Written By: Michael Gardon | Edited By: Mike Jelinek
Looking for the quick answer? TopStack Resume is our top pick out of all the federal resume writing services. We think they’re the best resume writing service around and they offer specialized packages for federal resumes.
Applying for a job with the federal government requires a specific resume called a federal resume. A federal resume is quite different from a traditional resume. It’s much more complex and often requires particular information and formatting if you want it to be seen by the right people.
Because of its unique nature, not all resume writing services offer federal resumes. Keep reading to learn more about federal resumes, when it's a good idea to have one, and what companies provide the best federal writing services.
The 7 Best Federal Resume Writing Services in 2024
- TopStack Resume - Best Overall
- ZipJob - Best For ATS-Optimized Federal Resumes
- JobStars - Best Federal Resume Package
- TopResume - Best Free Resume Review
- Resumes Planet - Best For 24/7 Support
- USA Jobs - Best For Federal Resources
- Resume Place - Best For Federal Career Expertise
How Is A Federal Resume Different?
A federal resume is a specialized resume specifically for individuals who are applying for federal government jobs. This detailed resume is typically four to six pages long and often requires specific formatting depending on the particular government department or agency. When you write a federal resume, you need to include more information than on a traditional resume.
Length
A federal resume is typically four to six pages.
Detail
Federal resumes required more detailed career and educational information like your position title, job location, start and end date, average hours worked per week, and your responsibilities and accomplishments
Format
You’ll also include information about the job listing, like the job announcement number, job title, and job grade.
Additional Documents
Individuals like Veterans, former Peace Corps volunteers and those with a disability must provide documentation as proof when submitting a federal resume.
Full Reviews of The Best Federal Resume Writing Services
TopStack Resume - Best Overall
TopStack Resume is our top overall choice. TopStack Resume writers create custom federal resumes that will wow hiring managers and recruiters. They can also craft engaging cover letters and LinkedIn™ profile content. And, if you need some extra support during your job search, you can work with one of the company’s career consultants for guidance.
Where It Excels
TopStack stands out with their unique pay-after model. When you place an order with TopStack, you don’t need to enter a credit card number or any payment information. When your resume is complete, they will send you a link to review. At that time, you pay for your order if you are satisfied. No other resume writing service offers this unique pay-after option.
The pay-after option allows you to get started with TopStack risk-free.
TopStack Resume’s resume writing service follows a simple process. First, you’ll submit an online order form with details about your career goals and professional experience. You can also attach your current resume if you have one.
Then, your order will get assigned to a resume writer. You’ll work closely with your writer via email or phone until you’re satisfied with the progress made on your resume. Once you feel good about how it looks, you’ll pay for your order. Your writer will then make any final adjustments needed and send you the completed document.
Both the Professional and the Premium packages come with a 60-day interview guarantee. If you don’t receive any interviews within 60 days of purchasing your resume (and you’ve applied to at least ten jobs during that time), TopStack Resume will provide additional career guidance and application support to you for free. Plus, when you purchase one of these higher-level packages, you’ll get to work with one of the company’s most experienced writers.
TopStack Resume also gives back to the community. Five percent of the firm’s profits get donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free lodging to loved ones of hospitalized military personnel.
Where It Falls Short
While it’s reassuring to have some sort of guarantee when you buy a service, you won’t get your money back if your resume doesn’t help you land an interview. Plus, unless you pay extra to expedite your order, it can take up to two weeks to get your finished document. That timeline may not work for you if you need to find a new job ASAP.
Pricing
- Basic Resume Writing Package: $139
- Standard Resume Writing Package: $199
- Professional Resume Writing Package: $279
- Premium Resume Writing Package: $649
- Upgrade to Phone Communication with Writer: $25
- Resume Writing Expediting: $50
You can choose any package for a federal resume. When you fill out your order form, you can provide more information so that TopStack can assign the best writer for your situation and needs.
ZipJob - Best For ATS-Optimized Federal Resumes
Another top resume writing service for federal resumes is ZipJob. The resume company is known for the quality of its resume writing staff. As a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, they only hire the most qualified writers and coaches. ZipJob also offers a free resume review before signing up for a resume package.
Where It Excels
ZipJob offers tiered resume packages with three options based on the services you want. You can get a federal resume with all three package options. ZipJob also specializes in keyword optimization, so your federal resume passes ATS scanning software.
Not only do customers work one-on-one with an experienced resume writer, but customers also receive unlimited resume revisions until they are satisfied with the final product.
Where It Falls Short
ZipJob doesn’t publish its federal resume pricing on its site. You have to email ZipJob’s customer support to get information on its federal resume package. We emailed them and learned that a federal resume is $199.
Also, pay close attention to the specific services offered within each of ZipJob’s resume packages. ZipJob’s entry-level Launch resume package isn’t covered under its 60-day interview guarantee. Most of its competitors offer similar guarantees regardless of what package you choose.
