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We are currently revising content on plainlanguage.gov, including the federal guidelines, training materials, and other online resources. We’ve temporarily paused accepting training requests until after this update is complete. We hope to resume training later in the fall 2023.

Federal plain language guidelines

These are the official guidelines for the Plain Writing Act of 2010 . We developed these guidelines to help you and your agency write clearly, so your users can:

  • Find what they need
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The guidelines are organized into sections, but many of the topics fit within more than one section. We start with a discussion of your audience because you should think about them before you start writing or planning to write. From there we move to organization, because developing a good organization is important during your planning stage. Next, we discuss writing principles, starting at the word level and moving up through paragraphs and sections. This is the most extensive topic. We follow principles of writing documents with principles of writing for the web. We conclude with a short discussion of testing techniques.

We first developed these guidelines in the mid-90s. We continue to revise them every few years to provide updated advice on clear communication. When we first wrote the guidelines, we were primarily interested in regulations. We’ve broadened our coverage, but the information still bears the stamp of its origin.

Questions? Comments?

If you have any feedback or questions about these guidelines, please contact us . We also offer free half-day training sessions for federal agencies in the Washington, DC area.

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Noaa 2024 small business of the year award.

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FedWriters Has Been Developing

Creative and technical documentation since 2010.

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Fastest growing companies in the united states.

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FedWriters Believes That

Our employees represent the heart of our company.

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Communicating the

Business of government.

FedWriters is a professional writing, research, and communications company that helps government and commercial customers develop and manage a range of documents, including technical reports, policy documents, user manuals, multimedia content, and more.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to communicate the business of government with high-quality writing, research, and technology services and through programs to motivate and inspire our workforce.

Our Services

Our mantra “clear, compelling, compliant” guides every project from planning to production. We help convey the intricate workings of government through top-tier writing, research, and technological solutions, including:

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Our success with managing government programs is not going unnoticed. FedWriters was ranked #146 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies; #3 on the Virginia Chamber of Commerce list of fastest-growing companies in Virginia; and #137 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals list of fastest-growing, private companies in the DC metro area.

FedWriters Case Studies

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FedWriters helps produce the Cyber Defense Review (CDR), a prestigious quarterly journal that fosters multidisciplinary discussions on the intricate landscape of cyber warfare. We are instrumental in crafting and curating a collection of scholarly articles and essays that delve into the strategic, operational, and tactical dimensions of cyber warfare. We ensure that each contribution is thoughtfully articulated, research-driven, and well-structured to engage readers.

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Learn about our history from a small one-person start-up to one of the fastest-growing companies in America.

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What are the Essential Writing Skills for Public Sector Professionals?

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As a public sector professional, your writing skills are crucial, even if your job isn't writing-focused.

Understanding and developing essential writing skills can change the way you interact with colleagues, engage service users and improve service delivery overall.

In this blog post, we'll cover the essential writing skills public sector professionals need and exactly how to develop them. 

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Uses for Strong Writing Skills in the Public Sector

  • Essential Writing Skills for Public Sector Professionals
  • How to Develop Your Writing Skills

Writing plays a big role in many public sector roles. Here are several tasks that require strong written skills:

  • Policy d ocuments  
  • Emai ls  
  • Internal or external c ommunications  
  • Stakeholder communication s  
  • Website u pdates  
  • Briefings and s ubmissions  
  • Bids and tenders  
  • Contract documents  

Each of the above requires different skills and writing styles, but with practice, you'll be capable of producing succinct and effective writing. By learning advanced skills and techniques, you can dramatically improve your written communication skills and gain confidence in your abilities.

7 Essential Writing Skills for Public Sector Professionals

1. communicating complex information simply.

Statistics, jargon and complex insights are everywhere these days. But how do we use our writing skills to tell this information in a way that everyone can understand? 

  • Avoid using confusing jargon and overloading on acronyms
  • Use simple and clear language
  • Use short sentences
  • Keep your target audience in mind. Ask a colleague who works on different topics to read your writing - do they understand? Are the main points clear enough to understand?  
  • Engage the reader with storytelling - wrap statistics or facts in stories so they're easy to understand

Read our simple guide on how to present complex information .

2. Proofing and Editing 

Every writer needs to be able to proof and edit their own work, especially if there's not always a team member on hand to give it a second look. If a piece of copy doesn't add anything or doesn't tell the reader more about what they're after, cut it out.

3. Using Active Voice

The active voice refers to phrases where the subject performs the action (verb) on an object. Whereas, in the passive voice, the verb acts upon the subject instead. The active voice is known for being more clear, direct and to the point, which can create more impact - especially if you want the reader to take action after reading. 

Here are three examples to demonstrate the difference between the active and passive voice:

1. Passive Voice: The new budget proposal was approved by the committee.

Active Voice: The committee approved the new budget proposal.

2.  Passive Voice: The new policy to address unemployment was passed by the government.

Active Voice: The government passed a new policy to address unemployment. 

3. Passive Voice: The construction contract was awarded to the lowest bidder.

Active Voice: The city council awarded the construction contract to the lowest bidder.

UMG Active vs Passive Voice Breakdown

See how much easier the active voice is to read? If you feel yourself stumbling on specific parts of your writing, take a closer look and see if you're using the passive voice. 

4. Facts Over Opinion  

In the public sector, facts are often preferred over opinion. Holding structured debates can be useful, but you always need to have research or statistics to back up your points - why wouldn't you do the same in your writing?

Readers and colleagues are much more likely to trust and believe in your work if you've taken the time to research facts that back up your opinions. If you feel the need to use the first person in your copy, have to think about if your ideal reader really wants to hear from you or your company personally. If not, remove it.

5. Get Straight to the Point

Your reader should be able to quickly see the main points of a piece of text. 

It's easy to get caught up with unnecessary context and details, but try to remember what your audience wants to gain out of reading your writing. Do they need the context to understand? Or is it something only you think is necessary? 

By going straight to the point, you can build on why the reader should care about the topic at hand. Overwhelming them with details can dull their interest and even make them stop reading altogether. Be concise and use plain language where possible. 

6. Show Clear Solutions and Actions

Whether you're explaining to the reader how to do something or you're presenting new information many of your listeners wouldn't have heard before. Make solutions or next steps clear to help them understand where to go for more information and what to do with it. 

Sometimes there isn't a clear solution just yet, and in these cases, explain why there isn't. No one likes to be left hanging!

7. Using Grammar Correctly 

This may seem basic, but grammar can have a major impact on the entire meaning of sentences and paragraphs. It can get confusing with apostrophes, hyphens, colons, and other punctuation marks out there, but it's important to understand the implications of bad grammar - not just on your reader, but you or your organisation. 

To give you an example (a classic)...

There's a different meaning between these two phrases: “Let's eat grandma” and “Let's eat, grandma.” Pretty bad right? If you're ever unsure, use writing software such as Grammarly to avoid those potentially damaging simple mistakes. 

How Do I Develop Those Skills?

At Understanding ModernGov, w e work with our Communications Trainer, Sue Calthorpe, to deliver a whole range of writing courses from producing briefs and submissions for government officials; to compiling business cases and bids and writing more effective reports.

Taking a written communications course is a great way to expand your writing skills, receive effective feedback and communicate with your reader more easily.  As an example, see what you will learn in a report writing course . 

See What Other Public Sector Professionals Have Said

"I found the course entirely relevant and focused on the objective. The material was excellent, and the course well-paced and delivered with clarity" - Category Manager, Loughborough University   "Sue was a great trainer and really kept me engaged. Constructive and helpful, will definitely recommend " - Senior Commissioning Officer, Essex County Council  

"Engaging , enjoyable and evidence-based. A terrific course" - Communication Manager, ABHI  

How Do I Attend a Writing Course?

Whether you want to improve your minute-taking skills or learn how to write more effective briefs, we've got a range of upcoming courses that can take your writing skills to the next level. Book your place today

2+ years in SEO and content marketing. Striving to help public sector professionals develop their skills and learn something new through high-quality content.

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Writing for Public Policy Professionals

Well-reasoned and thoughtful analysis of policy issues is a necessary but not sufficient requirement for implementing effective public policy. What is an equally important requirement is the ability to clearly and accurately relate complex policy ideas in easily understood narratives. The aim of this course, in turn, is to hone students' professional policy writing skills and to familiarize them with the major written formats used throughout the policy-making process; from memos and briefs, to white-papers and op-eds. This course is organized as a collaborative, seminar-style discussion of policy writing strategies and techniques, with a substantial focus on the thinking behind effective communication.

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Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, professional writing – how to write for the professional world.

  • © 2023 by Joseph M. Moxley - University of South Florida , Julie Staggers - Washington State University

Professional writing is fundamentally  transactional: usually if you are writing it is because you are trying to solve some kind of a problem . Your  audience — the people you are writing to — probably need to do something in response to your writing. They may not be expecting your writing . They probably don’t want to read your writing . Your writing is interrupting their day. So, if you’re gonna bother them you need to make it worth their time. Learn about the style of writing that characterizes the texts of professional writers in workplace writing contexts. Master the discourse conventions of professional communities of practice.

professional writing for government

Professional writing refers to writing that helps get work done in business, industry, government, non-profit, and civic settings.

Whether it’s a brief office memo or a complex technical report, professional writing is action-oriented and aims to solve problems within or between organizations and publics. While some professional writing is performed by writing professionals — e.g., people whose main job is to write, such as technical writers or social media managers) — most professional writing is done by professionals who write . As a group, people who have to write in order to get their work done (e.g., managers, technicians, analysts) are sometimes called knowledge workers. Students often struggle with the transition from academic to professional writing due to the fundamental differences in the writing styles of these two discourse communities :

  • Professional writing is transactional and action-oriented, typically used in work contexts to achieve practical outcomes. Professional writing demands clear , concise communication aimed at specific goals like informing, persuading, or instructing , often requiring a more direct and less theoretical approach than academic writing.
  • Academic writing  refers to the  writing style  that researchers, educators, and students use in scholarly publications and school assignments. Academic writing is more about exploring ideas than solving problems. Scholars engage in hermeneutics . For instance, literary critics might debate particular readings of a text or event, such as Critical Disability Studies ; Feminist Criticism ; LGBTQ + Criticism ; Marxist Criticism ; New Historicist Criticism ; Post-Colonial Criticism ; Post-Structuralist, Deconstructive Criticism ; Psychological Criticism ; Reader-Response Criticism ; Russian Formalism and New Criticism or Structuralist Criticism .

