HOW TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL JOBSSteps for Applying for Federal Jobs
If an applicant decides to apply for a Federal job, there
are several steps which must follow to achieve success.
These steps include:
1. Find the positions to apply for
2. Identify the requirements for applying for each job /
Match background and skills to the job requirements
3. Develop the application materials
4. Submit the application – use Electronic formats if at all possible
Finding Positions to Apply For
With the advent of the Internet, it is now easy to find job openings in the federal government. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has a website, USAJobs.com, which allows potential applicants to search most positions being posted for civilian employees. If a user selects and enters in the appropriate search criteria – including job titles, job series, grade levels, agencies, special appointment status, and position locations – one can find all the positions open that can be applied for. The search is very detailed in criteria and is much easier to use then in the past. Positions from most Federal agencies are available using this system.
Identifying Job and Application Requirements (How to Read Job Announcements)
Once a job announcement is found, a potential applicant needs to determine the application requirements.
First, the announcement will indicate who may apply. If it is the Public, generally all US Citizens can apply for the job. If it is Status Candidates Only, one must read the announcement carefully to determine who is eligible. Generally, in this case, federal government employees, military spouses, or veterans who have separated in the past 3 years or who are eligible for veteran preference points may be considered a Status Candidate. If it says Agency Employees Only and the applicant is not currently employed as a civil servant in that agency, the applicant is not eligible to apply.
Second, the announcement will indicate the date the announcement closes. Application materials must be submitted according to the instructions in the announcement by the closing date (and sometimes closing time). The announcement will detail how to submit materials – it is announcement specific. Depending on the announcement, an applicant may be required to file online, by fax, by email, by hand delivery or by mail.
Third, the position will indicate the salary and grade level. Grade levels for jobs indicate the management level within the government – and the level of responsibility. Based on experience, veterans retiring at the E-7 level generally qualify for positions at the GS-9 level. O-3 professionals generally qualify at the GS-11 or 12 level; depending on the area of expertise. In our experience, the following grade levels apply, unless you have a LOT of expertise in the area you are looking for or know someone special. We have found this may not hold for certain intelligence positions.
Fourth, the announcement will list the job duties – in most cases. A potential applicant should read the duties carefully – they contain the keywords required for the job. In general, the resumes selected for further consideration contain these keywords, with dynamic statements showing how the applicant has experience doing the duties required for the job. When one reads an announcement, they should ask themselves whether they have done that particular function previously AND if they have any demonstrated success in doing the function.
Fifth, the announcement will list the background requirements. For Federal jobs, unlike Civilian jobs, an applicant’s background MUST match the stated requirements for the job. For example, if a degree is stated as required, it is required. If certification, including contracting certification, is stated as a requirement, it is required. If no candidates apply that meet the requirements, the agency will cancel the announcement and rewrite and repost the position again.
Sixth, the announcement may indicate if KSAs or other essays, including Selective Preference Factors, Technical Qualifications, or Professional Qualifications, are required. In addition, the announcement may indicate that multiple choice questions also will need to be answered.
Note, if the announcement is for some announcements, the essay questions or other multiple choice questions may not be in the actual announcement. Instead, they are found during the application process – or if you are lucky, you may be able to find the questions by further reading the announcement (How to Apply or Qualifications section) or with a separate click in the announcement itself. Therefore at times, to find the vacancy questions, an applicant may need to start the application to find the essay or other multiple choice questions. Generally, but not always, the Resumix formats do not require separate KSAs. PER PRESIDENTIAL ORDER, ESSAY QUESTIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED. HOWEVER, FOR SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS THEY ARE STILL THERE. ALSO IF KSAS ARE ASKED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT – BUT NO SEPARATE RESUMES ARE REQUIRED, THE INFORMATION MUST BE IN THE RESUME INSTEAD.
If an announcement has KSAs or other essays, they must be written. A potential applicant should read each KSA and ask themselves if they have any experience or background in the question being asked. If not, the announcement will most likely NOT be the right one to apply for.
Seventh, the announcement will indicate how to apply Clicking on the link or button will bring the user to the agency’s website with further instructions on how to apply for the job. Follow the requirements carefully. You may decide to use the USAJobs resume builder on the website.
Eighth, the announcement may indicate other documentation is required. Carefully read each announcement and send the information required. If it is not asked for, do not submit it.
Develop Application Materials
Once an applicant determines the application requirements, the application materials must be developed. Federal resumes must conform to specific informational requirements. They must include ALL the information required, or the application may be discarded. Based on the announcement and application format, a Federal resume generally includes the following information:
Job Information
• Announcement number, and title and grade(s) which are being applied for
Personal Information
• Full name, mailing address (with ZIP code)
• Home, cell and work phone numbers (with area code)
• E-Mail address
• Social Security Number
• Country of citizenship (most federal jobs require United States citizenship)
• Veterans’ preference
• Highest Federal civilian grade held (give job series and dates held)
• Professional summary – written in 1st person (this may be placed at the beginning for a paper resume – in other information for other formats)
Work Experience
Job title (include series and grade if federal job – level in military if a veteran)
• Employer’s name and full address, including street address, city, state, and ZIP code (some online
formats do not require the exact address)
• Supervisor’s name and phone number
• Starting and ending dates (month and year) [note: some announcements require month, date and year]
• Hours per week
• Salary
• Indicate if current supervisor may be contacted
• Job duties – include quantification and keywords in the announcement – written in 1st person
• Job accomplishments – include quantification – in the challenge-action-result format – written in 1st person
Education
• For colleges and universities:
o Name, city, state and ZIP Code
o Major(s), Type and year of any degrees received
o GPA
o Total credits and types of credits earned, i.e., quarter, credit, or semester hours.
o Honors
o Course list
Note: only list accredited colleges listed at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx. If an applicant lists degrees from schools that are not on the accreditation list, they may be subject for disqualification from federal employment and in some states also subject to criminal prosecution.
• For high school: Date of the diploma or GED, high school name, city, state and ZIP Code
Other Qualifications
• Job-related training courses, including course title, date (may be year or month and year), course
duration (hours, days or months)
• Certifications and licenses (include Secret or Top Secret clearance here)
• Job-related skills, for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery,
typing speed
• Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications,
memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and
performance awards
The exact format of the resume, as noted above, will differ, depending on the application requirements. However, much, if not all, the information above is required for developing a federal resume.
For some applications – including written applications, a Cover Letter can help summarize an applicant’s background and experience for the hiring authority.