As of May 2025, the federal goverment will be changing its application process for those interested in applying to federal government positions. These include:
- A reduction in resume pages to no more than two
- For roles marked as level GS-5* or above, an addition of four essay questions that are optional to answer but will be factored into the hiring process. They are listed in this Federal News Network article
- Faster timelines with average time-to-hire target of under 80 days
What this means: If you’re considering applying to a federal government position, you may need to take extra steps to ensure you meet both the application and job requirements. With shorter turnaround times, be prepared to respond promptly to possible follow-up items in relation to your submission.
*GS, also known as General Schedule, is a classification system for used for many federal jobs in the US. Each GS level corresponds to expected experience and pay grade. Most individuals with a Bachelor’s degree qualify for GS-5 level positions.