Related Concepts

  • Elements of Style
  • Professionalism
  • Structured Revision
  • Styles of Writing
  • Workplace Writing

Why Does a Professional Writing Prose Style Matter?

Readers, especially critical readers who perceive documents from a particular interpretive framework, have particular expectations regarding

  • how texts should be shaped, which genres, media, and channels of communication
  • how knowledge claims should vetted to ensure they are authoritative .

Professionals in various fields adhere to established norms (aka discourse conventions) for generating knowledge that is considered to be authoritative . These norms and practices are deeply influenced by the historical research traditions and established discourse practices of their fields, as well as by the introduction of emerging technologies. These technologies offer new possibilities for exploring topics, thereby expanding the methods and approaches available to researchers.

Communication and learning are social processes.

Communications that fail to account for the reader’s expectations are unlikely to be read. They will be tossed aside, dumped into the recycle bin along with other writer-based prose .

What Are the Defining Characteristics of Professional Writing?

professional writing for government

Clarity is job #1. It’s the first priority of any subject matter expert. If you are not clear — if you cannot express yourself with the level of detail your audience needs to understand your message — your readers may not understand your message, nor will they swayed by it.

Works that lack clarity are called “ writer-based discourse ” in writing studies , the academic field that studies writing, rhetoric, and composing.

Conciseness – Brevity

Professional communicators know less is more when it comes to facilitating clarity in communication . Knowing that every word can be misinterpreted, knowledge workers are careful to cut the vague words from their sentences .

In professional settings, where time equates to money, readers seek information efficiently, prioritizing speed and clarity over elaborate exposition. Consequently, professional writing emphasizes conciseness, employing active voice, a deductive organizational structure , and short paragraphs that focus on a singular main idea . This approach ensures that readers can quickly access and understand the necessary information without wading through unnecessary detail.

Professional writers tend to navigate complex ethical landscapes. Professional writers adhere to ethical, policy, and legal standards. Professional writers in workplace settings have public and legal obligations in the form of liability, copyright , trademark, and liability laws.

Professional writers present information in a way that does not mislead or manipulate the audience.

Professional writers are careful to respect copyright and intellectual property conventions. They are careful to follow expected citation conventions when paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing the ideas of others..

Professional writers are careful to avoiding plagiarism and the misrepresentation of others.

professional writing for government

Professional writers use language that is respectful and sensitive to ageism, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status of others.

Recommended Readings

  • Ableist Language – Disability Metaphors – Disability Studies
  • Critical Disability Studies
  • Empathetic Information Literacy

Audience-Driven

professional writing for government

Your readers are unlikely to take your work seriously if your communications fail to account for what your readers know about topic–and how they feel about it. (See interpretation )

The audience for professional writing tends to be coworkers, clients, employers. Typically in workplace discourse the audience is less informed about the topic than the write. Professional writers write from the persona and rhetorical stance of expert. They use visual language to present information as simply as possible. Texts deemed “professional” respond to the needs and interests of their target  audience (e.g., readers, listeners, or users ).

Professional writers determine what they need to say and how they need to say it by analyzing how familiar their audience(s) is with their topic , research methods , and current scholarly conversations on the topic. They engage in audience analysis to determine the genre and media that are most likely to met their target audience. They question

  • what their audience thinks about the topic
  • how their audience perceives or sees the topic
  • how their audience feels about the topic
  • what they want their audience to do .
  • Document Planner
  • Rhetorical Analysis

Readers and users of technical documents need to be confident that they can rely on the information being provided. Your ethos and the ethos of your company is always on the line, and never more so than when you are producing documents for external audiences. Lying, misrepresenting the facts, or ignoring the counterarguments an audience holds dear seldom helps a company prosper.

When revising , editing , or proofreading , you need to check and double check your facts. Check all of the details for accuracy. Avoid lawsuits! Ensure you have included all of the information the audience needs.

In the context of effective professional writing, accuracy refers to the precise and correct use of language, data, and information.

Professional writers maintain their integrity in professional contexts by ensuring that all facts, figures, and details are verified and true, and that language is used appropriately to convey messages without ambiguity or error.

Accuracy is crucial in professional writing as it builds credibility and authority with the audience , whether it’s for academic , technical, business, or any other formal communication.

Writers achieve accuracy by thoroughly researching their topics, cross-checking facts, using reliable sources, and reviewing their work for errors in grammar , spelling , and punctuation .

Accuracy in professional writing demonstrates a commitment to truthfulness and reliability, making it a fundamental attribute for writers aiming to communicate effectively and maintain their integrity in professional contexts.

Comprehensive

Professional writers achieve comprehensiveness by weaving their analysis into the broader “conversation of humankind,” demonstrating an awareness of the historiography of their topic . This attribute means they not only present a thorough exploration of the subject, incorporating all relevant dimensions and perspective , but also position their insights within the context of existing scholarship.

By tracing the evolution of ideas and acknowledging the contributions of previous scholars, professional writing showcases a depth of engagement with the topic that goes beyond surface-level analysis. This approach ensures that the text is not just informative but also deeply connected to the continuum of intellectual inquiry, reflecting a nuanced understanding of the subject’s history, its key contributors, and the methodologies that have shaped its development.

Comprehensiveness, therefore, is not just about the breadth of coverage but about situating one’s work within a larger scholarly dialogue , enriching the text with layers of context and meaning.

Research-Based , Substantive

Professional writers engage in strategic searching to investigate a topic . They are intellectually open . They consider counterarguments . They may employ textual research methods and engage in argument and persuasion.

When professional writers engage in research , they question the currency, relevance, authority, accuracy of information . They engage in rhetorical analysis and textual analysis to question the purpose of the research, from the investigator’s perspective .

Professional writers often engage in a variety of research methods, including Empirical Research Methods , Informal Research Methods , Mixed Research Methods , Qualitative Research Methods , or Quantitative Research Methods .

Readers of professional texts expect writers to support their claims with evidence . They distinguish fact from news and opinion . They expect more than anecdote and informal observation.

Accessibility involves presenting information in a manner that is easily digestible, using language that is straightforward and avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical terms that could alienate readers unfamiliar with the subject matter.

Accessibility entails structuring content logically, with clear headings , concise sentences , and a coherent flow of ideas , making it easier for readers to follow the argument or narrative .

Writers achieve accessibility by considering the background knowledge and interests of their intended audience . They tailor their approach – such as appeals to ethos , pathos , or logos — to be audience sensitive. They work to make their messages reader-based as opposed to writer-based.

When writers and speakers ensure their communications are accessible, they are able to reach a broader audience. By prioritizing accessibility, professional writers bridge the gap between expert knowledge and public understanding, contributing to a more informed and engaged community.

Collaborative (formally or informally)

In professional contexts, projects often require the collective expertise of multiple stakeholders, including writers, subject matter experts, designers, software developers, and clients, to create documents that meet specific business objectives. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product is comprehensive, accurate, and tailored to the needs of its intended audience , reflecting the diverse perspectives and skills of its contributors.

In contrast, academic writing tends to be more solitary. Individual authors or small research teams may toil away on a manuscript for years before sharing it with others and having it published.

Visually Appealing

The texts of subject matter experts in professional writing tend to be highly visual. Wherever possible, professional writers leverage the power of visual language to engage the interests and passions of the audience.

  • Data Visualization – Information Visualization – The Art of Visualizing Meaning For Better Decision-Making
  • Design Principles – The Big Design Principles You Need to Know to Create Compelling Messages
  • Elements of Art – How to Leverage the Power of Art to Make Visually Compelling Documents
  • Elements of Design – Master the Fundamentals of Visual Composition
  • Page Design – How to Design Messages for Maximum Impact
  • Universal Design Principles – How to Design for Everyone
  • Usability – How to Research & Improve Usability
  • Visualization – Visual Representation

Professional writers employ multiple media. They may embed videos and illustrations in their texts. Their texts may be primarily visual, such as data visualizations and infographics.

Problem-Oriented

Professional writers tends to be problem-oriented. Professional writers helps organizations and readers solve problems .

Professional writers tend to employ deductive order and deductive reasoning . In cover letters , abstracts , executive summaries and introductions, they tell the reader what the text is about and how it’s organized. They craft their texts to facilitate scanning .

professional writing for government

What Textual Practices Are Common to Both Professional & Academic Prose Writing?

A professional writing style shares many characteristics with an academic writing prose style : both of these styles of writing aspire for brevity , flow , simplicity , unity and clarity in communications .

Academic and professional writers share many information literacy perspectives : they value openness and strategic searching . They know when they need information, where to get information, how to assess information, and how weave the work of other researchers into the fabric of their arguments . They value critical literacy practices : They are conversant with the research methods , the knowledge-making practices , that their audiences expect them use in order to propose or test a knowledge claim .

And, in most academic and workplace contexts , knowledge workers are expected to conform to discourse conventions of Standard Written English and Standard Spoken English , including

  • attributions for evidenceo
  • citation styles tied to particular disciplinary communities (e.g., MLA , APA , Chicago)
  • organizational schema
  • punctuation

Not surprisingly, style is a concern for readers across discourse communities : knowledge workers from both academic and professional writing camps abhor vagueness , unsupported claims , and a lack of organization . No one likes a sentence that goes on and on in multiple directions. People don’t want to be bored or confused.

What Are 8 Major Differences Between Academic and Professional Writing?

While professional writers share some values and practices with academic writers, they ultimately approach discourse situations in 8 unique ways.

professional writing for government

Relationship to Audience

Much of the academic writing assigned in high school and college settings assumes the teacher as examiner role. When teachers serve in the role of examiner , they are checking to see whether you can demonstrate what you know or have learned .

Outside of schoolwork, however, the audience for academic writing tends to be subject matter experts and others interested in basic research on a topic . Members of different academic communities — such as the arts, engineering, or medical communities — engage in strategic searching in order to review peer reviewed research on topics of interest. Because they study different topics in different situations , discourse communities develop their own unique jargon , discourse conventions , and research methods .

Relationship to Topic

Academic writing is largely about problematizing and exploring ideas.

Professional writing is fundamentally transactional: usually if you are writing you are doing so because you are trying to solve some kind of problem. Your audience — the people you are writing to — probably need to do something in response to your writing. They may not be expecting your writing. They probably don’t want to read your writing. Your writing is interrupting their day. So, if you’re gonna bother them you need to make it worth their time: your work must be clear , substantive , properly attributed , and evidence based .

