Federal & USAJOBS Resumes
Federal resumes aren’t scored like private-sector resumes. eCareer Design checks your resume against the exact qualification language in the job announcement — the same thing USAJOBS reviewers score against — before you submit, not after you get the notice.
No account required to start.
The most common outcome
“Eligible, Not Referred” means HR confirmed you meet the minimum qualifications — but when your application was scored and ranked, it didn’t make the group forwarded to the hiring manager. It’s one of the most common, most frustrating outcomes in federal hiring, and it happens to genuinely qualified people constantly.
Step 1
Add the job announcement, including the “specialized experience” and qualifications section.
Step 2
Use your existing background — the same info that powers your resume, cover letter, and interview prep.
Step 3
Get a match score showing where your real experience isn’t stated in the terms a reviewer is scoring against.
Does “Not Referred” mean I was rejected?
Not exactly — it means your application didn’t make it past the initial ranking to reach the hiring manager. It’s specific and often fixable for your next application.
Can eCareer Design write a federal-format resume for me?
eCareer Design helps you build and tailor your resume content and checks it against a specific job posting’s language — including federal announcements. You should still follow your target agency’s formatting guidance for length and structure.
Is this only for federal jobs?
No — the same resume match/tailoring tool works for any job posting. Federal announcements just tend to reward explicit, detailed matching more heavily than private-sector resumes do.
Want the full breakdown first? Read Why You Keep Getting “Eligible But Not Referred” for Federal Jobs.