Whether you're currently in the private sector or work for a government contractor, being a federal employee can sound pretty tempting. Though fed positions are projected to grow more slowly than the private sector and contracting for now due to government cost-cutting measures, these federal jobs are relatively stable and have a predictable salary range.

Find out how to take advantage of the new federal hiring mechanics and wow hiring officials with a perfectly-adapted resume.

So Long, KSAs

The federal government's got a new, friendlier face. If you've ever tried to apply for a government position and been bewildered by the confusing questions and mysterious requirements, here's some good news. Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), notoriously opaque to non-federal applicants, are being replaced with a resume-based application process.

USAJobs

The Office of Personnel Management runs USAJobs.com, the "federal government's official jobs site." Start your job search here. 

Though you can upload your own resume to USAJobs, it won't be searchable. Use the site's resume builder instead so that hiring agencies can find you.

USAJobs can store up to five versions of your resume, but you should still customize a resume for each position you apply for.

Don't Stop There

Not all federal positions must be listed at USAJobs. Some agencies list positions on their own sites instead of (or in addition to) USAJobs, so be sure to check agency sites as well.

The government can use different tools, or "authorities," to bring people on board. Another way the government hires is called "direct hiring authority," which operates much the way private-sector hiring does.

Direct-hire positions are hard to find and tend to be internships. One direct-hire program, the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP), was recently repealed, but a few others still exist.

Mastering the Fed Resume

Unlike private-sector and contractor resumes, which are generally one to three pages, federal resumes can be long -- and the longer, the better. You have plenty of room, so focus on any experience you have that's relevant to the position, but use that room to add any skills or abilities you think might be relevant.

The key components of a federal government-geared resume include:

• Personal information
• Work experience
• Education, including any specific classes that help you meet specific job qualifications
• Memberships and certifications

When writing about your experience, and concentrate on the outcome. Use the challenge, context, action, results (CCAR) method to explain:

• What challenge were you trying to overcome?
• What were the barriers, context and background?
• What action(s) did you take?
• What was the result?

Professionalism is extremely important: Check your spelling and grammar at least twice. Get everything in by the deadline, or you won't be considered for the position at all.

Where's My Interview?

The government isn't legally obligated to interview every applicant, only those best qualified for the position.

How do hiring officials decide who's best qualified? They use a points system to rank candidates. Veterans get extra points, as do current federal employees.

Once you've submitted your resume, be patient. Here's the process going on behind the scenes while you wait for a call:

1. The position closes on its scheduled date.
2. The agency evaluates the candidates and creates a list of qualified candidates: those with the highest number of points.
3. The agency provides this list to the "selecting official" and the interview process begins.

Foot in the Door

When you get a call from a hiring official, get as much information as possible. The first round of interviews might take place over the phone. If you're asked to come to the agency for an in-person interview, ask what identification you need to bring.

In interviews, you may be asked to write essays that talk about your experience in more detail. Use the CCAR method to describe the actions you took to meet goals and overcome challenges in your career.

Learn More

• Find and Land Your Dream Job
• GovLoop "Rock Your Resume" Webinar
• How to Apply for Federal Jobs
• Tips on Interviewing
• USAJobs Resume and Application Tips
• What Makes a Good Resume

This article is part of GovWin.com's jobs and staffing resources. Check out the GovWin staffing section, ask the experts a question or follow @HireGovCon on Twitter for the latest govcon job listings.

Lindley Ashline is the Web editor at GovWin.com, the network that helps government contractors win new business every day. She can be reached at lindleyashline@deltek.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @lindleyashline.