Step by step guide to applying for federal jobs on USAJOBS, including the federal resume, the occupational questionnaire, required documents, and what each application status means.
Author: Manahil
How to Write a Federal Resume That Gets Noticed
How to write a federal resume that passes HR review, including required details for every job entry, the hours per week rule, and tailoring to announcements.
10 Resume Tips That Actually Get You Interviews
Ten federal resume tips that get applications referred, covering announcement keywords, quantified duties, questionnaire consistency, and tailoring for USAJOBS.
How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out
When a cover letter matters in federal hiring and when it does not, plus the one page structure and the mistakes that sink letters.
How to Prepare for a Job Interview: A Complete Guide
How to prepare for a federal job interview, including structured panel interviews, the STAR method with a worked example, and what happens after.
Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
The most common federal interview questions, what structured panels score on each one, and how to build answers that earn points.
How to Search for Jobs Online More Effectively
How to search for federal jobs effectively, including hiring path filters, occupational series codes, saved search alerts, and how to spot scams.
How to Read a Job Description and Match Your Application
How to read a federal job announcement section by section, from Who May Apply to the questionnaire preview and promotion potential.
Tips for Landing a Government Job
Strategic tips for landing a government job, including special hiring authorities, direct hire announcements, career ladders, and overlooked agencies.
How to Follow Up After Applying for a Job
How to follow up after a federal application, including what every USAJOBS status means, when contacting the agency helps, and the tentative offer stage.