Activity: Proofread Sample Resume

Directions: Read through the resume excerpt below. How many errors can you identify? Use 

the proofreading checklist as your guide and circle any errors that you find.

Work Experience: 

Duties, Accomplishments, and Related Skills: 

ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTIONS: Inspekted live animals and poultry to determine that they 

are normal and health condition Rejected poultry showing conditions which would 

obviously make the carcass unwholesome to protect consumer safety.

EXCEPTION COMMUNCIAITON SKILLS: reported major inspection violations to supervisor 

or higher grade inspector for corrective action. Notifies supervisor of need for major 

repairs and the replacement of broken and unsanitary equipment, utensils, and other 

facilities

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

_Developed dew prroducts that increased speed off inspections by 15% without reducing 

accuracy.

-Recognized by supervisors for accuracy and proficiency in performing inspections of 

slaughter facilities.
57

ACTION PLAN & NEXT STEPS
58

Action Plan & Next Steps

Module Overview

In this final module of the Resume Writing Guide, the focus is on creating an action plan for 

applying the concepts you have learned and preparing the first draft of your Federal resume.

The following topics covered in this module include:

• Review 5 Steps to a SuccessfulResume

• Prepare an Action Plan

• Additional Resources
59

Action Plan & Next Steps

Review 5 Steps to a Successful Resume

Gather Information

Find job postings, review Agency mission 

statements, locate past resumes, awards, and 

performance evaluations; check AgLearn for training, 

etc. 

Identify Your Daily Duties What jobs do you complete on the job most days? 

What are your areas of expertise? 

Write 10 Accomplishment Stories in 

the SAR Format

Identify specific achievements, results, and 

outcomes of your work. Look for 

achievements/projects and accomplishments on 

awards and performance evaluations. Keep an 

accomplishments log. 

Integrate Action Verbs & Keywords 

into the Resume

Create topical short paragraphs using keywords from 

the announcement, and energize the resume using 

action verbs.

Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume to match specific position 

descriptions. Modify the resume based on the 

qualifications factors and self-assessment questions 

for every application. 
60

Action Plan & Next Steps

Activity: Prepare an Action Plan

Now that you have learned about the process of creating a successful and effective Federal 

resume, it is time to put that knowledge into practice.

Directions: Develop a timeline for completing the first draft of your resume.Here is a list of tasks 

involved in developing a resume that we have discussed in this guide. Add dates to the task list 

that will allow you to meet your intended goal.

TASK DUE DATE NOTES

Gather Information

Identify Your Daily Duties

Write 10 Accomplishment Stories 

in the SAR Format

Integrate Action Verbs and Keywords

Tailor Your Resume
1

USAJOBS.GOV & LOGIN.GOV
2

USAJOBS.GOV & LOGIN.GOV

What You Need to Apply for a Federal Job

To apply for a Federal job, you will need the following:

• Smartphone to receive texts and/or emails

• An email address (a personal email, not an FSIS email)

• A Computer 

• Preferably access to Microsoft Word

• A USB drive to save your career management documents (resume, transcripts, SF-50, 

DD-214, awards, performance evaluations, reference letters, etc.)

For future reference, keep a record of your login information. You will need to access your 

USAJOBS account via login.gov:

Email Address: ______________________________________________________

Username: _________________________________________________________

Password: __________________________________________________________

Code: ______________________________________________________________

Email Login:

Email Address: _______________________________________________________

Password: ___________________________________________________________
3

USAJOBS.GOV & LOGIN.GOV

How to Apply for a Federal job via USAJOBS.GOV

Instructor-led, in-class workshop: Hands-on submission of a Federal resume via USAJOBS.GOV.

To set up a USAJOBS account, you will need to:

• Activate an Email Account 

• Set up a USAJOBS Account 

• Create a Profile 

• Build a Resume 

• Explore USAJOBS Homepage 

• Discover Search Options 

• Navigate the USAJOBS Help Center 
4

USAJOBS.GOV & LOGIN.GOV

Additional Resources:

When you are applying the concepts you learned today at home; you might find you need some 

additional support. One of the best resources available in the Resume Writing and USAJOBS 

Hotline, 1-800-336-3747. Call this number if you need assistance with any part of the resume 

writing process.

Another resource that is available to you is the USAJOBS Help Center. Access the USAJOBS Help 

Center at the following URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/