What is USAJOBS.gov?

USAJOBS.gov is the official job board for the largest employer in the United States: the federal government. From engineers to financial analysts, from scientists to writers, the USAJOBS.gov includes roles for professionals across an incredibly wide range of job roles at all experience levels. Here are 5 tips to help you navigate this platform to find jobs and internships:

1. Build a profile

Building a profile within USAJOBS will allow you to increase your search efficiency. Doing so will improve your search results and will pre-fill parts of your applications. When you build a profile, you’ll also be able to upload resumes, save jobs, and save job searches, all of which will save you time and energy. Finishing your profile will also allow agencies to find you and proactively reach out if they think your profile is a fit for their roles!

2. Search for opportunities using filters

In addition to keyword and location, USAJOBS offers several filters—such as hiring paths, pay, departments, and appointment time (e.g., full-time vs. part-time)—to help you narrow your search results to the best opportunities for you.

The federal government strives to develop a workforce that is representative of our country’s diversity. Agencies use hiring paths to let candidates know who they’re seeking to hire, and eligible candidates do not have to compete with candidates who do not fall within the related path.

For example, one hiring path is individuals with disabilities (IWD). IWDs may apply and compete for any job on USAJOBS, and they may also use the IWD hiring path to find roles where eligible candidates will not be competing against candidates who do not fall within the IWD hiring path.

Additional hiring paths include:

• Federal Employees
• Veterans
• Military spouse
• National Guard and Reserves
• Students
• Recent Graduates
• Senior Executives
• Individuals with Disabilities
• Family of overseas employees
• Native Americans
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Land & base management

3. Save and favorite jobs

When you have a profile, you’ll able to favorite and save jobs and easily come back to them later. This can be tremendously helpful so you can conduct research and compare opportunities or step away from your search, update your application material as needed, and come back without having to track down your jobs of interest from scratch again.

4. Use the USAJOBS federal resume builder

Federal resumes require more information than your traditional industry resume. Some additional information you’ll include beyond what’s on your industry resume is: hourly rate or salary, average hours worked/week, supervisor information, and references. While you can upload a resume you’ve designed yourself, the USAJOBS resume builder will prompt you to complete all the information agencies need to consider you and will format everything for you.

5. Make your resume (and profile) searchable

Now that you know how to conduct a search, let employers search for you by making your resume and profile searchable. From your profile, simply go to documents, find the resume you’d like recruiters to be able to find, and click “searchable” on that resume. When you’re submitting applications, you’ll still be able to attach tailored resumes, but the resume you’ve marked “searchable” will go into the USAJOBS resume bank for 18 months, allowing recruiters to proactively seek you.

Want to learn more about federal roles and the job application process and determine if the federal government would be a good career path for your future? Reach out to your designated career advisor and set up an appointment to explore your options.