Formatting & Use of Visual Language

Academic writing tends to focus on traditional alphabetical language. Academic texts often have longish sentences and paragraphs. They are written from the assumption that the reader has an interest in their topic.

Professional writing, in contrast, assumes readers are not reading for pleasure. They assume technical readers are reading to understand something or to get something done. Thus, professional writing emphasizes visual elements more than academic writing.

To engage the curiosity and interest of their audience, professional writers

  • Consider the Audience’s Needs Professional writers visual design should cater to the audience’s preferences and needs, making information not only accessible but also appealing to them.
  • Use Visual Language to Communicate Professional writers incorporate visuals into their their texts, such as charts, graphs, and infographics. This makes complex information more accessible and easier to understand at a glance.
  • Incorporate Images and Videos Professional writers use visual language to communicate, such as photographs, flowcharts, or infographics.
  • Employ Typography Strategically Professional writers break longer paragraphs down into parts. They use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and varied font styles and sizes to organize content, draw attention to key points, and improve readability.
  • Adopt Layouts That Enhance Readability Professional writers use space effectively to avoid clutter , allowing the reader’s eye to rest and making the document easier to navigate.
  • Design for Accessibility Professional writers are careful to ensure that visual elements are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This includes using alt text for images and ensuring that color contrasts are sufficient for readability.

Sentence Structure & Sentence Patterns

Academic writers may communicate in long, complicated sentences and long paragraphs. It’s not unusual in professional-peer review journals, to see paragraphs that are 300 to 500+ words long.

In contrast, professional writing embraces simplicity , space, visual language, and simple sentence patterns.

Related Resources: Sentences | Sentence Types

In terms of channel or media , professional writers exhibit greater flexibility and are less tied to traditional discourse conventions than their academic counterparts.

Professional writers often adapt a single message for dissemination across various media, tailoring the content to suit the specific affordances and limitations of each platform. This adaptability allows them to effectively reach and engage their target audiences through the most appropriate channels, whether it be social media, blogs, reports, or presentations.

Conversely, academic writers primarily operate within established scholarly formats such as academic essays, research articles, and book reviews.

Point of View + Perspective

Academic writers may write from the first person to share their experiences and thoughts. In turn, when writing memos in workplace situations, professional writers may also use the first person. Thus, point of view, by itself, is not a measure of academic v. professional writing.

However, in general, primarily due to the distinct purposes and audiences their writing serves, academic and professional writers do adopt different rhetorical stances :

  • Academic Writing is primarily oriented towards contributing to scholarly discourse — what is often called “ the conversation of humankind. ”  Academic writing is characterized by rigorous analysis, citation of peer-reviewed sources, and a focus on contributing new knowledge within a discipline. It often adheres to specific formatting and stylistic conventions (e.g., APA, MLA) and values objectivity, precision, and complexity, emphasizing argumentation supported by evidence.
  • Professional Writing, while also valuing objectivity and evidence-based argumentation in many contexts (such as technical, legal, and scientific communications), is generally more diverse in its aims and formats. It seeks to achieve specific, practical outcomes, such as persuading customers, instructing users, or facilitating business operations. Professional writers adapt their rhetorical stance — their tone, style, and structure — to fit the immediate needs of their audience.

Related Resources

Point of View | Perspective | Rhetorical Stance

Organization

Professional Writing is nearly always employs a direct approach when it comes to organization: professional writers clarify their purpose for writing upfront–sometimes in the first sentence or paragraph .

In contrast, an indirect approach to organization leads with relevant, attention-getting details that do not directly state the purpose of the document. Most often, in business and technical communication, indirect organization is employed when the writer is delivering bad news or anticipates an audience that is resistant to the main message and may require some persuasion.

Professional writers use cover letters , abstracts , executive summaries , and introductions to emphasize key points, arguments , methods , findings, interpretations and conclusions . They don’t hold off on the best arguments till last or keep the reader guessing about why they are being given information .

  • Inductive Order, Inductive Reasoning, Inductive Writing
  • Deductive Order, Deductive Reasoning, Deductive Writing
  • Sentence Order within Paragraphs
  • Topic Sentence

Brevity - Say More with Less

Brevity - Say More with Less

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Clarity (in Speech and Writing)

Coherence - How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Coherence - How to Achieve Coherence in Writing

Diction

Flow - How to Create Flow in Writing

Inclusivity - Inclusive Language

Inclusivity - Inclusive Language

Simplicity

The Elements of Style - The DNA of Powerful Writing

Unity

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Academic Writing – How to Write for the Academic Community

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Authority – How to Establish Credibility in Speech & Writing

Professional Writing for Government

This course will provide you with information that will help you to understand the different requirements of writing in a government context. It will also provide you with useful tools to help you to write in this new way.

By the end of this module you should be able to:

* Understand how decisions are made in government (and how they should be made);

* Identify the types of information needed to support government decisions;

* Practice how to structure your writing to elicit an informed decision;

* Demonstrate how to write clearly and concisely;

* Understand how to improve the quality of your drafts.

Requirements

There are no prerequisite skills and knowledge that students need to take this course.  Students need to be currently enrolled at the University of Queensland to take this course. Login to EdEx Edge for more information. (EdEX course number is HASS0168M_7000_00001)

Course Staff

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Prudence Brown

This module has been designed by Dr Prudence Brown, an expert in the field of writing for government. Dr Brown draws on more than 20 years of experience working for governments in the Northern Territory, Canberra and Queensland. She has worked at local, state and federal government levels, in a range of agencies. She has even worked in a Minister's office, assessing the work of other public servants. Most of her roles were as a policy advisor in a central agency, and mostly at the executive level. As a result, she has written and vetted countless briefs, Cabinet submissions, submissions to inquiries and reports. More recently she has been teaching public policy related topics at the University of Queensland, as well as how to write for government to public servants in Papua New Guinea.

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White Paper: Purpose and Audience

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A white paper is a certain type of report that is distinctive in terms of purpose, audience, and organization. This resource will explain these issues and provide some other tips to enhance white paper content.

What is a White Paper?

Originally, the term white paper was used as shorthand to refer to an official government report, indicating that the document is authoritative and informative in nature. Writers typically use this genre when they argue a specific position or propose a solution to a problem, addressing the audience outside of their organization. Today, white papers have become popular marketing tools for corporations especially on the Internet since many potential customers search for information on the Web. Corporations use white papers to sell information or new products as solutions that would serve their customers' needs.

The Purpose of a White Paper

Typically, the purpose of a white paper is to advocate that a certain position is the best way to go or that a certain solution is best for a particular problem. When it is used for commercial purposes, it could influence the decision-making processes of current and prospective customers.

What Kind of Problems Do Readers Want to Solve?

The audience for a white paper can be the general public or multiple companies that seek solutions to their problems or needs. Typically, you will not know your audience personally, unlike when you write a recommendation report for your client. And yet, in order to persuade your audience, you need to focus on their needs. If you can address the problems that your readers want to solve, they will read your white paper for a solution. Otherwise, your white paper may not be read. It is important to emphasize your readers' interests rather than your interests, as shown in the example below:

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Government writing course, fit for print: written communication skills for government writers, available formats: full-day training course, multi-day training course, course outcomes.

This writing course for government writers will:

  • Explain when to write and when to choose another method of communication.
  • Outline a writer’s obligations under the Plain Writing Act.
  • Offer quick tips for immediately improving a document’s readability.
  • Share methods for identifying main messages and their supporting points.
  • Review the basic rules of grammar and punctuation.
  • Suggest editing tips.

Course Overview

Unfortunately, government writers have a reputation for producing convoluted, clunky, and downright confusing text. This Business Training Works’ course is designed with the government writer in mind.  The program will help participants develop basic skills to use English correctly and convey messages in the most direct way possible.

Program Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Decide when they should write.
  • Explain their obligations under the Plain Writing Act.
  • Write for the average citizen.
  • Organize information logically.
  • Use words, grammar, and punctuation correctly.
  • Eliminate wordiness.
  • Edit their work.

The following outline highlights some of the course’s key learning points. As part of your training program, we will modify content as needed to meet your business objectives. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the participant materials prior to the session(s).

Workshop Outline 

The basics: getting started.

In this opening discussion, participants will explain their duties as government writers and how those responsibilities differ from those of their counterparts in the private sector.  Next, group members will put themselves in their readers’ chairs for the purpose of describing the factors that influence whether a piece of writing can be considered good. Following that conversation, we will review questions writers should ask themselves before choosing written communication over faster and easier methods of conveying information.  Finally, participants will review the course topic list and shape the day’s agenda.

Quick Wins: Making an Immediate Difference

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal government writers to use clear communication the public can understand.  During this segment of the program, we will highlight a series of tips writers can put immediately in practice to improve the readability of their documents.  Without any additional instruction on the mechanics of English, participants will apply these quick-win fixes to a variety of texts.  By this segment’s conclusion, group members should understand how, when used back on the job, these small changes can improve their writing.

Subject and Organization: Understanding the Importance of Planning

Although many writers know what they want to say, not all have the ability to organize their thoughts on paper in such a way that their readers understand the intent of the message.  This part of the workshop introduces tools for identifying a paper’s purpose and its supporting points.

Style: Choosing Clear over Clunky

Writing in the active voice, using common vocabulary, and avoiding multiple words when one will suffice, are some of the choices government writers can make to improve their writing.  During this part of the program, participants will apply these guidelines to several existing texts.  Once comfortable with the concepts discussed, the instructor will task the group members with creating an original writing assignment where they must follow the same rules.

Comma, Comma, Chameleon: Using Punctuation and Grammar Correctly

Although they perform writing tasks every day, many government writers remain unclear about elements of punctuation and grammar.  This part of the program reviews common grammatical and punctuation mistakes.  This segment also addresses how choices related to words and the symbols used to separate them can drastically alter a document’s meaning.

Write Now: Showing What You Know

With the goal of practicing the course’s concepts, in this portion of the program, participants will complete another writing assignment.  The subject will depend on the group’s makeup and skill level.

On the Chopping Block: Getting Ruthless

Good self-editing is about cutting words, revising sentences, moving paragraphs, and occasionally accepting the fact that a piece needs an entire rewrite.  It’s not always fun, and it doesn’t usually feel good.  However, as people responsible to the public, government writers owe it to the citizens they serve to edit ruthlessly to produce the best possible piece they are capable of drafting.  In this final part of the program, the instructor will offer several suggestions for revising documents.  First, the course participants will review their work with these tips in mind.  Next, the class will practice peer editing to further refine the texts.

