Below is a list of questions applicants frequently have during and after submitting an online application. This information will explain a variety of things including what to expect after submitting an application, how to view your application status, and how to apply for additional positions.
Need help?
If you have questions or encounter any difficulties completing your online application, please call (208) 384-3850 during regular business hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST) Monday through Friday for assistance. TDD/TTY number is 1-800-377-3529.
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I don’t have a computer at home. Where can I apply for City of Boise jobs?
You can access our online application anywhere you access the Internet. This includes public libraries, community colleges, and internet cafes. You also may visit the City of Boise Human Resources Department at 601 W. Idaho, Boise, Idaho. Online application-accessible computers are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. Some departmental offices throughout the City also have online application-accessible computers available.
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I am having problems with the online application process?
Here are some helpful hints if you are experiencing problems with your online application: Go to your Internet Explorer and "Delete Cookies", also turn off your pop-up blocker. If you currently have a dial-up connection this connection might not be stable and you will need to check your application after completion, hit Submit and go to Applicant Home and View Application status.
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I can get to the Internet, but I don’t have an e-mail address. Why do I need one?
An e-mail address serves as your login name for the online application system to apply for a job or check the status of your application. A valid e-mail address allows us another way to contact you quickly regarding the status of your application.
If you do not have an e-mail address, emailaddresses.com provides a list of free web-based e-mail services. This is not a City of Boise site, nor does the City of Boise endorse or warranty that these services will meet your needs.
Applicants without an e-mail address may still apply online. For the e-mail address, please enter the following information: your firstname.middleinitial.lastname@noemail.com in all lower case letters. For example, John E. Smith would create the following e-mail address: john.e.smith@noemail.com You must use the '@' symbol in your e-mail address and you will still be required to enter a password.
Write down the e-mail address and password you use so that you can return at a later time to login and check the status of your application, or to apply for other jobs.
Back to TopIf I don’t have a login, what do I do?
If this is your first visit to our online application site, you will create your login using your e-mail address. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address and a unique password. You will also be asked to re-type the password, just to verify your password is spelled and entered correctly. If you are returning to this site just enter your e-mail address and the password you used at your last visit. (Note: Passwords are case sensitive.)
Back to TopWhat if I have forgotten my Password?
Just go to the login page and click on the 'I Forgot My Password' link.
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I ’ve entered my e-mail address and password but the system isn’t letting me log in. What should I do?
Make sure that you are clicking the Sign On button after completing your e-mail address and password. If you are pressing Enter on your keyboard the system will not log you in. You can also click on Help in the upper right corner of the screen.
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How do I view the jobs that are available?
On the Applicant Home Page, click on View Job Postings/Apply for Job. You may begin the application process in one of two ways. Click on the blue Posting Title to see a detailed description of a job. From the description page, you will be able to add the job to the Job Basket if you wish. You may then either return to this Job Posting page to view more job descriptions, or go to the Job Basket to begin the application process.
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How do I apply for a job that I see here?
You must select jobs to add to your Job Basket. Your Job Basket collects all the positions for which you wish to apply and puts them into one streamlined list. After you have selected jobs for your Job Basket, click the 'Apply for Jobs in Basket' button.
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Do I need to apply for each position I am interested in?
Yes, but you can apply for multiple positions at one time. If you apply for another position at a later date, most of your application information will already be on file.
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How can I customize my application for different jobs?
You need to apply on different days. The applications are date stamped but not time stamped. For example, if you complete your application for one job in the morning (September 26) and change information on the application to customize it for another job in the afternoon (September 26), the information from the afternoon application will display for both job requisitions. However, if you apply on September 26 for one position, and on September 27 you customize your application for another position, the job requisitions will display the appropriate applications.
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What do I do if my address or phone number changes?
You can update the information at any time by clicking on the 'Update Contact Information' link on the Applicant Home Page.
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I made an error in my application. Can I go back and fix it?
If the error was to your contact information, yes, you can. There is no limit to how many times you can update your contact details. Once you submit an application online, the system locks the data for that date. If you replace this information on the same day, the system will save the last information submitted.
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I previously registered but didn’t have time to complete the online application. I am trying to sign in again and I get an error message. Why is the system not recognizing my e-mail and password?
Your e-mail address and password will not be saved until you have completed and submitted your online application. Closing your browser without submitting your application will cancel your online application.
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I have already created an online application and applied for positions. I just changed my e-mail address. How does this affect my ability to use the online application system?
You should log in using your old e-mail address. Change your e-mail address to your new e-mail address on the Contact Details page. Once you have submitted your new e-mail address, the system will recognize it as your new login ID. You will then be required to use your new e-mail address each time you log back into the system.
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Will I be contacted by the City of Boise once I have applied for a position?
Once you apply for an open position you will receive an online message that your application has been submitted. You also will receive e-mail notification. Additionally, you can verify which position(s) you have applied for by clicking on the 'View Application Status' link on the Applicant Home Page.
Due to the volume of applications received by the City, generally only applicants selected for further consideration (testing, interviews) will receive any further contact. This contact is usually made about three weeks after the job position closes.
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What if the position I’m interested in is not currently posted or I want to be considered for future positions?
