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FAQs
Questions about applying for an Idaho state job:
1. What is a job announcement?
2. How do I apply for a state job? What is Apply Online?
3. What if I forget my password? What if I want to change my password?
4. I have my UserID for Apply Online but my last name has changed. How do I change my UserID?
5. What if I don't have a Social Security Number?
6. I live out of state; can I apply? How do I interview?
7. May I send just a resume?
8. Do I have to submit a seperate application for every position? Can I write down several announcement numbers on one application?
9. What do I need to complete when applying for a position with the state?
10. I want to apply for a job, but the city I want is not listed on the announcement. May I still apply for the city I want?
11. I'm a state employee and want to apply for a promotional opportunity. Do I need to send in an employment application?
Questions about the Idaho state hiring process:
12. Will I have to take an exam after I apply?
13. I've applied what happens now?
14. I've received my score. What happens next?
15. What is a register? What is a hiring list?
16. How do I know if I am being considered for a specific position?
17. Do agencies have to interview everyone from the top 10? I scored a 99 but never received an interview. Why?
18. My name did not appear on a hiring list. Why?
19. What are Veteran's Preference Points?
20. What does "reinstatement" mean? How do I transfer or demote?
21. What benefits do state employees have?
1. What is a job announcement?
A job announcement describes a job for which the State of Idaho is currently recruiting. Job announcements will tell you the title of the job, the time period during which applications will be accepted (open/close date), the agency(s), location, pay, duties, and what type of examination (if any) you must take to qualify for the job. The announcement will also tell you how and where to apply, and will list the minimum requirements needed for the job.
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2. How do I apply for a state job? What is Apply Online?
You may apply for a State of Idaho job when there is a current job announcement. Job announcements are found by going to the DHR homepage, selecting "Job Seekers," and clicking on "Current Openings." Job announcements are posted to the DHR website throughout the day. There are two ways to apply for a State of Idaho job: by using Apply Online or by completing a paper application. Either way, there are two parts to the application process:
1. Completing the State of Idaho Employment Application. When using Apply Online, you create an account that stores your personal and employment information online. Once you've completed all the sections on the Application Checklist, that information is ready to go for future state job applications! You can update it at any time.
2. Completing an exam for each announcement for which you apply.
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3. What if I forget my password? What if I want to change my password?
If you forget your password, call 800-554-5627 or email idhr@dhr.idaho.gov and request your sign-in information. If you want to change your password, sign in to your account, click "Change Password" in the menu at the top and follow the instructions.
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4. I have my UserID for Apply Online but my last name has changed. How do I change my UserID?
To access Apply Online, use the original UserID from when you first created an account. Then sign in to your account, click on Section 1/Personal, and input your new name. Click Add/Update to save the new information.
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5. What if I don't have a Social Security Number?
If you do not have a social security number you may call us at 208-334-2263 or 1-800-554-5627 and we will assign an applicant number to you.
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6. I live out of state; can I apply? How do I interview?
The Division of Human Resources accepts applications from anyone no matter what their location. Using Apply Online makes it convenient for you to apply for State of Idaho jobs. Please follow the instructions on each job announcement.
Job interviews are arranged by the state agency doing the hiring. As an out-of-area applicant, if you are asked to interview, you are welcome to inquire about telephone interviews.
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7. May I send just a resume?
No. State jobs require a State of Idaho Employment Application and a completed exam. Sometimes a resume is also required -- each job announcement contains instructions on how to apply and what information is necessary to complete the process.
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8. Do I have to submit an application for every position for which I apply? Can I write down several announcement numbers on one application?
If you use Apply Online you need only complete the State of Idaho Employment Application Checklist one time. If you apply with a paper application, then you must submit a State of Idaho Employment Application for each job announcement.
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9. What do I need to complete when applying for a position with the state?
When you have finished the Apply Online process, all items in the 7-step Application Checklist will have check marks and the Status will be "Complete". You do not need to send any paperwork unless specifically stated on the job announcement.
If you apply with a paper application, you must complete a 3-page State of Idaho Employment Application and all exam responses.
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10. I want to apply for a job, but the city I want is not listed on the announcement. May I still apply for the city I want?
