Application Assembly & Questionnaire

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.

## 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.

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.

Checks every self-rated item on a USAJOBS assessment questionnaire against your resume to confirm the rating is backed by something you can point to. Use it before you submit so you are not rated ineligible for claiming experience you cannot document.

## Context
You are helping [APPLICANT NAME], a transitioning service member or veteran, prepare a federal job application for [JOB TITLE] at [AGENCY]. They have completed the USAJOBS assessment questionnaire and rated themselves on a set of competencies. The risk is real: hiring agencies compare self-ratings to the resume. If the resume does not support a rating of 4 or 5, the applicant may be rated ineligible or referred without veterans preference credit they should have received. The goal is to flag every gap before the application goes in.

Assessment questionnaire items and self-ratings (paste each question and the rating given): [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS AND RATINGS]

Current resume text: [RESUME TEXT]

## Task
For each questionnaire item rated 4 (Expert) or 5 (this person is an authority), locate the supporting evidence in [RESUME TEXT]. Produce a table with four columns: Questionnaire Item | Self-Rating | Supporting Evidence Found in Resume | Gap or Risk.

In the Gap or Risk column:
- Write SUPPORTED if the resume clearly backs the rating.
- Write WEAK if the resume mentions the topic but not in enough detail to defend the rating.
- Write NOT FOUND if the resume contains no evidence for this competency.
- Write OVERSTATED if the rating appears higher than what the resume evidence supports, and say what rating the evidence would support instead.

After the table, list the items rated WEAK, NOT FOUND, or OVERSTATED with a plain suggestion: add a bullet to the resume that describes the real experience, lower the rating to match what you have, or skip the item if you genuinely lack the experience.

## Standards
- Work only from [RESUME TEXT] and [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS AND RATINGS]. Do not add accomplishments or assume skills the resume does not state.
- Do not suggest lowering a rating below what the evidence supports. If the resume is strong on a competency, say so.
- Do not advise the applicant to claim experience they do not have. Self-ratings must be defensible. Inflated ratings that get past screening can be grounds for removal after selection.
- Do not invent experience, GS grades, clearance levels, dates, or qualifications [APPLICANT NAME] has not provided.
- The suggestion for WEAK items must be specific: what bullet to add, not a generic instruction to strengthen the resume.
- Ask before proceeding if [RESUME TEXT] or [QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS AND RATINGS] is missing or if ratings are not clearly matched to questions.

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

Applicant: Marcus Hale, Army logistics NCO applying for GS-0346 Logistics Management Specialist, Department of Defense.

| Questionnaire Item | Self-Rating | Supporting Evidence Found in Resume | Gap or Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans and coordinates logistics support for large-scale operations | 4 (Expert) | Resume: "Coordinated convoy operations supporting 1,200-soldier task force, managing fuel, water, and ammunition resupply across 6 forward operating bases" | SUPPORTED |
| Develops and implements supply chain management policies | 4 (Expert) | Resume: "Managed property accountability for 340 line items valued at $2.1M" | WEAK: property accountability is not the same as policy development. Evidence supports a 3, not a 4. Consider adding a bullet about any standing operating procedures you wrote or revised. |
| Uses automated logistics systems to track and report inventory | 5 (Authority) | Resume: no mention of any logistics management system by name | NOT FOUND: add a bullet naming the specific system (GCSS-Army, LIW, SARSS, or other) and describe what you did in it. If you cannot, lower the rating. |
| Advises senior leadership on logistics resource requirements | 3 (Competent) | Resume: "Briefed battalion S4 weekly on maintenance status and parts shortfall" | SUPPORTED at level 3 |

Action items before submitting:
1. Item 2 (policy development): either add a bullet describing a specific SOP (standard operating procedure) or policy you wrote, or lower the self-rating from 4 to 3.
2. Item 3 (automated systems): add a bullet naming the specific system and your role in it. Do not claim authority-level skill if your use was routine data entry. Lower the rating to match the real level.