At the program’s conclusion, participants will have an understanding of when they should and shouldn’t write, their obligations under the Plain Writing Act, and steps they can take to generate writing that is clear, concise, and correct.

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Didn't find what you were looking for, the business training works difference.

When you team with us, you’ll get:

  • A partner who will ask questions about your goals and objectives.
  • An opportunity to have a tailoring call and to speak with the program facilitator prior to a workshop.
  • Interactive facilitation conducted by someone who has a deep understanding of adult learning and the topic at hand.
  • A post-training web-based skills check-in meeting if desired.
  • People behind the scenes who will work to make our relationship a success.

You won’t get:

  • A workshop leader who sells products during class time.
  • A talking head with a PowerPoint presentation and not much else.
  • Lecture-based training that’s too academic, not practical, and doesn’t connect to life in the workplace.
  • The sense that you are a number, a transaction, or a cog in a machine.

Onsite Training Course Reminders

Our instructor-led training courses are available to private groups.  These workshops are not offered in a public seminar format.  Please  contact us  to speak with a facilitator about your needs and bringing training to your organization.

Onsite Training Locations

We also travel to Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Canada, Central America, Continental Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.

Please contact us about your location.

  • For information about pricing, please see our fee schedule .
  • For instructor-led webinars, take a look at our  virtual classroom programs .
  • For information about self-paced courses available to anyone, visit our online courses catalog .
  • For free resources, check out our resources pages .

Questions This Page Answers About Government Writing Training

  • Where can I find a writing course for government writers?
  • Who offers onsite training for writers working in the public sector?
  • My team must comply with the Plain Writing Act. Who offers guidance for aligning the documents we produce with this law’s requirements?

“The course has been tremendously helpful to my staff, and I am very grateful for Regina’s knowledge and generosity. She really shared her talents and experience freely, and provided what was needed to reset our team dynamics.”

“Pamela and Business Training Works put together a wonderful training program for ACERTUS. Pamela was able to create a curriculum that completely met our needs on such a short timeline. I am looking forward to working with them again!”

“Thank you again for working with us last week. As always, the team loved the session, and I’ve been hearing great feedback. The change in the leadership team’s behavior, even since just last week, is noticeable. The executive team and I have literally had people coming up to us all week talking about how excited they are for the future, how they believe in where we are headed, and thanking us for what’s being done. As a business leader, this time period is truly a career highlight for me. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Our customer service manager of 21 years stated that this training was the best and the most relevant class she attended in her career.”

“Thank you Kate, Chris, and Kathy! It was a pleasure working with you, and thank you for providing some valuable insights for our SES!”

“WOW – where do I begin!? Working with you both has been an outstanding experience throughout the entire process. Your flexibility from first contact was very valuable – we appreciate your willingness to participate in multiple teleconferences to align with KMG.

Your ability to link KMG’s message and philosophies to the lessons is what set you apart from your competitors.

Kate’s energy and willingness to meet as many of the attendees as possible and her ability to quickly build a rapport with folks established credibility and a safe environment. Everyone valued the ‘informalness’ of the key note.

The Tuesday workshop was phenomenal! I saw people taking notes that I never would have imagined would be engaged.

Fantastic result overall – thank you so very much!”

“Laurie, as always, was AMAZING!”

“I liked that fact that we were kept busy – it never got boring.”

“Great performance by Shawn! Shawn Doyle is a great presenter, and teaches you just by presenting himself.”

“Board presentation went well. ”Excellent” according to our chairman. Thanks for your training.”

“Pamela Sumner is professional, warm, and highly educated. Her style translates to small groups as well as large formal settings. She is definitely an asset to BTW.”

“Kate rhymes with great, and that’s what she was.  This was a great class and Kate was the best. We recommend her every time. I took this class years ago with her and she makes the information stick.”

“Pamela was amazing and extremely personable. She made the groups feel very comfortable during the training.”

“I LOVED Kate. She was an incredible speaker and her ability to educate is a show stopper. Learning about my own communication style was invaluable and I truly believe that I am going to use this information for the rest of my professional career.”

“Eduardo was an excellent facilitator. I took so much with me to apply to my job responsibilities that will enhance my thinking as I resolve difficult callers and issues. Eduardo was very interactive with the group and had excellent ideas to promote thinking and participation. He is the greatest facilitator I have ever worked with!”

“Everyone really enjoyed it and came away with tools to help them be a stronger leader! Thank you, Greg!”

“Greg Jones was a DYNAMITE presenter! He was fun, knowledgeable, and engaging and had our large group of 50+ people laughing and participating right up until the 5:00 PM end time. I am always impressed when a facilitator can keep a group engaged and involved WITHOUT using PPT and Greg did just that with his handouts, flip charting, storytelling and mixing up activities at table groups, teams, and with partners. We would love to have him back!”

“I wasn’t sure what to expect and found it to be awesome. I am in business development and while I consider myself to be somewhat refined/savvy, I walked away with so many things to up my game while with clients and the number one lesson and tie back point is that it is 100% about making the client feel comfortable and special. What we do, how we act, how we present ourselves all feeds into that and our ultimate success as sales professionals.”

“A pleasure doing business with Business Training Works on our seminar.”

“We had an amazing day today! Everyone I spoke to during the day today said they were really enjoying the session (as did I). Charlie did a fantastic job. Thank you both for a great experience!”

“Stefanie was upbeat, engaging, and relatable. She even kept the momentum going through an unexpected room change towards the end of our session. My colleagues cannot stop commenting how amazing the training was, and we are energized to put our new skills to work. Rave reviews all around!”

“Shawn was an excellent facilitator. After our class he took the time to look over the questions we use during our interview and provided positive feedback. I highly recommend Shawn and this course, ‘How to Interview and Hire Well’.”

“We cannot thank Stefanie enough for the fabulous presentation she delivered to our reception staff and directors of housing. We had plenty of great feedback from fellow colleagues regarding the presentation, and we’ve already had individuals implementing information they learned from the presentation. We sincerely appreciated all of Stefanie’s hard work delivering a quality presentation to a diverse group of individuals.”

“Phillip was a great presenter. He kept the class moving forward and kept us all engaged and participating. We all got a lot out of the training and hope to have him back again for follow up.”

“Myla was very professional and brought subject matter expertise to the training. My team really respected her and had nothing but positive things to say about her.”

“Phillip was engaging and professional. I had many people who were in the session tell me that they enjoyed it.”

“Greg was awesome! Very informative and interactive. He got rave reviews from the participants.”

“Phillip, you are the best! Loved every minute and the fun interactive aspect of our workshop exceeded my expectation. Looking forward to the LA workshop next month.”

“Kate was a refreshing start to 2020! Very energetic and captivating the entire session. Moments of reflection, laughter, and engagement made this a great FLAG kickoff to the year!”

“Thomas Farley’s facilitation of the storytelling module was very engaging and effective. He started the session telling his own story. He asked participants to share their stories, and he respectfully critiqued them using this technique as a teaching tool.”

“The workshop was appreciated very much, and you (Stefanie) were indeed a big hit. Thank you for all your support and value you brought this team. I look forward to another opportunity to work with you, you were an absolute delight.”

“Business Training Works made this project extremely easy for me. Not only did they customize content for us, but they delivered it well and provided a great train-the-trainer session. It was truly an effortless experience for us!”

“I heard a lot of positive feedback and several people approached me about your contact info for following up. I know we had a short amount of time for the training but I know I found it valuable and I think the rest of the group did too.”

“I would like to say that yesterday was simply amazing. Our team is very happy with the training and the content that was presented. Thomas was exactly who we needed to address our etiquette training needs. Our team was receptive and the activities were fun and engaging. I would definitely recommend Thomas to anyone looking to enhance their team with etiquette training.”

“I have been in several training sessions, and I have to say this has been the best one. We were all engaged in the topics. Regina’s materials were relevant to our jobs. She started on time, and the time flew by.”

“It was a pleasure to work with Charlie last week. He was fantastic, and I have received great responses from the participants about the training!”

“We also appreciate how well prepared you (Phillip) are, and that the subject matter is addressed in substantive way that has real impact. Your style has that special something that really engages people.”

“Yesterday’s workshop was both thoroughly enjoyable and tremendously beneficial. From all accounts, it was a productive, engaging, and substantive experience from which participants were able to glean significant professional insights and lessons for best practices in their field.”

“Thank you for yet another great presentation. Myla was wonderful and our team really appreciated the opportunity to work with her.”

“In each of the sessions that ZMC has hired Business Training Works, I have learned something new — even with the same topic. This is the 10th session we have scheduled, and we always ask for Shawn.”

“I just wanted to send out an email to express our appreciation for the service that Greg provided. He was a very motivated and inspirational speaker. We really, and I seriously mean this, enjoyed him. We are going to adapt some of our training procedures to fit his suggestions.”

“Pamela did a great job of engaging our participants in the training. They all had very positive feedback about the day and Pamela specifically. She was approachable and easy to relate to and was able to illustrate the points in a way that the team understood.”

“As I sit here listening to Laurie, I am thinking that we couldn’t have asked for a better facilitator!!! Wanted to say a quick thank you for your exceptional “customer service” in dealing with us.”

“Stefanie is knowledgeable, credible, fun and engaging as a facilitator.”

“Pamela was very engaging. The training was well presented and held the group’s attention. The feedback I got from my staff was that it was useful not only in work but in their personal lives as well.”

“It was a positive experience to have this training, very useful to understanding myself as a provider and patients. Laurie was engaging as a speaker. I learned to approach patient care differently seeing patients as different and not “difficult.” I took away key points and different strategies to use in my interactions with patients, just a matter of finding the time to make adjustments and implement these changes.”

“The training was amazing! Everyone was enthusiastic and we learned so much. They’re already asking when you’re coming back. You are a true gem!!”

“Laurie McIntosh brings her personal experience into the training which was invaluable.”

“I’m usually quiet in group discussions, but I enjoyed this course so much, I participated quite a bit.”

“We did enjoy the class and yes, I am excited to work with you to bring in more. Charles is a great teacher, I would like to have him teach them.”

“Pamela is awesome. She has that perfect blend of knowledge, credibility, and personal skills to deliver very effective training across a wide variance of personalities.”

“Pamela was a gem! We really enjoyed it. The one main piece of feedback I got was they wanted more time.”