Applications are accepted only for currently posted open positions. The City of Boise does not accept unsolicited resumes and/or applications. You may click on 'Job Search Agent' at the Applicant Home Page to set up your own search criteria for job requisitions. We will notify you by e-mail when opportunities meeting your search criteria are available. Any Job Search Agent profiles created will remain active for 999 days since the last date they were modified.
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I ’m not sure which job I want. Can I just submit a blank application online and let you determine what job I qualify for?
No, due to the high volume of applications received, the City of Boise cannot match candidates to available positions. You must complete and submit an online application for each position for which you are applying. If you are applying for multiple jobs simultaneously, you will only complete one application at a time. Note: Some jobs require completion of supplemental applications that vary from position to position.
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Are all sections of the application required and do I need to answer the screening questions?
Yes and yes. The system does not require you to complete all of the screens. However, incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. Likewise, it is your responsibility to be sure that your online application reflects the required work experience and education needed to meet the minimum requirements for the position(s) for which you are applying.
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Do I have to submit a resume?
Generally, no, but your resume may provide additional information necessary to determine your qualifications for the position. You can either upload a resume or copy and paste your resume text. The hiring manager will be able to view your resume if you choose to copy and paste your resume text or upload your resume either saved on your computer or on a flash drive. Note: Please carefully read the complete job posting. Some positions do require a resume.
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Do I have to submit a cover letter?
Generally, no. Please carefully read the complete job posting as some positions do require a cover letter. You might want to complete and save any required documents before starting the application process as you will be given the opportunity near the end of the online application process to attach your cover letter, along with any required supplemental applications.
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Do I need to list all the positions I have held?
Yes. Your application needs to be a complete and accurate representation of your work experience and education.
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I don’t see a Save button on the application pages. Am I going to be “timed-out”?
The City of Boise’s online application has a twenty (20) minute time-out feature for internal applicants and a three (3) hour time-out feature for external candidates. The twenty minutes and/or three hours begins from the time the screen is inactive meaning that you haven’t moved to or from either field to field or page to page in twenty minutes and/or three hours. We suggest you have your employment and education information gathered and/or typed in one of the acceptable formats (doc, html, htm, txt, rtf, pdf) before you begin the application process and you must be able to devote the time necessary to fully complete the application process by cutting and pasting in the text boxes.
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My degree, license and/or certification is not listed in the look up menu.
The specific pages of the application will only accept the degrees, licenses and certifications listed in the drop down menu. If you have information you wish to include that is not listed in the drop down menus, you may add that information to the resume page of the application located in Step 1, Your Online Application or in the free form text box located on the "School Education Details" page.
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I applied for a job yesterday. I found another job online that I want to apply for today. Do I have to fill out all of my information again?
Not all of it. With the City of Boise’s online application, once you log in using your e-mail address and password, the system will retrieve your application. You will have the opportunity to add or edit that information for the new position. You will need to fill in your additional information, such as information required on a supplemental application for this new position.
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Can I enter an application for a position before the job is open?
No. Only currently open positions will appear. However, you can use the Job Agent to indicate your interest in a position and you will be notified when the position is posted.
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I have already created an online application and applied for open positions. I am now returning to apply for additional jobs and receive a message saying my e-mail address is already in use.
If you have already created an account and are a returning user, please go to the Applicant Home Page and be sure to enter your e-mail address and password where it says 'Returning applicant please sign in below'.
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How do I submit attachments such as a cover letter, reference letters, or my DD214?
If you have attachments for your application such as a resume, cover letter, reference letter, DD214, required supplemental documents, etc.,
we strongly urge you to save all of these documents on your computer or on a diskette before starting the application process in one of the acceptable formats (doc, html, htm, txt, rtf or pdf) The first page of the application process allows you to attach a resume. For ease in the application process please attach all of your documents in the resume portion of the application or you may click on the link on the Applicant Home Page to go to the City page where you can add your cover letter, reference letter, DD214, etc, to your application. This also is the site you will visit to complete any supplemental applications that are required for your application.
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In addition to applying online, would you recommend that I also forward my resume directly to the hiring department or Boise City Human Resources?
While we appreciate your enthusiasm, the online application is the only way to apply for job openings at the City of Boise. Applicants who forward resumes to the hiring department or Human Resources will be redirected back to the online system.
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What happens if I submit an online application, but do not complete all required sections or submit mandatory supplemental applications?
Online applications that are incomplete will be rejected.
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How quickly after applying may I be called for an interview?
The length of time it takes for applicants to be called for interviews or further testing and ultimately to fill a vacancy varies from department to department and position to position. Some searches last several weeks while others may take several months. You may view the status of positions for which you applied at any time by going to the Applicant Home Page, logging in, and clicking on 'View Application Status'.
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From the Applicant Home Page, I clicked on View Application Status. What do the different statuses mean?
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| | 020 | | Applied: Your application was submitted successfully. No action has been taken yet. |
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| | 050 | | Route: Your application has been forwarded for further screening. |
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| | 060 | | Interview: You have been selected for an interview and you will be contacted by the hiring department to schedule an appointment time. |
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| | 070 | | Offer: An offer has been extended to you. |
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| | 080 | | Ready to Hire: You have accepted the offer. |
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| | 090 | | Hired: You have been hired. |
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| | 100 | | Hold: This recruitment has been put on hold. |
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| | 110 | | Reject: You application is no longer under consideration for the specific position. |
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| | 120 | | Withdrawn: You have withdrawn your application for the specific position. Back to Top |