# Applying via USAJobs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229 "2011-06-12T18:18:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/1 "2011-06-12T18:18:52Z")
I am attempting to apply for a VA job via USAjobs. It seems as though everything can be done online, and yet when I get to this: Declaration of Federal Employment, OF 306 (Required) [Optional Forms](http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp) I download a pdf file that cannot be saved. Do they really expect me to mail in the entire form, or is there something about how I am to use this form that I do not understand. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/2 "2011-06-12T18:36:50Z")
Try a right click and look for the “Save As…”? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/3 "2011-06-12T19:46:13Z")
Rule #1 when applying for any federal job - Call up the contact name as listed in the announcement and ask about details of the job. Rule #2 when applying for any federal job - When you run into difficulties with an application, refer to the person you _previously contacted_ in Rule #1. Yes, you may be required to complete OF 306, print it out and mail it in. Some federal agencies still insist you complete a hard copy form because they require an actual signature on the hard copy. If this is the case here, just do it. Don’t complain about it. Just do it. If you raise it as an issue during the application process (See Rule #1) you may very well complain yourself out of consideration for the position. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/4 "2011-06-12T20:22:51Z")
I will be sure to call and ask. I was doing this today, and therefore was hoping to get more accomplished. I will make the call tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/5 "2011-06-12T22:27:26Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Don’t complain about it. Just do it. Yes, if applying for a federal positions is not soul-sucking and confusing, you are doing it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/6 "2011-06-12T23:41:58Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Yes, if applying for a federal positions is not soul-sucking and confusing, you are doing it wrong. No, that wasn’t my point. However, the process is rather a pain. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/7 "2011-06-13T11:40:27Z")
I feel for you. A couple of weeks ago I applied for a second job with the TSA (whatever, I’m desperate at this point), and not only did the application take me a good hour, I now have two different usernames and passwords to sites that I will probably never use again, and have to take a 2.5 hour aptitude test tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Wizard\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Wizard\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard_One)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/8 "2011-06-15T07:58:30Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > I feel for you. A couple of weeks ago I applied for a second job with the TSA (whatever, I’m desperate at this point), and not only did the application take me a good hour, I now have two different usernames and passwords to sites that I will probably never use again, and have to take a 2.5 hour aptitude test tomorrow. Welcome to the government, where efforts will be triplicated at best, we’ll not go into the insanity of the worst effort. Did over 27 with the Army AND contracted for nearly 5 years. End rule of the government: Hurry up and wait. Hope they ALL did their jobs or you have problems… They NEVER _ALL_ do their damned jobs. _@&#&&@\*\*!&̩&489@&_#(&\*@(& ~~~~!!! Times 27 trillion… 😉 But, uber cool benefits and retirement. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-via-usajobs/585229/9 "2011-06-15T16:04:11Z")
Actually, the conclusion was that the 2.5 hour test was at-your-own-pace, meaning that I finished in just under an hour - considering some of the screens had a timer that wouldn’t advance until you’d waited 60 seconds and some 30 seconds, I don’t feel too bad. I’ll be gropin’ people in a few short weeks, as long as credit/background/stool sample come back clean.