Federal vacancy announcements describe all
the information needed to complete an application such as the minimum required
qualifications; the evaluation factors or knowledge, skills, and abilities
(KSAs) which will be used to rank applicants; a description of the work to be
performed and where to send your application and the closing date.
After you identify a specific vacancy or
hiring program which interests you, the next step is to submit your application
or resume. The application, entitled the Optional Application for Federal
Employment (OF 612), is available at your College Career Services Office, at
any of our Human Resources Offices, and on the OPM Website at
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.htm. Some
vacancy announcements have the option of applying through automated procedures,
which may require special forms and instructions. Follow all the instructions
in the vacancy announcement, as well as any additional instructions given to
you by the office which issues the announcement.
You are strongly encouraged to provide
separate narrative statements with your application or resume, explaining that
you possess the KSAs listed in the vacancy announcement. Addressing the KSAs
will make you a stronger applicant for the position for which you're applying.
Statements addressing the KSAs should include examples of training, volunteer
or paid work accomplishments, etc., which demonstrate that you have the
required knowledges or skills. For example, depending on the position being
filled, "oral communication skill" could be demonstrated by active membership
in a campus speaking association or club, or by successful work as a volunteer
academic tutor. Attach this additional information to your application or
resume and ensure that your name, social security number, and announcement
number are included on each page.
KSAs help the Human Resources Office in
determining your basic eligibility and whether you are best qualified for the
job, but they assist the hiring manager in determining whether you will be
contacted for an interview.
Remember, in the Federal government, a
full and complete application or resume is to your benefit! Tailor it to each
job for which you apply with facts about your relevant education and experience
(including volunteer activities), respond to all instructions and information
requested, and make sure to mail it to the correct location in accordance with
closing date instructions. An incomplete application or resume often
precludes an applicant from further consideration!
If you choose to use a resume rather than
the OF 612, you should include the following information. An example of a
complete resume, is contained in Exhibit I..
--Information to
Include in Your Resume --
Job
Information
Announcement number (if applicable),
title and grade (if known) of the position
Personal Information
- Full name, mailing address (with ZIP
code)
- Day and evening phone numbers (with
area code)
- Veterans' preference (see note
below)
- Country of citizenship
- Reinstatement eligibility (if
applicable)
- Highest Federal civilian grade held
(if applicable)
Note: If you served on active
duty in the U.S. military and received an honorable or general discharge, you
may be eligible for veterans' preference and possibly for a noncompetitive
appointment. To claim veterans' preference, submit a DD 214, "Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or other proof of eligibility for the
type of veterans' preference requested, e.g., 5 points, 10 points. For specific
information on veterans' preference, access the VetGuide on OPM's
Website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm
Education
- High school: Name, city, and state,
date of diploma or GED
- Colleges or universities:
Name, city, state, ZIP code
- Majors: Type and year of degree(s)
received (If no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester
or quarter hours.)
- Send a copy of your college transcript
only if the vacancy announcement requests it.
Work
Experience
Give the following information for all
paid and non-paid work experience related to the job you're applying
for:
- Job title
- Starting and ending dates
- Salary
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone #
- Hours worked per week
- Duties and accomplishments
- Indicate if we may contact your current
supervisor.
Other
Qualifications
- Job-related training courses (title and
year).
- Job-related skills, i.e., other
languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed.
- Job-related certificates and licenses.
- Job-related honors, awards, and special
accomplishments, (e.g., publications, memberships in professional or honor
societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance
awards).