Make USAJOBS work for you
As you begin your search for a job in the federal government, it is important to realize that using USAJOBS to your advantage is not simply an option, it is a necessity. Even job applicants who have connected with federal managers or completed a government internship must go through the process. While some agencies have started working outside of the USAJOBS portal and use third-party hosts or their own websites to post some vacancies, the processes they use are often similar. Each agency must ensure that the federal hiring process is as objective as possible.
It is essential to know the USAJOBS portal inside and out before beginning the federal job search and application process. Below is an overview of the main features of the site that help ensure that you get the most out of the process.
Site Overview The USAJOBS home page offers job applicants the ability to search for positions based on specific keywords and locations, and includes buttons where users can create an account and submit resumes. OPM also uses this page to display specific agencies and job openings on a rotating basis. However, keep in mind that these agencies and featured jobs are not usually the ones that are hiring the most.
The main site navigation links to six separate channels: Find Jobs, My USAJOBS, Information Center, Veterans, Forms, and Employer Services. If you are a U.S. military veteran, you should refer to the Veterans Preferences Guide to determine your eligibility and how to make the most of your transition to civilian federal employment. The most important channels for new federal job applicants are the first two: Search Jobs and MyUSAJOBS.
Job Search This page allows job seekers to search for positions by keyword, location, job category (ie career field), salary range, and GS pay grade. It’s a good idea to cast a wide network when searching by location because posts are sometimes miscategorized. For example, if you are looking for work in the Buffalo, New York area, you should select “NY-Buffalo” and “NY-Western New York” to make sure you get a list of all jobs available in your area. Federal agencies will sometimes include the exact geographic location of the job in the posting description, but not always. If you are looking for a position in a more specific geographic area than those provided, you must enclose the location in quotation marks in the keyword search at the top of the page (ie “North Tonawanda” AND “New York”).
Learn more about speeding up the federal hiring process
How to Manage Your Federal Application Online
Ten Steps to Getting Hired by Uncle Sam
Searching for jobs by specific job categories can also be somewhat problematic. Each job is classified into one of them, but the process is not very intuitive. Jobs are often classified differently than they would in a private sector job search. Again, when first targeting USAJOBS, you should err on the side of caution and use keyword search. Once you become familiar with the Federal Classification System, searching for job categories will be more helpful.
Job seekers can also search by agency, GS series, and senior executive positions by clicking the appropriate tab in the secondary navigation of the page. The process is similar to the basic search, but if you already know the agency or career field you want, searching through these pages would be more appropriate.
As you go through the process, it is important to remember that federal hiring can take 3-6 months and that the process requires a high degree of patience. Many job seekers often choose to seek work as consultants with government contractors, nonprofit think tanks, and law firms that specialize in government services.
My USAJOBS This is where job seekers can make their job search unique by adding their personal information and becoming members of USAJOBS. There is also a tool for submitting your resume. This makes your resume and qualifications more accessible to federal recruiters and can be retrieved by the agencies you are applying to. The process is similar to other job search sites. You must first create a USAJOBS account where you must provide your personal information as well as a unique username and password.
Once you have signed up, you will be able to submit as many resume versions as you like and they will remain stored on your account page. Also available is a job alert feature, called “Agents”, where you can enter keywords, locations, or agency-specific searches whose results will be emailed to you on a regular basis. You can create up to ten of these alerts. MyUSAJOBS keeps a record of each position you apply for and will inform you if the vacancy has been filled.
What is more critical? The most critical aspects of USAJOBS are creating an account and keeping track of when federal vacancies open. Despite the often slow pace of the federal hiring process, the earlier you apply for a federal vacancy, the more likely you are to get one. Although USAJOBS postings can often seem confusing and overwhelming, they are still the primary means of storing your employment information and quickly sending it to the federal agencies that interest you. Use GovCentral to learn more about federal career fields and which agencies and cities are experiencing the most government hiring, but remember that USAJOBS will be required to complete the process.