Are you separating from military service in the near future and looking to transition to civilian federal service?
The United States federal government offers a unique opportunity for military veterans to transition from military to civilian federal service through various Veterans Preference hiring initiatives. You may qualify for 5-point or 10-point Veteran hiring preference based on your unique situation. This guide provides a general overview of how to apply for a civilian vacancy position so that you can take full advantage of this benefit.
#1 – Create a USAJobs.gov Account
The first step to landing your dream federal job is getting aquatinted with USAJobs.gov. This is the United States Federal Government job website that lists all federal position vacancies. You need to create a new account before you can apply to open positions and create a resume through the USAJobs.gov resume builder page.
#2 – Search Vacancy Announcements
Once your USAJobs.gov account is setup, it’s time to find your dream federal job. Use the search function to filter for jobs that meet your grade, location, skills, travel, permanency and agency requirements. As a military veteran, there are a number of hiring paths that are available for you that are not available to the general public. We highly recommend that you apply under these special authorities because it will give you hiring preference over other civilian applicants.
#3 – Identify Positions that You May Qualify For
The next step is to identify which positions you qualify based on your professional and educational experiences and preferences. Additionally, there are other factors to consider, including position grade, agency and appointment type. When identifying positions that you may qualify for, you should consider the following:
#4 – Write Your Federal Resume
We highly recommend that you use the USAJobs.gov resume builder to write your federal resume. Unlike civilian resumes, there are some other required items that should be include in your federal resume, such as pay and supervisor information. By using the USAJobs.gov resume builder, you are guaranteed to create a product that a Human Resources employee will be able to review effectively. You can access the resume builder once you have created a USAJobs.gov account (see #1 for details).
Your federal resume should be tailored to meet the requirements for each vacancy position. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to writing a federal resume. For details on the best content to include in your federal resume, please review the USAJobs.gov Frequently Asked Questions.
#5 – Identify & Gather Required Documentation
The vacancy announcement includes a section that outlines the list of required documents. These documents normally includes your resume, cover letter, college transcripts, SF-50, DD-214, professional certifications, as applicable. As a veteran, the key piece of supporting documentation that you MUST include is your DD-214. This “proves” to the HR department that you meet the qualifications for Veterans Preference.
#6 – Submit Your Application & Verify That All Documentation Uploaded Successfully
The final step in the federal application process is to complete the application and ensure that all documents successfully uploaded with your application. Make sure that you answer all of the required questions and that the application correctly indicates that you are applying for Veterans Preference. If this box is not checked and/or you do not attach your DD-214 that includes your separation date, then you will not receive Veterans Preference.
IMPORTANT: The Agency Human Resources Department will NOT accept additional documentation after the vacancy announcement closes. All documents must be submitted BEFORE the position closes.
#7 – Wait For Referral Notification
Now comes the waiting game. As a veteran you probably already know that the federal government does not move quickly. It may take weeks or months before your application is reviewed or you receive a referral notification. We recommend that you routinely login into USAJobs.com and check on your application status.
Normally, the first step in the federal hiring process after application submission is that your application status will change to “referred”. This means that your application met the requirements of the vacancy position and that your application was refereed to the hiring manager for consideration. Please note that being “referred” does not guarantee an interview. It is up to the discretion of the hiring manager to determine which candidates to interview for the position.
#8 – Conduct Interview(s)
If the hiring manager determines that you may be a successful candidate for the position, you may be selected to conduct an interview. The type and number of interviews is dependent on the vacancy announcement and the hiring authority that you applied under. For example, open positions under the Direct Hiring Authority may not require any interviews, while competitive positions may require a panel interview prior to one with the hiring manager. The HR point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement should be able to provide more information about the hiring process.
#9 – The Tentative & Official Offer
Congratulations! You made it through the extensive application process and you received a tentative offer for your federal position! This means that the Hiring Manager wants you for the position and now is the opportunity to negotiate the terms of your position. The tentative offer normally includes the expected pay band, annual pay, work-schedule and location of employment. However, you can negotiate any of these terms. Once you accept the Tentative Offer and the Hiring Manager agrees to your terms of employment, you will receive the official offer. This is the official notification that you were selected for the position and once signed, officially makes you a federal employee.
#10 – Complete On-Boarding & Start First Day of Work
Now that your Official Offer is complete and you have accepted the position, it is time to start the on-boarding process. Your assigned HR specialist will be the key person to help you navigate this process, help you complete your onboarding training, and get you ready for your first day of work. Congratulations on getting your first civilian federal position and we wish you the best!
The information provided in this article is based on my own personal experience with the federal hiring process and does not represent official federal government OPM policy. To learn more about the federal hiring process, please visit www.USAjobs.com.
