Frequently Asked Questions

For Applicants

How do I apply for a job with the State of Tennessee?

Non-State Employees – can visit the Application Portal to search and apply for career opportunities which include Preferred Service, Executive Service, Non-Competitive and Internship positions. 
Active State Employees – can search and apply for opportunities directly through Edison Self Service, which will feature all available career opportunities and additional promotional opportunities for active state employees only. To do this, hovering over the “Apply Here” column and choose “External Candidates”. This will take you to the Careers page, click “View All Jobs” to view information on all the current open postings. To do this, log into your Edison account. Click on the Navbar icon in the top right corner. Then click on: Navigator>HCM>SelfService>Recruiting>Careers. This will take you to the Careers page, click “View All Jobs” to review information on all current openings.

May I submit a paper application?

No. Paper applications are not accepted by the Department of Human Resources for Preferred Services positions. All applications must be submitted online at www.TN.gov/Careers.

Is an email address required to receive position notification? If I do not have an email address, how will I be notified?

All notices are sent by email ONLY, and all applicants must have an email address. Several websites offer free e-mail account services, including Google.com, Hotmail.com and Yahoo.com.

I am in the process of completing my application online and have a problem. Who should I contact for assistance?

You may contact the Department of Human Resources HR Service Center by webchat, email, or phone at www.HRSupport.TN.gov, HR.ServiceCenter@tn.gov, or (615)741-4841. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. If you contact the HR Service Center after business hours, you will receive a response on the next business day.

I am having trouble filling out the education section of the application. What could the problem be?

Many times the issue is with the Degree Effective Date. This field should represent the date the applicant is adding it to the application, not the date the applicant graduated/received the degree. The system kicks the user out of the system if an older Effective Date is entered. Applicants should use the “Year Acquired” field to for the date the degree was received.

Can I answer “Yes” to having a completed degree on my application if I am close to receiving it?

Yes, if you are within one hundred-twenty (120) days of graduation (undergraduate), you may answer that you have completed that degree on the application. However, if selected for the position, your hire date cannot be before you have received your completed degree.

What types of files can I upload to my application?

You can upload documents with the following extensions to your application:

• .doc

• .docx

• .pdf

• .txt

• .odt

• .rtf

• Each file attachment cannot be more than 2 MB. If any of your required documents exceed 2 MB, please split the document into separate attachments.
• If the attachment is a picture, please choose the lowest resolution possible to ensure the file size does not exceed 2 MB. 

How do I change the email address (or other contact information) associated with my online application account?

Non-State Employees – Go www.TN.Gov/Careers. Hover over the “Apply Here” column and choose “External Candidates”. This will take you to the Careers page. Select “My Account Information” to change the personal information on your account.

Active State Employees – Go to your Edison profile >Select “Self Service” on the Left side of the screen > Select “My System Profile” > Select “Change or set up email address” > Select “Update Primary email address” > Select “Apply”.

How often should I check the DOHR website to be sure that I do not miss out on an opportunity to apply for a job while it is open?

New opportunities are posted every Thursday at 12:00 a.m. CST/CDT.

I see a job listed on Indeed but not on the State Site. Why can’t I apply?

It may take an external site longer to update their information on our job postings. So, a position may temporarily still show up on Indeed, or other external sites, after the posting has officially closed.

How do I apply for a Non-Competitive job?

The Department of Human Resources does not process applications for most of the jobs classified as “Non-Competitive”. To apply for these jobs, please contact the department hiring for the Non-Competitive position.

For department contact information, visit www.tn.gov/directory/deptartment-directory.html

For a full list of Non-Competitive positions please view the Non-Competitive Job Titles and Salaries PDF.

I received a notification indicating that I did not qualify for the job for which I applied. Can I appeal this decision?

You may contact the HR Service Center at (615) 741-4841 and request to speak with the Recruiter who evaluated your application. This will allow you an opportunity to discuss the qualification requirements and what qualifications the Recruiter determined was missing. If you wish to further appeal the evaluation after your conversation with the Recruiter, you should submit a written request to the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources within fifteen (15) days.

Please Note: If you fail to submit a complete application, and the Recruiter did not have the information necessary to confirm that you met the job qualification requirements, you will not have the option to reapply or submit the missing information if the closing deadline has passed. Please ensure that you read all instructions on the job posting web pages and provide a complete application.