“I wanted to reach out to you regarding Phillip and what wonderful experience it was for our teams to have him as our facilitator for the team building and cross-cultural communication course last Friday. He’s a very talented and engaging trainer, and he was able to get even our toughest employees to participate. Everyone really liked Phillip and enjoyed the course.”

“The team was quite impressed with your materials and more importantly delivery style. I feel like we all took something positive away from the course which is all I can ever ask for.”

“Both sessions went great. They were informative and very interactive and Myla was able to engage the participants throughout the entire presentation. She is a wonderful instructor!”

“The course was high-quality, first-class, first-rate, superior, fine, excellent and hence forth.  Charles’ way of teaching was pleasant, exceptional, superb, and commendable. My department will speak well about this course for a while. Thank you so much for the quality of training and attention to detail. We are excited to use the tools created by zombies. However, in all seriousness the course was facio delicias and nuntiisque (fun and informative in Latin). I look forward to using your company in the future.”

GOVERNMENT WRITING TRAINING COURSE . CLASS . WORKSHOP . SEMINAR . PROGRAM

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Writing a federal government resume

This page provides an overview with examples of how to write a federal government resume, which have content and formatting that differ from most private sector resumes.

How to write a Federal resume

Written by , external, Amanda Costello , 18F content designer and gummi bear enthusiast, July 10, 2019.

Writing a US federal resume is hard. When I started writing mine, all I wanted was a solid example. What needs to be there, in what order, and what would it look like with real information. This is that example. ( Law and Order chimes )

Below are excerpts from my federal resume, along with details and notes about how it’s written and formatted. I want more awesome folks from all backgrounds and experiences as colleagues. I don’t want the resume formatting or particulars to be a mystery; it’s already a very challenging piece of writing.

General things to keep in mind:

  • This resume’s job is to connect the requirements of the job posting to your experience using the straightest possible line . I printed out the job posting and highlighted every key phrase of the requirements, qualifications, and what kind of work this job would do. I then made that into a checklist to make sure each one of those things could clearly be mapped to my resume.
  • Throw out your formatting. I used CAPS for headers, italics for mission statements, and bullet points. Expect that the bulk of your formatting will be stripped out. No columns, no fanciness. Just write. Hard.
  • Speaking of writing: get your words going, and then get more words. I had to submit two writing samples, and that was where I could show off my content strategy particulars. Remember the job of the resume content: clear, straight lines between the requirements and your experience.
Explicit disclaimer: This resume format is what I chose to use in applying to 18F in the US Federal Government’s General Services Administration. It is not the only acceptable format, but is what worked well for me. I currently work as a content designer at 18F, but put this together on my own time, using no government resources to do so. Using this formatting is not a guarantee of consideration. You still gotta do the work.

Want to chat more about this? I’m on Twitter: , external, @amandaesque

My comments below will all be in code demo backticks .

And now, the resume!

Everything about this top material is standardized formatting. Go ahead and put your own info in just like this.

AMANDA COSTELLO 123 Lutefisk Street You Betcha, MN 55555 Mobile: 555-555-5555

Email: Availability: April 1, 2020 Job Type: Permanent, Telework Work Schedule: Full-Time

Desired locations: United States - MN

WORK EXPERIENCE

Below is an example of one job, and how I talked about it. I recommend listing as complete of a job history as you can for at least the last 7 years, more ideally the last 10 years. Here's a formatting example!

Workplace name, Unit name if relevant - City, State, Country Your job title - MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY - Hours per week: xx

Mission statement(s) of the workplace, or summary of the company’s work on a larger scale.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A paragraph-long description of what the work was overall. Describe your work using a wide scope, leaving the specific details for later.

SPECIFIC TOPIC (e.g. CONTENT STRATEGY)

  • Examples are in a bulleted list, each point describing a project or part of a project, or a piece of work that fits the heading, plus matches up with the qualifications/reqs.
  • I chose to start each bullet with a past tense verb (Collaborated, Wrote, Managed, Edited), because that’s how I usually write resumes.
  • Some of these bullets reference specific things I wrote, and those were included as writing samples with my application.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Software you know, tools you use, best practices and methods. This can’t just be a list, but has to have context in your work overview of how and why they were used. Also, please throw Microsoft Word on there because I was once rejected from a job in 2007 because I put “Microsoft Office” and the listing said “Microsoft Word.” Word matching! Seriously!

SELECTED WORK:

  • Another bulleted list, this time of URLs related to work I did.
  • They had quick little blurbs underneath about what they were, and what I did.
  • Photos won’t come through on this resume, so no screenshots or anything.

End of formatting example!

University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development - Minneapolis, MN Lead Content Strategist - 07/2012 to Present - Hours per week: 40

The mission of the College of Education and Human Development is to contribute to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. The college is part of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, a land-grant high-level research institution, dedicated to generating and preserving knowledge through research, sharing that knowledge through teaching and learning, and apply that knowledge through outreach and public service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Developed and led college-wide content strategy combining current and prospective student needs with college goals for recruitment and retention. Worked as a member of a cross-functional team including designers, developers, business analysts, marketers, and well as content strategists across 7 academic departments to promote and deliver effective processes and consistent content strategy.

CONTENT STRATEGY:

  • Collaborated with college academic departments, research centers, student support offices, and senior leadership to develop a “bottom up” content strategy, prioritizing student needs based on their relationships with academic programs. Assessed content through the lens of recruitment and retention.
  • Wrote “Stakeholder’s Guide To Launch,” a two-page reference for the launch of a new college website. By anticipating the top questions stakeholders might field, this guide gave talking points surrounding new features, along with contacts for further questions.
  • Served as strategist, editor, and project manager for regular essay series on college diversity and inclusion work, written by academic leadership. This generated authentic, meaningful content and helped stakeholders better understand the time commitment involved in content production.
  • Established user-centered college voice and tone guidelines, using “A, but not B” format. This was informed by close work with students in formal and informal usability testing, and brand sort activities with college leadership and key stakeholders.

USER EXPERIENCE (UX) WRITING:

  • Combined findings from user research, new graduate student interviews, faculty and researcher focus groups, higher ed industry trends, and analytics to consolidate more than 600 areas of academic research expertise into 111 categories. Categories were deployed across the college for consistent organization and increased findability of research work.
  • Developed strategy and standards to categorize and sort 127 academic programs and 111 areas of research expertise. This was incorporated into two web-based tools developed in-house and allowed students to explore college offerings and expertise independent of department. Wrote and edited descriptions for each area, capped at 25 words to promote ease of reading and top-level understanding.
  • Planned, edited, and delivered a “Web Writing Best Practices” guide for college content strategists. Formatted as a “one-pager” for printing and pinning up as a reference, this collected links to and recommendations from external tools and guides (Hemingway, 18F, King County Editorial Guide), internal editorial recommendations from the university and college, and voice and tone particulars. Strategists often felt intimidated and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of recommendations connected to good web content; this guide promoted four starting points to improve content: addressing the user (you/your/yours and we/our/ours), employing structured content, concise writing, and using plain language.

USABILITY TESTING AND USER RESEARCH:

  • Led and managed annual process of web usability testing, including project kick-offs, stakeholder workshops, scenario development, task analysis, lab and field-based testing, issues analysis, research and recommendation presentations to project team members, key stakeholders and college senior leadership.
  • Helped subject-matter expert teams and stakeholders understand their users through research and usability testing methods, defining problems and crafting effective solutions based on both quantitative and qualitative data.

COLLABORATION ON CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS:

  • Contributed to responsive redesign of college website by conducting a content audit, editing student-facing content for an overall 75% file reduction, and migrating updated content to custom-built CMS. Collaborated with design and development teams to create comprehensive style guides, pattern library interface copy.
  • Convened monthly “coworking days” among all college web professionals, bringing us together as a team of peers for a day of training, collaborative problem solving, idea sharing, and camaraderie. Set programming, mentored colleagues on presentations, and collected feedback to regularly adjust how our central content strategy was best supporting the specific work of the departments.

ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH:

  • Advocated for content strategy best practices to over 30 University departments by regularly meeting with peers and presenting to leadership stakeholder groups. Promoted clear, consistent, user-centered writing from all contributors, even those who don’t identify as “web people,” and facilitated collaboration across organizational silos to increase efficiency and support.
  • Consulted with faculty and staff in academic departments outside the college that frequently contributed to content strategy. Regular guest lecturer and student mentor in the Writing Studies program.
  • Contributed as one of four subject matter experts to the University of Minnesota’s Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, recommending resources and structuring process for the centrally-maintained system to help contributors at all levels improve content writing and strategic thinking for the web.
  • Frequently presented at local Twin Cities-based tech meetups, translating content strategy best practices to adjacent fields such as front- and back-end development, UX research, accessibility, interactive design, and marketing.

Provided strategic content design with skills in copywriting, style guides, plain language, comprehension/reading levels. Conducted usability evaluations using card sorting (OptimumSort), tree testing (Treejack), direct observation user research methods. Worked on a cross-functional team that used Asana, Trello, Slack, Hemingway, pattern libraries, Google Drive, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), and semantic HTML.

  • CEHD Academic Programs, www.cehd.umn.edu/programs Developed content and structure for directory/sorting tool
  • CEHD Research & Expertise, www.cehd.umn.edu/topics/ Created new content structure around college research, including categories and descriptions
  • UMN Content Strategy Self-Help Guide, , external, z.umn.edu/csmap Subject matter expert for update to university-wide guide

VOLUNTEER WORK

Your volunteer work doesn’t count as experience for scoring, but is still good to include. I used a format similar to the work experience job entry above, though used the bulleted list format for duties and responsibilities, and shortened everything up.

MinneWebCon Annual Conference - Minneapolis, MN - www.minnewebcon.org Conference Director - 10/2011 - 06/2015

MinneWebCon is a two-day web conference in Minneapolis that encourages inclusive grassroots knowledge-sharing. In addition to keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and half-day workshops, our annual conference is a space for speakers and attendees to collaborate, talk, learn, ask, test, and grow.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Directed volunteer-run tech conference for 200+ annual attendees, bringing local and national speakers to the Twin Cities web community.
  • Oversaw event logistics, speaker recruitment and support, partnerships and sponsorships, promotion, and attendee experience with conference committee support and input.
  • Introduced speaker mentoring program, pairing conference speakers with an experienced mentor to review slides, practice presentations, and provide support.
  • Expanded conference to two-day event in 2012, adding half-day workshops to meet attendee demand for deeper learning.

