What is MyCareer@VA?
MyCareer@VA is an interactive website that provides leading-edge career planning and development tools for both current and potential VA employees. MyCareer@VA is sponsored by the VA Learning University (VALU) and is an initiative that reaches across the VA organization and demonstrates the Department's unprecedented commitment to its employees’ career development. We invite you to return to the MyCareer@VA website often for updates. Who should be using this website?
The MyCareer@VA website is for both current VA employees looking to advance their careers by establishing a long-term career path and non-VA job seekers who are interested in exploring a potential career at VA. Additionally, there are resources for Veterans, Supervisors, Managers, and Hiring Managers. What is the source of the information and statistics contained in the MyCareer@VA tools?
The information in the tools comes from a variety of sources both within and outside VA, such as subject matter experts and government data. Internal sources include competency models, position descriptions and job announcements from VA, and focus groups with VA employees and subject matter experts. Examples of external sources include information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
Developing the MyCareer@VA tools is a multi-step process. First, data sources are identified, and then job profiles are created. Job profiles include such information as job descriptions, duties, all employee and leadership competencies, and knowledge areas. Developmental experiences, recommended training and education, licensure and certification standards are also included. After job profiles are created they are validated and subjected to a quality assurance review. Job profiles are continuously developed to improve the information available.
Can my supervisor or anyone else see my activity in the MyCareer@VA website?
The information gathered or saved in "My Account" in the My Career Mapping Tool is private and available only to the individual user. Supervisors and managers cannot view your results or any accessed information. VA does track the number of visitors to the site by geographic location, but does not track any individual information.
Why isn't my job, or the job I’m interested in, included on the website? When will it be included?
If the job you are interested in is not included, check back frequently as new occupational families continue to be added. What are the advantages of growing a career with VA?
VA is dedicated to attracting, selecting and retaining the best and the brightest workforce in the federal government to serve our nation’s Veterans. VA has committed an unprecedented investment in the growth and development of its employees to help ensure they succeed. VA recognizes that its employees are one of its greatest assets and values their contributions to serving Veterans. VA also offers a flexible work schedule, great health care benefits, continuing education, job security and even the opportunity to travel in certain positions.
Where do I go to find current job openings?
Will VA pay for me to gain the required education and experience for positions suggested by the tools?
In some cases, VA does pay for employee education or certifications and provides opportunities for its employees to gain experience and training. MyCareer@VA is also a resource for individuals not employed by VA, but the Department does not pay for education and training of non-employees. VA knows that continuous learning is essential to provide top-notch patient care and services to Veterans and their families.
That's why the Department encourages employees to pursue higher education by offering one of the most comprehensive education support programs in the nation. View the wide array of Educational Assistance Programs offered by VA under the Learning Resources tab. View additional information on the VA Careers website. All training, scholarship and loan repayment programs are subject to funding availability. Training requires approval by supervisors and managers. VA employees should always check with an immediate supervisor for specific guidance. Is MyCareer@VA available on mobile devices, such as smartphones?
Mobile browsers on smartphones can access the MyCareer@VA mobile site optimized for smaller screens. The mobile site offers a preview of the computer-based, full version of the portal. The MyCareer@VA tools are currently not available via the mobile site. Where can I find help or information on using the MyCareer@VA website?
The Video Gallery in the MyCareer@VA Resources tab contains video tutorials that provide guidance on using the website and its tools. These videos provide an overview of the website and instructions for using each of the website’s tools. Information on a wide variety of topics is also provided in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), such as confidentiality, how the tools operate and how to navigate the career planning process. If you’re a VA employee, you may sign up for our Introduction to MyCareer@VA training webinar on the TMS. The webinar provides a live demonstration of the website’s tools and is led by an instructor, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions during the session. To register, click here to visit the TMS (search for VA TMS#: 3734161).
You may also contact the MyCareer@VA program office directly by calling (855) 315-4997 toll free Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
For technical assistance using the MyCareer@VA tools and resources, contact MyCareer@VA Help by emailing VAMyCareer@va.gov.
Where do I submit a comment or suggestion?
Please submit all comments or suggestions by clicking on the link at the top of each page or the "Contact" tab. The MyCareer@VA team welcomes and appreciates your feedback!
