• Hiring managers can’t see measurable impact
• ATS keywords are missed
• Fails to demonstrate leadership in public programs

• Replace generic verbs with action‑oriented, results‑focused language
• Quantify achievements with budgets, percentages, or citizen impact
• Insert relevant public‑sector keywords (e.g., policy implementation, stakeholder engagement)

Managed a team and improved processes.

Led a 12‑person team to streamline procurement, reducing processing time by 30% and saving $250K annually.

• ATS may misread dates
• Hiring managers can’t gauge tenure
• Inconsistent format looks unprofessional

• Use month‑year (MM/YYYY) for all positions
• List city, state for each role
• Align dates to the right margin for readability

Director, City Planning – 2015 to 2020, New York

Director, City Planning                          May 2015 – Apr 2020 New York, NY

• Clearance level is a key filter for many roles
• Missing credentials reduces perceived eligibility
• ATS may skip the resume if required clearance not listed

• Create a dedicated “Clearance & Certifications” section
• List clearance level, agency, and expiration
• Add relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Certified Government Financial Manager)

Certified Project Manager

Clearance & Certifications • Secret Clearance (DOE, active) • Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

• Public‑sector recruiters look for government terminology
• Irrelevant buzzwords dilute impact
• ATS may down‑rank due to low keyword match

• Replace corporate terms with public‑sector equivalents (e.g., “profit margin” → “budget efficiency”)
• Focus on policy, compliance, and public service outcomes
• Remove unrelated tech stack unless directly used in government projects

Implemented Agile Scrum to increase ROI.

Implemented Agile Scrum methodology to accelerate policy rollout, achieving a 15% increase in program delivery speed while maintaining compliance with federal regulations.

• Government hiring often requires clear career progression
• ATS may struggle to parse skill‑based sections without dates
• Hiring managers may suspect gaps or lack of relevant experience

• Adopt a reverse‑chronological format
• List each role with dates, agency, and location
• Use a brief “Key Achievements” bullet list under each position

Skills: Budget Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Development

Senior Budget Analyst, Department of Health          Jun 2018 – Present Washington, DC • Managed $1.2 B annual budget, achieving a 4% cost reduction while maintaining service levels. • Coordinated cross‑agency stakeholder meetings, resulting in a streamlined reporting process.