The federal government, which offers some of the best jobs, pay and benefits in the United States, has various veteran hiring programs and is full of veterans who would love to bring on more veterans. Follow the Ten Steps to a Federal Job below, and you could increase your odds of getting hired.
Related: Search for government jobs.
1. Focus the Federal Job Search
Find out which federal jobs are right for the qualifications and education. Search the Office of Personnel Management Classification Standards and find jobs that will match experience and education. You can find out how rifleman/combat equates to a federal job -- security specialist, police officer or special agent (requires a bachelor's degree).
2. Networking Success
Veterans should set up LinkedIn and other networking accounts on sites such as VA4Vets. Add your work experience, certifications, skills and objectives. Then research federal employees who work in the agencies of interest to you.
3. Target Top Accomplishments
Get out your fitness reports and make a list of your accomplishments. They can be added to your resume so you will stand out. Accomplishments are impressive, interesting and can help you get Best Qualified and Referred to a Supervisor.
4. Find the Perfect Job Announcement
Go to www.usajobs.gov and search for jobs in your salary range, geographic preference and with a keyword, such as administration, human resources, security and information technology. Good news: Veterans can apply for most of the jobs listed on USAJOBS. The exceptions would be positions that are open only to that particular hiring agency.
5. Identify Keywords
Popular keywords for veterans could be team leader, trainer, instructor, analyst, critical thinking, supervisor or data analyst. For each opening, analyze the USAJOBS announcement to identify at least five keywords to add to your resume.
6. Master the Federal and Electronic Resume
The federal resume is practically your entire application. This is important! The federal resume is, on average, 3-4 pages. Samples of the USAJOBS federal resume are available in the Ten Steps to a Federal Job publication. You can also see this article about resume tips.
Related: Does your resume pass the 6-second test? Get a FREE assessment.
7. Take a Moment to Acquaint Yourself with the New USAJOBS
There was a time when USAJOBS relied heavily on questionnaire tests called KSAs, but USAJOBS has been overhauled. Know what the new process is and master it.
8. Apply for Jobs with USAJOBS
Be patient. The new system relies heavily on your resume and cover letter, so you simply have to focus on keeping those two updated, in the system, and continuing to submit.
9. Make Sure to Follow Through
Track down your applications. You can see your results on most applications in applicationmanager.gov. If you are "ineligible" or just "eligible," that's not great news. You want to see "Best Qualified" for the best results.
10. Interviewing 101
The federal job interview is another test. Be ready to talk and get graded on your answers. This will take practice and preparation. For more interview tips, see this section.
In summary, the federal job application system is competitive and time-consuming. Be prepared and read the job announcements carefully. Ensure you match the resume to the qualifications in the announcement.
The federal government is hiring. The jobs, pay and benefits are among the best in the United States. However, the application process for these highly competitive positions is complex. Be ready to earn your federal government job by putting time and effort into each step of the application.
Related: For the latest veteran jobs postings around the country, including jobs related to government, visit the Military.com Job Search section.
The Next Step: Find the Right Veteran Job
Whether you want to polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Sign up for a free Military.com membership to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.
