It is important to fully understand the distinctions for your federal jobs search. Here are some tips for using USAJOBS and understanding the system:
Job Searches in USAJOBS
When you save a search in USAJOBS, the system automatically seeks those jobs that match the keywords and other criteria in your search; this tool is helpful to further discover more jobs that fit your interests. USAJOBS email you daily, weekly, or monthly when there are new jobs that align with your desired criteria. Applicants can create and save up to 10 saved searches; however, after one year, a saved search will expire.
How to Save a Job Search and Sign Up for Email Notifications
1. Sign in to USAJOBS (only signed in users can save their search).
2. Search a keyword or location in the search box.
3. You can narrow results by using filters.
4. Click Save this search on the search results page located above the search results.
5. Give the search a name—this will help you manage your saved searches.
6. Choose how often to get notified (daily is recommended since some jobs can open and close within a week or less)
7. Click Save.
How to Manage Your USAJOBS Saved Searches
1. Sign into USAJOBS and go to Saved Searches.
2. to see more details of the search, click the +, and from here there are multiple options:
• Run saved search | Click View Results to run the saved search and see results.
• Renew a search | Click Renew to renew the search for an additional year after it expires.
• Edit your saved search | Click Edit search criteria to change keywords, location or filters. You may save you updated search.
• Edit your notification settings | Click Edit notifications settings to change notifications to daily, weekly, monthly, or to turn them off.
• Delete saved search | Saved searches can only be deleted from archived list. Go to archived saved searches and click the + and then click Delete located under the Unarchive Search button.
If a saved search is deleted, you will no longer receive emails for those search results.
• Archive saved search | Click Archive to move the saved search to the archived list.
Checking the Status of Applications
1. Sign in to USAJOBS.
2. Go to Applications located on the Home page; active applications display automatically.
3. Review list of applications (applications are listed by the date they were last updated). The application status is highlighted next to each job application.
4. Click the + to see more application details.
Meanings Each Status
Each status tells you at what stage application is within the application process—whether it’s been received, reviewed, selected, not-selected, etc.
• Advancing
Your application has been received and is being considered for employment.
• Received
The hiring agency has received your application.
• Reviewed
The hiring agency has reviewed the application but whether or not it meets the qualifications has not yet been determined.
• Referred
Application is among the best qualified and is referred to the next step in the selection process.
• Selected
The hiring agency has offered a position.
• Hired
Applicant has accepted the position.
• Paused
The job application has not been completed and requires further action.
• In Progress
The application is unfinished; it has been started, but not completed or submitted yet. If the job is still open, the application can be completed and submitted.
• Incomplete
The application is not complete; it may be missing required documents. If the job is still open, the application can be completed and submitted.
• Stopped
Application is no longer being considered for the job, or the agency canceled the job. Applications with this status will automatically archive three months after the last status update.
• Canceled
The job announcement has been withdrawn without anyone being hired. A job announcement can be canceled any time after the job is posted.
• Not Referred
Application is not among the best qualified and has not been referred to the next step in the selection processes.
• Not Selected
Applicant has not been selected for the position.
• Not Hired
Candidate was not offered the position or declined the offer.
• Unknown
The status of the job application cannot be determined.
Note: Unavailable status may appear because…
• The hiring agency may not have yet updated USAJOBS to show that your resume was received or that your application was complete.
• Applicant may not have completed the application process.
• Applicant may not have properly logged out of USAJOBS.
• The hiring agency’s system did not return the status of the application to USAJOBS.
