A person who is a Veteran receives preference in hiring for Federal Jobs. As a Veteran, you have an advantage if you choose to seek employment in the Federal Sector. If you are disabled or served during certain specific periods on active duty, then you may have additional preference as well. This applies both to retention and new hiring for the Federal Workforce.
A Veteran must be separated with a general or honorable discharge, if you have any discharge with any other conditions than that, you are not eligible.
To apply for a Federal Job, there are some steps included in the process of hiring:
Submit A Resume. The first step is to apply, and this means giving a resume and any other information required by the Federal application. You will be responding to a Vacancy or Federal Job announcement. In that announcement you will likely be given instructions about the application, and required to give information about any military service you have had.
Applicant is given a Numerical Score. Based on the information that you have given, you will be ranked on a numerical scale. If you are a Veteran, you will be given 5 or 10 points additional for your Veterans preference.
Applicants are then considered using one of two different methods.
Numerically. All applicants, Veteran or non-veteran will be given a number score, and then the official who is selecting can select from three of the top candidates. A non-Veteran will not be given consideration or selected if there is a Veteran that is qualified and available, and who is ranked higher.
Best Qualified. All Applicants are divided into three (sometimes two) categories that are arrived at by their score. Best Qualified” is the highest category, and a Veteran must be considered first if in the same category. If you are a disabled Veteran then you will receive 10 additional points instead of just 5 for being a Veteran.
Preference Types. Five points are given to anyone who served one hundred eighty consecutive days for the period of:
-Served between 01/31/1955 and 10/15/1976.
-Served between 12/07/1941 and 07/01/1955.
-Served during the Gulf War from 08/02/1990 to 01/02/1992.
-Served during any expedition or campaign during which a campaign medal has been awarded; this includes: Panama, Bosnia, Lebanon, Grenada Somalia, Salvador, Southwest Asia and Haiti.
Ten Points are given to anyone who:
-Received the Purple Heart
-Is Disabled
There are other regulations affecting Veterans Preference Points, you should check with your local VA office if you have any questions.