SELECTED SPEAKING AND PRESENTATIONS

I do a lot of presentations and workshops, and they’re a big part of who I am and how I share my work with the community. This is a shortened list to show you what examples look like, including upcoming talks. Like volunteer work, this does not count towards experience scoring, and is optional.

My resume listed about 15 sessions that I thought were particularly relevant to this job. I also had sections on selected publications and selected podcast guest appearances, because those are cool too!

  • “How Silos Learn: Working in the Idea Factory,” closing keynote address - 08/2018 (scheduled) PSEWEB Conference - London, ON, Canada
  • “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 10/2018 (scheduled) edUi Conference - Charlottesville, VA
  • “Better Stakeholder Wrangling,” half-day workshop - 05/2018 Confab: The Content Strategy Conference - Minneapolis, MN
  • “Explain Anything to Your Boss & Grandboss,” closing keynote address - 05/2018 Manage Digital Conference - Minneapolis, MN
  • “How Silos Learn,” opening keynote address - 10/2017 Digital Project Management Summit - Las Vegas, NV

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN United States Bachelor's Degree MM/YYYY Major: English Minor: Japanese

You can add in particular awards or distinctions here too. I was not a particularly distinguished student. :)

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Language: Japanese Spoken Level: Novice Written Level: Novice Reading Level: Novice

This is totally optional. For each language you speak in addition to English, list the levels at which you speak, write, and read. More details: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/profile/languages/

Name: Super Awesomeboss Employer: University of Minnesota Title: The Best Boss Email: [email protected]

While I listed references on my resume, it’s not required. The hiring folks wouldn’t cold call your references, they’d ask you for their contact information later on in the process.

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Handbook.tts.gsa.gov

An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration

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Your career in the U.S. Federal Government starts with us!

Our independent federal resume writers and editors know exactly what federal job series specific “buzzwords” a federal resume should contain and know exactly how a federal resume should be formatted for virtually every federal occupational job series for good reason. Why? Unlike other federal resume writing services, Federal Resume USA® certified editors are actual senior level federal employees within the federal government! Our formula for success is simple – who better to help you write an effective federal resume to get you on the “cert” list to be interviewed for a federal position in the federal department or agency you desire, than someone who possesses specialized knowledge of the relevant federal application process.

No matter whether you’re currently a student, college graduate, private sector employee, current federal employee, professional, executive or member of the military transitioning to the federal civilian sector, our resume writers and editors are federal employment experts who know exactly how to customize your existing resume to get you past your competition, interviewed and hired.

Are you looking to transition out of the military into a federal job? The specific details of your military experience may be difficult to decipher for a federal civilian hiring manager. Our military-transition federal resume expert editors know exactly how to articulate why you’re the best candidate for the job from your Military Service Records (i.e., DD Form 214, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, and other Military personnel records). Enjoy the highest quality military transition federal resume and military resume cover letter services available and score an interview in today’s ultra-competitive federal job market.

Become one of the thousands of federal applicants that find success with Federal Resume USA®.

FREE FEDERAL RESUME UPDATING AND REVISING FOR LIFE!

As a Federal Resume USA® customer, you’ll never have to pay us or another federal resume writing service again to update or revise your federal resume. Ever!  We’ll take care of it for you, at no additional charge.

As a Federal Resume USA® customer, you get an unparalleled advantage over the competition. Federal Resume USA® understands it’s not always what you know, but who you know that counts. No one knows the federal government like Federal Resume USA® certified federal resume writers.

Invest your money wisely; put the proven power of Federal Resume USA® federal resume services to work for you!

Federal Resume USA® writes effective USAJOBS®-Compliant federal resumes with the right “buzzwords” for any USAJOBS® advertised federal position in any of the U.S. Government departments, agencies and bureaus. We specialize in helping the following federal job seekers below:

professional writing for government

The  Military to Civilian Occupation Translator  will help you match your military skills and experience to civilian occupations for us to create the best military to civilian resume for you for any private sector job –  free of charge  – CEO, Federal Resume USA® – our way of saying  THANK YOU for serving!

professional writing for government

“Our certified federal resume writers’ hearts are in the right place. We have the nation’s MOST QUALIFIED group of expert Federal resume writers. All our editors are experienced current senior level federal government employees with hiring experience and expertise in every federal job series” –  CEO, Federal Resume USA®

professional writing for government

Your career in the  U.S.  Federal Government starts with us!

Our independent federal resume writers and editors know exactly what “buzzwords” a federal resume should contain and know exactly how a federal resume should be formatted for virtually every federal occupational job series for good reason. Why? Unlike other federal resume writing services, Federal Resume USA® certified editors are actual senior level federal employees within the federal government! Our formula for success is simple – who better to help you write an effective federal resume to get you on the “cert” list to be interviewed for a federal position in the federal department or agency you desire, than someone who possesses specialized knowledge of the relevant federal application process.

Are you looking to transition out of the military into a federal job? The specific details of your military experience may be difficult to decipher for a federal civilian hiring manager. Our military-transition federal resume expert editors know exactly how to articulate why you’re the best candidate for the job from your  Military Service Records  (i.e., DD Form 214, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, and other Military personnel records). Enjoy the highest quality military transition federal resume and military resume cover letter services available and score an interview in today’s ultra-competitive federal job market.

As a Federal Resume USA® customer, you’ll never have to pay us or another federal resume writing service again to update or revise your federal resume. Ever! We’ll take care of it for you, at no additional charge.

Here’s How To Get Started

professional writing for government

2. After placing your order online, our patented resume retrieval system will enable you to easily upload your current resume, relevant military records, multiple USAJOBS® vacancy announcements and any additional information safely and securely thru SSL encryption  (all personally identifiable information (PII) is automatically encrypted) . If you do not have a specific USAJOBS® vacancy announcement in mind, simply let us know what your federal career goals and objectives are at the upload page and your assigned lead editor will contact you to get additional information to develop one (1) comprehensive federal resume for you to use to apply to multiple federal positions in which you are best qualified based upon your experience.

3. The appropriate Federal Resume USA® certified federal resume writer with specialized knowledge of your target federal job series, agency and position is then immediately assigned to your customer account. Your assigned lead editor will contact you within 24 hours and work with other editors assigned to your account to create an effective custom-tailored federal resume for your identified target USAJOBS® vacancy announcements and federal job series. Your assigned lead editor is an invaluable federal resource who is there to answer your federal job application and interview questions.

4. Your assigned lead editor will communicate with you throughout the development of your federal resume package.  It’s fast and easy!

5. When you receive your Federal Resume USA® federal resume package via email, your expert federal resume writer will provide you with easy to follow step-by-step instructions to ensure timely receipt of all your federal resume application documents.

6. Once you’re a Federal Resume USA® customer we properly update and revise your federal resume for  FREE  for life! Only Federal Resume USA® offers this invaluable free lifetime service.

Who we've worked with

USAGOV

What clients say

V.C.

All federal resume writing services come with the following complimentary services, ABSOLUTELY FREE:

All Federal Resume USA® federal resumes are keyword optimized to improve results for documents uploaded to USAJOBS®.

New Lifetime KSA and Occupational Questionnaire Creation included with every online federal resume order.  Limited Time Offer ( Never write another KSA or USAJOBS® Occupational Questionnaire narrative again! )

New Free Military Spouse Resume included with every online federal resume order.  Limited Time Offer

Normal turnaround time 3 to 5 days from date of order (7 days a week) with expedited (same day) service available for rush orders .

Call Website Customer Service 24hrs a day/7 days a week

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Federal HR Institute

The Federal HR Institute (FHRI) is a central hub for federal HR practitioners’ development. Courses are designed by federal HR experts to continuously develop HR specialists from entry- through senior-level positions. FHRI’s curriculum is designed for the federal HR workforce to both advance individual growth and development and build organizational capacity and competence. 

All courses offered by the Federal HR Institute (FHRI) can be taken individually or delivered as agency cohorts (in person or online). FHRI provides government-to-government solutions for individuals from any agency and for organizations through inter-agency agreements or government purchase cards.

FHRI’s courses span across functional areas of federal HR and are aligned for employees from GS-5 to GS-15. The FHRI program improves employee performance and supports successful execution of agency’s human capital management services.

Register Now

  • View our course schedule

Download information to take with you

  • Federal HR Institute Fact Sheet

Programs of Study

FHRI course objectives and activities support mastery of core HR competencies throughout the HR career path. Course are offered from introductory and entry level through strategic learning initiatives. This continuum of learning provides opportunities for career development and advancement in the HR field.

The curriculum is based on career mapping for HR practitioners and analyses of required competencies developed by cross agency collaboration of federal HR subject matter experts. View the Curriculum Map.

Programs for Agencies

All courses, including Delegated Examining training and certification, can be taken individually or delivered as agency cohorts (in person or online). FHRI provides government-to-government solutions for individuals from any agency and for organizations through inter-agency agreements or government purchase cards.

Contact us to learn more about solutions for your agency.

Sample Curriculum - Staffing

*Delegated Examining requires supervisory and sponsoring federal agency approval

Delegated Examining Certification

Delegated Examining (DE) authority is an authority OPM delegates to agencies to fill competitive civil service jobs through a competitive process open to all U.S. citizens, including current employees. HR practitioners involved in DE activities can validate their skills and knowledge through the OPM's Delegated Examining Certification Program, administered by the Federal HR Institute.  

Delegated Examining Certification Program

DE certification is typically completed in three phases: 

  • OPM’s Delegated Examining training course
  • On-the-job experience (recommended 90-day minimum)
  • Certification assessment

Both DE training and certification require supervisory approval with a sponsoring federal agency. 

DE Training Course: 

OPM’s Delegated Examining (DE) training course develops critical competencies for HR specialists to successfully execute DE activities, including conducting job analyses; accepting and processing applications; adjudicating veterans' preference; rating and ranking candidates; applying category rating procedures; and certifying eligibles. The training content includes learning content and workplace simulation through virtual instructor-led training over five days. 

DE training is not required but is highly recommended to support development of critical competencies and knowledge. 

View the current DE training schedule .

DE Certification Assessment:

The DE assessment can be purchased separately or bundled with the training course. The assessment can be taken in a remote proctored session or at an in-person facility. Upon successful completion of the DE assessment, the HR specialist is certified in DE activities for a period of three years before recertification is required.

Additional DE Resources:

General program information:.

