When it comes to starting a new career in the Federal Government, how does Veterans Preference work?

Several years ago my shop hired 3 employees ( I work DON) we had about 25 contractor IRAQ returning vets working for us, that had the basic qual. to do our job, about 6 (that I know of) applied, my shop hired 1, the other positions were filled by a recent local high school graduate and a different shop's superintendents' child, how they had the other 2 more qualified than the vets, I don't know? Resume' ? I know that counts a lot. I can't stress a good resume strongly enough, but their is apparently also some gaming of the system.

USPS adds 5 points to your test score for veterans and 10 points for disabled veterans.

Technically, veterans are given points and access to restricted lists depending on when, and where they served (e.g., combat zone, coming off active duty within three years, and other specific identifiers). I found that these preferences help only for the most basic of positions. That a lot of federal agencies only like prior civil service employees, and further, employees from their own agency. A lot of predetermine "fills". If for some reason you get through with a priority placement, wait to see if they close the posting and re-post it later with more constricting requirements.

I would suggest to find all the applicable "points" and preferences and apply to jobs listed on USAjobs.gov. Veterans do get hired off the site. Just don't get your hopes up.

The best bet is networking (like on the civilian side). If you know someone in the agency you wish to join, use them to get you an inside track in the hiring process.

Sgt. Crowe,

This link will take you to the Office of Personnel Management pages on Veterans Preference: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

Note that different agencies have different policies in terms of whether a veterans preference "category" (5-point, 10-point) makes a difference in your placement on the Certificate of Eligibles (commonly referred to as a "cert"). Also, an agency may generate up to three "certs" for a single position. The language varies a bit but will be along the lines of "Qualified, Well Qualified, Best Qualified". Veterans may land at the top of any of these three certs, depending on HR's assessment of your USAJOBS application and resume.

Strongly suggest reviewing the USAJOBS website tutorials on reading federal job announcements and preparing resumes for federal job applications. USAJOBS resumes are NOT the same as private-sector resumes. And federal applications are usually screened electronically first using keyword searches, so it's imperative to use words and terms in your resume that are obviously important in the job announcement.

Also recommend creating a USAJOBS account and developing a basic resume which can be tailored for each job later. You can save multiple resumes and this will give you a head start on later applications. Upload supporting documents (DD-214, VA disability determination letter if applicable, etc.) to your USAJOBS account so that when you find out about a job at the last minute, you won't have to scramble to find the required documentation.

Finally, realize that "excepted agencies" such as FBI, CIA, and others do NOT post announcements on USAJOBS. You have to go to their sites to find vacancy announcements. A partial list of excepted agencies may be found here: http://www.fedjobs.com/lib/TIP_Excepted_Service.html.

Good luck!

Not even going to go there. Learn how to write a civ resume that is put on USAJOBS even if you have to pay for it. That wrote up will get you in the door and hopefully selected for interview with peers. Do t get discouraged because that too will happen.

One thing to remember is there is an influx of veterans to the civilian pool nowdays. So you may have a 5pt preference and be going against a 25 pt preference.

This link should explain what you need to know.

http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/

Depends on your location if and when it Apple's.

It works well... If No one else applies, that has Veterans Preference!

Just kidding. It definitely helps. But you are going for the same jobs as someone else with Veterans Preference, it comes down to other weeding out factors, i.e. whoever has the best experience and/or education. Veterans Preference gives you a decided advantage over non-veterans. BUT... A disabled Vet gets 10 points, so they have a leg-up on a non-disabled vet.

I retired as an SFC in 2003 and have had three (3) federal jobs within different federal agencies each time. I have a PhD and I am a senior leader in the federal government and yes I worked my way up the" chain" over the last 13 years. I was hired as a GS-15/ step 10 because of superior qualifications (technical certifications and private industry experience). Your vet status will get you a "leg up" by giving you extra points for the initial human resource scan of your resume. If you make is past the human resource process your resume is sent to the hiring manager whom has a panel that grades all the applicants experience. You are being evaluated based on your "experience" and if you are in the top bracket, you will be selected for an interview by the "interview panel". The panel provides the hiring manager the score of the candidates and then the hiring manager may choose the top candidate, choose to have an interview with the top three candidates, etc. and then make a selection. Everyone has a college degree, but does everyone have a PMP, MCSE, CISSP, or Black Belt certificate? You need to show that you have applied yourself for that career field.