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Tips for Applying for USAID Positions on the AVUE System

Thank you for your interest in USAID. We have so many exciting opportunities and we are happy that you are considering us.

For many of our openings it is required that you use our AVUE application tracking system. This will not only help us keep track of you, it will allow us to keep you informed about where your application is in the process. If you need to use AVUE, our individual position links will take you right there.

AVUE will be used as the first screening tool to be certain you meet the most basic qualifications for the position to which you are applying. It is from your responses there that we will begin the second level of screening. Therefore, we want to help you show yourself to the best advantage when entering your information.

In our KSA section, we will be asking you to match your experiences very specifically to our needs for that position, so it is important that you provide as much detail about how your work ties to the questions we ask. It is best not to reply “see resume” to any of these questions.

Here are some other tips you might find useful.

General Information You May Be Asked To Provide:

1. Work History:
   1. Wherever possible include e-mail address for supervisors.
   2. In the narrative please give an indication of how long you worked and for how long, especially for overseas. If you did not live overseas but traveled there, please indicate how long and where.
   3. Be specific about your own contributions to each project you describe.
   4. Include all your professional work experience, not just the most recent.
2. Additional Information:
1. Be sure to include any of your relevant professional training.
2. Include foreign languages and proficiency.
3. Background Section:
   1. Double check “drop down” answers. You don’t want to report 7 months, when your experience is actually 7 years.
4. References:
   1. It is in your interest to provide at least five professional references, wherever possible.
   2. References should include e-mail addresses wherever possible.
   3. We use a reference form so reference letters are not necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) Questions:

1. Provide complete answers to each question.
2. Team questions:
   1. Make sure you discuss your understanding of the “team” concept.
   2. Discuss your role when you were not the leader.
3. Written Communications:
1. Be sure and give examples.
2. Describe your role/contribution to the documents/reports you describe.
4. Oral Communications:
1. Describe communications at all levels including beneficiaries. Who was your audience, what formats did you use, etc.
5. Basic Qualifications:
1. Please be sure to enter a check in all boxes that apply to you.
2. If you are asked to attach documents, such as a resume or a copy of your CPA certificate, remember to do so when you check that box.
6. Academic Qualifications:
1. If your degree is from a non-accredited institution in the United States or abroad, you will be required to submit documentation that confirms that your degree has been accepted as equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Please see the relevant information in the "Foreign Service Frequently Asked Questions" on the USAID website (www.usaid.gov/careers/.)
2. If your degree is not one of the ones listed on the vacancy announcement, but you believe that your coursework would qualify you for a degree in a listed field, please note that under "Additional Information" and provide a copy of relevant transcripts.

Before You Submit:

1. Double check “drop down” answers. You don’t want to report 7 months, when you experience is actually 7 years.
2. While it is not required, it is useful to provide on your resume:
1. Security clearance status (active/former or NA).
2. References.

Finally, please review your answers carefully before you submit them. The system won’t allow you to return and correct your answers after they have been submitted.

If have any technical difficulties, don’t hesitate to call the AVUE help desk 1-800-407-0147.

And if at first you don’t succeed…

USAID is fortunate to have a great many wonderful candidates come to us. So, if your background wasn’t quite right for one position, please keep looking and applying. You may be just perfect for something else.

You don’t need to reenter your resume for every position, but because requirements might differ from post to post, you will need to reapply and answer the questionnaire portion for each specific position that you are interested in.

Best of luck to you.

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