I got an email stating I meet the minimum qualifications and then got another saying I didn’t. Why does this happen?

Once you submit your application, applicants receive an initial email notifying you the minimum qualifications are met. This is an automated email sent by the system based on your response of “Yes” to the Minimum Qualifications question asked on the application. Your application is then sent to the Recruiter for review. If the Recruiter does not see the information needed to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, they will send you a notice that you do not meet the minimum qualifications based on your responses on the application.

If you answer “No” to the Minimum Qualification question, your application is automatically rejected.

Why did I not meet the minimum qualifications?

Some jobs have minimum qualifications for specific degrees and/or experience. You will not meet the minimum qualifications if those requirements are not specified on your application or resume.

Why did I previously meet the minimum qualifications, and now I do not?

We have improved our screening process to send applicants that meet the minimum qualifications to the agency for review.

I received my degree in another country. Am I eligible to apply for the State of Tennessee?

Applicants must submit a required evaluation from a current National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. The evaluation will determine curriculum requirements are met. For more information, see DOHR Policy 12-006.

What is the difference between Statewide, Departmental, Division, or Unit promotional opportunities? Why am I not eligible for them?

Statewide Promotional: ANY State Employee Promotional opportunities are only accessible to current State Employees through Edison self-service. Being eligible is depended on the type of promotional and the budget code it falls under.

Departmental Promotional: Anyone in that specific Department can apply (We look specifically at the budget code the applicant works in.example: 319.01 Department of Human Resources)

• Divisional Promotional: Anyone in the specific Division can apply (example: 319.03 – Division of HR Management Services within the Department of Human Resources.
• Unit Promotional: Anyone in that specific Unit can apply (example: 319.0303200 – Recruiting Unit within the HR Management Services Division within the Department of Human Resources)           

I've completed my application and taken the First Round Interview survey. How does the rest of the hiring process work?

First Round Interview surveys are open for four (4) calendar days (including Holidays and Weekends), the Tuesday following the First Round Interview survey closing, the list of applicants who completed the First Round Interview survey and their survey responses are sent to the agency for review. The hiring agency has thirty (30) days from receiving the candidate list to complete the interview and hiring process.

Why is there a thirty (30) day period for the hiring agency to fill this posting? What does this mean?

The hiring agency has thirty (30) days from the day they receive the list of candidates to review and hire. During this time, the hiring agency must interview and select a hire. This window gives the State Agencies enough time to review and interview multiple candidates for larger lists, along with keeping the hiring process on a schedule to benefit the applicants.

How will I know when a position has been hired for or filled?

We recommend that all State Agencies notify all applicants when the position applied for has been filled. However, this is not required.

When I’m applying for multiple positions, why do I have to complete a First Round Interview survey for each one I apply to?

Each job posting has its own unique First Round Interview survey link for itself. First Round Interview surveys cannot be combined with another, each must be completed individually to be considered for the position.

Why didn’t I get my email First Round Interview survey invitation?

If you did not receive your First Round Interview survey notice it could be for two (2) possible reasons.

1. The message is being blocked by a strict firewall filter on the applicant’s end.   

• Check your SPAM, junk, and clutter folder for the First Round Interview survey email.
• Add Survey Monkey information to your safe sender list.

2. The applicant may have opted out or bounced. If so, an applicant can opt back in.

Why have I not received my survey?

Due to security settings on some computers, the survey invitation may have been sent to your Junk or SPAM folder. Please check your Junk or SPAM folders to ensure you have not received them.  In addition to checking your Junk or SPAM folder regularly for these emails, please make sure your email address is correct/updated in your profile. All First Round Interview surveys are sent out by email the day the job posting closes and all survey emails contain an active survey link within them.  If you feel you are missing the First Round Interview survey email, you may contact the Department of Human Resources HR Service Center by webchat, email, or phone at www.HRSupport.TN.gov, HR.ServiceCenter@tn.gov or (615)741-4841. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. If you contact the HR Service Center after business hours, you will receive a response on the next business day.

What happens if I miss the First Round Interview survey deadline and the survey is showing “closed”?

