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Online Job Application- Frequently Asked Questions
We highly recommend you read this entire FAQ before you begin the Online Application process. It will help you better understand the process - and avoid wasted time and unnecessary headaches. 1. How do I create an account?
You need to have an email address in order to create an account. Click on "Create/Update Application" and then click on "Are you a new applicant? Click here to register." OR If you have found any positions that you want to apply for, add those positions to your job basket. After you click "Apply here for jobs in basket", click on "Are you a new applicant? Click here to register".

2. I don’t have an e-mail account. How will I be able to create an account?
New applicants or state employees may obtain free e-mail accounts from the Job Applicant Center. Navigation buttons are located on your right of that page providing links to either Yahoo or MSN Hotmail free e-mail services.

3. What’s the best way to search the job postings?
We suggest that you leave all check boxes blank and click the "Search" button which will list all open positions. This ensures that you will see all open positions. You may organize or sort the positions listed by the categories underlined at the top of the job postings list, such as agency or location by clicking on the title once. The listings will sort in an ascending order, click again, it will sort in descending order.

4. If I don’t have a computer, where can I go to apply for jobs?
Public libraries often have computers available to the public or you can go to any Department of Labor Career Resource Center.

5. Can I create my online application prior to applying for a specific position?
Yes, after logging in, go to Applicant Home, select "create and/or update application." This will allow you to complete an application or make changes at any time.

6. Can I begin my online application, save it and come back into the system to finish applying at a later date?
Yes, but the only way to save your application is by clicking "submit" on the last page of the application. It is NOT possible to save at any time before this. Therefore, if you want to save an incomplete application and return to complete it at a later time DO NOT place a job in your job basket. Begin your application and make sure to get to the last page and click "submit" to save it. Once you are satisfied with your application, then you can add jobs to your job basket and apply for them. Please make sure your application is completed before applying for a position.

7. What is "timing out" and how can I avoid it?
You need to move between steps within the application in 120 minutes. If you exceed this time limit the system will "time you out" meaning you will automatically be logged out and you will lose all your entered data. The PeopleSoft system does not recognize data entering as movement within the pages. In order to avoid being timed out, we recommend typing your job duties in a separate document first, and then copying and pasting your job duties into the online application. You can also begin and then save your application for completion at a later date (See #6). If you time out instantly there may be an issue with your internet browser. You should contact the help desk at dhr-helpdesk@state.vt.us or during business hours Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. E.S.T. at (802) 828-0407 - select option 1.

8. Do I have to submit a separate application each time I want to apply for a position?
YNo. One of the benefits of the online system is that you can select more than one position at a time and place them in your job basket.

9. Is it really necessary to complete the online application? Can’t I just copy and paste my resume and forget about the rest of the application?
NO, you must complete the entire application. If you only cut and paste your resume, you might not be considered further. Ideally, the application should contain as much information as possible for a couple of reasons. The system uses the information you provide to assist in screening for positions. Omission of either education or work history in your application could cause you to be eliminated from consideration for a particular position depending on the requirements of the job. Your work experience, education, training, certificates/license will be reviewed for how well they match with qualifications for the job.

How can I copy and paste my resume or other information into my online application?
You can copy and paste a resume or other text from Word or any other windows based work processor by following the instructions below.

  1. Open resume or document from which you wish to copy in.
  2. a. To copy and paste your entire document: Point to Edit – Select All
    b. To copy and paste one section of your document at a time use your mouse to block the text you want to copy by moving the pointer to the left top corner of the text, left click and hold, then drag down to the bottom right of the text and release.
  3. Point to Edit – Copy.
  4. Toggle back to the Online Application.
  5. Right click inside the appropriate text box in the application.
  6. Select Paste from the right click menu.

11. What’s the different between attaching a resume file and pasting resume text?
You may "Attach resume & cover letter file" as indicated on the first page of the application. This file will be included with the application you submit for any jobs you are applying for at that time. If you apply for other positions in the future, you will need to attach your resume & cover letter file again to have your information included with your application. Valid file extensions for attaching a file are ".doc", ".html", ".htm", ".txt", ".rtf" and ".pdf". Note that you can attach only one file, so include your resume, cover letter and any other text within that single file.

