Job Opportunities

CBO's salary structure does not follow the General Schedule. CBO offers competitive salaries that are commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications.

What information should I provide in my cover letter?

Use your cover letter as an opportunity to highlight specific experience or education that you feel qualifies you for the position.

How do I submit my transcripts if I can't e-mail them?

Transcripts must be submitted through the online application system. If you can't download a transcript from your university, do one of the following: 1) Use a scanner to create an electronic file of your transcript. 2) Transcribe your information into a Word document or an excel spreadsheet, and then upload the file.

My school would prefer to mail the transcripts. Can they be sent by Federal Express to ensure prompt delivery?

CBO does not accept application materials outside of the online application. Please add your transcript information by one of the methods described in the online application system.

Does CBO require official transcripts?

For evaluation purposes, CBO accepts unofficial transcripts.

What type of a writing sample should I submit?

If possible, submit a short writing sample for which you have conducted research and completed a quantitative analysis of the subject. A sample on subject matter relating to the particular unit or division that you are interested in would also be desirable. If your writing sample is more than 5-10 pages, you should consider adding a page that will direct reviewers to specific pages where your research and/or quantitative analyses are best displayed.

When a job announcement requests three references, does CBO want letters of reference or recommendation?

CBO requests that you provide contact information for references who would be able to describe your qualifications for the position. Typical references include a previous supervisor or faculty member.

What information does CBO want in a salary history?

Please provide salary information for the last 10 years of employment (if applicable). The preferred method would be to indicate the base salary, cost-of-living increases, merit increases, and any bonuses as separate items for each year.

Does CBO consider noncitizens for employment?

CBO may employ individuals who are not U.S. citizens if they are permanent residents of the United States who are seeking citizenship, as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B). Please review the citizenship requirements at http://cbo.gov/employment/citizen.cfm or contact CBO Human Resources at careers@cbo.gov to determine employment eligibility before submitting an application.

How will I know if CBO has received my résumé?

You will receive an automatic e-mail confirming that the materials you submitted were received.

What do I do if I don't receive an e-mail indicating that CBO received my initial application materials?

If you don't receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your materials within a week, check your spam filter in the event that the confirmation has been captured there. If not, send an e-mail to careers@cbo.gov requesting that confirmation.

There are several jobs I am interested in, but I will not be available for employment until I graduate. Should I submit my application materials now?

CBO may extend offers for certain jobs to candidates who have not yet graduated and may negotiate a start date following graduation.

Will I receive any additional information about the status of my application?

CBO receives a number of applications for each position. When your application is received you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Once your application is reviewed, you will be contacted if we require additional information or wish to schedule an interview. You will receive an e-mail if you are not being considered. If you are interviewed, CBO will contact you regarding your status; otherwise, you will receive an e-mail when the position(s) for which you have applied are filled. If you would like to check the status of jobs for which you applied, please log back into the online application system. After logging in, go to “Check the status of your application” to see your status. Please note that jobs are removed from the CBO Web site when they have been filled.

If I am interviewed and not selected for a specific job, will I remain under consideration for other jobs?

If you wish to be considered for other positions at CBO, you will need to return to your online application to apply specifically to new jobs. Please note that you may apply for more than one position at a time.

I applied for an internship; will that application allow me to be considered for full-time employment?

No, the Summer Internship Program requires that you apply specifically to the internship program as it has a specific deadline. To also be considered for full-time employment, you must submit a separate application for those positions.

Is there any way that I can find out about new job announcements in a specific division?

You may register at https://careers.cbo.gov/ext/jobalert.asp to receive new job announcements as they are posted to the CBO Web site.

How do I determine the closing date of a job announcement?

CBO does not have closing dates for its announcements. Job announcements remain on the agency's Web site until the position is filled. When you apply for a job, CBO may be at any step of the recruitment process for that position.

Searching For Positions

How do I search for jobs?

To view all open positions, click on the "View All Jobs" link. You may also search for a particular position by keyword and category. Enter as much detail as you desire, then click on the "Search" button at the bottom of the form. The system will show you all matching results.

How can I find all positions open where I live?

