Application Tips

Tips for Applying to NIST Jobs

Credit: M. King/NIST

• General Application Tips 
• How to Search for Jobs 
• Resume Tips 
• Required Documentation 
• Transcripts
• How to Submit an Application 
• After You Apply 
• Late and Incomplete Applications 
• Foreign Education 
• Applying with Superior Academic Achievement 
• Applying as a Displaced Federal Employee 
• How You Will Be Evaluated 
• Reconsideration 

General Application Tips

While these tips will not guarantee a job with the federal workforce, we hope that they will assist you when applying for a job with NIST.

How to Search for Jobs

1. Create a login.gov account if you don’t already have one. 
2. Create a USAJOBS profile. Unless you have received an approved accommodation, NIST cannot accept applications outside of the USAJOBS application system. 
3. Search for NIST jobs.  

Resume Tips

Please view this instructional video on resume writing for federal employment to learn more. 

At a minimum, your resume should contain: 
•    job title(s) (include job series and grade, if federal)
•    duties description(s)
•    starting and ending dates (month and year) and hours worked per week. 

We recommend using the USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure you do not miss any information.

Tip: Make sure the information you provide in your resume meets the specialized experience requirements listed in the job announcement. We can’t infer qualifications simply because you say you held a specific position in the past. By law, HR professionals must be able to identify precisely in the resume where an applicant has the specialized experience that is required for the position.  

Tip: Consider making your resume searchable in USAJOBS. This will increase the chances of being found by potential employers who are seeking candidates with your skills and experience. Watch this tutorial on how to make your resume searchable. 

Example: If you are applying for a position that requires specialized experience in conference and meeting services support, audiovisual/video teleconferencing/virtual meeting services, and management of teams responsible for these areas, you must address those specific elements in your resume. 

Required Documentation

The documents you are required to submit may vary based on how you’re applying. If you’re a veteran, for example, you’ll have to submit the required documentation. See our list of Required Documents so you know what documents apply to your application. Failure to submit the documentation may lead to your application not being considered.  

Transcripts

• Uploading a copy of your diploma alone is not enough to verify your education. Remember to submit copies of your transcripts each time you apply for a position that requires them, even if you are a current federal employee. 
• If you have several degrees, submit all your transcripts for each degree. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

How to Submit an Application

1. Review the announcement thoroughly. 
2. Gather your resume and supporting documents. 
3. Click the Apply button in the announcement. 
4. Follow the prompts and upload your documents when requested. 
5. Once your application is complete, click Continue Application with Agency, and you will continue to the Department of Commerce’s hiring system for the rest of your application. 
6. Answer your eligibility questions. 
7. Complete assessments (if required). 
8. Upload any requested documentation. 
9. To be considered for the position, you must select at least one eligibility. 
10. Click Submit. 

After You Apply

You can update or check the status of your application by logging into your USAJOBS profile, clicking on the Home tab, and selecting the application.

Late and Incomplete Applications

Please allow adequate time to submit your application. Your complete application, including all required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement you apply to. You will be unable to submit your application if you start the process before the closing date and then try to submit after the deadline passes. We cannot accept late applications after the closing date of the announcement, unless you are a person entitled to file a late application or the vacancy announcement indicates that additional time is allotted to complete the assessment process.

Tip: If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail from USAJOBS that your application was submitted, there may have been a technical issue with your application. If this happens, email or call the Agency Contact listed on the announcement to verify that your application and all supporting documentation was received. Please communicate with the Agency Contact as far in advance of the closing date in the announcement as possible. This will help address concerns in a timely manner. 

Foreign Education

You can receive credit for education earned outside the United States. This is typically completed by obtaining an education evaluation through a credential evaluation service. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a letter with the results of the evaluation with a course-by-course listing. This letter must be provided with your application. 

Tip: For positions that require a completed degree, HR must be able to confirm on your transcript the date your degree was conferred. Make sure any uploaded transcript(s) include the degree’s conferred date. HR professionals cannot infer when you graduated from your resume alone, and your application may be disqualified if you don’t provide this information. 

How You Will Be Evaluated

Below is an overview of how your application will be evaluated based on the hiring authority you are applying through. 

Merit Promotion 

• Your SF-50 (or veterans) documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility under merit promotion.
• If applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) consideration, you must submit the documents identified under Required Documents.  If VEOA eligibility cannot be determined, consideration will not be given.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• Minimally qualified and best qualified (based upon responses to the job questionnaire) merit and VEOA eligible candidates are referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview. As appropriate, incentive awards and performance appraisals will be given due weight.

Agency Based or Delegated Examining 

•  Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
•  Your application will be placed in one of three categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on the responses to the job questionnaire.
•  You must be minimally qualified and best qualified (Gold Category) to be referred to the selecting official.
•  Veterans preference-eligible candidates will be listed at the top of the category in which they are placed. 
•  Veteran preference-eligible candidates with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the Gold category. 
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.
• Learn more

Special Appointing Authority 

• Your supporting documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility for a Special Appointing Authority.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• You must be minimally qualified to be referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.

Displaced/Surplus Federal Employees (CTAP or ITCAP) 

• Your supporting documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• You must be minimally qualified and well qualified (score of 85-100 based upon responses to the job questionnaire) to be referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.

Reconsideration

If your application was deemed unqualified, you can request reconsideration within three business days of your application status changed in USAJOBS. Email the Agency Contact listed in this vacancy announcement with:

• A written request listing the announcement number
• Explanation of why the original determination was improper
• What factors were not considered
• Any other pertinent information to support the reconsideration request