If you choose "Paste resume & cover letter text", you DO NOT have to do this every time you apply. It will be saved as part of your application until you overwrite or delete it.

12. Can I place my employment history in any order on my application and will it come out in chronological order?
Yes, your work history will be placed in chronological order regardless of how it is entered.

13. How can I check the status of my application?
You may check your application status by clicking "Application Status" in your main menu (Job Applicant Home). The Application Status page will show the jobs you have applied to and the status of your application.

14. What do the status codes mean?
020 Applied -Your application has been received, no action has been taken yet.

040 Final Screen - A review of you application found that either (a) it was incomplete or (b) you do not meet minimum education and experience requirements as stated on the job posting. Your application will not receive further consideration for this position.

050 Route - Your application has been forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration; this is not a guarantee that you will be contacted for an interview.

110 No Hire or Filled/Closed - Either (a) another applicant has been hired for this position or (b) recruitment for this position was cancelled by the hiring department.

15. How do I edit my online application?
You may change your application at any time by signing in and clicking "Create/Update Application", then "My application has changed", then "Submit new application". Click through each page to make the edits you need. Remember, nothing will be saved until you click "Submit" on the last page.

16. I have used the search (look up) feature and I don’t see my school or major, how do I enter them in?
Select "Other" for your school and/or major and type in the information you need.

17. I keep getting a red box and an error message, what am I doing wrong?
The red box indicates that you have entered something in the highlighted area that does not exactly match anything in our list. Clear out any typing in the red area and use the magnifying glass feature to the right.

18. What are the magnifying glass and other symbols for?
Looks up choices from a list. It is recommended that you use this icon whenever available.

Opens the calendar used to select a date by highlighting the desired date and clicking the mouse.

This symbol is used for running spell checker.

Use the plus and minus buttons to add or remove additional information.

19. What’s the correct way to move between pages in the online application?
To go back to a previous screen within your application you must use the PREVIOUS button at the bottom of the page and not the BACK button in the browser. Using the BACK button will cause you to lose your information.

20. What happens to my application after it is submitted?
Provided that you meet the initial screening criteria, your application is then reviewed by the hiring manager. If the hiring manager decides that they would like to set up an interview, you will receive a call from the hiring manager or their associate.

21. The position I applied for requires a typing test. What should I do?
If you have not taken the typing test, you may take this exam at several of the Department of Labor offices located throughout the State or at the Department of Human Resources Waterbury location. You may find this information on our web site under Testing Schedule. For any further information, please call the Employment Services Office at (800) 640-1657.

22. What browsers/operating systems are compatible with the State of Vermont’s online application?
Internet Explorer 6 on Windows 98, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000 and Windows XP

Internet Explorer 5 and 5.5 on Windows NT 4, Windows 9x and Windows 2000

Internet Explorer 5 on Mac OS 7.6.1 and above

Netscape Communicator 4.7x on Windows NT 4, Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Linux, UNIX, and Mac OS 7.6.1 and above

Netscape 7 on Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Linux, UNIX, and Mac OS 9/X

23. I use AOL. Can I use your online application?
Our online application is not compatible with the AOL supplied web browser. However, you may still apply for jobs using the system by performing the following steps:

a) Connect to the internet using AOL as normal.
b) Minimize the AOL browser using the button in the upper-right corner of the window.
c) Open Internet Explorer, and go to http://www.vtstatejobs.info
d) Apply as normal.

24. What should my Internet Explorer security settings be?
You will have trouble using our site if your Internet Explorer security settings are on "High". We recommend that you set your security to "Medium" or lower when applying for jobs.

25. I forgot my username and password. What do I do?
Your user name or ID will always be your e-mail address (or employee number for current State employees). For retrieving your password, click the link for "forgot password" as you proceed to log back in and follow the instructions. Your password will be sent to your e-mail address. (TIP: Write down your username and password! Keep this information private and safe.)

26. How can I get assistance with the application process?
You can e-mail us at dhr-helpdesk@state.vt.us or call the help desk during business hours Monday - Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. E.S.T. at (802) 828-0407.