As of September 29, all Federal resumes processed by USAJOBS will be limited to 2 pages per new OPM rules. This includes resumes stored in a job seeker's profile, newly uploaded resumes, resume builder resumes, and searchable resumes in the Agency Talent Portal. To ensure a smooth transition, there will be a two-day pause on USAJOBS from Saturday, September 27 through Sunday, September 28. Agencies will start posting new Job Opportunity Announcements (JOAs) on Monday, September 29. To address the new 2-page limit, leading Fed jobs expert Kathryn Troutman has revised her best-selling Federal Resume Guidebook as a new essential 8th edition to provide 16 sample resumes in a masterpiece, skills-based, 2-page format and more.
"Editing a longform Federal resume into 2 pages is a very difficult task," notes the author Kathryn Troutman. "But with the samples in the book, the Federal employee or Federal job seeker can select their favorite format and begin to write their own draft."
The resume samples include before and after formats to contrast the longform Federal resumes vs. the more succinct 2-page versions. In the former 5-page outline resumes, the critical skills and keywords were in ALL CAPS. Now they are in Upper and Lower Boldface. Easier to read in fewer pages. The new format features Professional Experience, Keywords, Competencies, Accomplishments, Education, Certifications, Volunteer Experience, Dates and the OPM-required compliance details, all in just two pages.
The biggest chapter in the book is "Maximize Accomplishments in 2 Pages." In this chapter, there are 30 accomplishment samples, both longform (around 100 words) and short form (about 30 words). "One of the most difficult parts of crafting any format resume is writing accomplishments, special projects, and problems solved," says Troutman. "Yet accomplishments are critical for success." Troutman's firm, Resume Place, offers a very helpful accomplishment writing tool, the CCAR (Context-Challenge-Actions-Results) builder.
Other features of the new 8th Edition include:
o Kathryn's introduction of AI search for 6 to 10 keywords / core competencies for each job announcement
o 7 cover letter samples (On the Resume Place website, there is also a Cover Letter Builder.)
o Individual chapters on Career Change and Information Technology resumes
The Federal resume has been longer than private industry resumes since its introduction in 1996. Kathryn wrote her 1st edition of the Federal Resume Guidebook that year, creating a format for the resume that became popular with job seekers and welcomed by Fed HR. There have been six additional versions of the book since then, with Kathryn fine-tuning the Federal resume format over time.
"The goal of writing a great 2-Page Federal resume is to get best qualified, then referred to a manager, then invited to an interview, and finally selected for your desired position," says Troutman. "The goal of this book is to help you achieve this success. Our 2-Page, Skills-Based Federal Resume format is also very good for 2-Page Private Industry Resumes."
The Federal Resume Guidebook, 8th Edition, is currently available as an eBook for $21.95 now on the Resume Place website. The print version can ship on September 10, 2025.
Author Kathryn Troutman has written and published more than 30 successful books on Federal Resume Writing over the last 20 years, becoming the No. 1 Author of Federal-resume books. Her firm, Resume Place, has provided resume and career support to Federal workers for over 30 years. A lively and informative media guest, Troutman regularly answers questions about Federal employment. More on the book, webinars, Troutman and consults at www.resume-place.com.