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Official Documents for Applicants

Helpful Tips

Use the tips below to help you with the application process. Before you get started, read the entire job announcement. This will list everything required to apply for the position. You must include all required information as listed in the USAJOBS announcement to be considered for the position. What should I include in my federal resume has many tips.

Official Transcript Tips

College transcripts must be included if the job announcement states that education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or if education is being used as a substitute for specialized experience.

  • Education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
  • An unofficial copy is acceptable to include in the application.
  • An official transcript is required prior to receiving a final job offer.
    • If you are a current employee and previously submitted official college transcripts, you can get a copy from your electronic Official Personnel File (eOPF) by following the steps below:
      1. Login to ConnectHR
      2. Under My Links, select eOPF
      3. Select Accept
      4. You will receive a pop-up notification that reads, “The webpage you are viewing is trying to close the tab. Do you want to close this tab?” Click “Yes”. (If it takes you back to the ConnectHR page, minimize the page and eOPF will open behind it).
      5. Click on “My eOPF” to access your personnel file.

Most foreign education is not accredited by an accrediting body that is recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If not accredited, you must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service. To be acceptable, the foreign credential evaluation must include/describe:

  • The type of education received;
  • The level of education in relation to the U.S. education system and state that its comparability recommendations follow the general guidelines of the U.S. National Council for the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials;
  • The content of the educational program earned abroad and the standard obtained;
  • The status of the awarding foreign school's recognition and legitimacy in its home country's education system; and
  • Any other information of interest such as what the evaluation service did to obtain this information, the qualifications of the evaluator, and any indications as to other problems such as forgery.

For a list of private organizations that evaluate foreign education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website.

SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) Tips

Current and former federal employees must submit the most recent non-award SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action showing they are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade held.

This information may not always be on the same, most recent SF-50; so additional SF-50s will need to be submitted to make sure your qualifications, including time-in-grade requirements, can be evaluated accurately. For example, you may have previously held a position on a permanent basis at a higher grade than your current position. You will need to submit a SF-50 for this position showing your highest grade.

If your application does not include a SF-50 with the required information, your application may be considered incomplete, resulting in non-referral.

Performance Appraisal Tips

Current and former federal employees must submit a recently completed performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.

  • Do not submit the entire performance plan. Submit only the appraisal showing your rating.
  • If you do not include the performance appraisal or a statement indicating why it is unavailable, your application may be considered incomplete, resulting in non-referral.

Verify Accurate Information

  • Make sure all documents needed for your application package are uploaded and open without error by carefully reviewing the Review & Submit page of the application.
  • To update an application:
    1. Login to your USAJOBS account.
    2. Under the Application section, click the plus sign (+) next to the application you want to review.
    3. Select Update Application. Follow the prompts to navigate to your application package. If you have added or replaced documents, you must go to the Documents section. 
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