Questions & Answers of Interest to Employees/Applicants

Q. How do I apply for a NASA job?

A. Job announcements and the Applicant Guide provide more detail on this process, as well as instructions for filing a hard copy application. To apply electronically:

1. Set up a USAJOBS account, and create as many as five USAJOBS resumes.

2. Go to USAJOBS (or use a link on NASAJOBS to go to the USAJOBS site) and search for NASA vacancies.

3. Once you’ve found a job for which you wish to apply, click the ‘Apply on Line’ button and select the USAJOBS resume you want to use.

4. Once you do that, you will be asked to complete the NASA supplemental information. Except for SES positions, which require narrative statements, this information is very brief and should only take you a few minutes to complete. You must finish and submit it, however, in order to have a complete application and receive consideration.

Q. Where can I get information on completing a resume that will make me a good candidate for NASA jobs?

A. USAJOBS provides detailed instructions on completing your resume on their builder. In addition, NASA’s Applicant Guide provides additional information and tips on creating a resume that will make you a good NASA candidate. Most importantly, you need to be aware that NASA will not accept a resume over approximately 22,000 characters (including spaces), which is roughly the equivalent of six typed pages. There is no limit on the USAJOBS builder, but you will not be allowed to complete the application process if your resume is too long.

Q. Do I need to submit KSA’s for vacancies at NASA?

A. No, NASA’s hiring process eliminates the need to spend hours of your time expanding your application to address specific KSAs, which you have generally already addressed in the body of your application.

Q. Should I send verification documents, such as transcripts or proof of veterans’ preference status?

A. No, unless the vacancy announcement specifically requests a document at the time of application. In most cases, NASA will no longer require that verification documents be submitted with your application. However, if you are selected for a position, you will be required to provide all necessary verification documents within a resasonable timeframe after you receive a tentative job offer.

Q. Will I be able to see the Resumix grammar base used to rate my résumé?

A. No, the Resumix grammar base is proprietary and is not accessible to applicants. However, the responsible Human Resources Office will be able to determine how Resumix rated your resume, what competencies you were credited with, and why your resume was or was not rated as highly qualified. Remember, this is not a ‘word match’ rating tool; however, like any rating method, you can only be rated on the information you provide in your resume.

Q. Can I still submit a paper application?

A. You may submit a paper resume by mailing it to NASA's Resume Operations Center located at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The mailing address is in the vacancy announcement. You must still include the same information provided in an electronic resume. Please see the Applicant Guide for more details. These résumés are scanned into the NASA STARS database and then filed and stored at MSFC in accordance with current personnel file retention policy.

Q. How do I apply for NASA Senior Executive Service jobs?

A. The process is virtually the same as for non-SES positions, except that you will be required to complete narrative statements on your Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications. We encourage you to complete that information separately off-line, and ‘paste’ it into the on-line form. The SES announcements and the Applicant Guide contain complete information.

Q. May I use different USAJOBS resumes to apply to different NASA vacancies on the same day?

A. Yes, but you are not required to use different resumes, and may continue to use a single resume if you believe it best reflects your background. And, of course, you are responsible for providing accurate and complete information about your experience and education.

In addition, you may use your USAJOBS resume to apply to vacancies in a variety of Federal agencies. Ultimately, it will be accepted across the Federal government, thereby eliminating the need for you to maintain different resumes on individual agency sites.

Q. Will USAJOBS notify me of vacancies in which I’m interested, and provide me with other job-related information?

A. Yes! A job notification service and other applicant information is available through your USAJOBS account.