I’m ready to make a change in my career. What is my next step?
Begin with the Career Planning Process page, which will walk you through a four-phase career planning process that provides guidance on a full range of career development activities. The career planning process covers identifying work interests, researching jobs you may want, building a long-term career path and applying for available jobs. Depending on where you are in your career and in your career planning process, you can use MyCareer@VA’s dynamic tools to explore your career development options at VA:
- My Career Mapping Tool – Discover exciting jobs across multiple occupational families, start building your career path and plan your future at VA. Learn what competencies, knowledge areas and skills you need to develop to reach your career goals.
- My Career Fit Tool – Learn where you "fit" in at VA by identifying your work interests and work environment preferences.
- VA Career Guides – Find details on VA occupational families and the jobs within those families that interest you. Explore the required knowledge areas, education and licensure, and recommended training and developmental experiences to help you succeed in your current or potential job at VA.
What is the My Career Fit Tool?
The My Career Fit Tool is an interactive questionnaire that helps individuals identify their work interests and preferred work environment. Work interests describe the type of activities or work that you like to perform, while work environment describes the physical and social factors you prefer. The tool matches your profile to the top 50 best matching VA job options. The VA job match results can be grouped by the level of experience required and by occupational family. Jobs are rated as a “Great Fit,” “Good Fit” or “Minimal Fit” depending on how closely they fit with your preferences.
The fit is determined by the strength of association between your self-reported work interests and work environment preferences and those of typical incumbents in that job. However, the My Career Fit Tool is not meant as an exact indicator of fit with a job. When searching for a job, there are many other factors to consider other than work interests and work environment preferences, and each will vary in importance by individual.
The matches provided by the My Career Fit Tool are only based on the jobs currently in the tool (currently 25 occupational families and two organizational groups), so please check back often. How does the My Career Fit Tool match me to jobs?
Job matches are determined by your responses to the work interests and work environment preferences questionnaires. There is a short version of the work interests questionnaire and a long version for those who want to explore their interests in more detail. The six-question short version is based on Holland’s RIASEC measure of work interests. The 60-question long version was developed and validated by O*NET, an occupational information source. O*NET’s work context items are the basis for the seven-question work environment questionnaire. The My Career Fit Tool provides matches based on your work interests and work environment preferences; it does not take into account your qualifications. Some jobs that you are matched with may require years of work experience, education and training. If you prefer to see matches that align more closely to your background, you can filter your results by the amount of work experience you currently have. You can also filter your results to match the occupational family in which you are interested. Based on your responses to the work interests and work environment questionnaires, the top 50 best-matching VA jobs will be provided to you. However, in order to distinguish which of these 50 jobs best match your preferences, we have divided these matches into “Great Fit,” “Good Fit” and “Minimal Fit.” “Great Fit” and “Good Fit” are determined by the strength of association between your self-reported work interests and work environment preferences and those of typical employees in that job. The My Career Fit Tool is not meant as an exact indicator of fit with a job. The tool provides fit matches based only on your work interests and work environment preferences—there are many other factors at play, and each will vary in importance by individual. How are low, medium and high work interests and work environment scores determined?
Low, medium and high scores are shown for your work interests and work environment preferences as well as for the jobs suggested by the tool. Your score cutoffs are based on your responses to the work interests and work environment questionnaires. The job profile score cutoffs are based on comparisons between ratings for that job and every other job within VA.
Why are work interests and work environment preferences used?
Person-environment (P-E) fit theory is the basis for the inclusion of the work interests and work environment measures. This theory suggests that employees are more satisfied and productive in an environment that matches their preferences. Work interests refer to the types of activities or work that a person finds enjoyable. Work environment measures a person’s fit with the physical, structural and social work environment.
For example, you may enjoy working indoors instead of outdoors, or you may prefer a competitive environment rather than a laid- back one. In order to take into account both aspects of P-E theory, the My Career Fit Tool matches both your work interests and preferred work environment with VA jobs.
How were the questionnaires developed?
