• You must use the USAJobs Resume Builder at www.usajobs.gov to submit an electronic resume.
• Do not use bullets and other special characters. A simple, text resume is best. Emphasizing bullet points with a dash is acceptable formating.
• Your resume can be no longer than 6 pages, or approximately 22,000 characters. You will not be able to complete the application process if your resume is too long.
• You may have up to five different resumes active in the USAJobs database.
• Do not send supplemental documents such as the DD 214 or transcripts. We will ask for these near the end of the hiring process.
• When submitting a paper resume, follow the instructions in Alternate Application Method and avoid colors, graphics, pictures, or unusual fonts.
• Do not fax your resume, it will not be accepted.
• Mailed resumes must be sent to the Resume Operations Center at Marshall Space Flight Center, not the Center posting the vacancy. See Alternate Application Method for further information.
• U. S. citizenship is required, except for some Senior Executive Service positions.

When you apply for a NASA vacancy, your USAJOBS "Application Management" page will reflect the status of all announcements to which you have applied using the USAJOBS resume. When you apply to NASA vacancies, one of two status options will appear -

• Application Started - This message means that you have begun the application process but have not successfully submitted a complete application. If you do not return and complete the entire process before the announcement closes, you will not receive consideration for the vacancy.

• Resume Received - Complete - This message means that you have successfully applied for the vacancy. NASA will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility, and refer you for consideration if appropriate.

  NOTE: As of the time this guidance is being written, your status message will reflect your most recent application. For example, you successfully apply (status is "resume received - complete") and you subsequently begin, but do not complete, a re-application. Your USAJOBS status will then show "Application Started," reflecting your most recent activity. However, under NASA procedures you will receive consideration based on your first, complete, application.

If you do not see a vacancy to which you believe you have applied on the Application Management page, you may not actually have applied properly. If the announcement is still open, you may wish to reapply to confirm your consideration. If you have other evidence that you applied, such as an email, we recommend you contact USAJOBS directly with questions about the information on your page.

In addition to basic information about whether you have successfully applied, NASA also provides you with additional information about the progress of the vacancy announcement. You can access this information by clicking the "More Information" button direction underneath your application status message.

The messages will vary depending on whether you have applied to a case examining announcement or an open continuous announcement. (For more information, see the section entitled Vacancy Announcement Types.)

For case examining announcements, you will see one of the following messages

• Accepting Applications - This means the announcement is open to the acceptance of new or updated applications. Unless the announcement specifies interim referral cut-off dates, no referrals or selections have been made.
• Reviewing Applications - This means the announcement is closed to the acceptance of new or updated applications. Applications are moving through the evaluation and referral process. No selection has been made.
• Selection has been made - This means that the advertised position(s) were offered to, and accepted by, an applicant. If more than one vacancy was advertised, at least one of the positions has been filled, although additional selections may yet be made.
• Vacancy has been canceled - This means that the vacancy is no longer available to be filled, and that no selections will be made from the announcement.

For open-continuous announcements, you will see one of the following messages:

• Accepting Applications - We may be filling positions while the announcement is open. This means that the announcement is open to the acceptance of new or updated applications. Because positions may be filled on an on-going basis, some positions may be filled during this time.
• Announcement is closed - No new or updated applications will be accepted. We may continue to fill vacancies from this announcement for a limited period of time. - This means that the application process is closed. If appropriate vacancies arise for a limited time thereafter, we may use the applicant pool to fill them.
• Vacancy has been canceled - This message means that no positions have been or will be filled from the announcement.

In addition to vacancy announcement status information, the NASA STARS status message provides you with the following capability:

• You may view the vacancy announcement throughout the entire 18-month period your application information remains on the USAJOBS site. (At the present time, USAJOBS only allows you to view the announcement during the open period.)
• You will see information about your application, including the date on which you applied to the announcement. You may also view the resume submitted to this announcement (resume only - not the additional NASA-specific questions). If you applied more than once, all information will reflect the last date on which you submitted a complete application package.

Status messaging is intended to provide you with basic information about the progress of the announcement process. It also provides you with a short audit trail of your personal application, i.e., the date you last applied and the resume you used. It is not intended to answer detailed individual questions about your personal circumstances. If you need more detailed information, please contact the specialist listed in the job announcement.

If you have questions about USAJOBS status messaging capability, we recommend that you contact them directly. Also, keep in mind that agencies have flexibility in implementing this USAJOBS tool, so not all agencies provide exactly the same features or information.

• Case Examining: Most NASA jobs are opened to candidates as vacancies occur. Applications must be received by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement for consideration.
• Open Continuous: Some NASA jobs are open to high quality, experienced, and entry-level applicants on an almost continuous basis. Applications made under open continuous announcements are accepted and retained for 3 months from receipt, for consideration for vacancies that occur during that time period. Selections may be made from the open continuous inventory at any time while the announcement is open.

