By Leia O’Connell, MSW
Contributor, Career Coach
Fresh out of college (many years ago), I remember starting my first real job search with little to no guidance. The basics of how to use a job search engine were obvious, but I did not truly understand the mechanics of how different engines worked. USAJOBS is the search engine for federal jobs and I didn’t have a clue about how to use it correctly. Stumbling around, applying for jobs I wasn’t qualified for was not a great use of my time.
Years later, researching their website showed that all of the answers I needed were right in front of me. The USAJOBS website has exceptional resources to help applicants understand how to best utilize their website and submit applications correctly.
I LOVE the USAJOBS Help Center. In the FAQ section, you can learn the answers to questions you always wondered about such as “What is a series or grade?”, “Which jobs am I eligible to apply for?”, and “Why was I not considered for a position?”
Did you know that USAJOBS has its own YouTube channel? You can start viewing their very helpful videos at USAJOBS.gov. I’ve viewed many of the videos and some of my favorites are:
- Make your Volunteer Experience Count
- What Happens to My Resume When It’s Sent to the Hiring Official?
- Special Hiring Authority for Individuals with Disabilities
Are you familiar with the Pathways program for students and recent graduates? Through this link you can explore federal internships both for students and recent graduates. Students who completed their degree programs within two years are considered recent graduates. Military veterans who were unable to apply within the two year timeframe due to military obligations are permitted up to six years to apply. Keep in mind, these are very competitive and are not available in all areas.
The USAJOBS website should be able to answer many of the outstanding questions you’ve had about how to apply for a position within the federal government. Knowing the resources available to you is the first step to a successful job search!