The short versions of the questionnaires were developed to allow users to self-identify their work interests and work environment preferences based on descriptions of each. Holland’s RIASEC measure of work interests was used as the basis for the six interest definitions and O*NET's work context items are the basis for the seven work environment descriptions. For a more extensive interests inventory, you can complete the My Career Fit Tool’s more detailed work interests questionnaire, rather than the standard six- item questionnaire. The more detailed inventory includes a 60-item interest inventory that was developed and validated by O*NET, an occupational information source. What do I do if I'm unsure about my work interests and work environment preferences? When I click “unsure” or the same answer for all of the questions, I get an error message.
The My Career Fit Tool uses variability in the users’ responses to determine scores and suggest job results. Entering the same answer for all of the questions will cause the tool to return an error message. Vary your responses to best fit your work interests and work environment preferences to get the best results from the tool.
If you are unsure about your interests, click on the “My Work Interests” button in the “Do you need help identifying your work interests?” box at the bottom of the six-question work interests questionnaire. You will be directed to a long version of the work interests questionnaire, where you can explore your preferences in more detail. What if the jobs that show up on my results are not relevant to me because I don’t like them, they require a different level of experience than I have or they are in a field I am not interested in?
The My Career Fit Tool provides matches based on your work interests and work environment preferences; it does not take into account your qualifications. Some jobs that you are matched to may require years of work experience, education and training. You can filter occupations by the amount of typical experience required for the job to find the best fit for your level of experience.
If you prefer to see matches that more closely match your field of interest, try filtering your matches by occupational family, or visit the My Career Mapping Tool, which takes into account information about your competencies and knowledge areas. The “Typical Experience Needed” drop-down arrow allows you to view only jobs that require the level of experience you choose. Additionally, on each job profile page, education and licensure requirement information is provided. What if the results of the My Career Fit Tool suggest that I may not be a good fit for my current job?
There are many other factors that contribute to job satisfaction besides the work interests and work environment preferences considered by the My Career Fit Tool. For example, availability of work in a specific geographic location may be a consideration. Each factor will vary in importance by individual.
If you have been contemplating a career change, however, you may want to consider some of the jobs suggested by the My Career Fit Tool that are a “Great Fit” or a “Good Fit” for you. Doing work that you enjoy in an environment that suits you are two of the most important aspects of a fulfilling career, and the My Career Fit Tool can guide you to jobs at VA that fit your preferences in those areas.
How can I learn more about and apply for a job?
To learn more about a specific job, please visit the VA Career Guides. The Career Guides provide in-depth information about each occupational family and the jobs in each family, such as knowledge areas, and examples of training and development activities. In addition, the My Career Mapping Tool provides a list of vacancies at VA for each job, which will link you to USAJOBS, where you can apply. How long are the results of the My Career Fit Tool stored?
Your responses to the My Career Fit Tool questionnaires are only saved temporarily while you are using the website. This is required to match your responses to VA jobs. However, once you close your browser or navigate away from the MyCareer@VA site, all of your data will be permanently deleted and you will need to take the questionnaire again to display job matches. Are the results of the My Career Fit Tool confidential?
Yes. The results of the My Career Fit Tool are confidential and are not stored as part of any official record or personnel file. You are the only person who can view your results. The results are not used by managers and supervisors in any hiring or promotion decisions. The My Career Fit Tool and its results are to help you in your career decision-making process only. VA tracks the number of visitors to the site by geographic location, but does not track any individual information.
What is the My Career Mapping Tool? What does it do?
The My Career Mapping Tool is a dynamic online tool that identifies long-term career path options based on either your current job or the job you’re interested in obtaining. Career path options are provided within the selected job’s occupational family or across different occupational families. Once a path is chosen, the My Career Mapping Tool compares the skills and experiences needed to reach the target job to those from the starting job. You can also select any job in a career path to learn about job competencies and knowledge areas, required education and job vacancies.
Why should I set up a My Career Mapping Tool account?
Setting up an account through the My Career Mapping Tool page lets you save job announcements, career paths, searches, jobs and resumes. This will allow you to work through the different features on the site and save the work you’ve done so you don’t have to redo everything every time you visit. Saved job announcements are vacancy listings from USAJOBS that show available positions you can apply for online.
Saved career paths show a progression of jobs through an individual’s career that includes movement within the same occupational family or across different ones. Saved searches continuously look for job vacancies that match your search criteria and email you the results. You can save job profiles from the My Career Mapping Tool as saved jobs and access detailed information, such as competencies and knowledge areas, current openings and recent employment trends. Create and store resumes with the saved resumes feature and use them to apply for jobs you want on
USAJOBS.
