# Assessment Questionnaire Self-Rating Guide

Walks you through rating each item on a USAJOBS assessment questionnaire so your answers match what your resume actually shows. Use it before you submit to avoid being rated ineligible for overclaiming experience your resume does not support.

## Prompt

## Context
You are helping [APPLICANT NAME], a separating or separated service member, answer the self-assessment questionnaire for a federal job announcement. The announcement number is [ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER] and the position is [POSITION TITLE] at [AGENCY NAME], [GS GRADE]. The full text of the assessment questionnaire items is: [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS]. The applicant's resume or experience summary relevant to this position is: [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY].

## Task
For each questionnaire item in [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS], do three things:
1. Restate the item in plain terms.
2. Identify which parts of [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY] support each rating level described in the item.
3. Recommend the rating the applicant can honestly select, with a plain explanation of why. If the resume does not support a high rating, say so clearly and explain what it does support.

Then produce a summary: list any items where the recommended rating may be lower than the applicant expected, and note what resume evidence, if any, could strengthen that item before submission.

## Standards
- Never recommend a rating level that [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY] does not support. Overclaiming on the assessment questionnaire is a fast path to being rated ineligible or removed after selection.
- Do not invent duties, accomplishments, scope, or leadership experience not stated in [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY].
- Do not assign a GS grade, clearance level, or specialized experience determination. Those are made by the human resources specialist, not by this prompt.
- Each rating recommendation must be traceable to a specific line or entry in [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY]. If there is no supporting entry, the recommendation is the lowest level that is honestly defensible.
- The applicant must be able to defend every rating in an interview or audit. If in doubt, rate lower and explain.
- If [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS] or [RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY] is missing or unclear, ask before making any recommendations.

## Variables

- APPLICANT NAME
- ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER
- POSITION TITLE
- AGENCY NAME
- GS GRADE
- QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS
- RESUME OR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

## Input checklist

- [ ] Paste the full text of the assessment questionnaire items from USAJOBS, not a summary.
- [ ] Paste your federal resume or a detailed experience summary covering the relevant duties and accomplishments. Vague input produces vague guidance.
- [ ] Have the job announcement open so you can cross-reference the specialized experience requirements while reviewing recommendations.
- [ ] Privacy and OPSEC: remove your Social Security number and any personal data before pasting any service record or resume. Do not paste classified or operationally sensitive details.
- [ ] Complete the questionnaire yourself before submitting. This prompt helps you think through the ratings; it does not submit anything on your behalf.

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Read every recommended rating against your actual resume. If the AI recommended a level you cannot back up with a specific entry in your resume, lower the rating.
- [ ] Check that no rating assumes GS-level equivalency the announcement has not already confirmed you meet. The specialized experience requirement must be satisfied separately.
- [ ] Confirm that any leadership scope claimed in the ratings, such as number of personnel supervised, matches the actual number in your resume.
- [ ] Review the summary section. If it flags items where your rating may be lower than expected, consider whether your resume can be revised to add real evidence before you submit.
- [ ] Do not select the highest rating for every item. A perfect score that your resume does not support is a common reason applicants are found ineligible after referral.
- [ ] Verify the ratings are consistent with your resume bullets. If your resume says you performed a task occasionally and the rating says you performed it independently as a regular duty, fix the mismatch.

## Sample output

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

Applicant: Marcus Hale | Position: GS-0343-11 Management and Program Analyst | Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Item 1: I have experience analyzing program data to identify trends and recommend improvements.
A) I have not performed this activity.
B) I have performed this activity with guidance from others.
C) I have performed this activity independently.
D) I have performed this activity and trained or guided others.

Resume support: Marcus's resume includes: "Analyzed monthly logistics readiness reports for a battalion of 800 personnel; identified recurring maintenance backlogs and briefed findings to the operations officer with recommended corrective actions."

Recommended rating: C. The resume shows Marcus analyzed data independently and briefed recommendations. It does not mention training others in this task, so D is not supported. Select C.

Item 2: I have experience developing written reports, briefs, or analysis products for senior leadership.
A) I have not performed this activity.
B) I have drafted written products that were reviewed and revised by others before delivery.
C) I have prepared written products delivered to senior leadership with minimal revision.
D) I have independently developed written analysis products used by senior leadership to make decisions.

Resume support: Resume states "prepared weekly readiness briefs delivered to battalion commander." Does not specify degree of revision by others.

Recommended rating: B or C. If the briefs went to the commander with little or no editing from your supervisor, select C. If they were routinely edited before delivery, select B. You must know which is accurate. The AI cannot determine this from the resume as written.

Summary of items to review: Item 2 requires your judgment on revision level. Item 4 recommended a B where you may have expected higher: your resume describes budget tracking but does not show independent budget development. Consider adding a resume entry that describes the scope of funds you tracked and any analysis you produced.

## Customization notes

This prompt works for any GS series and any assessment questionnaire format, including the category rating questionnaires common on USAJOBS. For positions with knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) essays as part of the questionnaire, run each essay through the resume-bullet or narrative prompts in this library to build supporting evidence. Veterans applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) or Schedule A still complete the same questionnaire and face the same ineligibility risk from overclaiming.

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From The Federal & GS Job Search Library at vetslearn.com/libraries/federal