• Education: We do not use information from the fields labeled "Minor," "Credits," "System for Credits," and "Honors"
• Under the "Related Information" tab, we do not accept the following fields:
• References. We will ask you for references if it is appropriate to do so.
• Additional Language Skills. It is extremely rare for a NASA job to have a foreign language requirement. If you feel it is important for us to have this information, please put it in the "Additional Information" block.
• Affiliations. This information normally has little bearing on the evaluation of your qualifications. If you feel it is important for us to have this information, please put it in the "Additional Information" block.
• Availability. This information is used if you choose to make your resume available to recruiters searching the USAJOBS data base. When you apply for a NASA position, we will specifically confirm your interest and availability for the position being filled.

1. We will ask you to respond to a short series of screening questions to confirm your interest and eligibility. These questions verify that you meet the area of consideration requirements, and that you are interested in the type of appointment, grade level or location of the position. The questions are described in more detail below.
2. We will verify that your resume is not more than 6 pages long. If it is longer than 6 pages, we will return you to the USAJobs Resume Builder to revise your resume.
3. We will ask you a short series of supplemental questions to help us determine your employment status and eligibility for various employment programs. The questions are described in more detail below.
4. If you are applying for an SES position, we will ask you to complete the SES Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and SES Executive Technical Qualifications questions. We STRONGLY recommend that you complete those materials off-line before starting the application process.

• If you have used the full 3,000 characters allowed by USAJOBS for each of eight experience blocks, you will reach the 22,000 character limit! Review the descriptions of your experience to ensure that they are concise, and focus only on the most significant and relevant aspects of your experience. In addition, your resume need not address every job you have ever had, but should focus on those that are most recent and relevant. Remember, you may now tailor your resume for the job for which you are applying, so focus on those aspects of your experience that are most relevant.
• If you have included information on your publications, review the information there. You are not well served by simply providing a "laundry list" of every article you have ever published. Focus on those that are most recent and/or most significant. Otherwise you run the risk that the hiring manager will not really notice your most important accomplishments.
• Carefully consider the information in the "Additional Information" section. NASA does not accept separate "knowledge, skills, and ability" (KSA) statements, so do NOT use this block for that purpose. When applying with NASA, this section should only be used for information such as performance awards, or special licenses and certificates.

• You must have been selected for a term position at NASA under a competitive announcement stating that those selected may be converted to permanent appointment.
• You must have at least two years of continuous service under a term appointment in the competitive service. The service may have been performed at other Federal agencies besides NASA.
• Your performance must be fully successful or better.

• Pay Plan: Enter a two character designation, normally alphabetic.
• Grade: Select a two character numeric designation. If your current grade is in a pay banded or other system using alphabetic designations, please convert your grade to an equivalent General Schedule (or Wage System) numeric grade, if at all possible. If it is not possible to do this, please enter your grade as "00".

• Pay Plan: Enter a two character designation, normally alphabetic.
• Grade: Select a two character numeric designation. If your highest grade was in a pay banded or other system using alphabetic designations, please convert your grade to an equivalent General Schedule (or Wage System) numeric grade, if at all possible. If it is not possible to do this, please enter your grade as "00".
• From Date: The date you entered the position.
• To Date: The date you left the position. If you are still employed in this position, select "c" for the month/day/year.

• Veterans who are entitled to disability compensation, or who were discharged or released from active duty because of a service connected disability.
• Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which they received an authorized campaign/expedition badge/medal;
• Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which they were awarded an Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM); and
• Veterans who have separated from active service within the last three years (38 USC 4211(6)).

• Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities (such as: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working). A physical or mental impairment means:
• Any physiological disorder, or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more systems such as: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, ardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, respiratory, genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine
• Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. Has a record of such an impairment (this means that the person has a history of, or has been classified as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities)
• Is regarded as having such an impairment; this includes individuals who are perceived to have disabilities.

• Hearing Impairments
       -- Total deafness in both ears, with understandable speech
       -- Total deafness in both ears and unable to speak clearly
• Vision Impairments
       -- Inability to read ordinary size print, not correctable by glasses (Can read oversized print or use assistive devices such as glass or projector modifier)
       -- Blind in both eyes (No usable vision, but may have some light perception)
• Missing Extremities
       -- One arm
       -- One leg
       -- Both hands or arms
       -- Both feet or legs
       -- One hand or arm and one foot or leg
       -- One hand or arm and both feet or legs
       -- Both hands or arms and one foot or leg
       -- Both hands or arms and both feet or legs
  
• Partial Paralysis
  Because of a brain, nerve, or muscle problem, including palsy and cerebral palsy, there is some loss of ability to move or use a part of the body, including legs, arms, and/or trunk.
       -- One arm
       -- Both legs, any part
       -- Both arms, any part
       -- One side of body, including one arm and one leg
       -- Three or more major parts of the body (arms and legs)
  
