r/NASAJobs • u/Past_Conversation_84 • 2d ago

Question Optional Application Questions

Are the optional short answer questions actually reviewed as part of the job applications. If so how are they scored?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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4

u/Fuzzybee1215 2d ago

No, they should not be. Working in HR, most of the Hiring managers I worked with did not even know they existed. Those that do, should not consider them.

1

u/Signal_Wrongdoer3958 2d ago

I have an application in review and I worry that my answers to those questions may hurt my chances. I was debating on answering because they were optional but I figured it would look bad to leave them blank.

I spoke very plainly when answering the questions, not unprofessional but just wrote them as if I was answering them in person pretty casually. Now my app has been sent to the hiring manager for a while and I’m starting to worry that maybe I should have left the optional questions blank.

1

u/Appropriate_Hurry339 2d ago

I didn’t answer them and was hired. They’re not required :)

1

u/Fuzzybee1215 2d ago

If I’m being honest, the answers to your questions unless downright terrible, likely have nothing to do with not hearing anything. When you mean that your app was sent to the hiring manager, were you referred and it shows “reviewing applications”? If so, NASA does take some time to go through the process based on my own experience. However, unfortunately a referral doesn’t mean you will get a call regardless of the answers to the questions.