  • Delegated Examining Certification Preparation Toolkit: a two-page guide with essential information to prepare for OPM’s DE Certification Program.
  • Delegated Examining Certification Program Guide : an eight-page document outlining OPM’s DE Certification Program.
  • DE Frequently Asked Questions

DE Training Course Information:

  • Delegated Examining Training Course: Capstone Exercise Participant Guide : a 70-page document with instructions and sample documents for participants completing the DE Training Course’s capstone exercise.

DE Assessment Information:

  • Delegated Examining Assessment: Information Sheet : a two-page document about the DE certification assessment procedures and topics.
  • Delegated Examining Assessment: Sample Questions : a one-page document with three sample questions to illustrate the content of the DE Certification Assessment.
  • Delegated Examining Certification Checklists for Employees and Supervisors and Engagement After Failure | CHCOC : a two-page document outlining the process after a participant fails the DE Certification Assessment.

DE Handbook:

  • OPM's Delegated Examining Operations Handbook : a 318-page Delegated Examining guide for federal agency examining offices.

For more information, contact [email protected].

The FHRI team has extensive expertise, experience, and knowledge in policy, service, oversight, and evaluation; training and development; and HR processes and policy. As a result, FHRI’s curriculum is designed, developed, and delivered in dynamic and enriching ways to build HR knowledge and skills across the Federal Government

Our decades of experience and dynamic partnerships give immediate value to participants. We partner with the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council and its network of agency subject matter experts throughout course development. Similar to the competency modeling and career mapping, these partnerships ensure an exceptional participant experience.

Contact us for questions about courses, partnerships, or solutions for your agency.  

1900 E St NW, Washington, DC 20245

202-418-4252

HR Training: [email protected]

Delegated Examining : [email protected]

  • Best 5 Federal Resume Writing Services (2024)
  • Federal Resume Guide
  • Resume Writing Help

Last Updated on 12/26/2023

Federal agencies provide professional writers with stable and stimulating work. Landing a federal job, however, means that you need to navigate a bureaucratic process that requires a special type of resume. A simple list of federal jobs and dry descriptions of duties will be easily rejected, especially for competitive positions that require extensive technical knowledge and experience.

To put forward the best professionally written federal bio, you must show that you clearly meet the job criteria. Federal resume experts can help you accomplish this. They fine-tune CVs for job seekers to reflect the standards used by government hiring managers.

Many companies serve people who want to outsource resume writing. Some of the top-rated federal resume writing services cater specifically to people who apply for federal government jobs . A well-crafted bio might succeed at advancing your career if it appeals to busy potential employers or recruiters who must follow rigid criteria.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Survive Software Screening
  • 2.1 Is Employing a Resume Writing Service for a Federal Resume Really Necessary?
  • 2.2 Federal Resume Writing for USA JOBS
  • 3.1 How Much Does a Federal Resume Writing Service Cost?
  • 3.2 Which Payment Methods Do USAJOBS Resume Writing Service Accept?
  • 4 Choosing a Professional Federal Resume Writer

Survive Software Screening

In addition to standing out for human eyes, job candidates these days must contend with software screening systems also known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) . A resume writing service might overcome this hurdle by including appropriate keywords and eliminating mistakes that trigger automatic rejection.

An investment in a federal job resume writing service could translate into years of fulfilling employment. As you search for the best service for your purpose, look for certified federal CV writers who can give you a competitive edge. Their rates are in line with reasonable prices associated with the quality of the writing process . Here is a federal resume writing services review list:

  • Find My Profession
  • Professional Resume Services
  • Turnaround: 4-7 business days
  • ATS compliance: Yes
  • Revisions: 2 rounds, 1 week
  • Turnaround: 3-5 business days
  • Revisions: Unlimited, 1 week
  • Cost: $695-$1095
  • Turnaround: Not indicated
  • Revisions: 2 rounds
  • Cost: $795-$1595
  • Executive Resume Package may vary from $2695 to $4295
  • Cost: $279-$479
  • Turnaround: 5 business days
  • Revisions: Unlimited, 30 days
  • Cost: $695-$1450

Always Hire a Certified Federal Resume Writers

To get the most from an investment in a custom resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile, stick with resume writing specialists. General document and translation curriculum vitae services might offer professional career history writing, but they are not human resource experts. The best resume writing services for your profession will exhibit up-to-date knowledge of current hiring practices.

This is particularly relevant for federal resume writing for veterans , who need help to tailor their resumes to compete for certain positions. Professional federal resume services understand the veteran’s preference and successfully integrate it into job history.  

Narrow your search by:

  • Asking a colleague, job coach, or staffing agency for recommendations.
  • Looking for recommendations in online groups.
  • Focusing on companies that share sample resumes.
  • Selecting companies that cater to your career niche.

Is Employing a Resume Writing Service for a Federal Resume Really Necessary?

When you write your cv, you’re thinking about it from your perspective. Federal bio writers flip the script and craft your information to meet the needs of hiring managers who must follow specific hiring guidelines. Professional federal resume writers will reverse engineer your qualifications and career goals to match highly detailed job description while remaining factual.

In fact, not tailoring your bio for each specific position is one of the most common reasons for not achieving any result after applying for dozens of federal job offers. It might easily cause you not even being rated as qualified for the position while you have been righteously confident about everything being done correctly on your part. If the applicant-tracking system does not recognize your application as corresponding to the keyword and format requirements, your chances of getting any response to recede to zero.

If you look up two different announcements with the same position title, you will notice that different words and phrases are used to describe the duties and requirements of the vacancy. Using the language of one specific announcement when writing your bio will work well only for the announcement in mind and might never get any response after being applied to other announcements albeit with the same title. Try thinking about this as speaking to a real person who, among numerous people shouting to them, is capable of noticing only those who answer their questions as accurately as possible.

Since so many details should be kept in mind when tailoring your bio for each specific vacancy, no wonder that so many experienced and qualified applicants cannot break through the very first evaluation stage. However, you can use this situation to your advantage and make sure that your resume has been refined to the extent of leaving all your less persistent competitors behind. Involving professional resume writing services in your endeavor could dramatically raise your efficacy level.

Do you want to build a winning resume in minutes? Impressive out-of-the-box resumes created by the most powerful and professional resume builder . Thousands of HR-approved resume templates. Real-time preview, pre-written bullet points and downloadable PDF and MS Word formats. Check out how you can improve your chances of getting hired!

Federal Resume Writing for USA JOBS

Very few applicants can go into depth about the federal hiring process and complete a compelling document. If you need professional assistance and an expert approach it’s easier to hire a USA Jobs resume writer with a deeper knowledge of career goals, resume types, strategies, and excellent writing skills.

Here is the guide on how to cope with the USA Jobs resume writing process and to present the relevant and necessary information.

Peruse the job posting to clarify whether you are a good fit. Pay attention to its specifications and the vital requirements, outlined in the most meaningful sections:

  • Duties, Responsibilities, and Qualifications;
  • How to Apply for (with the assessment questionnaire preview);
  • How Candidates Are Evaluated.

Your proficiency level, as well as education and training, should strictly conform to those set out in the posting.

3 Important Things to Mention

The work for the federal government requires expertise. Candidates should lay out their assignments confirmed with dates and competence. Add details to show you meet all vital requirements and can get under consideration by the federal recruiters. Here’s how:

Precise Listing Of Relevant Background.

Illustrate all related experiences from your previous workplaces at USA JOBS resume service as follows:

  • The dates of working periods in an MM-YYYY date format;
  • Amount of working hours per week;
  • Relevant duties and responsibilities with examples.

Demonstrating Volunteer Experience.

Mention not only paid activity but relevant volunteering experience, internship, and working for community organizations as well to showcase abilities to perform the job.

Displaying Your Work in Numbers.

Put a value of your duties in countable measurements. Use numbers, percentages, or money amounts to score under your achievements. Look up precise data and concrete terms at personal performance reviews, descriptions of your work, awards, or ask for recommendation letters. The best way to explicate the accomplishments is to include the following examples:

  • how much money you’ve saved/ earned/ managed;
  • how much time you’ve saved/ managed.

Expert Tips for Federal Resume Writing

  • Tailor the resume each time you apply for a federal government job. Be sure to highlight your accomplishments, excluding irrelevant details.
  • Use the exact terms from the job posting to let a hiring agency find the keywords and specific terms for the industry.
  • Make your document concise, clear, and easy to read and understand. Write in simple terms, keeping buzz words and acronyms out.
  • Use reverse chronological structure, bullets, and paragraphs.
  • Always check the correctness of your resume, and ask the experts to give feedback.

A reliable USA Jobs resume writing service can be the smartest investment in your career and a pass-ticket to successful federal employment.

Check multiple federal resume writing services reviews to select the most reputable service. Get a compelling and compliant federal resume for uploading at USA Jobs and find your fit in the Federal Government!

How to Choose the Best Federal Resume Writing Service?

A good tactic when evaluating any service provider is to send an email to customer support before buying anything. Judge the company by the promptness of its reply and quality of answers.

Seek answers to these questions:

  • Do the writers understand my profession?
  • Is there a work guarantee?
  • How do I communicate with the writer?
  • What are the turnaround times?
  • Are the prices reasonable?

To make the choice of a professional resume writer easier for you, we’ve made a short list of the most essential characteristics to serve you as a signal of whether the writer is worth your attention or not.

  • Professionally looking website providing information on fees, processes, guarantees, etc. in a usable manner.
  • Reviews about a satisfactory experience, especially those including credible details and relatively recent dates.
  • Previous resume samples available for your assessment before ordering any of their writing services.
  • Appropriate resume certifications, for instance, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Master Resume Writer (MRW), National Resume Writer’s Association (NRWA), etc.
  • Poor personal communication experience during the interview with the writer.
  • Cookie-cutter resumes not tailored to a specific industry, company, and position.
  • The tendency to exaggerate your qualifications, which might land you in a disadvantageous position during the government job interview .
  • No satisfaction guarantee to ensure the writer will continue working on your bio until you are 100% satisfied.

How Much Does a Federal Resume Writing Service Cost?

When addressing professional writing services providers, keep in mind that the average cost for federal resume writing services will vary depending on your desired position level. For instance, while ordering a professionally written GS 5/7 federal resume might cost around $400, the price for GS 15 federal government resume writing service can reach the $2800 mark.

This differentiation has a reason. The higher the position you are aiming at, the higher the requirements for the applicants are and the more scrupulous the assessment of the resumes is. In order to guarantee the best possible outcome, the professional writer working on your bio would need to deeply analyze both your work history and the vacancy details and then turn your bio into the most comprehensive answer to the hiring organization’s request. For higher level positions, this means bigger time and effort expenses, as well as greater professional resume writing expertise required.

