After you apply for an IRS position, you will receive updates to the status of your application on your USAJOBS account. We will also provide those notifications via email. The hiring process can take 2-4 months on average. We have outlined the steps below so you know what to expect.
1. IRS Reviews Application
The IRS will start reviewing applications once the job announcement closes or after a set cut-off date(s). We will review your application to make sure you're eligible and meet the job qualifications, and will place qualified applicants into these categories:
- Minimally qualified
- Highest qualified
After we review all applications, we will send the highest qualified applicants to the hiring official.
2. Interview
The hiring official will review the highest qualified applications first and select applicants to interview based on agency policy. The IRS will contact applicants directly to schedule interviews. Note: Some positions will not require an interview.
Hiring officials can interview applicants using:
- A panel
- In-person
- Video
- Phone
There may be more than one interview round. For example, an applicant may have a phone interview and then an in-person interview.
It may take some time to schedule interviews, depending on the number of people being interviewed.
3. IRS Selects Candidate
After the business division’s hiring officials complete all interviews, they will select a candidate(s) and contact them to start the job offer process. For those not selected, the IRS will update the job status to Hiring complete. If we do not fill the position, the job status will update to Job canceled.
- Tentative Job Offer
Once selected, we will extend a tentative job offer. That email will come from usastaffing and should be read carefully. In the email, Step 1 provides the option for you to accept or decline the offer. After accepting, you will be prompted to log in to your USAJOBS.gov account and complete the New Hire survey and OF-306 under “tasks.” You are not considered to have officially accepted your offer until these steps are completed. There are other tasks that will need to be completed within three days, so don't delay!
- Fingerprinting
The next step is to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Instructions for this step are included in your tentative job offer, and you will receive a follow up email requesting you to schedule your fingerprinting at one of our approved sites. Once fingerprinting is completed, the IRS will initiate a preliminary background check, tax compliance check, and investigate any previous conduct issues. We call these suitability checks, and this process normally takes 2-3 weeks.
- Firm Job Offer
After the IRS has completed a favorable suitability check, we will issue a Firm Job Offer. The firm job offer provides official details of the position, the starting salary, the post of duty (work location) and the start date. You must accept or decline the Firm Job Offer within 3 days and complete any requested forms at that time. Failure to do so will result in your offer being rescinded. The Firm Job Offer will be sent approximately two weeks prior to your official start date.
Important: Do not give notice to existing employers until that firm offer is received and accepted.
Congratulations on making it through the federal hiring process – we will look forward to welcoming you aboard!