A federal-style resume is used when someone wants to apply for a job in the federal government. Federal resumes follow strict guidelines established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The standard length of a federal resume is four to six pages long, but can go up to 10 depending on the candidate and the position. Federal resumes should be written in the chronological format, and require specifications such as your GS rate, citizenship, and veteran’s preference.