How to Get a Federal Government Job
Federal jobs are posted on USAJOBS. Hiring follows a fixed process. You build a profile. You write a tailored 2-page resume. You answer an occupational questionnaire and take assessments. Then you wait. The agency reviews applications after the announcement closes. There is no single "civil service exam" anymore. This guide shows the full path. It goes from eligibility to final offer.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 2-4 hours per application; months to hire
- Steps:
- 9 steps
- Where to apply:
- opm.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 9 steps
- Before You Go 15 min
Confirm you meet basic eligibility
In general, you must be a U.S. citizen or national to work for the federal government. Agencies may hire non-citizens only in rare cases. This is when no qualified U.S. citizen is available. They may never hire non-citizens for jobs the law reserves for citizens. You must be at least 16 (some roles set maximum entry ages, 37 for federal law enforcement, and air traffic controllers must be hired before age 31). Men must have registered with Selective Service. Every appointment also needs a background and suitability check that comes out in your favor.
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- Before You Go 30 min
Create your login.gov and USAJOBS profile
Sign in to USAJOBS with a login.gov account. Then complete your USAJOBS profile. Add your contact info, citizenship, and Selective Service status. Add any prior federal or military service. You cannot apply with an incomplete profile. Save job searches. This way you get email alerts when matching jobs are posted.
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- Go 30 min per announcement
Read the entire job announcement
Never skim. Check "This job is open to." This tells you who may apply. Check Duties, Requirements, and Qualifications. Check "How you will be evaluated" and "How to Apply." The Required Documents section of the announcement is the final word. Whatever it lists is what you must attach.
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- Fill / Prepare 1-2 hours
Build a 2-page federal resume
USAJOBS has a strict 2-page resume limit, unless the announcement says otherwise. Longer resumes are removed from consideration. Tailor every resume to the announcement. Use its keywords. Address each qualification clearly. For example, "if it says MS Project, write MS Project." Use the USAJOBS resume builder. Or upload your own PDF (max 5 MB). You can store up to 5 resumes.
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- Fill / Prepare 30-60 min
Complete the questionnaire and assessments
There is no single civil service exam for all federal jobs. OPM says so directly. After you click Apply, you answer an occupational questionnaire. Preview it under Required Documents first. You may also be sent to USA Hire. This is OPM's online assessment platform. It covers 135+ job series. One rule is critical. Your resume must support every answer you give on the questionnaire.
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- Submit & Pay 30 min
Attach documents and beat the deadline
Select your resume and documents in USAJOBS's 5-step application wizard. Certify that everything is true and complete. Then finish in the agency's system. Applications and all documents must arrive by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date. Agencies may close announcements early. It is your job to check that the package is complete.
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- Wait weeks to months
Track your application
Agencies only start reviewing after the announcement closes. Expect to hear something about 15-30 days after closing. OPM's government-wide goal is 80 days from hiring need to start date. But timelines vary a lot by agency. In USAJOBS, "Track this application" takes you to the agency's system. There you see the detailed status. It can be Received, Assessed, Referred or Not Referred, Selected or Not Selected.
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- Receive —
Interview, then the two-step offer
If you are referred, the hiring official may interview you. It may be a panel, video, or phone interview. There may be several rounds. If you are selected, you get a tentative offer first. Once you accept, the agency runs the background investigation. The offer is final only after the investigation clears. Then the agency sets your start date.
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- Follow Up ongoing
Use hiring preferences and special programs
Veterans can claim 5-point or 10-point preference. You must submit the DD-214, plus SF-15 and a VA letter for 10-point. These documents are mandatory. Preference does not apply to internal announcements. Students and recent graduates should look at the Pathways programs. These offer paid internships that can convert to permanent jobs. They also offer a 1-2 year program for those within 2 years of their degree (6 years for veterans). People with disabilities can apply under Schedule A without competition. Agencies with direct hire authority can appoint any qualified applicant when there is a severe shortage. Before you accept, check what the grade on the offer actually pays.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still a civil service exam?
Not as a single test. OPM states there is no one civil service examination covering all positions. Occupational questionnaires and USA Hire online assessments replaced the old written-exam model. Each announcement tells you exactly which assessment applies.
Do I have to be a US citizen to get a federal job?
In general, yes. You must be a U.S. citizen or national. Agencies may hire non-citizens only in rare cases where no qualified U.S. citizen is available, and green-card holders cannot take positions the law reserves for citizens.
How long does federal hiring take?
Agencies do not start reviewing until the announcement closes. Applicants typically hear back 15-30 days after that. OPM's government-wide goal is 80 days from validated hiring need to start date. But real timelines vary widely by agency and role.
What are the most common application mistakes?
The five USAJOBS help pages warn about most of these. A resume over 2 pages leads to automatic disqualification. Required documents are missing. The 11:59 pm ET deadline is missed. Questionnaire answers are not backed up by the resume. Veterans' preference is claimed without the DD-214 and SF-15 paperwork.
What is veterans' preference?
Eligible veterans get 5-point preference (no disability) or 10-point preference (service-connected disability) in competitive hiring. You must claim it in the questionnaire. You must prove it with a DD-214 (plus SF-15 and a VA rating letter for 10-point). It does not apply to internal merit-promotion announcements.
What is the Pathways program?
This is the federal pipeline for students and recent graduates. It offers paid internships for current students. 640 hours of work through the program can convert to a permanent job (up to 320 hours may be credited for outstanding achievement or comparable experience). It offers a 1-2 year developmental program for those within 2 years of their degree. The limit is 6 years for veterans whose service delayed them. There is also the Presidential Management Fellows track for advanced-degree holders. Check pmf.gov for its current application status before you rely on it.
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