• Complete Paralysis
  Because of a brain, nerve, or muscle problem, including palsy and cerebral palsy, there is some loss of ability to move or use a part of the body, including legs, arms, and/or trunk.
       -- Both hands
       -- One arm
       -- Both arms
       -- One leg
       -- Both legs
       -- Lower half of body, including legs
       -- One side of body, including one arm and one leg
       -- Three or more major parts of the body (arms and legs)
  
• Other Impairments
       -- Convulsive disorder (e.g. epilepsy)
       -- Mental retardation (A chronic and lifelong condition involving a limited ability to learn, to be educated, and to be trained for useful productive employment as certified by a State Vocational Rehabilitation agency under section 213.3102(t) of Schedule A hiring authority)
       -- Mental or emotional illness (A history of treatment for mental or emotional problems)
       -- Severe distortion of limbs and/or spine (e.g., dwarfism, kyphosis = severe distortion of back)
  

• Working off-line allows you to develop your answers in more than one sitting, and helps to ensure that they are polished, concise, and complete
• Using a word processing or text document allows you to monitor the length of your answers. The ECQs and the Technical Questions EACH may not be longer than 32,200 characters (including spaces), or roughly the equivalent of ten typed pages. Working off-line means that you can be sure your answer says everything you wish to cover within the length limitation.
• At the present time, the electronic submission process does not save incomplete answers. Therefore, if you begin your responses in the on-line form, but are unable to complete them and submit your application package, you will lose the work you have done. (Note: If you complete the application, and wish to go back and revise previously submitted responses, you will be able to see and edit your original submission.)

1. Leading Change  Involves the ability to bring about strategic change, within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
2. Leading People  Involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
3. Results Driven  Involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
4. Business Acumen  Involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
5. Building Coalitions  Involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

• Reinstatement Eligibility: If you are a former career member of the SES who successfully completed your one-year probationary period, you are considered to have permanent eligibility to be reinstated to an SES position.
• Career Appointment: Most SES appointments are "career." If, however, you had an SES appointment with a time limitation, such as a provisional or limited term, you do not meet this requirement. Similarly, individuals who were given non-career appointments, such as political appointees, do not meet this requirement. The simplest way to resolve this question is to review your appointment documents. If they say anything OTHER than "career," you must complete the ECQs.

1. For each work experience, your dates of employment, annual salaries, employers’ addresses and your supervisors’ names and telephone numbers.
2. Near-final drafts of each work experience, so you can cut and paste them into the resume builder experience blocks, leaving only minor editing to do on-line.
3. If you are a current or former Federal employee, the occupational series number, beginning and ending dates of your highest grade held, and date of your last promotion.
4. The full names of the schools you attended and cities where they were located; your degrees and majors; the dates of graduation and your GPA if you are qualifying based on a 4-year Bachelors degree. Remember that degrees from so-called ‘diploma mills’ are not qualifying. Diploma mills are non-traditional schools that are not accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the Department of Education.
5. A list of your major awards and related training, credentials, publications, and such, and their dates.

• Concentrate on your achievements and contributions. Review any special act or performance awards you have received. You are in luck if your supervisor required you to list your accomplishments at performance rating time. You can use that as a guide. If not, you can begin by listing your accomplishments of the last 5 or 6 years. Focus on any challenges you met, problems you solved, results achieved, or any awards, promotions, and special benefits received.
• Read the Duties and Qualifications and Evaluation sections of the job announcement. This will help you understand the types of skills and knowledge required to do the job.
• Highlight the words and phrases used in the announcement to describe the duties and the required competencies and use them in your resume.
• Write a list of your matching skills, experience, training and education.
• Use technical terms that are commonly used in your occupation or the occupation you are considering.

• Summarize. Briefly describe your most important skills at the beginning of each experience section.
• Focus. Starting with your most recent experience show where you worked and ending dates, and the name and phone number of your supervisor. Include only work experiences and skills that are relevant to your career goals.
• Use simple sentences and active voice. Emphasize nouns and verbs. Instead of describing what your responsibilities were, describe exactly what you did.
• Do not write "Performed the full range of project management duties for a new information system." Do write "Used Microsoft Project to develop timelines. Prepared budget requests, hired staff, selected vendors, negotiated contracts, and designed and implemented a new UNIX client-server information system."
• Name any tool, software, or equipment you used, and any specialized knowledge you acquired:
• Use action words phrases such as:
            Designed and implemented new organizational structure plan.
            Negotiated contracts up to $90K.
            Delivered report on waste management.

• Would a third party who is not familiar with my occupational background understand the kind of work I do?
• Is there nonessential information (nice to have but not helpful in meeting mandatory qualification requirements) in what I have written?
• Have I omitted any unique, but relevant special experience or skills I possess that might distinguish me from other candidates if my resume reaches the desk of a selecting official?
• Have I adequately described major characteristics of my occupation or background and skills that are most common to my occupation?