As you know, it is nearly impossible to apply for a federal job without using both USAJOBS.gov and ApplicationManager.gov. Application Manager is the most used tool for application questionnaires.

Over the past few weeks, Application Manager has quietly undergone some major changes that will affect how you use the system.

The site has no dedicated “News” or “Updates” page, but they are issuing this standard email via their help desk:

“Application Manager has been enhanced to improve the application process and will provide the following benefits.

• Standardizes the application process by directing applicants through their USAJOBS account when applying
• Eliminates the need for a separate account in Application Manager
• Provides a standardized method and centralized location for applicants to verify their status and documents submitted through their USAJOBS account.”

What does this mean for you and/or your clients?

You no longer need (or are able to use) a separate username/password for Application Manager.

You now only need one username/password to access both USAJOBS and Application Manager. The downside is that you can no longer access Application Manager directly. You must go through USAJOBS.

If you close Application Manager in the middle of applying for a job, you will have to sign back in to USAJOBS to access that questionnaire. Then go to My Account – Main Page. Select Application Status. Scroll down and click on the job title of the job you were applying to. Then select Update Application on the job announcement. You will be asked to reselect the correct resume and supporting documents. Then you will be forwarded to Application Manager and asked to click Accept and Proceed the terms. You will then find your questionnaire and application.

You can no longer track applications using Application Manager directly. The “Main” page on Application Manager is gone.

Application Manager is still tracking applications, but applicants must first sign in to USAJobs. Then view My Account – Main Page, select Application Status and click More Information next to the job to which you applied. You will then be forwarded to Application Manager.

Final Tip

This change isn’t mentioned on any official websites, but we have noted that some questionnaire questions are no longer followed by a red * (required field) asterisk.

That means applicants might mistakenly submit applications without filling out the entire questionnaire.

Just a reminder, every question on the questionnaire is a required question—even if a red asterisk does not follow it.

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You can be in touch with Application Manager directly through their Help Desk email address: ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov

As always, we are staying on top of changes as they occur! Soon, we will be updating our Jobseeker’s Guide with these changes and more. Let us know if you see any other changes to the federal application process that we should be aware of!

Thanks! Kathryn

My blog from last week, Are You Reading the USAJOBS Announcements Carefully Enough?, received a wonderful response from Department of the Navy Human Resources Specialist Sally Klein. She agrees with that jobseekers need to Read Their Instructions! Read her response here:

Kathryn,

As a DON HR Specialist, who works exclusively with staffing/recruiting, I totally appreciate your attempt to clarify the importance of actually READING the entire announcement and following it’s directions. I put a lot of effort towards creating that announcement and assessment questionnaire to capture the essential aspects of the vacancy. My goal is to give the applicant as much information as I can about how to qualify and how to apply to that vacancy.

When you stated that “ignoring the instructions and notices on a federal job announcement is the most sure-fire way to guarantee that your application will not be considered” you were SPOT ON!!!! If you can’t even follow written instructions, do you really think you are the best qualified candidate for that vacancy? Good Grief!

Now, if you could address (or re-address as the case might be) the fact that in order for me (the HR Specialist) to determine if you are qualified for the vacancy, you ACTUALLY have to TELL me in your resume why and where you have the experience to qualify you for the vacancy, because, really…. I don’t know you and I don’t know what your current or past job experience is….. the burden is on you to convince me (via your resume) that you are the best qualified candidate for that vacancy….

Thanks, Kathryn, for your articles… I’ve enjoyed and appreciated them for many years!

– Sally A. Klein, HR Specialist, DON OCHR Silverdale Operations

Find the Pot of Gold in the Vacancy Announcement

To reiterate what Ms. Klein emphasized, you must TELL the human resources specialist in your resume why and where you have the experience to qualify for the job.

How, exactly, do you do this?

I teach my clients to find the pot of gold in the vacancy announcement. The Specialized Experience section is where the jackpot of information and keywords is hidden. You can analyze the Specialized Experience section of the vacancy announcement for the relevant skills that must be (legitimately) included in your resume in order to qualify for the job. Make sure the knowledge, skills, and abilities from this section of the announcement are clearly identifiable in your resume.

As always, good luck with your federal job search.