Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Employment and ERA

We no longer accept emailed, faxed, or paper applications. DS-174 Application Form or Resumes is no longer required. All applications for local vacancies at the U.S. Department of State must now be submitted through ERA to be considered. To check our current job vacancies and to apply, please visit our ERA Job Seeker page.

We do not accept walk-in applicants. We will only accept applications submitted through our ERA Job Seeker page.

All applicants are required to submit their application on ERA in English language.

In case you forgot your password, the account lock is only TEMPORARY.

After 30 minutes, ERA will allow you to log in again.

If you can no longer remember your password, the system ONLY allows two options:

  1. Click the password reset hyperlink OR otherwise,
  2. Create a new account using a new email address.

We do not accept applications for possible future vacancies.

On our ERA Job Seeker site, you can only apply for all currently available and active vacancies.

If you do not have the necessary experience and/or correct education as listed in the requirements of the vacancy announcement, then you are not qualified and should not apply.

This policy applies to everyone and there are no exceptions.

The ERA system now follows our local time.  Vacancy announcements automatically close at 11:59 PM London time on the closing date.

Late submissions are not eligible.

This policy applies to everyone and there are no exceptions.

On our ERA Job Seeker site, you need to apply to each of the active vacancy you are interested in and of which you are qualified.

You can send your application to more than one vacancy announcement for which you are qualified.

Please follow instructions on how to apply and fill out all needed information honestly and completely.

It is important to clearly clarify your work responsibility and add all information that are relevant to the position requirements.

Please follow instructions on how to apply and fill out all needed information honestly and completely.

It is important to clearly state your educational background and provide the specific university study/course/major of study you finished. For the purpose of the filling out application on the system:

Undergraduate – refers to all college degree or university study you have taken (graduated or not)

Graduate – means the Master’s degree you have taken

Doctorate – means the Doctorate degree you have taken

For other documents that you wish to upload, you can select ‘Others’ under Document Type, and specify the type of document in the Document Description.

You are expected to upload all the required documents as specified on each vacancy announcement.

You may disregard other documents on the ‘Document List’ that are not applicable to you.
Resumes are no longer required and will NOT be reviewed on the application process.

You are expected to provide all of your relevant information to your application when you apply.

Yes, all changes on your application and removing or uploading supporting documents must be done before the announcement closes.

Once the vacancy announcement is closed, you can no longer make any changes.

Prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement, you can withdraw your application by clicking the ‘Dashboard’ to view all positions that you have applied for and select “Withdraw Application” for the application that you wish to withdraw.

However, if you wish to withdraw your application after the closing date of the announcement, you will no longer be able to access your online application.

You can inform us by sending an email to LNDRecruit@state.gov
Provide your name and the vacancy announcement number of the application that you wish to withdraw.

You can reapply for the position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement:

  1. On the ‘Dashboard’ page, click ‘Edit Application’ for the position which you want to reapply.
  2. Double check all the information provided on each section.
  3. Click ‘Edit’ at the ‘Series, Grade, Location’ section,….
  4. …and then click ‘Reapply’ button under ‘Grade’.
  5. Then click ‘Save’.

Please note that once the vacancy announcement is closed, you are no longer allowed to reapply – this policy applies to everyone and there are no exceptions.

No. Only qualified AEFM/USEFM who is a U.S. Veteran can obtain hiring preference. Hiring preference order will be as below:

(1) AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*

(2) AEFM / USEFM

(3) FS on LWOP**

Definitions of items 1, 2, and 3 are available on every vacancy announcement.

We do not review applications until after the vacancy announcement has closed and the amount of time to fill a position varies depending on many factors so we are unable to provide an estimate.

Please wait for at least six (6) weeks after the closing date of the vacancy to know if you are shortlisted for the next level. We will contact you if your application have been shortlisted.

Follow-up is not needed.

Due to many applications, we are only able to contact those applicants who are shortlisted for examination and interview.

Please assume that the position may be filled if you are not contacted within six (6) weeks after the closing date of each position.

We only notify those applicants who were interviewed.

Only the interviewed applicants may contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of their application.