If you want to know how to apply for federal jobs, the process runs through one official website, USAJOBS, plus the hiring agency’s own application system. You sign in with a Login.gov account, build a profile, find a job announcement, attach a resume and documents, and then finish your application on the agency’s site.
The steps are not complicated, but federal hiring is detail-heavy. Missing a required document or applying to a job you are not eligible for can end your application before anyone reads it. This guide walks through each stage using the official USAJOBS Help Center and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Key takeaways
- You need a Login.gov account and a completed USAJOBS profile before you can apply.
- Check the “This job is open to” and “Who may apply” sections first. If you are not eligible, the agency will not review your qualifications.
- Resumes submitted through USAJOBS must be two pages or less.
- Applying is not finished until you complete the agency’s own system after clicking “Continue to Agency Site.”
- Applying for federal jobs is free. Anyone charging a fee to get you a federal job is running a scam.
What you need before you apply for federal jobs
USAJOBS is the federal government’s official job site. Before you start, gather a few things:
- A personal email address that only you use (not a work, school or shared address).
- A phone or other device for two-factor sign-in codes.
- A current resume you can tailor to each job.
- Any documents a job may ask for, such as transcripts, a DD-214 if you are a veteran, or an SF-50 if you are a current or former federal employee.
According to the USAJOBS getting started guide, a profile lets you store up to five resumes, save jobs and save searches with email alerts.
Step 1: Create a Login.gov account
USAJOBS uses Login.gov for sign-in. The USAJOBS Login.gov FAQ explains that this adds two-factor authentication and stronger password rules to protect your profile. If you already have a Login.gov account from another government site, use that one instead of creating a new account.
- Go to USAJOBS and choose to sign in. You will be sent to Login.gov.
- Enter your email address. If you already have an older USAJOBS profile, use the same email so the accounts link automatically.
- Create a password.
- Choose a primary sign-in method, such as text message, phone call, an authentication app, a security key or backup codes.
- Add a backup method in case you lose access to the first one.
- Return to USAJOBS and confirm your information.
USAJOBS advises against using .gov, .mil, .edu or work email addresses because you may lose access to them when you change jobs or schools. Each person needs their own account. Shared access, for example with a spouse, is no longer supported.
Step 2: Build your USAJOBS profile
Your profile holds the contact details and background that are sent with each application. Per the USAJOBS profile instructions, after signing in you click “Complete profile,” fill in the required information and select “Create my profile.”
The required sections are:
- Contact information
- Citizenship
- Federal service
- Military service
Optional information can improve your search results. You can also make your resume searchable so federal HR specialists and hiring managers can find you in the USAJOBS resume bank.
Step 3: Search for jobs and use filters
You can search by keyword, occupation or job category, agency, location, salary range and pay grade. Saved searches can email you new matches daily, weekly or monthly.
The most useful filter for many applicants is hiring path. Hiring paths describe who an agency may hire for a given job. The USAJOBS hiring path filter guide lists paths including:
- Open to the public for U.S. citizens and nationals.
- Veterans, Military spouses and National Guard and reserves.
- Students and Recent graduates (graduated within the past two years, or six years for veterans).
- Individuals with disabilities eligible for Schedule A hiring.
- Several paths for current and former federal employees, such as internal to an agency and career transition.
Selecting the paths that fit you narrows results to jobs you may be eligible for, which saves time.
Step 4: Read the job announcement carefully
Federal job announcements are long, and the details matter. USAJOBS organizes them into sections: Overview, Duties, Requirements, How you will be evaluated, Required documents and How to apply.
Who may apply: eligibility comes first
The USAJOBS guide to eligibility and qualifications explains that agencies check eligibility before anything else. Eligibility means you belong to a group the agency is allowed to hire from. Read the “This job is open to” and “Who may apply” sections. If you do not fit a listed hiring path, the agency will not review your application, no matter how qualified you are.
Qualifications and specialized experience
Qualifications are your work experience, skills, education and knowledge. Read the Requirements, Qualifications, Specialized experience (if listed) and Education sections. OPM notes that your application must show the specialized experience, education and other qualifications the announcement lists. Agencies then rate applicants, with categories such as “minimally qualified” and “highest qualified.”
Closing date
Announcements close in one of three ways, as described in the USAJOBS closing types guide:
| Closing type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Closing date | The job closes on the date shown. USAJOBS expires jobs at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on that date. |
| Open continuous | The job stays open, but the agency reviews applications on set dates listed in the announcement. |
| Applicant cut-off | The job usually closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day a set number of applications is reached. |
The USAJOBS expiration FAQ adds that agencies can close or cancel an announcement early, so do not wait until the last day.
Step 5: Upload or build a resume
Your resume is the core of your application. The USAJOBS resume guidance says resumes must be two pages or less to comply with OPM’s Merit Hiring Plan, and USAJOBS will not let you upload or build a longer one. OPM announced that this two-page limit took effect on September 27, 2025.
