How to apply for a Federal Job

Many Federal agencies fill their jobs in the same manner as private industry in that they allow applicants to contact the agency directly for job information and application processing. Most job openings are described in a vacancy announcement containing specific application instructions. As a general matter, applicants need to submit a résumé containing specific information, a description of their relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, and any supporting information called for by the vacancy announcement, such as college transcripts.

Typically résumés submitted by federal job seekers must include some very specific information that your existing résumé probably doesn't have. Some job announcements specify the required information. However, there is no such thing as a an official federal résumé form. Format is not as important as getting the right information into your résumé.  

Here is a general list of what is required on a federal job application:

While there are several groups of applicants Federal agencies can choose from when considering a candidate, the most common is a list of qualified individuals maintained by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This list contains applicants who have applied and and met the qualifications for a specific vacancy announcement. Most new employees are selected through this method. USAJOBS, the Federal Government's Employment Information System, provides worldwide job vacancy information, employment information fact sheets, job applications and forms on-line. It has on-line resume development and electronic transmission capabilities. Job seekers can apply for some positions on-line.

USAJOBS is updated every business day from a database of more than 12,000 worldwide job opportunities and is available to job seekers in a variety of formats to ensure access for customers with differing physical and technological capabilities. It is convenient, user friendly, accessible through the computer or telephone and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

USAJOBS consists of: Internet - The official world wide web site for jobs and employment information is http://www.USAJOBS.opm.gov. The Online Resume Builder feature allows job seekers to create on-line resumes specifically designed for applying for Federal jobs. Applicants can use the resume builder to create, print, save, edit for future use, or send by fax or mail to employers. Many of the hiring agencies will accept electronic submissions of resumes created through USAJOBS for vacancies listed on the web site. Automated Telephone System

An interactive voice response telephone system which can be reached at (478) 757-3000 or TDD (478) 744-2299. By telephone, job seekers can access current job vacancies, employment information fact sheets, applications, forms, and apply for some jobs. A posted vacancy is an agency's decision to seek qualified candidates for a particular vacancy. The agency is under no obligation to make a selection. In some instances, an agency may cancel the posting and choose to re announce the vacancy later.