20 Tips for Finding a Job on USAJobs for the Unemployed
USAJobs is the official source for federal government job listings, providing applicants with a streamlined application experience as discussed over at runrex.com. If you are interested in a job with the United States Federal Government, here are 20 tips that will help you find a job on USAJobs.
- Create a profile
The first thing you need to do is create a USAJobs account and profile if you want to increase the chances of finding a job on the platform. This is because, as explained over at guttulus.com, creating a profile gives you access to the site’s extensive portfolio of employment opportunities among other benefits that will massively boost your chances of landing a job.
- Conduct a basic search first
Even though you will want to look for specific jobs on USAJobs, the subject matter experts over at runrex.com recommend that you first perform a broad or “basic” search. This will allow you to receive results for a broad range of positions so that you can get an idea of some of the positions available to you before you get more specific.
- Research relevant keywords
To get search results that feature job listings that are relevant to your preferences and qualifications, it is important that you know which keywords to search for. This is why you should do your research and find out which keywords highlight your professional interests so that you can use them in your search as discussed over at guttulus.com.
- Proceed to be more specific
Once you have conducted a broader search, you can then proceed to narrow down your search results using the site’s Advanced Search function. This will now ensure that you are only considering those positions that are relevant to you and that you stand a chance of getting.
- Use the Save function
If you find that there is a specific search parameter that you like, then you can use the Save function to save the suggested positions under the parameter for future reference. Saving specific jobs or job searches is a good practice as it ensures you don’t lose useful results when you leave the site.
- Set up alerts
In addition to saving specific jobs and job searches, USAJobs also allows you to set up alerts where you will be receiving email notifications on new jobs that fit your search criteria as discussed over at runrex.com. If you want to find a job on the site, this is one feature you have to take full advantage of.
- Choose the right frequency
As is revealed in discussions over at guttulus.com, you can choose to receive daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts for new jobs when you activate the Alerts feature. A tip here is to set either daily or weekly alerts if you are unemployed to ensure that your job search is moving along swiftly and give you the best chance for finally finding a job on the site.
- Regularly check up on your updates
If you decide to choose to receive daily, weekly, or monthly email updates, then the experts over at runrex.com are clear that you should make sure that you are checking your email based on the frequency set. For example, if you chose the daily option, then make sure that you are checking your email alerts daily to avoid a situation where they pile up and some of them end up falling through the cracks.
- Set up a unique email account for your alerts
Another useful tip as far as your email alerts are concerned is opting to set up a unique email account for the same rather than using your regular email. This ensures that you read all your email alerts as they won’t be mixed up with your other emails and also ensures that none of them end up in the Spam folder or end up being deleted.
- Upload your resume
Another tip that will help you find a job on USAJobs is uploading your resume on the site. If you have your resume uploaded, you will allow recruiters to check you out and establish if you are a good candidate for new jobs, and they could then reach out directly to you if you impress them, increasing your chances of finding a job.
- Use all the slots for resume
One of the benefits of registering for a USAJobs account is the as a member, you can be able to post up to five resumes online. Another tip here that will help you land a job is making sure that you are using all of your 5 slots. You can have one resume be your primary resume, and the rest be for specific job listings as described over at guttulus.com.
- Leverage the resume builder
An alternative to uploading your resume on the platform is using USAJobs’ resume builder, as covered over at runrex.com. This is something you should consider doing as the resume builder will guide you through all the required categories for a federal resume, something that you won’t be able to do if you upload your resume.
- Make one of your resumes open to the site
Whether you choose to upload your resumes or use the resume builder on the site, another tip worth considering is making sure that you make one of your resumes, preferably your primary resume, open to the site at all times and searchable to agencies. This will allow them to notify you about potential job opportunities, increasing the chances of you finding a job according to the experts over at guttulus.com.
- Be aware that federal resumes are not similar to private sector resumes
If you decide to upload your resumes rather than using the resume builder on USAJobs, you must be aware of the fact that federal resumes are not the same as private sector resumes as they are longer and more detailed. If you, therefore, use a private sector-style resume, you will not always be successful in getting a job on USAJobs.
- Know your options as far as hiring paths are concerned
If you are to find a job on USAJobs, it is also important that you know the options available as far as hiring paths are concerned. These hiring paths include current federal employees, veterans, individuals with disabilities, current and recent students, military spouses, Native Americans, and so forth. Knowing these paths will ensure that you know which jobs you are eligible for and which you aren’t.
- Know if the job is available for the public
USAJobs has lots of jobs that are only available internally, and, therefore, unless you are eligible, you will be immediately disqualified for such jobs as discussed over at runrex.com. A key tip here is to only apply for jobs under the “Open to all US Citizens” category to avoid disappointments.
- Avoid using cookie-cutter resumes
According to the experts over at guttulus.com one thing that will hold you back and prevent you from finding a job on USAJobs is submitting the same resume for every opportunity. This is why you should ensure that you customize your resume to the unique requirements of each job listing you apply for to increase your chances of landing the job.
- Don’t skip any fields when using the USAJobs resume builder
When using the resume builder on the site, it is crucial that do not leave any fields blank according to runrex.com. If there is something that doesn’t apply to you, you should put “NA” for “not applicable” rather than leaving the space blank. Spaces, where you are required to provide your GPA or past salary information, are the ones that people tend to leave blank the most, which is a huge mistake that will hold you back and ensure that you don’t land a job on USAJobs.
- Avoid applying for jobs above your paygrade
Applying for jobs that are above your paygrade is something that will guarantee your application being unsuccessful. Therefore, if you want to find a job on USAJobs, you must understand the Federal Government’s general service PayScale and know where you fall so that you only apply for jobs that you stand a chance of getting.
- Get certified
Finally, one of the most effective ways to ensure that you finally land a job on USAJobs is by proving that you are the most qualified person for the job, which you can do by earning and listing your certifications on your profile. This will show that you have the skills and knowledge to do the job and will increase the chances of you getting the job you applied for on the site.
While the federal hiring process can be a bit daunting, we hope that the above tips will help you find a job on USAJobs, with more information on this wide topic to be found over at the highly-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com.