Applicant FAQs
Visit the Application Process page for complete instructions.
You can save searches and receive daily, weekly, or monthly emails of openings that match your criteria.
First, you will need to create an account with login.gov, a secure federal sign-in service for the public. Then, create a profile on USAJOBS so you can save and automate job searches.
Sign in to your Application Manager account to check your status. (You created an Application Manager account when applying on USAJOBS for the first time.)
Click on the vacancy ID for the announcement, and then “details.” It will show the date your assessment was submitted and the date your resume and other supporting documents were received.
USAJOBS and Application Manager are two different programs. You must sign in to Application Manager to view your status.
No, you can check your status through your Application Manager account.
The hiring process may take a while, anywhere from 60-120 days. There may be other qualified applicants that the hiring facility is reviewing. The hiring facility will notify you directly to schedule an interview or inform you that the vacancy has already been filled.
Normally, you will receive an email within 10-15 business days after the closing date.
Each job announcement has a different vacancy ID number. The job may be in a different location or at a different grade level than the previous announcement. The job duties may also vary. In any case, you must apply for each announcement separately.
You may or may not be contacted for an interview. The facility is not required to interview all names that are referred. The facility is given 30 days to use each “referral certificate” and can request an extension of up to another 60 days.
In most cases, you cannot submit required forms after the announcement has closed.
Veterans with preference have either 5 or 10 points added to their scores, which means there could potentially be applicants with scores of up to 110. Only 3-5 names are referred for each vacancy, and certain Veterans with preference automatically go to the top of the list.
You can find most of the forms you need here.
For help downloading required documents or to obtain paper forms in the mail, contact our help desk at 1-844-456-5208.
If you are unable to apply online or are unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, please contact the agency contact listed in the How to Apply section at the bottom of the job announcement.
Yes. VA is committed to hiring Veterans, and Veteran status figures prominently in our selection process.
USAJOBS offers complete instructions on how to apply for Veterans’ preference.
No. Original, unopened transcripts are only required if you are selected for the position. Uploading a copy of your transcripts or full course listing is acceptable.
When available, salary information is included within individual job postings. Most often, a Professional Standards Board determines an applicant’s starting salary based on experience and level of practice. For many health care positions, salaries are based on local pay scales and regional special salary rates; therefore, specific information may be available from the recruiter at the facility where you wish to work. Additional salary information for many positions is available at www.opm.gov.
Visit our Education Support page or call 1-844-456-5208.
VA hires U.S. citizens, but there are some exceptions made in certain circumstances. Contact the hiring facility for information.
Detailed instructions are located within each job announcement. If you still have questions, you can contact the VA Human Resources office listed in the announcement.