Log in to the My Career Mapping Tool by clicking on the "My Account" link in the left hand navigation pane of the My Career Mapping Tool. After you create a new account, you can log in when you return to the site by entering your email address and password. If the “back” button doesn’t return me to “My Account” in the My Career Mapping Tool, what do I do?
Once you are in your account, if you navigate away, you can return to your account by clicking on the breadcrumbs in the upper-left corner of the page. The breadcrumbs are a phrase that says “Back to My Account,” which will take you back without having to hit the “back” browser button.
If you hit the back button in Internet Explorer and receive an error message, please hit your browser’s refresh button and then hit “retry” in the pop-up window. Also, please send us a screenshot by selecting Ctrl and Print Screen and pasting that screenshot in an email to VAMyCareer@va.gov. We are constantly testing and tweaking our environment and appreciate any feedback. How do I begin using the My Career Mapping Tool?
The My Career Mapping Tool creates career paths based on a “starting job” and suggests a progression of jobs that lead to a target position. If you are a current VA employee, use your current position as your “starting job”. If you are not currently employed by VA but are exploring job options within VA, you should choose the position that is equivalent to your current position.
If you start building a career path from the target job you want to have in the future, the tool will begin there and suggest additional jobs beyond your target job. Start building your career path with your current job and let the My Career Mapping Tool show you paths to your target jobs.
How are the jobs that appear first after selecting my occupational family, series, title and grade range chosen?
After the user provides information on their starting job and clicks “show options,” nine jobs are displayed which are most similar in competencies to the starting job. These jobs are usually at the same or a higher grade level as the starting job, but sometimes are at a lower level. Symbols indicate the level of job match between the starting job and the displayed job, and whether the displayed job is from a different occupational family than the starting job.
Where do the competencies and knowledge areas listed in the My Career Mapping Tool come from?
Knowledge areas were initially developed by reviewing and consolidating information from external job analytic databases (e.g., O*NET, Position Analysis Questionnaire), pre-existing competency models, position descriptions and job announcements. Draft knowledge areas were developed, reviewed and approved by VA subject matter experts for each occupation. Can I use the My Career Mapping Tool to apply for jobs?
Users may identify and apply for jobs directly from the My Career Mapping Tool. Once you have set up an account, you can search for and save job announcements, job searches and resumes.
Another way to view job openings is to establish a long-term career path and view the job announcements linked from current VA job openings. Select the “Apply on USAJOBS” button on the job announcement to complete the application process. USAJOBS is the application system of record for all competitive service federal jobs. Can I create and save resumes using the My Career Mapping Tool?
Within the My Career Mapping Tool, using the My Federal Resume Builder tool, you can create a resume or upload an existing resume to your account and use it to apply for jobs on USAJOBS. The My Federal Resume Builder allows you to create a uniform resume that provides all of the information required by government agencies. You can save multiple resumes to apply for a variety of jobs with different qualification requirements. How is the My Career Mapping Tool different from USAJOBS?
The primary purpose of the My Career Mapping Tool is to view different career paths within VA and to view the competencies and knowledge areas needed for different positions. The primary purpose of USAJOBS is to manage the job application process across the federal government. The My Career Mapping Tool provides career path suggestions based on the starting position you select. Different, and perhaps less traditional, paths may be suggested that can introduce you to careers that you may not have considered before
In contrast, searches or alerts you set up in USAJOBS are based on specific keywords that you enter and search only open job announcements. In addition, the My Career Mapping Tool provides you with a "competency/knowledge area gap" that allows you to see the knowledge and skills you may need to develop to move to a targeted position. The My Career Mapping Tool displays information specific to careers at VA, while USAJOBS lists open positions across the federal government. How do I save results in the My Career Mapping Tool?
You can save your results in the My Career Mapping Tool by creating an account. To create an account, click on the "My Account" link in the left side navigation pane of the tool. Once an account is created, you can save specific job announcements, occupations, career paths, resumes and job searches you find interesting or that you'd like to come back to at a later date. For VA employees, there are no restrictions on using the same email address and password as other VA accounts, so you can duplicate what you already have or use a different email address and password. Who can see my results in the My Career Mapping Tool? Can a manager or supervisor see my results?
