Where do I find the employment application?

1. Go to www.arlingtonva.us/pers and click on "Current Job Openings" on the right.		2.  Click on any job title from the Current Job Openings list to view the job announcement.
3.  The link to the online application appears on each individual job announcement.
		The application is designed to be completed while you are on line.  It cannot be downloaded to your computer. Download the Internet Employment Application Guide for First Time Users (PDF 750 kb) for illustrated step-by-step instructions on how to set up your account and complete your application.

What about paper applications?

Arlington now recruits applicants using a web-based recruitment system and so all applications must be submitted online.  Paper applications are no longer used.  Help is available for those who do not use computers.  See "No computer or no computer skills" below for contact information.

Where do I get help with the online application ?

If you are a first time user you will want to print the Internet Employment Application Guide for First Time Users (PDF 750 kb)  The guide provides illustrated step-by-step instructions. If you have created your account and used our online application in the past you may want to print the Internet Employment Application Guide for Returning Users (PDF 483 kb) Telephone 703-228-3500 if you experience a problem or if you have questions about the online process.  We have staff who will be happy to help you.

Must I use my real Social Security number when I apply for an Arlington job?

No, you may create a number. We suggest using "99" followed by your telephone number without the area code. The application template is shared among a group of municipal government offices and some do require the Social Security number but Arlington does not. You will be asked to provide your real Social Security number if you are hired.

What is a Career Desktop and how do I access mine?

When you create an account to apply for a job opening your Career Desktop is created. It is a private storage place for your application text and it is the tool you will use to submit your application for Arlington job openings.

The Career Desktop tools enable you to:

• Build, store, and submit applications
• Perform job searches among many public sector employers
• View and print copies of applications you have submitted

There are two ways to access your Career Desktop.

• By clicking on the APPLY link on any Arlington County job announcement.  You will be asked to either create your account, or, if you have an existing account, to log in.
  • When you enter your account this way the application you submit will be for the specific job title through which you entered.
• By creating an account (or entering your existing account) through the CAREER SEEKERS section of our vendors site (www.governmentjobs.com).
  • When you enter using this route your application is not tied to any specific job unless you do a job search while in your Career Desktop.
  • Going through the vendors site is the best way to create an application for future use, or update your application information so it will be ready to use for future job openings

I don't have an e-mail address - what can I do?

The e-mail address is a required part of the online application, but it is only used to send out a confirmation when you submit an application.  All other contact is done by U.S. Postal mail or by telephone.  Because the space on the application must be filled we suggest you make up an address using this format:  xxx@xxx.com using letters to replace each "x".  If you wish to have an e-mail account you may sign up for a free one at many sites such as Yahoo and MSN.

What happens if I submit two applications for the same job opening?

We will use the last application you submitted for the position.  The system will allow you to submit multiple applications for the same position as long as 24 hours have passed since your last submission.  If you forget something important after you have submitted an application you may wait 24 hours and submit the information on a subsequent application.  Your information is stored in your Career Desktop and is available for you to edit and resubmit.

May I submit a resume?

A completed online application is required and does allow you to attach a file or copy and paste information into a resume section.  

Will you notify me when an Arlington job opens in my field of interest?

You may request e-mail notification when a job opens in your field of interest.

May I submit an application for future Arlington job openings?

Arlington does not hold applications to review for future job openings.  Each time you submit an application it is used only for the particular job opening for which it is submitted.  

You may complete and store an application so it will be ready for you to submit when you do find one of our job openings in which you have an interest.  To do this go to governmentjobs.com and click on the CAREER SEEKER tab.  Create your account and build and store your application.  

When you see an Arlington job opening for which you wish to apply this is the account from which your application information will be pulled.  The same user name and password you used to create your governmentjobs.com account will work on our site when you click on the word APPLY on an Arlington job opening.

What are supplemental questions and how do I submit my answers to these?

On each job announcement you will see a tab marked "Supplemental Questions".  If questions appear in this section they will also appear for you to answer on the online application for the position.  These questions are used to draw specific job related information from you.  Not all job openings require supplemental questions.    You may wish to compose your detailed answers to these questions before you begin completing the application.  You may copy and paste your answers to the questions into the online application.

How do closing dates work?  What if the closing date is listed as "Continuous"?

The online system will allow you to submit an application up until midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on the deadline date.  At that point the job announcement and the application will be automatically pulled from the Internet.  If you are completing an application and the deadline passes you will not be able to complete the submission.

Positions which have "Continuous" listed as the closing date will be open to applications until enough qualified applicants are assembled to begin the interview process.  At that point the job announcement will be pulled from the Internet.   Apply as early as possible to assure you are considered for these job openings.

How are applications evaluated?

Arlington operates under a merit system.  Applicants are selected for employment on the basis of their education, experience and skills.

At each step in the selection process you must be prepared to demonstrate your qualifications.  Completing a detailed application is the first step.  

It is important to read the job announcement and to supply detailed information about your experience and skills as they relate to the description of the job.   It is particularly important to take note of the information in the "Qualification Requirement" section:

MINIMUM:  All job announcements contain minimum requirements.  These are the qualifications you MUST have in order to qualify for the job unless substitutions are listed below the section.  Be sure you clearly identify on your application that you meet these minimums.

SUBSTITUTION:  Some job openings allow substitutions for the minimum requirements.  Most often the substitutions allow directly related experience to substitute for educational requirements or vice versa.

DESIRABLE:  Applicants who meet desirable qualifications (in addition to the minimum requirements) will be a closer match for a job opening and will be considered stronger candidates.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Some job announcements will include these mandatory requirements for licenses, bilingual ability, certificates, etc.   A candidate must meet these requirements in order to be considered for the job opening.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  This section provides specific information about the job (i.e. unusual schedules, call-back for emergency requirements, work performed in multiple locations, etc..  

I have submitted my application.  What happens next?

If your online application has been successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation e-mail immediately.  You will also see the confirmation message on your PC screen.

If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted by the hiring department within 4-6 weeks after the closing date.  If the position is posted as "Continuous" you will be contacted within 4-6 weeks after you submitted your application if you are selected for an interview.

Those not selected for an interview receive no contact after the confirmation e-mail when their application is submitted.

I have applied for several jobs and have never been contacted for an interview.  What happened?

If you have not been contacted for an interview within 4-6 weeks after the closing date you may telephone 703/228-3500 and ask to speak with one of our Human Resource Analysts to get feedback on your application.  Most often the reason an applicant who meets the minimum qualifications is not selected for an interview is because a large number of qualified applicants applied for the job opening.   Our Human Resource Analysts are happy to speak with you about your application.  Many times they can provide information that is helpful about your job application and future job openings for which you may qualify.

What benefits does Arlington offer employees?

Meaningful work, superb benefits and great co-workers . . . see the details here.

What are the employment policies of Arlington?

Salary increases, background checks, smoking policy . . . see the details here.

Where are the job openings for the Arlington school system?

The Arlington Public School system is a separate entity from the general government offices.  Go here to access their job openings.

Do you have summer job openings for teens?

Our Parks and Recreation Department does often have summer jobs for teens.  When these jobs open (usually in the early Spring) the information will be posted on the Parks and Recreation front page .

Can you help me find a job?

Our Arlington Employment Center does offer free assistance to job seekers.  Go here for details.

I have a disability.  What assistance can Arlington offer to me in the employment process?

Read about our reasonable accommodation policy here.