The difference in one sentence
General experience demonstrates broad, progressively responsible abilities. Specialized experience demonstrates work closely related to the duties of a particular position. Read the exact Qualifications section of the vacancy to find out which one you need.
When each type matters
OPM's general administrative and management qualification standard describes general experience as work showing the ability to analyze problems, plan and organize work, and communicate. Specialized experience adds a job-specific requirement. For many GS-7 and higher positions, the applicant needs one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Individual occupational standards can differ, and some grades permit education or a combination of education and experience.
| Type | Question the resume must answer | Useful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| General | Can you handle progressively responsible work? | Problems solved, work planned, decisions made, communication delivered |
| Specialized | Have you performed the specific functions required here? | Relevant duties, methods, scale, responsibility, results, dates, hours per week |
How to document experience in two pages
- Copy each required experience statement from the vacancy into a private checklist.
- Map every requirement you actually meet to a role and date range.
- Describe your action, the subject matter, scope, and outcome. Use the vacancy's terms where they truthfully describe your work.
- Include the employer, position title, month/year dates, and average hours per week needed to verify duration.
- Remove unrelated history if it crowds out required evidence; check the final rendered resume against the applicable page limit.
Illustrative example
Vague: “Helped manage program reports.” Clearer: “Analyzed monthly reporting data for a grant program, identified recurring variances, and presented corrective-action recommendations to the program manager.” This is an invented illustration of structure, not a claim about a real applicant or a guarantee of qualification. Replace it with your own documented work.
What to do next
Compare your draft with our federal resume examples and grade-specific experience examples. Read the official USAJOBS resume instructions and the announcement's requirements. Then check your resume against that vacancy before applying.
Official sources
Reviewed September 22, 2026. The individual vacancy announcement controls.