Application Tips

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Creating Your GovernmentJobs Account

To apply for a job with the City of Portland, you will need a GovernmentJobs.com account.

How to create your account

• You only need to create an account once.
• If you forgot your login, call GovernmentJobs Support: 855-524-5627
• Go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/
• Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for the best experience.
• Click Sign Up.
• You can use your email address as your username.
• We recommend using a personal email that you check regularly.
• You can create an account by linking it to your Gmail account.
• Create a password you can remember.
• Sign up for text messages. Some bureaus may text you to remind you to check your email or schedule an interview.

Updating Your Application

You can update your profile information anytime. Click your name in the top right corner of the screen and select Profile. This will take you to your current profile. Click the pencil icon to make changes. These updates will apply to all your applications.

If you want to update your answers to supplemental questions, or upload a new resume or cover letter, you must wait 24 hours and then you may reapply to the job. Only your most recent application will be reviewed.

How to Answer Supplemental Questions

Your answers should clearly show how you meet the minimum qualifications. Write 4–5 sentences explaining how you meet each minimum qualification, include:

• Examples of when you used the skill or ability
• The role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer)
• Total years of experience
• Consider your transferable skills—they may be more relevant than you think.

Do not write "See Resume" or "See Previous Answer."

Do not copy and paste your resume.

Look for key words:

• Experience = paid or unpaid work you have done
• Ability = transferable skills or lived experience
• Knowledge = what you know from training or experience
• And/or = "And" means you need everything listed. "And/or" means one or more items are okay.
• Including / Such as = "Including" means you should have the listed items. "Such as" gives examples.

If you use AI tools to help draft responses, make sure your answers reflect your own experience, use plain language, and are accurate. You are responsible for all content submitted, and your resume and work history must support your responses.

Cover Letter

The content in a government cover letter is different from the private sector.

Your cover letter should include:

• A short summary of your experience that relates to the minimum qualifications
• Detailed examples of paid or unpaid work that show you meet the qualifications
• Clear explanations of your skills and experience

Tip: Copy each minimum qualification and write a short paragraph explaining how you meet it. This will help keep your cover letter clear and well-organized. It's okay if your cover letter is longer than one page but try to be brief and to the point.

How to Build a Resume

There are many online tools that can help you create a resume, including Canva, Resume Builder, and Microsoft resume templates.

Before you start

• Read the full position description.
• Look at the minimum qualifications and highlight key words like knowledge, ability, and experience.
• Think about your transferable skills.

Resume components

• Key qualifications
• Education
• Work history
• Employment gaps (if needed)
• Jobs that relate to the minimum qualifications
• Simple, clean format
• Bullet points for job duties
• Month and year for each job (this can affect pay if you are offered the job)
• Technical and soft skills
• Transferable skills

Tips:

• Government resumes do not have a page limit. It is okay if your resume is longer than two pages.
• Include all experience on your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying.  It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.

Work History

Typically, the work history form is a replacement for a resume. You want to include all your relevant work history on the form within the application.

• Check your work history section, especially if you filled it out before.
• Read the "To Qualify" section to understand the minimum requirements.
• Update the tasks and duties for each job, and make sure it meets the minimum requirements.
• Look at the job announcement and see if your past duties match what the job is asking for.
• Write clear and detailed descriptions of what you did.
• You can also include unpaid experience, like volunteer work.

Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.

Work Skills Demonstration

A Work Skills Demo is a hands-on evaluation that shows you can do the tasks needed for the job. This is an important step to evaluate your eligibility.

A Work Skills Demo may test your:

• Technical skills
• Job knowledge
• Ability to follow instructions
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Time management
• Communication

Each bureau develops its own evaluation, so the tasks will depend on the job.

Veterans' Preference

If you want to request Veterans' Preference:

• Upload your DD214 Member 4 (or Corrected DD215) and/or VA disability letter to your application.
• Check the box showing your veteran status.
• You must submit Veterans' Preference documents by the job's closing date and time.
• Effective January 1, 2026, the State of Oregon law ORS 408.225 - 408.238 is amended to expand eligibility for Veterans' Preference to current and former Oregon National Guard service members. If applicants are existing state or former Oregon National Guard servicemembers, they are encouraged to attach appropriate documentation to their future recruitment applications.

If you have previously submitted your documents and meet the requirements for Veterans' Preference, you will not need to upload your documents again for future recruitments. Your veteran preference eligibility will carry over into future applications with the City of Portland.

If you want to update or remove your Veteran Preference from your profile or for a specific job, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

For more information on Veteran Preference Information: https://www.portland.gov/bhr/career-center/veterans-preference-information

We know applying can take time. Clear and complete applications help us fairly evaluate your experience and qualifications. Thank you for your interest in serving the City of Portland.

City of Portland Application Checklist

Use this checklist to help ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Before You Apply

• Read the full job announcement and position description.
• Review the minimum qualifications and identify key terms such as experience, knowledge, and ability.
• Consider transferable skills from paid or unpaid work, including volunteer roles, internships, and lived experience.
• Prepare your resume, cover letter (if required), and responses to supplemental questions.

Government Jobs Account

• Create a GovernmentJobs.com account (you only need one account).
• Use a personal email address you check regularly.
• Save your username and password.
• Opt in to text notifications, if available.
• For best performance, use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you forgot your login information, contact Government Jobs Support at 855-524-5627.

Resume

• Clearly reflects experience related to the minimum qualifications.
• Includes relevant paid and unpaid experience.
• Uses a simple, clean format with bullet points.
• Lists the month and year for each job.
• Includes both technical and soft skills.
• May be longer than two pages (government resumes do not have a page limit).

Do not include your age, date of birth, home address or school attendance or graduation dates unless specifically required.

Cover Letter (If Required)

• Summarize experience related to the minimum qualifications.
• Include specific examples that demonstrate how you meet each qualification.
• Clearly explain your skills and experience.
• Is organized and easy to follow.
• May be longer than one page if needed.

Tip: Copy each minimum qualification and write a short paragraph explaining how you meet it.

Work History (Application Form)

• Includes all relevant work experience, including unpaid experience.
• Clearly describes duties and responsibilities for each role.
• Aligns past duties with what the job announcement is asking for.
• Is updated if previously used for another application.

Do not include your age, date of birth, or school attendance or graduation dates unless required.

Supplemental Questions (Scored)

• Answer each question separately.
• Write approximately four to five sentences per question.
• Include examples of how you used the skill or ability.
• Describe your role (professional, volunteer, internship, etc.).
• State your total years of relevant experience.
• Ensure your resume and work history support your responses.

Do not write "see resume" or "see previous answer."
Do not copy and paste your resume.

Helpful definitions:

• Experience means paid or unpaid work.
• Ability refers to transferable skills or lived experience.
• Knowledge refers to what you have learned through training or experience.
• And means all listed items are required.
• And/or means one or more items are acceptable.

Work Skills Demonstration (If Required)

A work skills demonstration is a hands-on evaluation that may assess:

• Technical skills
• Job knowledge
• Ability to follow instructions
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Time management and communication

Tasks vary by bureau and position.

Veterans' Preference (If Applicable)

• Upload your DD214 Member 4 (or Corrected DD215) and/or VA disability letter to your profile.
• Check the box indicating veteran status.
• Submit documents by the job closing date and time.

Approved Veterans' Preference will carry over to future City of Portland applications.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.