All positions with the Congressional Budget Office are located in Washington, D.C.

How can I search for a specific type of position?

You may search for a specific type of position by using the drop down menu to select a Job Category. If you cannot find a category that fits your search criteria, you may also use the Keyword section to search by a specific word.

Can I search for multiple criteria at once?

Yes, you may search for multiple criteria at once. For example, you may wish to find an Economist position (Category) in the Macroeconomic Analysis Division (Division). It is important to note that the more specific your search criteria, the more defined your results will be.

How do I find out more information on an open position?

You can find out details on a position by hovering your mouse over the position title. A preview of the job description will display. You can learn more by clicking on the title of the open position which will bring you to the Job Description page. The Job Description page will have the Job Description, Qualifications, and materials requested. You will also be able to apply directly from this page by entering your e-mail address and clicking the "Apply" link which is located at the bottom of the Job Description page. Information on the Division pages may also be helpful in learning about a position. This information is available under "About CBO".

What does the Job Alert Agent do?

The Job Alert Agent is a convenient, automated way to search for a job. This tool will allow you to specify types of positions and/or divisions of interest. We will then e-mail you about new opportunities as they become available, customized for your interest and expertise. You can sign up to receive notifications on more than one type of job/category etc. as all fields are multi-select.

How do I create, edit, or delete my Job Alert Agent?

To create it, click "View all Jobs" on our main page and from the search results page, click the link to sign up for the Job Alert Agent. You'll need to create a Job Alert profile using your name, e-mail address and a password and then select the criteria for the types of jobs you want to receive notifications about. To edit or delete your Job Alerts, log in to your job alert agent account and change your preferences or click the removal link.

Applying For Positions

How do I apply to a position of interest?

You can apply to a position by clicking the "Apply" link which appears on the Search Results page as well as each individual Job Description page.

Why do I need to create a profile?

You will need to create a profile to apply for a job. You can come back to this site anytime to apply for additional jobs using the same profile that you created, edit your information, and track your application history. This will also make it easier to apply for other jobs at CBO in the future.

Can I submit a paper application?

No, you need to apply online for all positions. Individuals who require an accommodation should contact CBO Human Resources at careers@cbo.gov or 202-226-2628. If you are experiencing any trouble applying online, please contact our support team.

I do not have an e-mail address. How can I apply for employment?

We maintain the vast majority of communication with our candidates via e-mail and this is also how you can stay informed about our job openings, so it is important to have an e-mail address. If you do not currently have an e-mail address, please create an e-mail account with one of the free services like Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, Mail.com, or AOL. Select the e-mail provider you would like to host your free e-mail account and follow their instructions for account set up. If you use spaces in your e-mail account name, please note that it may not work with our online application system.

Can I submit my résumé online?

Yes, CBO only accepts applications that are submitted online. In fact, by uploading your résumé on our site, our system will automatically populate some fields on the application for you. You will then only need to fill in the additional fields to apply.

What kinds of file attachments are accepted?

Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe PDF, and other text formats (txt, rtf) are the preferred formats. If you have trouble uploading a .docx file, try saving the file as .doc and uploading.

Can I copy selected information from another electronic document?

Yes, you can copy and paste the information from any text format document, such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Notepad, or other text formats directly into the appropriate fields in the application form.

Can I apply for employment if I do not have a résumé?

No, you will need to create a résumé in order to apply for employment at CBO.

What if I am not ready to fill out the online application at this time?

If you have started, but do not wish to complete the online application at this time, just simply close the browser window and with that all your information will be deleted.

What if I am unable to fully complete my application at this time?

Unfortunately you cannot partially complete and save your application, so please make sure you have all the necessary information ready before you start the online application process. Please allow yourself enough time to fill out the initial application; all required fields must be completed, otherwise you won't be able to submit your application to us. You will only need to do this the very first time you use our online application system, after that you'll be able to access your profile online and make changes.

Can I drop off, mail, fax, or e-mail my résumé to you?

CBO no longer accepts résumés via drop off, mail, e-mail, or fax. To be considered an applicant, you must apply online at https://careers.cbo.gov.