Pricing
- Expert Resume Review: Free
- Professional Federal Resume: $199
- Launch Resume Service: $139
- Fast Track Resume Service: $189
- Premium Resume Service: $299
- Executive Resume Service: $799
JobStars - Best Federal Resume Package
JobStars offers a variety of resume writing services, including custom resumes for federal government careers. If you’re interested in working for the military or a government agency such as the Department of Education, NASA, or Veterans Affairs, you’ll need a federal resume. In addition to crafting your resume from scratch, JobStars also offers LinkedIn profile optimization, career coaching, mock interview prep, cover letter writing, resume refreshes, personal website creation, and more. The company provides an end-to-end federal job search assistance solution.
Where It Excels
JobStars understands that federal resumes require very specific documentation. When creating your federal resume, JobStars takes you through their process to piece together your employment history, academic credentials, publications, and more. Through your resume, the company will tell the story of your career in your voice, enticing hiring managers to learn more. JobStars promises to have the first draft of your USAJobs-compliant resume ready within five business days and provides a 30-day window for unlimited revisions.
Your federal resume also comes with a matching thank you letter and references list. That way, you’ll have what you need to land the interview and follow up afterward.Plus, you’ll have access to many job-related resources, like worksheets, guides, and exercises to help you navigate your career move.
Where It Falls Short
Unlike some of the other companies we reviewed, JobStars does not offer a free resume review. Additionally, many of the resume writing services on this list offer 60-day interview guarantees. JobStars only provides a 30-day window for edits.
Plus, since federal resumes are typically complex, the company doesn’t offer a rush service. While you will receive your first draft within five days of your initial consultation, you should allow at least two weeks between requesting service and needing a completed resume.
Pricing
Pricing for your federal resume depends on your career level. As you progress in your career, your resume becomes more complicated. More complex resumes come at a higher price because it takes JobStars longer to create them. The price also increases if you add on a service like LinkedIn Optimization.
- Federal Resume: $595-$1,595
- Bronze Resume Package: $495-$795
- Silver Resume Package: $650-$1,195
- Gold Executive Resume Package: $950-$1,495
- LinkedIn Profile Optimization: $250-$495
- A La Carte Career Coaching Sessions: $150-$595
TopResume - Best For Free Resume Review
Read the full Careercloud TopResume Review.
TopResume is one of the best companies for getting a professional federal resume. Outside of federal resumes, its three main resume packages have pricing based on the services offered, not career level like you find with many of its competitors. Customers also have the option of adding other services or purchasing them a la carte.
TopResume offers a free resume review. Get started by running your federal resume through their free review.
Where It Excels
TopResume understands the complexities involved in crafting the perfect federal resume. Not only do they provide a professional resume that will capture the attention of employers, but they also follow template guidelines required by many federal agencies.
Customers get to work one-on-one with an expert resume writer throughout the process, with a typical turnaround time of one to two weeks. The result is a federal resume optimized to highlight your best strengths and achievements while still compliant with government standards.
TopResume also offers a free resume review for customers who want an expert set of eyes to look over their current resume before signing up.
Where It Falls Short
TopResume doesn’t offer a full refund for any of its services. Yes, there is a 60-day interview guarantee for some packages. This only assures that customers will get one free rewrite if they don’t receive double the job interviews in 60 days.
Customers can use Affirm to make payments on a TopResume federal resume. Depending on the length of your terms, however, you could end up paying costly interest charges.
Pricing
- Expert Resume Review: Free
- Professional Federal Resume: $159
- Professional Growth Resume Service: $149
- Career Evolution Resume Service: $219
- Executive Priority Resume Service: $349
Resumes Planet - Best For 24/7 Support
Read the full Careercloud Resumes Planet Review.
Resumes Planet is a full-service resume writing service. They have several resume packages available, including customized resume packages for specialized career paths. Options include entry-level, professional, executive, military, career change, and federal resumes.
In addition to resume packages, Resumes Planet offers a host of extra services for almost every need, including cover letters and e-cover letters, LinkedIn profile updates, Key Selection Criteria (KSC), and thank you and follow-up letters.
Where It Excels
Resumes Planet writers are experts at crafting federal resumes that are optimized to land interviews. All of its federal resumes are ATS-friendly, helping your resume get past tracking software and into the hands of hiring managers.
The resume writing service offers top-notch 24/7 customer support and includes an original cover letter. Customers also have direct contact with a dedicated federal resume writer throughout the writing process.
Where It Falls Short
Resumes Planet is one of the few resume writing services that doesn’t offer a free resume review. If you already have a federal resume, getting a free resume review can notify you of needed updates before you pay for writing services.
Many of the resume writing services on this list offer 60-day interview guarantees. Resumes Planet packages only come with a 30-day interview guarantee.