The information gathered or entered into the website is available only to the individual user. Supervisors and managers cannot view your results or any information input into the tool by individual users. VA tracks the number of visitors to the site by geographic location, but does not track any individual information. How were gaps determined?
The gaps are calculated by determining the difference between the required competencies of one’s starting job and those of a target job. The scores are then classified as “low,” “medium” or “high” based on how much the two jobs differ on that particular competency.
What is a VA Career Guide?
The VA Career Guides are a collection of online resources that provide detailed information about VA’s occupational families and related jobs. The types of information include: specific knowledge areas and job duties, geographic locations of jobs across the U.S., and recommendations for training and developmental activities. They are a valuable resource you can use to educate yourself about the jobs that interest you. The VA Career Guides allow you to make informed career decisions.
Why are there specific courses listed under the job I chose?
The courses that appear under a specific job are those that are relevant to that job. Completing VA courses does not guarantee that you qualify for specific jobs. Please see specific job announcements to understand the complete requirements of jobs.
Will I be taken directly to the training course in TMS when I click the link in the VA Career Guides?
When you click on a link to a training course in the VA Career Guides, you will be taken to the TMS. VA employees will log into the TMS in order to continue. If you are not a VA employee, then you will not be able to access the course description. Once logged into the TMS, VA employees will be able to search for the course. We are currently developing a way to link all courses in the VA Career Guides to their corresponding courses in the TMS. Please check back soon for this enhancement. How current is the information in the VA Career Guides and fact sheets?
The data populating the VA Career Guides and fact sheets is current as of November, 2011. Please note that most data is not expected to change significantly over time. VA will continue to update the data and will strive to display the most up-to-date information available.
Where can Supervisors and HR professionals find resources on MyCareer@VA
The Develop Others tab has resources that are intended for use by those who supervise employees at VA, and for those who work in HR. Supervisors and HR professionals play a critical role in helping individuals manage their long-term career growth and MyCareer@VA wants to ensure that they have the resources they need to effectively contribute to the career development process. How will MyCareer@VA work with and support supervisors using the website as an important tool?
MyCareer@VA recognizes the central importance of supervisors and managers in helping employees explore and plan for satisfying careers within VA. The portal contains information and resources sections devoted to supervisors and managers that will be enhanced in later phases. Visit the Resources for Supervisors and HR Professionals for more information.
Do any training or development opportunities exist for supervisors or managers to learn how to use MyCareer@VA effectively with employees?
Video tutorials are available in the Testimonials/ Video Gallery located in the Resources tab of the MyCareer@VA website. These video tutorials walk users through an overview of the website, each of the pages within the site and each of the website’s three tools. If you’re a VA employee, you may sign up for our Introduction to MyCareer@VA training webinar on the TMS. The webinar provides a live demonstration of the website’s tools and is led by an instructor, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions during the session. To register, click here to visit the TMS (search for VA TMS#: 3734161). Supervisors and managers may also contact the MyCareer@VA program office directly by calling (855) 315-4997 toll free Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
What is the VA Talent Management System (TMS)?
The VA TMS is an advanced online training and employee development system that allows VA employees to search and register for training courses, explore career paths and track their professional development through a single, integrated database. The VA TMS serves as the official system of record for all training and development activities of VA employees. The VA TMS is an upgrade to the Learning Management System (LMS) that offers improvements to features and functionality. For more information, please see Inside TMS at http://www.insidetms.va.gov. Who can use the TMS?
The VA TMS is available to all current VA employees. How do I log in to the TMS?
The VA TMS is available to all current VA employees. Employees log in using a Department-provided username and password. For technical assistance from the VA TMS Helpdesk, contact vatmshelp@va.gov. Do I need approval to sign up for training in the TMS?
It depends. Some courses are open to everyone, while others require approval to enroll. It is best to speak with your immediate supervisor before registering for training through the VA TMS.
Can I download and reuse the My Career Workbook?
Is the My Career Workbook confidential?
Yes. Because you download and save the My Career Workbook, your work is confidential. It cannot be viewed by supervisors, managers or MyCareer@VA administrators. What approval do I need to sign up for training and apply to development programs at VA?
