The Department of Veteran Affairs offers many career options for people with different backgrounds and experiences. Because of their military background, many Veterans look for Veteran Affairs jobs. If you are a Veteran, Army Reserve, or just someone looking for a good job, here are the steps you can take to get your Veteran Affairs job!

How to Find Veteran Affair Jobs

Finding a VA job isn’t very hard. VetCV has thousands of Veteran Affairs jobs that are easy to search for. All you have to do is create your FREE VetCV account. The VA is massive and they have tons of open positions every day. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience or education, there is more than likely a Veteran Affairs job waiting for you. Think about a job in the VA that would best suit you, and then go find it!

How to Prepare for Veteran Affair Jobs

Before you send your application, you should take some time to prepare. The VA has Basic Qualification Standards (BQS). In other words, the minimum requirements needed for the job you want.

However, just because you have all of the BQS doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get the job. Like the name says, the BCS are only the minimum attributes you must have to apply.

A great way to get ahead of your competitors is to understand the Position Qualification Requirements for the job you want to apply for. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Find these requirements by reading the occupation description for the position you’re looking at.

2. Carefully review the job post.

3. Call the recruitment specialist listed in the job post.

Prepare to apply by having a high number of “selective factors.” Selective factors are a list of experiences, qualities, or certificates the VA is looking for in employees aside from the Position Qualification Requirements. The selective factors are different for each Veteran Affairs job and they can be found in the job posting. Make sure to take a look at these factors before you apply. The more selective factors you have greatly increases your chances of getting hired.

Another way to increase your chances of getting a Veteran Affairs job is to complete a certification course. Many Veteran Affairs jobs require certifications, and the VA will often hire those applicants who already have them. Getting a certificate can be a great way to increase your chances of getting hired.

How to Apply for Veteran Affair Jobs

Now that you found and prepared for the job you want, it’s time to apply for the position. On VetCV.com, you’ll find the job postings as well as the steps you’ll need to go through to apply for Veteran Affairs jobs. One thing you need to be aware of is that the VA will more than likely require additional information along with a normal resume. You can find any and all of the additional information required in the job posting. Make sure you have this info!

While most employers use an online application process, you may have to send your application package (your resume + additional required information/documentation) through the mail. This will be listed in the job posting. Don’t forget to check for this!

Here are a few tips for your application package:

1. Keep it simple! Your package should be thorough and provide enough detail, but avoid using flowery language.

2. Be honest! Don’t exaggerate your accomplishments or experiences.

3. TYPE IT! Don’t hand write your resume. Just don’t.

4. Don’t make it too long! Employers don’t like attachments or reading long resumes. Keep it short, sweet, and honest. No more than two pages.

5. Have a friend or a professional review it! Having a second pair of eyes look over your work is always a great thing.

How to Prepare for the Interview Process

Now that you’ve sent your application, the next part of the process is the interview. Almost all Veteran Affairs jobs will require a face-to-face interview after you send in your application package. The VA likes to use Performance Based Interviews (PBI).

In PBI, you are asked questions by one or more people. These questions usually revolve around your personal background, education history, your willingness to relocate or travel, or other basic information.  However, the bulk of the interview will be about your background and experiences.

There are a few tricks to doing well in Performance Based Interviews:

1. Be yourself! The VA is interviewing you, so don’t act like someone else.

2. Be honest! Your answers are important, and dishonesty can come back to bite you.

3. Don’t be afraid to boast your accomplishments! The purpose of a PBI is for your interviewers to know more about you and what you have done, but they won’t know if you don’t tell them!

4. Be enthusiastic about the job you’re applying for! Be excited and appreciative of the opportunity and possibility of getting a Veteran Affairs job!

5. SMILE! Smiling is an easy way to make a good first impression.

6. Don’t be afraid of silence! After a question is asked, take a second before answering. A moment of silence means you are thinking and reflecting on the question, which is good.

Check out the VA Interviewer’s Guide to see what will be going on in your interviewer’s head!

How to Leave a Great Impression After Your Interview

One simple and easy way to set yourself apart from other applicants is by sending a post-interview thank you letter. After the interview, you need to send an email or hand write a thank you letter to your interviewer(s), thanking them for the opportunity and for their time. This not only helps set you apart from other applicants, but it also instills goodwill towards you in the minds of the people who will hire you. It’s a very important practice, so don’t forget it!

Click here for some examples of business thank you letters.

The VA provides amazing employment opportunities, and VetCV wants to help you connect with those opportunities! Create a FREE VetCV account and get your Veteran Affairs jobs!
[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_SOCIAL_ICONS]