How to Create a CalCareers Account and Complete Your STD 678

By CalHired Team · Reviewed November 1, 2026 · 7 min read

Applying for California state jobs can feel confusing before you even submit an application. Start with two manageable tasks: create your CalCareers account and build a reusable STD 678 application template. This guide walks you through both, so you're ready to start your first California state job application. By the end, you should have your account, a saved template, and a clear next step. You do not need to buy anything to do this.

What is the STD 678? It's the State of California's Examination/Employment Application. In CalCareers you can save it as a reusable template, then review and adjust it for each job you apply to.^[7]

Before you start

Gather what you'll need so you can work through the forms without stopping:

An email address you can access
Current contact information
Employment dates, official job titles and usual hours worked per week
Employer and supervisor details, as requested
Education records and relevant license or certification details

Keep a resume handy as a reference. If a date or detail is uncertain, check your records instead of guessing. You don't need to collect passwords or Social Security numbers for our checklist.

1Check your CalCareers login or recover an existing account

Open the official CalCareers login page. If you've taken an exam or applied before, try your existing sign-in. Use Forgot Username/Password if needed, and check your spam folder for the recovery email.^[2]

If you remain locked out, use the official CalCareers Contact Us link from the login page. Don't create a replacement account to get around an exam retake restriction.^[1]

2How to create a CalCareers account

If you already have an account and can log in, skip to step 3.

Go to the official Create New Account page. Complete the required contact and sign-in fields, follow the username and password rules displayed there, read the acknowledgment, and create the account.^[1]

Save your credentials securely, outside the checklist. Complete any prompts CalCareers displays and confirm you can log in. Screens and security prompts can change, so follow the live official page rather than treating this guide as a screenshot-perfect script.

3Create your CalCareers application template (STD 678)

After logging in, go to My Account > Application Templates (STD 678) > Create New Template. The STD 678 is the state's employment application; a saved template lets you reuse information when you start applications.^[3]^[4]

Give it a meaningful name, such as “Administrative and Operations - Master.” The state's setup guide says the name is for your own reference.^[4] Treat the template as a starting point you will review for each vacancy.

4Fill out STD 678 questions and education

Read each question and answer accurately. Enter the education details the current form requests, and save before moving between screens.^[4]

Our practical advice: distinguish a completed degree from coursework or a program still in progress. Check names, dates and units against your records, and follow any instructions about units.

5Write your STD 678 employment history and duties

Include the requested employer details, your real title, dates, hours per week and duties. A hiring reviewer needs to understand what you actually did. Caltrans specifically advises against writing “See Resume” in place of duties.^[3]

Use plain descriptions of your responsibilities, and add verified scope or results where helpful. Avoid internal abbreviations and invented metrics.

STD 678 duties performed example (illustrative — use only details that are true for you)

Weak:: “Handled operations and helped the team.”
Clearer:: “Prepared weekly staffing schedules, reviewed daily sales reports, trained new employees, and resolved escalated customer issues.”

For your own entry, add accurate team size, frequency or tools when relevant. If you've held several roles with one employer, make the dates and responsibilities of each role clear. Explain part-time work accurately, and don't inflate hours or extend employment dates to cover a gap.

6Save and review your application template

Save each section, then reopen your template to confirm the entries remain.^[4] Check contact information, education, work dates, hours and complete duty descriptions. Your resume and application should agree on the facts.

Saving a template does not submit an application. When you start a job application, you can choose an existing template or a blank application — review the application you are actually sending.^[2]

7Understand the next step: eligibility

Creating an account does not by itself establish eligibility or show that you meet a classification's minimum qualifications. Many state civil service roles use an exam or assessment and an eligible list; other paths exist.^[2]^[5]

Identify a classification, read its minimum qualifications and current exam bulletin, and follow the applicable instructions. Passing an exam alone does not guarantee a job.^[5]

For a specific vacancy, read the job posting, duty statement, eligibility instructions, required documents and deadline. Ask the listed hiring contact if anything is unclear. Don't claim list eligibility just because you've made an account.

Before your first submission

Before you submit, confirm that you:

Selected the intended vacancy and reviewed its duties
Checked the eligibility route and minimum qualifications
Completed the actual STD 678 for that job
Followed the posting's requirements for a resume, SOQ, transcripts or other documents
Reviewed the final application for accuracy

After submitting, confirm you received an application receipt and save a copy.

The official FAQ says electronically submitted applications cannot be edited afterward; contact the hiring department with questions.^[2] Don't assume saving a draft means submitting it.

Short FAQ

What is a STD 678 application?: It's the State of California's Examination/Employment Application. It is separate from your resume, and in CalCareers you can save it as a reusable template that you review for each job.^[7]
Is CalCareers the same as CalJOBS?: No. CalCareers is the official State of California employment portal for state jobs. CalJOBS is EDD's broader job-search and workforce-services system. A CalJOBS account does not replace a CalCareers account.^[8]^[9]
Does creating a CalCareers account make me eligible for state jobs?: No. An account alone does not establish eligibility or show that you meet a classification's minimum qualifications. Follow the current classification, exam bulletin and job posting instructions that apply to you.^[2]^[5]
Is a resume enough?: Complete the state application and provide every document the posting requires. Your resume does not replace the requested duties in your application.
Does a saved template apply me to jobs?: No. Select a vacancy and complete that posting's application and submission process.
Do I need CalHired?: No. You can create your account and apply directly through CalCareers. CalHired offers optional help organizing career evidence and preparing application materials.
What should I do next?: Pick a classification that may fit your background and read its minimum qualifications and exam bulletin.

Want help organizing your experience for a specific posting? Explore how CalHired works.

Sources

Guidance checked November 1, 2026. Follow the current official posting, exam bulletin, and CalCareers instructions if they differ.