Federal jobs
What is USAJOBS?
USAJOBS is the federal jobs hiring portal used for applicants interested in any agency. The application process can be intimidating and complex, but do not fear! We’ll provide the tools and tips to navigate the site confidently.
Here, we’ll give you the scoop on USAJOBS, help you search for a position that works for you and share tips to create a successful application.
Navigating USAJOBS
Before you begin the application process, it’s important to know that the federal government uses its own unique terminology and acronyms on the USAJOBS site. Many considerations differ from other application processes. Once you understand these nuances, you’ll know what jobs you are qualified to apply for. We will explain these quirks below for you!
What makes a successful candidate?
Applying for jobs in the federal government can be a highly competitive process. There are a few things to consider before you put in the time to apply for a job.
Quality over quantity matters.
Applying for 50 different positions on USAJOBS does not mean you are more likely to land a position. Your chances of success are greater if you focus your time on applying to a few listings you are highly qualified for.
Am I qualified?
Carefully read the occupational questionnaire (more on this below) on the position announcement and rate yourself for each category.
Am I willing to put in the work to apply?
Pulling together all of the information you need for the ResumeBuilder and supporting documentation can take hours or days. Know that it takes hard work and time to apply for a job.
Searching for positions
Use the search function to find specific jobs at your agency of choice. For example, a biologist or wildland firefighter may show up for various agencies. The best way to do this is by using filter options such as location, department, agency, pay or hiring path.
Tip
When setting up an account on USAJOBS, use your personal email address and not a current work or college email since those may not stay with you when you move on.
Tip
Be aware of Open Continuous Job Announcements. These job postings may show a date range of one year, which means they are continually being recruited for. Timing for filling these jobs is typically unknown.
Series and grades
Here’s a puzzle for you: GS-0457-05/05. What does that mean!?! The federal government uses a categorization system to organize jobs across different departments. Once you understand the formula, you’ll know what jobs you’re qualified for.
Series
Here, the series is “0457” (GS-0457-05/05). This refers to the occupational series where common positions are linked together through a 4-digit code. Most positions are just announced with one occupational series code. Here are some examples of similar positions listed by occupational codes: Civil Engineer (GS-0810), Environmental Engineer (GS-0819) and Chemical Engineer (GS-0893).
Grades
At most agencies, professional jobs are organized into one of 15 grades in a system called the General Schedule (GS). Each GS grade represents a particular level of difficulty and responsibility. It also determines your pay scale. Each job’s grade is listed by the letters GS, followed by numbers, such as GS-1 (the lowest grade) to GS-15 (the highest grade).
Here are the standard qualifications for each grade:
Key requirements
NOTE: Remember that these are “key” requirements so if you don’t have all of the items listed, you should search for a different job where you might be a better match.
Conditions of employment
Typically, this states that you must be a U.S. citizen/national to apply. It might also state if you will be subject to a background check. The position might also require certain tests, licenses or training certifications, which will be bulleted here.
Qualifications
You should pay attention to how the job announcement lists qualifications, experience and education. Qualifications could be listed as either experience OR education OR a combination of experience and education. If you are using experience to qualify, you must show on your resume that you have a full year (that means 40 hours per week for 52 weeks of the experience listed).
NOTE: This is the most important section of the job announcement!
Tip
Typically for professional jobs with titles like geologist, biologist or hydrologist the educational requirements are strictly enforced.
Tip
For positions labeled as analysist or specialist, experience can often substitute for education.
Tip
For more technical positions like an assistant or technician, some require a degree but for many, the primary qualification is experience.
Questionnaire
Most positions on USAJOBS receive hundreds of applications, making it difficult for HR personnel to review each one individually. The occupational questionnaire was developed as a way for a computer program to make an initial screen and select the best applicants quickly. This is the final step before submitting your application.
The occupational questionnaire format will vary depending on the agency and type of job for which you are applying. Based on the position and agency to which you are applying, you will likely see the following tabs or sections of questions:
- Minimum Qualifications: Select the statement or statements that apply to you. Make sure that you really do qualify!
- Application Preference: Select the lowest grade (or multiple grades) you are willing to accept, your location preferences, etc. The more general you can be here, the better.
- Short-Answer Questions about Your Credentials: These questions are generally formatted as yes/no, check box or tiered response questions that ask for self-ratings on your skills related to the job duties of the position.
NOTE: Any skill, education or experience you say you have on the Assessment Questionnaire must also be listed on your resume.
Tip
This questionnaire can make up half of your application score so before you apply, preview the questions in the “How to Apply” section to make sure you feel confident about how you would self-rate yourself on the skills related to the job duties.
Tip
You might encounter the USAHIRE Assessment, which is an actual test that is emailed to you after you submit your application and for which you only have 48 hours to complete.
Federal hiring timeline
Wondering what happens once you’ve submitted your application? The timing of the application process will vary depending on job/agency and how many applications the agency received.
Application received
Application reviewed
Interview(s)
Offer
Did you know?
Each agency has its own policy for hiring processes so your pathway to securing a job may not always look the same.
Did you know?
The OPM (Office of Personnel Management) sets the hiring process and owns USAJobs, but not all agencies need to use their regulations.
Tip
It’s incredibly important to refine you knowledge, skills and abilities to match the job posting on your resume as many agencies use scanning software that filter these words to make candidate selections.
Tip
In order to get to the interview stage, you will need to get past an HR person or software that will screen your resume. You could be the best person for the job and not get an interview if your resume does not show the basic requirements for the job.
NOTE: If you receive a job offer, it could take a few weeks to start the position. A hiring agency typically performs a background check and other security clearances (depending on the agency) before you can start your new job.
Resources
- Check out the USAJOBS Help Center for specific questions about the process.
- Watch this USAJOBS YouTube playlist for more tips and tricks for applying to federal jobs.
- Visit Go Government for even more resources, career spotlights and other valuable information about a career in the federal government.
- Explore our special programs page to see if you might be eligible for certain hiring advantages.