Government Contract Specialist Resume Examples & Guide

Kellie Hanna, CPRW
By Kellie Hanna, CPRW, Career Advice Expert Last Updated: November 24, 2022
  • 30% higher chance of getting a job‡
  • 42% higher response rate from recruiters‡

Government Contract Specialist Resume Questions

1. How do you list certifications on your government contract specialist resume?

If you want to draw attention to your achievements, make sure they are relevant to the government sector and the position for which you want to apply. Put them in reverse chronological order at the end of your resume, after the education section. Put the name of the certification or award first, followed by the institution from where you earned it, and the year in which you received it.

2. How do you write an objective statement for a government contract specialist resume?

While a resume objective statement is still a great tool for first-time jobseekers, experienced candidates should use the professional summary instead. The professional summary serves as your chance to shine in just two to three sentences. It goes at the top of your resume, right after the header, but instead of dryly stating your career goals as you would in an objective statement, sell yourself and your skill sets. Start by stating who you are and what you have to offer. Illuminate your intangible strengths, discuss what value you bring to the table, and describe who you work for. Keep this section to no more than three sentences in length. Refer to the professional summary in this government contract specialist resume sample as a guide when drafting your document.

3. How do you optimize your government contract specialist resume for an ATS?

An ATS, or Applicant Tracking System, is a system that scans applications for relevant keywords. Documents that rank well get transferred over to the hiring manager, while those that don't rank as highly get archived. If you want to ensure that your application bypasses the ATS, there are a few tips you can use. For starters, don’t get fancy with your format. These systems like clean resumes, such as this government contract specialist resume sample. Use standard header titles ("Professional Summary," "Qualifications," "Work Experience," etc.). Review the job description for desirable skill sets and keywords, and use those phrases verbatim, especially in the qualifications section. Use industry jargon where appropriate. Finally, run your resume through a spelling and grammar checking system, as mistakes not only look bad, but they may not make it through an ATS.

4. How do you write the qualifications section of a government contract specialist resume?

Keep your qualifications section short and succinct. Use six to eight bullet points to draw attention to your most valuable talents and attributes. A good rule of thumb is to draw attention to skills listed in the job description. This will help your resume bypass an ATS and grab the attention of a human reader.

5. How long should a government contract specialist resume be?

Ideally, your resume should be no longer than one page. However, if you have between 10 and 25 years of experience, two pages would suffice. If you have 25 years or more of experience, you can get away with three pages, but at that point, you shouldn’t need three pages to sell yourself. Creating the perfect resume can be difficult. If you want to draft a winning resume such as this government contract specialist resume sample, use the resume builder. It comes with industry-specific text examples and step-by-step instructions.

Resume Text

Brad Penny
123 Fake Street
City, State, Zip Code
Cell: 000-000-0000
email@email.com 

Summary

Detail-oriented Government Contract Specialist with extensive experience working on the local, state and federal levels of government. Involved in the preparation and evaluation of a wide range of different types of contacts. Supervised a staff of contract specialists at a major federal agency.

Highlights

  • Highly proficient in contract law
  • Detail oriented
  • Excellent legal writer
  • Effective speaker
  • Efficient analyst
  • Effective team player

Work Experience

March 2010 to October 2012 Environmental Protection Agency
—City, State Government Contract Specialist

  • Oversaw team of 20 contract specialists at the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Drafted wide array of contracts, including those pertaining to land use restrictions and waterway utilization.
  • Oversaw review of all contracts entered into with the EPA.
  • Served as primary liaison between unit and agency administrative staff.

October 2012 to January 2014 Company Name
—City, State Senior Claims Adjuster

  • Established consolidated legal department for municipality.
  • Oversaw staff of five, including lawyers involved in contract preparation, review and analysis.
  • Negotiated contracts on behalf of all city departments.
  • Prepared and presented monthly reports to the Mayor and City Council.

January 2014 to Present Company Name
—City, State Government Contract Specialist

  • Managed legal department for California agency committed to maintaining a happy population.
  • Responsible for ensuring the proper vetting of all contracts presented to the agency.
  • Oversaw preparation of contracts between the department, other governmental agencies, business and individuals.
  • Lectured on the right of all citizens in California to happiness at conferences and conventions.     

Education

2009 University of California, City, State Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

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