Business Services
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Job Opportunities - Applying for a Job - Frequently Asked Questions - General Information |
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A: USAJOBS is an automated system that allows job seekers to browse for positions and apply through the internet.
A: Most college placement offices, job search agencies, unemployment offices, public libraries and some civic centers have computers and Internet access for their patrons' free use.
A: There are several Internet Service Providers that offer free email accounts. MSN Hotmail (https://registernet.passport.net/reg.srf?id=2&lc=1033&sl=1) and Yahoo (http://mail.yahoo.com/) are just two of these. Through them or other companies, you can obtain a free email address that you can use with USAJOBS.
A: You submit your resume and answer questions using the Internet. When you first access the system at the web site you establish an account by answering user information questions and core Federal questions and creating your resume. You will create a user ID, and set your password (your password can be changed as needed). Your resume and answers to the user information and core Federal questions will be stored in the system. When you identify a vacancy for which you wish to apply click on the "Apply Online button located at the bottom of the USAJOBS vacancy announcement. You will then respond on-line to a series of vacancy specific questions. Once you have responded to all the questions, submit your application by clicking on the "Finished" button found at the end of the vacancy specific questions. When you submit your application your resume, answers to the user information, core Federal questions and answers to the vacancy specific questions will be submitted. You will receive confirmation of your application receipt. You may make changes to any part of your application up until midnight (eastern time) on the closing date of the announcement.
A: For assistance in applying to USAJOBS vacancies, please refer to the FAQ “How do I apply if I am a first time USAJOBS user?”. This section has detailed instructions to help you through the application process. If applying online poses a hardship for you, you must call the Agency Contact listed in the announcement before the closing date of the announcement for assistance.
A: The following are the most frequent omissions made by applicants for Federal jobs. These errors often result in the applicant being excluded from consideration. Please take the time to review this list. You may use it as a basic checklist when reviewing your application(s) for future announcements.
- Because Federal agencies are required to prorate your experience when making qualification determinations, it is necessary for you to provide complete employment dates (month/year at a minimum) and work schedules (indicate "full-time" or average hours worked per week) for all periods of employment. Failure to include this information will exclude this experience from being considered in the qualifications determination and may result in disqualification.
- Detailed descriptions of your duties for all previous employment must be provided. We may not assume qualifying experience on the basis of "job title", employer, or employment type. We may only credit experience specifically described.
- Transcripts must be submitted, if requested in the announcement, if there is an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for the job based on your education. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
- Standard Form (SF) 50. Current and former Federal employees must submit the SF-50, when requested. Failure to submit the SF-50 will result in exclusion from consideration.
Q: What if I want to know the exact street address of the hiring agency? |
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A: This information is confidential and will not be given out unless you are contacted for an interview.
A: Qualification determinations are based on all of the information you provide in your application and cannot be made prior to the closing date of the announcement.
A: Yes. You can automatically be notified of vacancy announcements. Upon logging into your MyUSAJOBS account at the USAJOBS website, http://www.usajobs.gov/, you may choose the MY Job Search Agents option and then select [Create New Agent]. For more information on creating a job search agent on USAJOBS access the USAJOBS tutorials at the following website: http://www.usajobs.gov/firsttimers.asp
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A: Your social security number is one of the few reliable means government agencies have of distinguishing one applicant from another. Applicants may have the same name, may have changed their mailing address, and may even have the same birth dates. Your social security number is the identifier suggested for use by the Office of Personnel Management for Federal job applications, and is the only way we can definitively differentiate between applicants. In addition, USAJOBS is a secure, encrypted web site and your social security number cannot be accessed by anyone who is not directly involved in the hiring process.
Last Modified: June 19, 2008