Of all the reasons federal job applications get rejected, one stands out as the most preventable: missing hours per week information. This simple field trips up thousands of qualified applicants every year.
Why Hours Per Week Matters
Federal qualification standards are based on full-time equivalent (FTE) experience. HR specialists need to know how many hours you worked to calculate whether you have the required amount of experience.
The Math Behind Qualifications
One year of specialized experience typically means 52 weeks of full-time work. "Full-time" is defined as 40 hours per week.
If you worked part-time, your experience is prorated:
- 20 hours per week for 2 years = 1 year full-time equivalent
- 30 hours per week for 1 year = 9 months full-time equivalent
Without hours per week listed, HR cannot make these calculations and will rate you as "not qualified" or "ineligible."
Where to Include Hours Per Week
Every position on your resume must include hours per week. This includes:
- Current employment
- Previous employers
- Military service
- Internships
- Volunteer work (if used to demonstrate qualifications)
- Self-employment
- Contract positions
How to Document Hours Per Week
Format
Include hours per week with other employment details:
Program Analyst
Department of Commerce January 2020 - Present
40 hours per week
$75,000/year
Variable Hours
If your hours varied, provide a representative average:
"30-40 hours per week (average 35 hours)"
Or list multiple periods if hours changed significantly:
"January 2020 - June 2021: 20 hours per week (part-time)" "July 2021 - Present: 40 hours per week (full-time)"
Overtime
If you regularly worked overtime, you can note this, but base hours should reflect your scheduled hours:
"40 hours per week (plus 10-15 hours overtime as required)"
Special Situations
Salaried Positions
Even if you were salaried and your actual hours varied, document the expected hours:
"40 hours per week (exempt position)"
Multiple Concurrent Positions
If you held multiple jobs simultaneously, list hours for each separately:
**Job A:** 25 hours per week **Job B:** 15 hours per week
These would total 40 hours per week, equivalent to full-time experience.
Self-Employment
Self-employment experience is valid but must include hours worked:
"30 hours per week (self-employed, verified by tax records and client contracts)"
Unpaid Internships and Volunteer Work
If using unpaid experience to meet qualifications, hours are still required:
"15 hours per week (unpaid internship)"
Military Service
Military service typically counts as more than 40 hours per week, but document it appropriately:
"50+ hours per week (active duty military)"
Common Mistakes
Omitting Hours Entirely
This is the most common mistake. HR cannot evaluate your experience without this information, even if everything else is perfect.
Only Including Hours for Some Positions
Hours must be included for every position, not just recent ones. Older experience still counts toward your qualification totals.
Using Vague Language
"Full-time" without specifying hours can be ambiguous. Always include a number.
"40 hours per week" is better than just "full-time"
Inconsistent Documentation
If you list hours for some positions but not others, HR may question the omissions and assume those positions were part-time.
How HR Calculates Experience
Understanding how HR uses your hours information helps you present your experience effectively.
Example Calculation
A GS-11 position requires "one year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level."
Applicant A:
- Position 1: 40 hours/week for 6 months = 6 months FTE at GS-9 level
- Position 2: 40 hours/week for 8 months = 8 months FTE at GS-9 level
- **Total: 14 months FTE = Qualifies**
Applicant B:
- Position 1: Hours not listed
- Position 2: 40 hours/week for 8 months = 8 months FTE at GS-9 level
- **Total: 8 months documented = Does not qualify**
Applicant B might have the same actual experience as Applicant A, but without documented hours, HR cannot count Position 1.
Part-Time Experience Calculation
If you worked part-time for an extended period, your experience is prorated:
- 20 hours per week for 3 years = 1.5 years FTE
- 25 hours per week for 2 years = 1.25 years FTE
- 32 hours per week for 18 months = 1.2 years FTE
What If You Don't Remember Exact Hours?
If you can't recall the exact hours for a previous position, make a reasonable estimate based on:
- Your employment contract or offer letter
- Whether you were classified as full-time or part-time
- Company norms for similar positions
- Your recollection of typical workweeks
Document your best estimate: "Approximately 40 hours per week"
It's better to provide a reasonable estimate than to leave the field blank.
Documenting Hours for Complex Schedules
Compressed Schedules
If you worked a compressed schedule (e.g., four 10-hour days):
"40 hours per week (compressed schedule: 4 days/week, 10 hours/day)"
Seasonal Work
For seasonal positions with varying hours:
"Peak season (June-August): 50 hours per week" "Off-season (September-May): 20 hours per week" "Average: 30 hours per week over 12-month period"
On-Call Positions
For positions with on-call requirements:
"32 scheduled hours per week plus on-call duties (average 5-10 additional hours/week)"
Final Checklist
Before submitting any federal application, verify that every position includes:
- Hours per week (specific number, not just "full-time" or "part-time")
- Start and end dates (month and year)
- Employer information
- Supervisor details
Missing any of these elements can result in disqualification, regardless of your qualifications. The hours per week field is simple to include but essential for your application to be evaluated fairly.