Not all positions are located in every city. Some announcements are job specific -- they are for that vacancy in that city and for that agency. If you apply and list a city not designated on the announcement, you will not be considered for the job. Also note: If you apply for a job that is restricted to a specific city, you will be considered for that city only. Your name will not be added to a general register -- you will need to re-apply when a general announcement opens. Conversely, if you applied on a general announcement, you may need to re-apply for some recruitments that are specific to a city.
If there is no restriction on the location of the position, you may apply and indicate the cities where you would be willing to accept employment.
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11. I'm a state employee and want to apply for a promotional opportunity. Do I need to send in an employment application?
Yes. If you use Apply Online, you will only complete the general application one time.If you do not use Apply Online, you will need to submit a paper application for each promotional opportunity.
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12. Will I have to take an exam after I apply?
Each job announcement will specify what is needed to qualify, including exams. In most cases, if you use the Apply Online System, you will complete the examination online. If additional testing is required you will be notified by email or letter.
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13. I've applied. What happens now?
If you have used Apply Online, you are able to follow the status of every position you apply for by accesssing your online account. To check the status of your exam, go to "My Account" and sign in. Then click on "Exams Summary" in the menu at the top. Once there, you will see a summary of all your exams started and/or completed, the results, and the date the scores will expire. If you took an exam that is not scored online immediately, your status in the "Exams" section will show as "Being Reviewed". It will appear once the scoring is complete.
If you applied with a paper application, all applications received for that position will be reviewed -- usually within 2-3 weeks after the closing date. Once your exam has been reviewed, your score will be mailed to you. For those positions with no closing date listed, it takes approximately two weeks, after receipt of your application, to review and assign a score.
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14. I've received my score. What happens next?
Your name and score are added to a Register. A Hiring List is created from the top scoring applicants on the Register. This Hiring List is sent to agencies that have vacancies.
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15. What is a Register? What is a Hiring List?
A Register is a list of applicants qualified for a specific job; they have completed testing and received a passing score. Each score on a register is valid for a specified length of time. When your score expires, if you want to get back on a register, you will need to reapply when the position opens again.
A Hiring List is a subset of a register consisting of the top applicant scores. Agencies use the hiring list to schedule interviews. There is no guarantee you will be contacted for an interview; it is the agency's choice.
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16. How do I know if I am being considered for a specific position?
If you applied online, you can go to 'My Account' and 'View Hiring Lists'. If your name is on the list, your name has been sent to the hiring agency for consideration. If you are being considered for an opening, the hiring agency will contact you for an interview.
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17. I scored a 99 but never received an interview. Do agencies have to interview everyone in the top 10?
No. Agencies are not required to interview all applicants with "top 10" scores. State law says that a person must be hired from among the top ten available candidates on the Hiring List.
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18. My name did not appear on a Hiring List. Why?
Your name and score were not among the top applicant scores on the Register. Or the job requires a job specialty -- such as typing 55 WPM or a Commercial Driver's License -- and you did not have that specialty.
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19. What are Veteran's Preference Points?
Under Idaho Code, veterans, and in some cases, spouses of veterans, are to receive preference points in the hiring process. When you use Apply Online, you can complete the Veteran's Preference form once and Veteran's preference points would then be added to your score when your name is certified to a Hiring List. If you apply with a paper copy, a copy of the form, Veterans' Preference Form VP-1 (.pdf) is needed with the first application submitted.
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20. What does "reinstatement" mean? How do I transfer or demote?
Reinstatement means the reappointment of a former or current classified employee to a classification (job) in which he or she held permanent status, or to another classification of equal or lower pay grade.
Former classified state employees: If a state employee quits or their employment from state service is terminated, without prejudice, for any reason, they may be eligible for reinstatement into a job classification which they held as a state employee. They may also be eligible for reinstatement into other job classifications of an equal or lower pay grade if they meet the minimum qualifications for that job. The length of reinstatement eligibility is determined by how long they were a classified employee with the State of Idaho.
Current classified state employees are eligible to reinstate into any job classification, which they have held as a state employee. A current classified state employee may be eligible to transfer or demote into any job classification of equal or lower pay grade if they meet the minimum qualifications of that job classification.
For specific instructions on how to reinstate, transfer or demote please contact the Division of Human Resources at 208-334-2263 or 1-800-554-5627.
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21. What benefits do state employees have?
The State of Idaho offers employees many benefits. For a review of the state benefits package, please see Benefits Overview.
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If you have other questions, you may e-mail the Division of Human Resources at idhr@dhr.idaho.gov or contact us through our contact page.