If I have applied for a job opening using your online application, should I also send my résumé to you via mail or fax?

No, CBO no longer accepts hard copies of résumés. Applying online is the only way to be considered for job openings at CBO. We maintain a secure website where all of your information is available for consideration.

I do not have a computer; how should I apply online?

If you do not own a computer, please check with your local public library, the local Department of Labor office, or your campus career center for resources and assistance with job search and applications.

Do I have to include my Social Security Number (SSN/SIN) to apply?

CBO does not request your Social Security Number for the initial application.

Is it safe to enter my information on your website?

Yes, our web pages are secure. We take the utmost care to protect your information whether you are browsing on our Web site or applying for employment.

Can I just submit my résumé for future consideration and without applying for a specific position now?

For most positions, candidates may apply only once a specific job vacancy exists; that is, CBO does not accept general applications for future vacancies. The exception is the position of assistant analyst; because of the nature of that position, candidates may submit an application for upcoming vacancies. Those positions are limited term appointments of up to three years and ideal for people interested in gaining substantial work experience before attending graduate school. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, mathematics, statistics, or a related quantitative discipline and a strong quantitative background.

Will I be considered for other positions when applying for a specific position or do I need to apply separately for each position I am interested in?

It is possible your profile may be reviewed for other current or future positions should you fit the specific job requirements of those positions. However, if you'd like to be considered, you should apply online directly for each position that is of interest to you. Once you have applied for a position, your online profile will be stored in our system which you will be able to access with your username (e-mail address) and password. You can use the same profile to apply for several jobs. Jobs are removed from the CBO Web site once an offer has been extended and accepted and all interviewed candidates have been informed.

After You Apply

What happens to my job application once I hit the submit button?

Your résumé enters CBO's applicant tracking system. This system provides us with a talent pool and serves as one of many sourcing sites for our staff to identify candidates for specific job openings.

After I submit my job application will I receive a response?

When you first register on our website and submit your profile or when you apply for a specific position, you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail that we have received your submission. After that we will contact all candidates directly who are selected for an interview or if we require additional information. Also we e-mail candidates when they are no longer being considered or when a position they applied to is filled.

How do I change or update my information on my online profile?

When first registering your information through our online application system, your e-mail address becomes your username and you will be asked to create a password. With your username (e-mail address) and password, you have the ability to log back in to your application and update any information. If there is a change in your skills or employment history (for example, you want to add a new employer to your profile) or you need to update your contact information, you can log in at your convenience to make those updates. You may also upload a revised résumé.

Can I change the answers to a Screening Questionnaire after I've already taken it?

Screening Questionnaires cannot be edited once they are completed. They are not timed tests, so please take your time to think about your answers before completing the questions.

How can I check the status of my application?

Once you have submitted your application for a specific position, you can check the status of your application online at your convenience. On our main career page at careers.cbo.gov there is a log in window for returning applicants. Simply log in using your e-mail address and the password you created when you first applied. Click on the "Check the status of your application" link and all the jobs you applied for and the status of each will be listed. If you click on the "status", a full description will be displayed.

I no longer wish to be considered for job(s) at CBO. How do I withdraw my application?

A. To withdraw from consideration, you should send an e-mail to careers.cbo.gov indicating that you no longer wish to be considered for employment. If you only wish to withdraw from specific positions, you should indicate which specific jobs in your e-mail.

HELP! I've forgotten my password.

There is a link on the login screen labeled "Forgot Password?" Click on this link and then enter the e-mail address you used when you created your profile. The system will automatically e-mail your password information.

HELP! I cannot remember my username.

Please note that your username is your e-mail address. If you cannot remember the e-mail address you used, then please contact us via phone and our system administrator will attempt to find the e-mail address you used. If we cannot locate your information you will need to create an entirely new profile, so please retain your username and password when you first register.

General Information

What browsers are supported by this application?

All major browsers including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and AOL are supported.

How do I find driving directions to your location?

Directions to CBO are available at http://www.cbo.gov/contacts/directions.cfm.

Do you offer relocation assistance to candidates?

No. Unfortunately, CBO is not authorized to provide relocation assistance.