Paid advertising is used to identify and attract applicants with specialized, hard-to-find skills and to ensure a diverse candidate pool. All NASA Centers are delegated authority to use paid advertising through a Government Issued Credit Card or Purchase Request.

When determining where to advertise consider diversity and availability of the skills required. There are a variety of sources: periodicals, newspapers, professional or trade journals, banner advertisements on the internet, and placement of specific vacancy announcements on free or fee-based internet sites. Lists of Internet recruiting sites are available on this website under “Candidate Sources”.

Some issues which should be considered when considering paid advertising include:

• Public Notice Requirements. If paid advertising is being used to supplement a competitive vacancy on NASAJobs, the closing date must be the same as the date shown on the vacancy announcement. All paid advertising that is geared towards filling a specific vacancy should advise the applicant to apply through NASASTARS.
• Duplication of Advertising Efforts: Because advertising is decentralized in NASA, Centers should consider sharing and coordinating their paid advertising plans. Coordinating advertising plans eliminates unnecessary duplication of effort and reduces advertising costs. The Office of Human Resources and Education may be able to provide funding for coordinated advertising between Centers.

Advertising on Internet websites, professional journals, or in newspapers is an excellent way to ensure that hard-to-fill vacancies get maximum coverage. Use any or all of these advertising methods whenever you need to expand your candidate pool or attract candidates with hard-to-fill or specialized skills.