Kathryn Troutman is from Baltimore, MD and founded the Resume Place, the United States' first Federal resume writing and coaching business, more than 30 years ago. She is the pioneering designer of the Federal Resume format, created after the Federal government eliminated the SF-171 form in 1995. Kathryn wrote the first-ever book on writing the Federal-style resume - Federal Resume Guidebook in 1995. The 7th Edition book was the No. One Resume Book in America for 2024 and half of 2025. The new 10th Edition is written due to the OPM/Trump Administration CHANGE of the 2-page Federal resume format for 2 million Federal employees - a dramatic change in the application process. Many / most Federal resumes are 5 to 20 pages. The new 2-page rule is a dramatic change for military, veterans and military spouses who want Federal jobs.

They need this new book with samples. In January 2002, Kathryn created the Ten Steps to a Federal Job® method after 9/11 created massive interest in Federal positions to help protect America. The Ten Steps curriculum is taught by Certified Ten Step Trainers at military bases worldwide. The course is instrumental for Service Members and Military Spouses seeking Federal government careers. With Kathryn's team of 10 Certified Federal Resume Writers, the Resume Place advise and write more than 300 Federal resumes per month for military, private industry and Federal clients worldwide. Her Resume Place SES writers have written and consulted on Senior Executive Service ECQs with a 95% success rate over the last five years for the Veterans Administration and Veterans Executive Review Board.