USAJOBS Guide for Veterans

USAJOBS (usajobs.gov) is the official employment site of the United States federal government. Every federal job opening — from entry-level clerks to senior engineers — gets posted here. If you want to work for the federal government, this is where you start.

Unlike private-sector job boards, USAJOBS has its own rules, its own resume format, and its own application process. It can feel frustrating at first, but veterans have significant advantages in federal hiring if they know how to use the system correctly.

1. Go to usajobs.gov and create a login.gov account
2. Complete your profile — this includes your contact information, work experience, education, and military service
3. Build or upload your resume (see the federal resume section below)
4. Set up job search alerts for positions that match your interests

Finding Jobs

You can search by keyword, location, agency, pay grade, and hiring path. For veterans, look specifically for:

• "Open to the public" announcements — veterans' preference applies here
• "Veterans" hiring path — jobs specifically using veteran hiring authorities
• "Military spouses" — if your spouse is also job hunting

A federal resume is not the same as a private-sector resume. Federal resumes require more detail and follow specific formatting rules.

What to Include for Every Job

• Job title (use the exact title)
• Employer name and full address
• Start and end dates (month and year — not just year)
• Hours worked per week (this is required, not optional)
• Salary (or grade/series if it was a federal job)
• Supervisor name and phone number (indicate if they may be contacted)
• Detailed description of duties and accomplishments — use plain language, not military jargon

Resume Length and Format

Federal agencies accept resumes up to 2 pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. USAJOBS will not let you upload or build resumes longer than two pages. Save and upload your resume as a PDF to keep the formatting intact. Maximum file size is 5MB.

Tips for Veterans

• Translate military language. Instead of "led a fire team of 4 personnel in dismounted operations," say "supervised a team of 4 employees in field operations, ensuring task completion and safety compliance."
• Include all relevant training. Military schools, certifications, and professional development courses count.
• Quantify your accomplishments. "Managed $2.3 million in equipment" is stronger than "managed equipment."
• Match the job announcement keywords. Read the qualifications section carefully and mirror its language in your resume.

Federal job announcements can be long and confusing. Here are the sections that matter most:

Overview

• Series and Grade (e.g., GS-0343-09) — tells you the job classification and pay level
• Salary range — based on grade, step, and locality pay
• Open and closing dates — the deadline is absolute; late applications are never accepted
• Who can apply — this is critical; if you don't meet the "hiring path" criteria, you won't be considered

Requirements

• Qualifications — the experience and/or education you need
• Specialized experience — specific experience required for the grade level. This is the single most important thing to address in your resume.
• Education — some jobs allow education to substitute for experience, especially at lower grades
• KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) — the specific competencies needed for the job

Required Documents

• Resume
• DD-214 (Member 4 copy preferred)
• SF-15 (if claiming 10-point preference)
• VA disability letter (if applicable)
• Transcripts (if education is required)

1. Find a job on usajobs.gov that matches your skills
2. Read the entire announcement — especially Qualifications, Specialized Experience, and Required Documents
3. Tailor your resume to match the announcement's language and requirements
4. Gather your documents — DD-214, SF-15, VA letter, transcripts, certifications
5. Apply through USAJOBS — follow the instructions exactly
6. Complete the assessment questionnaire — rate yourself accurately but don't undersell your experience
7. Submit before the deadline — do not wait until the last hour
8. Check your application status — USAJOBS will update your status (Received, Reviewed, Referred, Selected, Not Selected)
9. Be patient — federal hiring typically takes 80–120 days from announcement to start date

Veterans' preference gives eligible veterans an advantage in competitive federal hiring. It does not guarantee a job, but it can move you ahead of non-veteran candidates.

5-Point Preference (TP)

You are eligible if you:

• Served on active duty for more than 180 consecutive days (not counting training)
• Were discharged under honorable conditions
• Served during a qualifying period (after January 31, 1955) or received a campaign medal

What it does: Adds 5 points to your passing score in a rated examination.

10-Point Preference

You are eligible if you:

• Have a service-connected disability (any rating), OR
• Received a Purple Heart, OR
• Are the spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a disabled or deceased veteran (in certain circumstances)

Required Documentation

• 5-point: DD-214 (showing character of discharge and dates of service)
• 10-point: DD-214 + SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) + supporting documentation (VA letter, etc.)

Important Notes

• Veterans' preference applies to competitive service positions open to the public
• It does not apply to positions in the excepted service or Senior Executive Service
• Military retirees at the rank of Major / Lieutenant Commander or higher are NOT eligible for preference unless they are disabled veterans

The General Schedule (GS) is the pay system for most white-collar federal employees. Understanding it helps you know what a job actually pays.

How It's Structured

• 15 grades: GS-1 (lowest) through GS-15 (highest)
• 10 steps within each grade: Step 1 (starting) through Step 10 (maximum for that grade)
• Each step increase is worth roughly 3% of your salary
• Locality pay is added on top of base pay depending on where you work (DC, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay more)

2026 Base Pay (Before Locality Adjustments)

Source: OPM 2026 GS Salary Table, effective January 2026

Step Increases (Within-Grade Increases)

You move up in steps based on acceptable performance and time in grade:

• Steps 1–3: 1 year between each step
• Steps 4–6: 2 years between each step
• Steps 7–9: 3 years between each step

Locality Pay

The base GS rates above are the minimum. Most federal employees receive locality pay on top of these amounts, ranging from roughly 17% to 45% depending on location. Use OPM's GS Salary Calculator at opm.gov to see what a job actually pays in your area.

1. Using a private-sector resume format. Federal resumes require specific information (hours per week, supervisor names, detailed duties). A one-page private resume will not work.
2. Submitting the same resume for every job. Each application should be tailored to the specific job announcement. Mirror the keywords and qualifications from the announcement in your resume.
3. Forgetting required documents. Not uploading your DD-214, SF-15, transcripts, or VA disability letter when required will disqualify you, even if you are perfectly qualified.
4. Leaving fields blank. If using the USAJOBS Resume Builder, fill in every field. Put "N/A" if something does not apply.
5. Missing the deadline. Federal job deadlines are absolute. There are no exceptions, even for technical difficulties.
6. Not claiming veterans' preference. If you are eligible, claim it. But make sure you include the supporting documentation.
7. Using military jargon. HR specialists reviewing your resume may not understand military terminology. Translate everything into civilian language.
8. Underselling military experience. Veterans often do not realize their military experience qualifies them for higher-grade positions. A squad leader managed personnel, budgets, equipment, and training — that is mid-level management experience.
9. Ignoring the self-assessment questionnaire. Many veterans answer the questionnaire too modestly. If the job asks "Can you manage a budget?" and you managed a $2 million equipment account, the answer is "Expert" — not "Some experience."
10. Applying only to "veterans" postings. You can (and should) also apply to jobs open to the public, where veterans' preference gives you an edge.

• USAJOBS Help Center — guides for every step of the process
• Feds Hire Vets — OPM's resource specifically for veteran job seekers
• VA for Vets — VA's employment assistance for veterans
• OPM GS Salary Calculator — look up actual pay by location
• Contact for help: fedshirevets@opm.gov or (202) 606-5090