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How do I apply for a vacant position?
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How do I apply for a vacant position?
Obtain and complete a State of Oregon application form (PD100).
You can get a State of Oregon application form (PD100) at:
- The Revenue Building at 955 Center Street NE, Salem, Oregon.
- Any Oregon Employment Department office.
- The State of Oregon Jobs Page (available in several electronic formats).
Submit your application
After obtaining the State of Oregon application form (PD100), complete the form as accurately and completely as possible, then submit to the address specified on the official announcement for the position for which you are applying.
Keys to successfully completing the state job application
When an announcement closes, applications are reviewed for minimum qualifications. All qualifying experience and training must be included on your application. Exam responses, resumes, etc., are not evaluated for minimum qualifications. Only accepted applications meeting the minimum qualifications will receive further consideration (such as grading).
Carefully read the job announcement. The announcement contains special instructions or requirements, including what it takes to qualify and what information needs to be submitted (transcripts, skill code sheets, exam responses, etc.).
Illustrate how your background meets the specific requirements. Your application must convey how you meet the requirements listed in the “To qualify” section. Extra pages can be attached if you need more room. Explain your qualifying experience in the “Duties” section. Your job titles can help support what you describe, but are not enough by themselves.
List each job separately. Do not combine jobs, even if they were within the same organization. Include all relevant experience whether it was paid or unpaid. List all jobs that are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Avoid jargon or acronyms. Write your information in commonly used terms to make your message clear.
Complete all parts of the application. Be sure all sections are filled in. You must provide a number for the average hours worked per week. If you worked less than 40 hours per week, your length of time in that job will be prorated accordingly. Do not put “varies.” The grader will not give you credit for that job.
Make it legible. Although your application doesn’t have to be typed, it does need to be written in pen and be readable.
Sign and date your application. Your application will not be accepted without your signature and a date. Staple all supplemental pages to your application.
Keep a copy of your complete application packet. You will be asked to bring it to interviews. You may also want to use it when preparing future applications.
Submit your application to the location listed in the “How to apply” section of the job announcement. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Fax machines are often busy on the closing date. Don’t wait until the last minute to fax your application; you could miss the deadline.
Keys to successfully completing exam responses
Grades are based on your test responses only. They are separate from your application. The only information that graders use when scoring test questions is in your answers.
Each question is graded independently. For example, your grade for question #1 is based on what you provide as a response to question #1. Don’t omit an answer to a question because you feel you have already answered it in another question. Additionally, it is not enough to say “see above” or “see question #1.”
Number your answers to correspond to the questions. If the question has several parts (a, b, c, etc.), answer and number each part separately.
Answer all parts of the question. Address every part of the question. For example, if a communications question asks you to identify the topic, audience, etc., be sure you have covered it all.
Use the word “I.” Don’t just write about the process or what “we” did. Tell the grader what “you” did.
Avoid vague language. Responses such as, “I was involved in the budgeting process” are not descriptive enough. What were your duties? What did you do to achieve results? Also, jargon and acronyms tend to detract from the clarity of your response.
Repeat yourself if necessary. Remember, each question is graded independently. You may need to repeat information from one response to another.
Be concise, yet thorough. While it is acceptable to describe a situation (if it is pertinent to the question), there is no need to describe philosophies or what “experts” say on the subject.
Make it legible. A grader can’t score what they can’t read.
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