Resumes Planet offers tons of extra options along with its basic resume writing service. They also charge different prices based on the turnaround time. Navigating so many options can be overwhelming to many customers.
Pricing
- Entry Level Resume and Cover Letter: $135
- Professional Level Resume and Cover Letter: $175
- Executive Level Resume and Cover Letter: $225
- Military Level Resume and Cover Letter: $169
- Federal Level Resume and Cover Letter: $195
- Career Change Resume and Cover Letter: $199
USA Jobs - Best For Federal Resources
USAJobs.Gov is not a traditional resume writing service. The Federal Government’s official employment site, USA Jobs helps individuals find federal job openings. It’s part of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and is free to use.
The site is home to over 17,000 federal job postings each day, with over 900 new jobs posted daily.
Where It Excels
You won’t find resume writing services at USA Jobs. But what you will find is a plethora of resources and a USAJobs Builder that walk through writing a federal resume, including formatting, what to include, and what will help you stand out. They also offer free webinars to help you with your federal resume as well as the interview process.
Where It Falls Short
As a resume writing service, USA Jobs fails miserably, but only because it's not a resume writing service. Yes, the site offers tons of helpful tips and webinars on how to write a professional federal resume, but you are still left to do the work yourself.
Pricing
- Free
Resume Place - Best For Federal Career Expertise
Resume Place is a Baltimore-based resume writing service started by Federal Career Coach Kathryn Troutman. It was one of the longest-standing federal resume writing services around. Troutman alone has 30 years of experience in the field. Her team of 20 expert federal resume writers handles over 300 federal resumes per month. If you’re looking for a resume writing service with expertise specifically in federal resume writing, Resume Place is it.
Where It Excels
Few companies understand federal resume writing like Resume Place. Spend five minutes on its website, and you’ll quickly see that federal resumes aren’t an add-on service like some of its competitors. Federal resumes are Resume Place’s bread and butter, and it shows.
In addition to federal resume writing services, you can get one-on-one help through resume, career, and interview consultations. The site is also home to several career and resume books written by Troutman.
Where It Falls Short
While Resume Place is the go-to source for federal resume writing, it’s probably also the most expensive option. Resume writing rates are hourly and based on Federal General Settings (GS) classifications. Since you won’t know how long your resume will take, you could end up paying considerably more than other resume writing services charge.
Pricing
- Federal Resume Writing, GS 5 to 11: $140/hr.
- Federal Resume Writing, GS 12-13: $175/hr.
- Federal Resume Writing, GS 14,15, SES: $199/hr.
- Federal Resume 1 Hour Quote and Consultation: $190
- Federal Resume 2 hour Assessment, Mark-up, Coaching: $380
When Should You Use A Federal Resume Writing Service?
Federal resumes are complex and much longer than a professional resume. Using a federal resume writing service can save time and probably deliver a far superior resume than what you could create on your own. Here are some times when you should consider using a federal resume writing service.
When you’re not sure if your resume will pass ATS scans
Even the government has started using ATS to streamline its hiring process. Even with the right experience and training, your career could stall out before it begins if your resume can’t pass ATS scans. Federal resume writing services can list your education and training and carefully select keywords that lead to success through the ATS process. Your resume is less likely to get tossed in the trash when you use a federal resume writing service.
When you aren’t familiar with format requirements
Not only do you need to include the right keywords in your federal resume, but many government agencies have formatting requirements for resume submissions. You could find a free or inexpensive federal resume template online, but you still need to do the work and make sure it follows proper formatting. Federal resume writing services know the format better than anyone.
How To Select A Federal Resume Writing Service
How do you know which federal resume writing service to go with for your resume? The ones listed above are among the best, but each offers something different and might not fit everyone’s needs. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a federal resume writing service.
Writer Qualifications
Always start your search by looking at the people writing the resumes. Most resume sites list information about their writing staff. What criteria does the service use when hiring writers? Are they certified writers, and do they have experience writing federal resumes? Find the answers to these questions before you choose a resume service.
Additional Services
Does the resume writing service offer any additional services of value to go along with its resume writing? Many provide extra services like cover letters, LinkedIn profile reviews, and more. Find out what comes in the resume writing package and what costs extra.
Examples of Work
Because federal resumes are complex, find a service that shares examples of its work online. Many services have examples right on their site. If not, contact customer service and ask for samples before you sign up for anything.
How Much Does A Federal Resume Writing Service Cost?
Resume writing services vary greatly with pricing regardless of what type of resume you need. With that said, you can expect to pay at least $140 for a quality federal resume written by a professional writer. Many of the top federal resume writing services charge around $200 for this service.
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The Bottom Line
Because of the complexity of writing a federal resume, using a top service like the ones listed above is a good investment, especially if it leads to more job interviews and, ultimately, your next job. You can also check out other resume writing services If you need additional help listing your soft skills or have different resume needs.