To add a resume, sign in, select Documents, then choose Upload a resume or Build a resume. The builder fills in details from your profile and lets you duplicate a resume to tailor it for different jobs. You can keep up to five resumes in your profile.
For each job you list, include your employer, job title, start and end dates (month and year), hours worked per week and, for federal jobs, the series and grade. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to write a federal resume.
Step 6: Apply and finish on the agency’s site
When you are ready, open the announcement and click Apply. The USAJOBS application guide describes five steps:
- Select Resume – pick the version tailored to this job.
- Select Documents – attach everything listed under Required documents.
- Review Package – check that nothing is missing.
- Include Personal Info – confirm the profile details sent to the agency.
- Continue Application with Agency – certify that your application is true, complete and made in good faith, then click “Continue to Agency Site.”
This last step is where many applicants slip. According to the USAJOBS application process FAQ, the agency system may ask for more personal information, documents, eligibility answers or an occupational questionnaire. Complete every page and submit there. Then confirm in the Applications section of your profile that the application shows as submitted.
Documents agencies commonly request
The USAJOBS documents FAQ lists items such as an optional cover letter, transcripts, the OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment, an SF-50 for current and former federal employees, a DD-214 for veterans and an SF-15 to claim 10-point veterans’ preference. The announcement tells you exactly which ones you need.
Step 7: Track your application and know what comes next
Sign in, open Applications on your dashboard and select Track this application to see the agency’s latest status. Tracking only works if you applied through the USAJOBS Apply button. The USAJOBS status guide lists these job statuses:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Accepting applications | The announcement is open. |
| Reviewing applications | The announcement has closed and the agency is reviewing. This can remain even after hiring ends while agencies update systems. |
| Hiring complete | The position has been filled. |
| Job canceled | The agency withdrew the announcement without hiring. |
| Job closed | The closing date passed with no online applications received. |
From review to start date
After the announcement closes, the agency reviews eligibility and qualifications, and the highest-qualified applications go to the hiring official. Interviews may be by panel, in person, by video or by phone, and there can be more than one round. A selected candidate receives a tentative offer, which becomes final after a background investigation and any security checks.
There is no set timeline. The USAJOBS timing FAQ says it depends on the job, the number of applicants and the agency. After you accept a tentative offer, it can take a few weeks to a few months before you start.
Protect yourself from federal job scams
Federal job information and applications are free. The Federal Trade Commission warns that any ad promising a government or postal job for a fee is a scam. Start your search on USAJOBS itself, and be wary of messages that ask for payment or sensitive information before you have applied through official channels. Our guide on how to spot a fake job offer covers the warning signs, and our Reader Safety page explains how to protect yourself online.
If you are still exploring career options, our overview of the fastest-growing jobs according to BLS can help you see where demand is projected to rise.
Note: This article is general information, not career or legal advice. Federal hiring rules can change, so confirm details in the job announcement, on USAJOBS or with the hiring agency. See our Disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to apply for federal jobs?
No. Federal and U.S. Postal Service job information and applications are free, according to the FTC. If someone asks you to pay for a federal job, training or a “guaranteed” position, treat it as a scam and report it.
How many resumes can I store on USAJOBS?
You can keep up to five resumes in your USAJOBS profile. To add a sixth, you must delete one of the existing five. Each resume must be two pages or less.
What is the difference between eligibility and qualifications?
Eligibility is whether you belong to a group the agency can hire from, such as the public, veterans or current federal employees. Qualifications are your experience, skills and education. Agencies check eligibility first and only review qualifications if you are eligible.
What time does a federal job announcement close?
USAJOBS expires jobs at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the published closing date. Agencies can also close or cancel an announcement early, so it is safer to apply well before the deadline.
Why can’t I see my application status?
Status tracking only works if you applied through USAJOBS using the Apply button. Status updates can also take a few hours after you submit. If the tracking link is missing, contact the agency contact listed in the job announcement.
Official sources
- Getting started – USAJOBS Help Center
- What is login.gov and why do I have to create an account? – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to create a profile – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to filter by hiring path – USAJOBS Help Center
- Eligibility vs. qualifications – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to read a job announcement – USAJOBS Help Center
- Job announcement closing types – USAJOBS Help Center
- When does a job announcement expire? – USAJOBS Help Center
- How do I write a resume for a federal job? – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to add a resume to your profile – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to apply for a job – USAJOBS Help Center
- How does the application process work? – USAJOBS Help Center
- What documents do I need to provide? – USAJOBS Help Center
- How to see your application and job status – USAJOBS Help Center
- How long does it take to get a federal job? – USAJOBS Help Center
- How do I know if I’m qualified for a job? – U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- How do I apply for federal jobs? – U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- OPM implements two-page resume standard – U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Job Scams – Federal Trade Commission
Last checked: November 6, 2026. We review this guide when the official rules change.