All First Round Interview surveys are only open for four (4) calendar days (including weekends and Holidays). Once these First Round Interview surveys are closed, we cannot reopen them due to our strict deadlines with agencies and their hiring timeline. All First Round Interview surveys are sent out by email the day the job posting closes.

How many positions with the State can I apply for? Will it cast me in a negative light if I apply for multiple positions at the same time?

There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for. Apply to any job opportunities that you are eligible for and interested in.

If I’m disqualified from one position, will that impact my eligibility for other positions?

Disqualification from one position will not affect your eligibility for a different position. Each posting is considered a stand-alone.

Should I apply for positions of the same title in the future, if I’ve been rejected from that position in the past?

It is possible to qualify for a position after gaining new experience and/or education. You may continue to apply.

How many positions with the State are available every year?

We post 120 new positions every week on average.

What is Spousal Veterans Preference?

If the spouse or surviving spouse is a qualified voter in Tennessee or has been a resident of this state for two (2) years preceding such person's application and one of the two following circumstances exists: 1- As a result of such military service, the veteran suffered a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected disability or is permanently and totally disabled OR 2- The veteran died in the line of duty during such military service and the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran." You may review this policy at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/hr/policy/12-007VeteransPreference.pdf.

When should I attach my DD214?

Your DD214 must be attached to every application you submit to receive Veterans Preference on each position to which you have applied.

Is it too late to add my DD214 to my already submitted application?

You may submit your DD214 at any point during the application; however, it must be submitted before the list is sent to the agency for review to receive Veterans preference.

If my spouse is a Veteran or active member of the US Military, what documentation do I need to provide to receive Spousal Veterans Preference?

A spouse of a Veteran or active member of the US Military will need to submit a DD214 showing an Honorable discharge (Member 4 or Service 2 document) along with either Military documentation showing 100% disability or Military documentation showing the death occurring in the line of duty per the Veterans Preference Policy (DOHR Policy 12-007) stated below:

"Submit documentation from the armed forces of the United States or the Veterans Administration verifying that the service member is disabled, when the disability occurred, and the determined percentage of disability. In the instance of a veteran spouse killed in the line of duty, submit documentation from appropriate military authorities indicating the date that such death occurred and that such death occurred in the line of duty. Proof of military service, honorable discharge, disability, unemployability, death and residence as outlined herein are required and must be provided to the Department at the time of application in order to receive the preference."

Do you hire applicants with a criminal background?

The State of Tennessee does offer many positions open to applicants with criminal backgrounds. However, due to security reasons, our law enforcement-type positions are not available to those with a criminal background.

How do I withdraw my application?

An application can only be withdrawn while still in Draft.  Once it is in the Applied step, the applicant cannot withdraw their application.

How can I access the former State of Tennessee applicant system, NeoGov, to review prior job applications?

Due to security reasons, we do not have access to the former applicant system, Neogov.  For applicant support within Neogov please contact the Neogov help desk at 855-524-5627.

What do I do if I need some type of accommodation during the actual application process?

Non-State Employees – can visit the applicant portal to research and apply for career opportunities, which include Preferred Service, Executive Service, Non-Competitive, and Internship positions.

Do this by hovering over the “Apply Here” column and choosing “Assistive Technology”. This will take you to the Careers page, click “View All Jobs” to review information on all current openings.

Active State Employees – can search and apply for opportunities directly through Edison Self Service, which will feature all available career opportunities and additional promotional opportunities for active state employees only.

Do this by customizing your personal Edison Profile.  Start with your home page, click on the “General Information” tab on the left-hand side of the page, and click on “ADA Information”. This will bring up a page with options to personalize your Edison profile.

Do you need help finding resources in your area that can assist with the online application?

For additional help in your job search, visit an American Job Center. These centers can provide job seeker services such as computer workstations, skills training, veterans' programs, as well as employment services. Please visit http://www.servicelocator.org to find an American Job Center near you.

The Tennessee American Job Centers offers services with free access to the resource rooms which include fax machines, telephones, computers, and internet for all 95 Tennessee counties. 

What are other State of Tennessee job classification specifications (class specs)?

The State of Tennessee job classifications can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/hr/documents/TN_Job_Classification_Specifications.pdf