How to Apply for a Federal Position

You may apply for Federal positions by using OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment; SF-171, Application for Federal Employment (no longer available but still accepted); or a résumé. If you submit a résumé, it must include the employment and personal history information outlined in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) flyer titled "Applying for a Federal Job" (OF-510).

What vacancies to look for:

Review the list of openings, decide which jobs you are interested in, and follow the instructions given. Applicants who have never worked in the Federal Government should look for vacancy announcements that are open for "Non-status" or to "All Sources". For the most part, OPM no longer maintains registers of eligible individuals for positions.

What to include:

We need certain information to evaluate your qualifications and determine if you meet legal requirements for Federal employment. If your résumé or application does not provide all the information requested in the job vacancy announcement and in this flyer, you may lose consideration for a job. Help speed the selection process by keeping your résumé or application brief and to the point and by sending only the requested material. Type or print clearly in dark ink. Include:

The announcement number, and title and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying. You must apply for a specific announcement.

Personal Information

• Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day and evening phone numbers with area code.
• Social security number
• Country of citizenship (most Federal jobs require United States citizenship).
• Veteran's preference and supporting documentation (if applicable)
• Reinstatement eligibility documentation if applicable (attach SF 50 proof of your career or career-conditional status).
• Highest Federal civilian grade held (give job series and dates held).
• Name, city and state of high school and date of diploma or GED.
• Name, city and state of colleges and universities attended and list types and year of any degree received. (If no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours.) Send a copy of your college transcript(s) only if the job vacancy announcement requests it.

Work Experience

Give the following information for your paid and nonpaid work experience (do not send job descriptions): Job title (include series and grade if Federal job), Duties and accomplishments, Employer's name and address, Supervisor's name and phone number, Starting and ending dates (month and year), Hours per week, and Salary

• Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor.
• Job-related training courses (title and year)
• Job-related skills, for example, other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, typing speed.

Other Qualifications

• Job-related certificates and licenses (current only)
• Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example, publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards. (Give dates but do not send documents unless requested.)
• Address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. Submit a separate narrative addressing each knowledge, skill and ability statement (one per page) as part of your application package.

Applicants can submit GPO Form 2566, "Report of Merit Promotion Action," if they wish to obtain a report on the status of their application.

Additional information:

If applying for a clerical position GS-4 or below, you must have taken and passed the Civil Service Exam for Support Positions, provide documentation, and must be able to type at least 40 wpm. Contact your local Office of Personnel Management for information on testing procedures.

If you served on active duty in the United States Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans' preference. To receive preference if your service began after October 15, 1976, you must have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary Medal, or a service-connected disability. For further details, call OPM at (912) 757-3000. Select "Federal Employment Topics" and then "Veterans", or dial OPM's electronic bulletin board at (912) 757-3100.

Veterans' preference is not a factor for Senior Executive Service (SES) jobs or when competition is limited to status candidates (current or former Federal career or career-conditional employees).

To claim 5-point veterans' preference , attach a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility.

To claim 10-point veterans' preference , attach an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof required by that form.

Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a "Declaration for Federal Employment" to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application.

If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed.

For more information, check out OPM's set of Frequently Asked Questions