Secretary Shinseki is committed to recruiting and retaining talented Veterans on the VA team. Hiring managers are critical to upholding VA’s reputation as a Veteran-friendly and inclusive work environment. Hiring managers may work with
Regional Veteran Employment Coordinators to help them find and hire eligible Veteran job-seekers.
Here’s what hiring managers should know when evaluating applications for open positions:
Veterans value leadership and teamwork.
The military trains personnel to lead by example as well as effectively work together in teams to accomplish the mission.
Veterans are devoted to public service.
Having served their country, Veterans feel very strongly about the importance of service above self. They feel a kinship with fellow Veterans, understand their experiences, and want to offer support.
Veterans are focused on the mission, even under pressure.
Veterans are used to working under tight deadlines with limited resources in order to complete their mission. They also have a strong work ethic and commitment to success.
Veterans are adaptable.
Veterans can easily adapt to working under a variety of conditions with diverse groups of people. Their military experiences provide them with valuable perspectives that benefit their teams, projects and organizations.
Veterans have unique skills and talents.
Many Veterans have been deployed overseas, speak more than one language and have an understanding of different cultures that can be assets to the workplace. Because their work in the military requires them to be highly specialized, Veterans have a wide variety of skills and distinguish themselves as high performers.
Veterans are quick learners.
During their military experience, Veterans are likely to have received training on complicated procedures and systems. They get up to speed quickly, grasping new technology and understanding complex concepts without difficulty.
Veterans are highly educated and eager to learn.
Over 95 percent of military officers possess baccalaureate degrees, and 35 percent have earned a masters degree or higher. A significant number of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) have earned their associates’ or bachelor’s degrees. The military encourages personnel to pursue continuing education and training opportunities.
Veterans represent a large and diverse labor force.
More than 220,000 service members transition out of the military each year. Men and women from all ethnic backgrounds enter the civilian workplace with a wide range of experience, anywhere from a few years to a few decades.
Veterans adhere to the highest standards.
Their military training reinforces that Veterans should put forth their best effort, seeing tasks through to completion and successful implementation. Veterans hold themselves and their colleagues to the same benchmarks of excellence.