Top Job Application Mistakes Page 1
Top Job Application Mistakes
1) Applying to jobs in which you do not meet area of consideration.
Situation: When applying to jobs on USAjobs.gov,
it is important to be aware of different hiring paths,
also known as areas of consideration. The Federal
Government offers unique hiring paths based on
eligibility such as being a military veteran or a recent
graduate. For many positions, if you do not meet the
particular eligibility, you will not be considered for the
position.
Solution: Always check the hiring paths/areas of
consideration on the job announcement page. They are
highlighted on the right side of the page under the “This
Job is Open to” tab. An explanation for each hiring path is
provided as well as links to more in-depth overviews of the
selected area of consideration.
2) Failing to read the entire job announcement.
Situation: Federal job announcements cover
multiple topics such as duties, requirements,
benets, and application steps. The information
provided in these announcements is crucial to a
successful application. Failure to read the entire
announcement can result in missing important
information needed throughout the application
process.
Solution: Read the announcement in its entirety.
Hiring managers recommend printing the job
announcement and highlighting the important
information. Also be aware of the application
deadlines. Application windows are followed strictly
and are rarely extended. Once a hiring window
closes, you will be unable to make any changes to
your application.
Top Job Application Mistakes Page 2
Top Job Application Mistakes
3) Leaving out basic, but important information in your resume.
Situation: Most Government agencies require applicants to
make sure that their resume states begin and end dates of
employment and hours worked per week. Failure to provide
this information is an automatic disqualication for most
government agencies, including the Government Publishing
Ofce. Other announcements may specify that the applicant
is to use the online resume builder provided by USAjobs.
gov.
Solution: Read through the job announcement in its entirety.
The top reason applicants fail to qualify is for not
including starting and ending dates (month/year),
hours worked per week, and salary for each previous
employment. It is strongly recommended to place this
critical information into your resume and application.
4) Failing to add required documents.
Situation: One of the most frustrating things
for human capital specialists to deal with in the
hiring process is to see a fantastic resume from a
qualied candidate, only to see them disqualied
due to the applicant failing to add a required document. Many job announcements
require certain documents or forms, such as transcripts. Failure to add these
documents can result in an automatic disqualication. The required documents on
an application can change depending on your area of consideration. For example, if
you are a current or former Federal employee, you will be required to attach an SF-
50, which is written documentation that proves Federal employment.
Solution: To nd the required documents for any application, please review the job
announcement in detail. You will nd a list of the required documents as well as an
in-depth description of what every document is. If you are a recent graduate or have
no prior Federal service, you may be required to upload different documentation
than if you are a current or former Federal employee. Be aware of your area of
consideration and attach the appropriate documentation. Remember, once the
application window closes, you will be unable to attach documents.
Top Job Application Mistakes Page 3
Top Job Application Mistakes
5) Failing to add appropriate references on your resume.
Situation: Most job announcements
require references on an applicant’s
resume. It is important to provide
at least three references, including
names, positions, email addresses,
and relationships to the applicant.
Solution: Hiring managers recommend providing references that, if possible, are
appropriate/relevant to the job announcement.
6) Not tailoring the resume to the job announcement.
Situation: Resumes for Federal job
applications are often different than resumes
in the private sector. In the private sector,
we are taught to have short, concise
resumes; however, the Federal Government
prefers to have more in-depth resumes that
clearly highlight the skills and experiences
of the applicant as it pertains to the job
announcement. Every government agency has
different needs and expectations for a prospective employee; therefore, every job
announcement is different. Many applicants make the mistake of creating one basic
resume and using it for multiple job applications. Moreover, they often fail to provide
enough information, or conversely, provide too much information.
Solution: It is recommended to review the job announcement to nd the relevant
skills and experiences desired in an applicant. These qualities in an applicant
can be found under various sections within the job announcement (i.e. duties,
responsibilities, qualications, and education). A competitive resume will provide
examples of the desired skills and experiences. Therefore, every resume should be
tailored to the specic job announcement. Most hiring managers would encourage
the applicant to not be too modest and to show their qualications honestly.
USAjobs.gov offers a free resume-building tool that can assist applicants in creating
an effective resume. In general, an appropriate length for a resume is between 4–8
pages.
Top Job Application Mistakes Page 4
Top Job Application Mistakes
7) Failing to match resume with self-assessment.
Situation: Many Government agencies require
applicants to take a self-assessment throughout
the application process. These assessments are
created to determine job eligibility. When taking
the assessment, applicants may be asked for
responses that include “True/False,” “Yes/No,”
and “Check All That Apply.” You may be required
to rate yourself in terms of skills and experiences
that are pertinent to the job announcement.
Oftentimes, applicants fail to provide proof of
these answers on their resume.
Solution: Hiring managers recommend providing
evidence to self-assessment answers on
resumes. For example, if you indicate in your self-
assessment that you have experience creating
and implementing budgets, that information should
be clearly stated on your resume. As previously
mentioned, job announcements highlight the skills
and experiences covered in the self-assessment.
Thoroughly read through the announcement and
familiarize yourself with the pertinent information
so you can most effectively apply to the position.
Take what you have learned
and use it in your job search
on USAJobs.gov.
