Needing some Advice on a Position at VA?

SPC Robin Garcia — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 15:43:03 -0500

I received a call today, i will be going ona Job interview with VA here in Fort Bliss, tomorrow, 01/22/2015. Can you give me some advice on what i should say or do at the interview. It is for a Administrative Assistance position.

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Jan 21 at 2015 4:57 PM

Maj Matt Hylton — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 16:57:58 -0500

As someone who's worked a couple civilian hires in the past for GS employees, be sure to have an example of how you can perform tasks associated with each of the KSA's (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) described in the position description. Better yet, provide an example of work experience in the past where you have done something that is listed as a KSA.

I'm pretty sure that the VA works just like the DoD in that questions in an interview are only supposed to be associated with the KSAs form the position description, must have been vetted and approved by the civilian personnel section and are the only questions that the interviewer is allowed to ask you during the interview.

Also, advice from my current boss - get there early (like 30-45 minutes early) and try to ask the secretary or another admin person for the hiring autority to see the questions prior to going into the interview room. Keep pestering them (politely) if they don't want to give them to you the first time. He's told me that it's worked for almost every interview he's had and will give you more time to formulate answers to the questions.