Information for Applicants

Evaluation Method

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledges, skills, and abilities associated with this position. To determine if you are qualified for the job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation may be made and compared against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. If the announcement uses a scored assessment, you will receive a numeric rating based on your responses to the questionnaire. We base your rating on both your responses to the questionnaire and information stated in your application. Please make sure that your self-ratings are supported by information in your application. We will verify your qualifications and self-ratings during the application and selection process through quality review, interview questions, work samples, demonstrations, reference checks, and other means. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts on the assessment questionnaire or in any other materials you submit in support of your candidacy (including but not limited to the application), or in any oral statements you may make during the selection process shall be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as having knowledge of your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin prior to receiving an offer.

If you have an existing online resume, make sure the resume content is reflective of the experience, education, and qualifications outlined in EACH vacancy announcement. If you need to edit or review your resume, you must do so BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of EACH vacancy announcement.

How To Apply

Applications (resume and vacancy questions) MUST be received online via USAJOBS before midnight ET on the closing date of the announcement or before the listed applicant limit/cutoff is reached. Visit USAJOBS or the NIH Jobs Search page to find and apply to vacant positions at the National Institutes of Health.  Before applying to any job, you must read and follow all instructions in the announcement.

There are several parts of the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application:

  1. Your resume
  2. Your responses to the core questions
  3. Your responses to the self-assessment questions
  4. Your supporting documents
  5. Your interview or additional assessment
  6. Any other requirements stated in the vacancy announcement

For most announcements, you can update your supporting documentation and responses to questions up until the close of the announcement.

Please note that in some cases, we will use alternative rating methods to an assessment questionnaire to assign a rating to an applicant.

To apply to subsequent NIH vacancies, you will only need to respond to position-specific questions, and, if necessary, update your personal questions, online resume, and supporting documents.

Supporting Documentation

Additional documents listed in the vacancy announcement as mandatory for you to submit to receive consideration MUST be received before midnight ET on the closing date of the announcement to be considered. Please read the required documents section of each announcement before applying. Not submitting the required documentation may result in you not being considered, preference not being granted, or a lower rating in the evaluation process.

Do not submit any paperwork that has not been requested in the vacancy announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the HR contact on the vacancy announcement before the closing date of this announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Details

If you have never used the USAJOBS system, you will need to register as a new user. Registration will involve entering your resume into the system and responding to a series of core questions that will allow HR specialists to evaluate your background for basic employment eligibility.

Once you have completed the registration process you must locate and view the vacancy you wish to apply for, and click the “Apply” button. Then you will follow the prompts to submit documents, answer questions, and submit your application.