Understanding Position Qualification Requirements

Your experience and education are evaluated against the qualification standards to determine whether you are qualified for positions. Some qualification standards have "positive education" requirements, which are shown in a degree required or a specified number of course hours, that must be met. Your experience and education are evaluated to determine whether you are "basically qualified", "highly qualified", or "not qualified" for a position or occupation.

VA vacancy announcements describe:

• The minimum qualifications and specialized experience requirements for each position.
• Any other qualifications, called "selective factors" that candidates must have.

Specialized experience and selective factor requirements will typically be listed in the vacancy announcement as KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities). Before you submit an application for a vacancy, you should completely review the vacancy announcement for each position. Don't apply for a position if you don't meet both the required minimum qualifications and any selective factors described in the vacancy announcement. If you have reviewed the vacancy announcement and believe that you can meet both the minimum qualifications and selective factors, you should document your experience and education in your resume and in the required response to the KSAs listed in the vacancy announcement.

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Determining Your Qualifications

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) establishes basic qualifications for every occupation within the federal government. Additional information on OPM qualifications is available from VA vacancy announcements. An announcement describes the minimum qualifications required for each position and any other qualifications that candidates must also have to be considered eligible for each position.

If you meet both the minimum qualifications and selective factors, you may use your experience and education to write the required response to the KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) listed in the vacancy announcement. Your experience and education help to make you "basically qualified" for some positions and "highly qualified" for others. You may apply for any position for which you match the minimum qualifications.

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