Beyond the resume: Tips for other USAJOBS application documents

Here’s a sentence I bet you didn’t expect to hear from me: Forget your resume. There is more to a job application than just your resume. Take, for instance, all the other documents you need to submit on USAJOBS when applying for federal positions. 

For this next part in my ongoing series about how to navigate the new federal hiring requirements, I offer a Q&A about those other documents you may need for federal job applications. Here we go!

1. Does the 2-page limit for resumes also apply to cover letters or letters of recommendation?
   No, it does not. That being said, most cover letters and letters of recommendation should not exceed one page. I’ll confess that I wrote a 4-page cover letter for my current job at NOAA. (Whether I was hired despite of or because of it is anyone’s guess.) Looking back, I know that letter was way too long. For most positions, one page is going to be the sweet spot for both your cover letter and letters of recommendation. Don't dare to go longer than two pages max.
   

2. What’s the page limit for writing samples?
   Unless the job announcement specifies a page limit, there is no limit beyond the one set by your own common sense. I recommend 2-5 pages for most writing samples. It really depends on the nature of the job you’re targeting and what type of writing you need to show to be competitive for the role. 
   

3. How do I stay within the 2-page resume limit if a job announcement requests my full publication history?
   The trick here is to split your publications out into a separate document. Your resume will establish you’re qualified based on your experience. Your publications list will include full citations to what you’ve published, and serve as a supporting document in your application. With this approach, your publications complement your resume without stealing space from it.
   

4. What file format is best for supplemental documents?
   PDF is the clear winner here, beating out Microsoft Word for the best readability and compatibility. There was a time when Microsoft Word was acceptable and even sometimes preferred for USAJOBS application. That time has ended. Use PDF for all of your supplemental documents, as well as your resume. 
   

5. How many supplemental documents can I upload to USAJOBS?
   You can upload and save up to ten documents at one time to your USAJOBS profile. If you’re applying to a lot of jobs, or a few different job series, then you’ll likely need to swap out different versions of your materials for different applications. Keep as saved documents the ones you’ll submit over and over again, like your most recent SF-50.
   

6. Should I redact my Personally Identifiable Information (PII) before uploading documents with sensitive personal information?
   Big yes here! OPM clarified that you should not upload documents that display your social security number (SSN). Even if the job announcement makes it a requirement to share your SSN, OPM says you only need to provide the last four digits of it. With identity theft continuing to pose a real threat, don’t upload your SSN when it’s not necessary. 

Though the federal resume is undoubtedly important, it is still only one part of your federal job application. Review each job announcement carefully before you apply to ensure you have plenty of time to gather and create any supplemental materials you may need to apply. With the new two-page limit for federal resumes, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of the other documents you can upload to prove you’re the most qualified candidate for the job.