As someone with prior military experience, I'm interested in finding a government job that will use my skills. What’s the best approach to showcase my experience? Are there any veteran-specific networks or programs I should be aware of?
Firstly, your military experience already places you in a unique position when it comes to government jobs. Not only does it illustrate discipline, leadership skills, and the ability to work under pressure, but it can also potentially grant you preferential status depending on the job.
One of the first steps you could take is to flesh out your resume or federal CV to accurately represent your skills and experiences from the military. This would include any specific technical abilities, leadership roles, or unique experiences you've had during your service. When you translate your military experience into civilian language, be sure to be specific and provide enough context.
Consider using a tool like the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) 'Federal Occupation Crosswalk' to help translate military job codes into civilian federal job terminology. This can be a great help when navigating job postings and ensuring you're targeting positions that best fit your skill set.
Apply through USAJOBS, the federal government's official job site. Make sure to attach your DD-214, and your discharge paperwork, which all veterans should have. This lets the employer know what type of discharge you had–honorable, under honorable, other than honorable, etc.– and is an essential document.
Many agencies have a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA), an authority that allows agencies to appoint eligible veterans without competition. If you’re eligible and meet the job qualifications, you can be hired under a VRA.
The federal government also provides veterans' preference points based on your service. Veterans who are disabled, or served on active duty during certain specified periods, or received expeditionary medals, can get up to a 10-point preference for federal jobs.
Networking can also be crucial. TAP, or the Transition Assistance Program, can help connect you with advisers and workshops to assist your move to civilian life, including career planning and job search. Consider reaching out to veterans' services organizations like the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) which often have resources to help transitioning veterans.
Remember, it's not just about the technical skills you learned in the military, but also the personal and leadership skills you've developed. Be ready to highlight those to your potential employers as well. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.