U.S. Embassy in Nepal

Applying through Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA)

1.  I forgot my ERA password, how do I log-in to ERA and apply for a position?

If you remember the secret answers to the 3 secret questions that you had chosen when you had first set up your ERA Account, then you can retrieve your password by clicking on Forgot Password option and providing answers to those 3 questions.  If you do not remember your answers to those secret questions, then you must create a new e-mail ID and then use that new e-mail ID to create a new ERA Account.  Embassy HR does not handle password reset for applicants.

2. My ERA account is temporarily locked, how do I gain access to ERA again?

The account is temporarily locked with third failed attempt to log-in, and the system does not let you log-in for about 30 minutes period.  After at least 30 minutes, please try to log-in with your correct username and password.

3. How do I know the status of the vacancy that I have applied for?

Vacancy status can be viewed in the U.S. Embassy’s job opportunity page under “Current Vacancy Status” https://np.usembassy.gov/current-vacancy-status/

4. I have applied for a position through ERA. Will I be contacted by the Embassy?

Due to large number of applications, we receive, only the applicants who are shortlisted and selected for test/ interview are contacted via e-mail and/or phone calls. Generally, if you are not contacted within one to two months after the closing date of the position, you may not have been shortlisted for the position.  To see the status of the vacancy, please visit https://np.usembassy.gov/current-vacancy-status/

5. I am a Nepali Citizen, and I am a native Nepali speaker. Why do I need to include my Nepali Language level in my applications?

As an applicant, it is your responsibility to address each qualification requirements listed in the vacancy announcement including language skills.  You must include your language level for all the languages that are listed under language requirement in the vacancy announcement.  If you fail to address any of the language skills requirements, your application will be deemed not qualified.

6. May I apply for more than one position at the same time?

You can apply for as many positions as you like if you meet the minimum requirements of the positions. 

7. How do I update my application or add supporting documents after I submit the application?

Before the closing date of the vacancy announcement, you may update your application or add additional supporting documents by logging-into ERA and accessing your application from “My Dashboard”.  You will not be able to access your application after the closing date.

8. I am a U.S. Veteran. Do I get a hiring preference?

Only qualified eligible family members who is a U.S. Veteran can obtain a hiring preference. Hiring preference order will be as below:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

For information on EFM/AEFM/USEFM please visit the link .

9. I have a relative working in the U.S. Mission. Can I apply for a job at the Mission?

If there are no nepotism or conflict of interest issues, you can apply. You must clarify on your online application if your relative is working at the U.S. Mission, Nepal.

10. What is nepotism or conflict of interest?

In general, the law and regulations on nepotism provide that an employee may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment in or to a Department of State position any individual who is a relative of the employee. In addition, an employee may not exercise supervisory responsibilities with respect to a relative. Supervisory responsibilities include acting as a Rater or Reviewer on evaluation reports, giving detailed instructions on performance of work assignments, initiating disciplinary actions, preparing, or approving Position Descriptions, or otherwise having a working relationship which gives the appearance of direction and control over the work or career of the other relative.

11. Who are considered as relatives?

In terms of the nepotism in employment in the Mission, relatives are father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister.

12. Do I need to submit a copy of my driving license?

If you are applying for a position that requires a driving license and the vacancy announcement asks for a copy of driving license under list of “Required Documents”, then you must submit a copy of your current and valid driving license.

13. My driving license has expired. What document should I submit?

Expired driving license disqualifies your application.  However, if you have applied for a renewal of your license and have a “License Fee Payment” receipt issued by the Department of Transportation then you can upload a copy of your expired license along with a copy of the payment receipt. The copy of your payment receipt proves that your current license is in a renewal process and your application will be considered for further review.

Common Application Mistakes

• Language Skills: Not addressing all language skills requirements

If the position requires English and Nepali language skills, your application should address both the language requirements.  You must indicate your language level for all the languages listed in the vacancy.  If you fail to indicate your language level for any one of the language requirements, your application will not be considered for further review.

• Documents: Not uploading all the required documents in ERA in support of your application

Please review the list of required documents carefully.  You must upload all the required documents such as proof of citizenship, education transcript, list of references, copy of driving license (for positions that require driving license), vocational training certificate/vocational education transcripts (for positions that requires vocational training /education) etc. Always review the list of required documents and ensure you have uploaded all the documents as asked in the vacancy announcement. SF-50, DD-214 and copy of Sponsor’s orders are applicable only to the Eligible Family Member (EFM) of US citizen employees assigned to the U.S. Mission. 

• Documents: Not submitting education transcript/marksheet

You must upload a copy of your education transcript in support of your application.  If you only submit a copy of your education certificate and NOT the transcript or marksheet, your application will not be considered for further review.  You must submit copies of your education transcript that addresses the education requirement of the position. For example, if the position requires bachelor’s degree in Business management, you must submit a copy of your transcript for bachelor’s degree in Business management.

• Work Experience: Hours Per Week for work experiences

When including your work experiences, please note that you should also mention your correct work week hours for each position that you have included under work experience section.  For example, if your work schedule is 8 hours a day, 6 days in a week, your hours per week would be 48 hours per week NOT 8 hours per week.  If you fail to indicate the correct work week hours, your total years of experience may not equal to the years of work experience requirement in the vacancy announcement. 

• Work Experience: “Main Duties and Responsibilities” 

While writing about your past or present work experiences, it is important to clearly explain your responsibilities in those positions.  Work experience particularly applicable to the position you are applying for should be explained in detail.

If you are an internal applicant, you must also include your work experience from your previous and/or current positions in the Mission. Please do not assume that HR knows about your work experience.  When screening the applications, HR makes the qualification determination solely based on the information that you have provided in your application.