Which Payment Methods Do USAJOBS Resume Writing Service Accept?

For your convenience, the major resume writing services accept the following forms of payment Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Maestro card and Wire Transfer.

Choosing a Professional Federal Resume Writer

You might be tempted to save money and hire cheap federal resume writers , but remember that you’re making an investment that could translate into a higher income for many years. The federal resume writer’s cost should reflect the length of federal work history, which can run as high as 10 pages and require extra labor beyond a regularly written career biography. Your writer will also understand the stringent formatting requirements for applying for federal government positions.

When screening a specific writer, ask about:

  • Trainings and certifications: Certified Expert Resume Writer (CPRW) and Master Resume Writer (MRW).
  • Strategies for your specific job application.
  • Membership in the National Resume Writers’ Association .
  • Language expertise.
  • Data generation and interview preparation.

Credentials given by the reputable resume writers organizations are a clear sign that you are entrusting a consequential and costly task to a proven professional, not a self-promoting amateur.

Nonetheless, impressive credentials should not be a reason for an instant choice of a writing service. One of the hallmarks of professional federal resume writing services is providing you with a clear and insightful picture of the whole process you are about to be engaged in. When addressing best federal resume service, you might often be offered a free evaluation of your existing bio and a detailed explanation of the stages in crafting your federal resume, time expenditures, and satisfaction guarantee methods.

Finally, be very considerate when evaluating your potential federal resume writer in terms of their experience in the field related to the position you want to apply for. Even if the writer does not have past work experience in the industry of your interest, he or she, should at least demonstrate an extensive portfolio of previously written resumes relevant to your work history and desired position. Also, the writer you choose should have a perfect knowledge of all the technical peculiarities of the applicant-tracking system functioning and be able to accomplish a deep keyword optimization of your bio.

Remember: Your professional reputation is on the line and your resume is the most crucial document in your career. You have to spend money to make money.

Related Articles:

  • How to write a resume for a federal job
  • How to write a cover letter for a government agency

professional writing for government

don’t you need a job announcement plus a current resume from the applicant before you can begin writing a federal USA JOBS resume?

Hi Wesley, You need to tailor each resume per each job announcement. Read more information on how to create a perfect USAJOBS account: https://federalresumeguide.com/how-to-create-account-on-usajobs-site/

professional writing for government

Hello and thanks for a great post! I would like to clarify one point though. I did not find information, do the recommended services provide creating the USAjobs account? What I’m trying to say, I saw similar packages as resume + cover letter or resume + Linkedin profile. But since we’re talking about writing federal resumes, can I order a resume + USAjobs account somehow?

Hi Jay, You should create a USAjobs account by yourself, it’s very easy. Check out the detailed instruction on the USAjobs website: https://usajobs.github.io/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/

professional writing for government

Great information! I am in the federal system and need to branch out from the position I currently hold. I have rewritten my resume many times and try to tailor it to the desired position. I’m an older worker still in the low GS scale having started with seasonal work. Can you recommend a writing/coaching service?

Hi Carol, You can choose any federal resume writing service that is listed on this page. Good luck!

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University Career Center & The President's Promise logo

Navigating USAJOBS & Introduction to Federal Resume Writing (02/20/2024)

Thumbnail-Navigating USAJOBS

Location : Virtual Event

Army Civilian Careers invites you to participate in a virtual informational session on federal resume writing, navigating USAJOBS website, including paid internships and fellowships in the federal government. We are a values-based community of nearly 300,000 federal civilian employees, much like those in other U.S. Federal Agencies, e.g., State, NASA, Commerce, Justice, and Education. These are strictly civilian positions.

Applying for employment on USAJOBS can be a challenging process, but we are here to help! In this session we will walk through the application process to include the questionnaire, discuss resume formats, preferences, required documents to include, and how to align your experience with the job qualifications. This class is designed specifically to help you develop your federal resume and address key areas in the job announcement to make you an eligible applicant. In this session we will cover:

• The Army Student Intern Program

• The Army Fellows Program

• How to create a USAJOBs account

• Applying for federal jobs

• How to navigate USAJOBS

• Application announcement information – what the words really mean!

• Beginning steps to writing a federal resume

Note: You may have to download the MS Teams app to participate. If you are on a mobile device, you may not be able to view the slides. Recommended to access session on a laptop or desktop.

Note: We are helping to promote this external event as it may be of value to the University community. However, this external event is not affiliated with the Career Center or the University of Maryland.

The University of Maryland actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunities. Organizations requesting services from the University of Maryland shall be equal opportunity employers in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. The University Career Center's policy of non-discrimination applies to all current and prospective employers participating or seeking to participate in University Career Center employment services or educational activities.

Register Here!

Event Type : Employer Events

Event Location : Virtual

Industry : Consulting, Finance, Operations and Entrepreneurship, Education, Human Services & NonProfit, Government, Policy, Law & International Affairs

How to Write an Email to Government Officials

In this article, we will equip you with the essential information and tools to compose an effective email to government officials. You will learn how to prepare before writing, what to include in your email, and even access a customizable template to get started.

To write an email to government officials, identify the correct official, gather relevant facts, outline your email content including salutation, introduction, body, call-to-action, and conclusion, then customize and send using a professional email template.

Table of Contents

What To Do Before Writing the Email

Before you start penning your email, there are a few steps you should take:

  • Identify the Right Official : Determine who is the most appropriate official to address your concern or issue.
  • Research : Look up the official’s position on the issue if available. This will help you tailor your message effectively.
  • Gather Facts : Collect all necessary information and facts about your issue. This will provide a strong foundation for your email.
  • Outline Your Email : Sketch a brief outline of what you want to communicate. This will guide your writing and ensure you cover all points.

What to Include In the Email

Your email should have the following sections:

  • Salutation : Begin with a formal salutation. Address the official by their correct title.
  • Introduction : Briefly introduce yourself and state the purpose of your email.
  • Body : Present your issue or concern, backed up with facts. Make sure your points are clear and concise.
  • Call to Action : Clearly state what you would like the official to do in response to your email.
  • Conclusion : Briefly summarize your points and express gratitude for the official’s time.

Email Template

Here is a customizable email template based on the details mentioned above:

Writing an effective email to a government official can be straightforward if you prepare well, include all necessary elements, and follow a clear structure. Remember to be respectful, factual, and clear in your communication. With these tips in mind, you are well-equipped to raise your voice and make a difference.

COMMENTS

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    Prudence Brown This module has been designed by Dr Prudence Brown, an expert in the field of writing for government. Dr Brown draws on more than 20 years of experience working for governments in the Northern Territory, Canberra and Queensland. She has worked at local, state and federal government levels, in a range of agencies.

  3. Home

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    General principles of writing provided for those who work for government, either as communications professionals or content specialists. GPO Style Manual Designed to achieve uniform word and type treatment and economy of word use in the writing and printing of U.S. government publications.

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  7. Federal Writing Boot Camp Training

    Course Overview This hands-on course will provide you with a complete review of the fundamentals. It is designed for those who are serious about improving their writing skills. There are numerous exercises to help you reinforce the lessons learned. Course Objectives Use different types of sentences and sentence structures.

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    Professional writing refers to writing that helps get work done in business, industry, government, non-profit, and civic settings. Whether it's a brief office memo or a complex technical report, professional writing is action-oriented and aims to solve problems within or between organizations and publics. While some professional writing is ...

  9. Professional Writing for Government

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    A Soldier's capacity to express ideas, desires, and goals in a clear and concise manner enhances the delivery of orders to those under their command. The higher an NCO advances in rank, the more they write. Situation reports, operations orders, point papers, personnel evaluations, professional award recommendations, counseling reports, and even ...

  11. Professional Writing Essentials for Government

    Overview. High impact toolkit to transform your writing skillset in government. • Make your written communication more impactful and engaging. • Write with confidence and build skills to write clearly and concisely. • Understand common writing mistakes and how to avoid them. • Plan and tailor your writing to your audience.

  12. Are you Interested in a Writing Job with the Government?

    The front page contains details of the registration process in three steps namely: Register with CCR Register with ORCA Obtain past performance evaluation Follow the three steps to get done with the registration process and get more opportunities as a freelance writer with the federal government.

  13. Professional, Technical Writing

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  14. Purpose and Audience

    Originally, the term white paper was used as shorthand to refer to an official government report, indicating that the document is authoritative and informative in nature. Writers typically use this genre when they argue a specific position or propose a solution to a problem, addressing the audience outside of their organization.

  15. Government Writing Training Course

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  16. Writing a federal government resume

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  17. Federal Resume Writing

    Let our certified federal resume writers make your federal resume stand out with the right federal occupational job series specific " buzzwords " for any USAJOBS® vacancy announcement. We work on federal resumes 7 days a week/365 days a year. Call (202) 731-0222 to order by phone 24hrs a day/7 days a week.

  18. How To Write a Government Resume (With Example and Template)

    Here are six steps on writing a government resume: 1. Provide your contact information. As with a regular resume, you include your contact information to introduce yourself. Start with your full name, current job title, phone number, email address and location. The hiring personnel may use this information to verify your identity.

  19. Eight Strategies to Improve Your Legal Writing

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  20. 9 Crucial Skills for Professional Writers

    7. Efficiency: It's surprisingly tricky to convey a lot of information using very few words. Being able to do so is one of the most valuable communication skills—either written or spoken—that a person can acquire. Lots of paid content writing, including newspaper reporting, copywriting, and paid blogging, involves strict word counts.

  21. Federal HR Institute

    Engaging Others for Effective Staffing. Delegating Examining Certification*. Practitioner. Effective Writing for the HR Professional-Staffing. Introduction to Staff Acquisition Activities in the Merit Promotion Process. Guiding Recruitment and Selection Activities-Workshop. Staffing Laws and Regulations. Introduction to Selection Activities in ...

  22. 5 Best Federal Resume Writing Services Reviews 2024

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  23. Navigating USAJOBS & Introduction to Federal Resume Writing (02/20/2024

    Army Civilian Careers invites you to participate in a virtual informational session on federal resume writing, navigating USAJOBS website, including paid internships and fellowships in the federal government. We are a values-based community of nearly 300,000 federal civilian empl

  24. How to Write an Email to Government Officials

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  25. Grammarly for Professionals

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