Currently, the courses that are on the website are part of TMS, which is a VA training and development site. Only current VA employees can access TMS. Policies and procedures for requesting and attending training and development activities may differ across VA. Therefore, you should always first discuss your interest in specific training or development programs with your supervisor. In some cases, your supervisor needs to recommend you for program admission and always needs to approve your schedule and training expenditures.
The MyCareer@VA tools are intended to help you identify opportunities. The Learning Resources tab of the website contains information on how to begin a discussion with your supervisor about career development. In general, you will need to balance the needs of your current role with your future development goals. Your supervisor is the best person to help you achieve that balance. If I take certain courses, will that ensure that I have a better chance of promotion or reassignment?
Taking courses can enhance your skills and experience and increase your competitiveness for opportunities and advancement, though it does not by itself guarantee that you will be selected for a job.
Why don't I see the internship program I am looking for?
MyCareer@VA is constantly adding new VA internship programs to the website. Please check back often to view the latest listings. Is there a general internship position available at VA that I can apply for?
There is no general internship position at this time. If you are interested in internship opportunities that do not appear on this website, please visit USAJobs and search for positions using the key words “student,” “intern” or “internship.” Are there internships for my particular occupation?
To find an internship for an occupation that is not listed under the VA Internship Program pages, visit USAJobs and search for that particular occupation. You can narrow your search by typing the word “student.” In addition, review the VA Career Guide occupational family page for information on related internship programs. Who do I contact if I have any questions about internships?
If you have questions about internships, contact the specific internship program representative listed on the VA Internship Program pages. Does VA offer employee work study programs?
VA offers a variety of work study programs for full-time government employees. If you are applying for a position through USAJobs, please contact the hiring manager or HR specialist listed in the job announcement to learn more. It is important to note that work study opportunities may be limited by fiscal or other office constraints.
What is a Mission Critical Occupation (MCO) and why is it important?
An MCO is critical to fulfilling the Agency’s mission. MCOs are part of the Agency’s strategic plan and/or performance plan, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) monitors how Agencies plan for and utilize them.
How are Mission Critical Occupations assessed?
If a job is identified as an MCO, Agencies assess them on a variety of measures or conditions. These may include:
- The importance of, and difficulty in, fulfilling the most critical VA services
- The level of difficulty in recruiting for the job
- The rate of employee retention within the job
- The jobs market and occupation trends
Each of these factors is assessed in several different ways. For example, the level of difficulty in retaining employees is affected both by turnover in the first five years, and by projected retirements. What are VA’s Mission Critical Occupations?
Psychologist (0180)
Human Resources Specialist (0201)
Medical Officer (0602)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (0605)
Registered Nurse (0610)
Occupational Therapist (0631)
Physical Therapist (0633)
Medical Technologist (0644)
Diagnostic Radiological Technologist (0647)
Pharmacist (0660)
Veterans Claims Examiner (0996)
Contract Specialist (1102)
Information Technology Specialist (2210)
Cemetery Caretaking (4754)
As of the September 2012 update of MyCareer@VA, 100 percent of the MCOs above are included in the portal’s pages. Are Mission Critical Occupations treated differently than other occupations?
Agencies are encouraged to pay special attention to MCOs for long-range Workforce Planning and/or for special Recruiting or Retention incentives. However, these occupations are not treated differently from other occupations in internal VA processes, such as Career Development, Training, Merit Staffing, etc. VA reports a variety of recruiting and retention data in addition to staffing projections for these occupations to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
How often is the list of Mission Critical Occupations changed?
We expect the MCO designations to be refreshed annually. If an MCO no longer meets the conditions, the designation will be removed. An MCO designation may be added when an occupation that did not previously meet the MCO conditions now does.
Are VA MCOs the same as cross-government MCOs?
Cross-government MCO’s are determined separately from agency-specific MCOs which are based on its mission, therefore different agencies have different MCOs. There are overlaps, however, in that both VA and the federal government overall have specified HR Specialists, IT Specialists (cyber-security in particular), and Contracting Specialists as MCOs.
Would you like to learn more about Federal hiring authorities?
To learn more about hiring authorities you can speak with an HR Representative at VA and visit these sites:
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