The federal government’s hiring process is very different from the private sector’s hiring process. When applying for federal jobs, Veterans may be eligible to take advantage of hiring preferences and secure employment more quickly. What do you need to know?
- Veterans’ Preference
- Quick Guide for Non-Competitive Hiring
- Noncompetitive Hiring
- Special Hiring Authorities
- OPM Regulations
- Federal Forms
- After You Apply
Additional Training Resources
Veterans’ Preference
The government fills its vacancies in two ways, competitively and noncompetitively. Through the competitive process, jobs are advertised to the general public on USAJOBS.gov. Through the noncompetitive process, positions do not have to be announced to a large pool of applicants and give special consideration to eligible Veterans.
Veterans’ Preference awards points to Veterans during the application process, providing an advantage in job placement. Veterans’ Preference only applies when Veterans are applying to competitive positions, meaning those positions are publicly announced to a pool of job seekers.
Veterans who are disabled, or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain time periods or in military campaigns, are entitled to preference over non-Veterans for federal positions. To be entitled to Veterans' Preference, a Veteran must meet the legal eligibility requirements:
- An honorable or general discharge is necessary.
- Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible unless they are disabled.
- Guard and reserve personnel on active duty for training purposes do not qualify.
| Type of Preference | When You Apply for A Federal Job |
|---|---|
| 0-Point Preference |
If you are classified as having a 0-point preference, you are evaluated on the basis of your qualifications only. When applying for a job, you must submit Form DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to document your discharge under honorable or general conditions. |
| 5-Point Preference |
You are eligible for 5-point preference if you served during any of the following:
To pursue a 5-point preference, you must submit Form DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to document your discharge under honorable or general conditions. |
| 10-Point Preference |
You are eligible for 10-point preference if you served at any time and you have a service-connected disability or received a Purple Heart. To pursue 10-point preference, you must submit:
Disabled Veterans receive 10-point preference regardless of their disability rating. As a disabled Veteran, you can seek noncompetitive appointments for some positions within VA. |
Noncompetitive Hiring
Eligible Veterans may be appointed to federal positions without competing with the general public, and federal agencies can hire Veterans without posting a vacancy announcement. Veterans who are eligible for Special Hiring Authorities may be noncompetitively hired if they meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position. What are the differences between competitive and noncompetitive hiring?
| Competitive Hiring | Noncompetitive Hiring |
|---|---|
| Positions must be announced to a pool of job seekers in USAJOBS. | Positions do not require public announcement. |
| The applicant does not have to meet the same eligibility requirements as a noncompetitive job posting. | The applicant must meet the requirements for noncompetitive status and be able to perform the essential duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. |
| The applicant is rated based on qualifications. | The applicant will not be subject to the usual requirement to determine the most qualified candidate and rating of qualification. |
| All Veterans have the option to apply. | Veterans must provide proof of eligibility for Veterans' Preference or special appointments in order to be considered for noncompetitive placement. These documents may include: |
Special Hiring Authorities
Special Hiring Authorities allow federal agencies to place eligible Veterans on a fast track to positions that are available through noncompetitive hiring. Although Veterans are not necessarily entitled to appointment under any of these authorities, it is helpful to be aware of them. Agencies may use Special Hiring Authorities at their discretion.
Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
The Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) authority allows agencies to hire eligible Veterans noncompetitively through the GS-11 grade level. Veterans can be converted to a career or career-conditional appointment after two years of successful performance. If a Veteran is hired to fill a temporary/term position under VRA, the Veteran will not be converted after two years of service. Veterans’ Preference applies when using this authority.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
The 30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran authority allows any Veteran with a 30 percent or more service-connected disability to be hired noncompetitively to any position for which they meet the qualification requirements. This is a time-limited appointment of more than 60 days, during which time Veterans may be converted to a career or career-conditional appointment based on successful performance. There are no grade level limitations for job opportunities under this authority.
Schedule A
Schedule A authority allows agencies to noncompetitively hire eligible disabled Veterans and persons with disabilities who have severe physical, psychological or intellectual disabilities. Veterans can be converted to a career or career-conditional appointments based on successful performance and there are no grade restrictions for job opportunities under this authority.
OPM’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations for Hiring Authorities
Veterans Recruitment Appointment
Authorities: 38 U.S.C. 4214; 5 CFR Part 307
Disabled Veterans
Authorities: 5 U.S.C. 3112; 5 CFR 316.402(b)(4); 5 CFR 315.707
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities
Authorities: Executive Orders 12125 and 13124; 5 CFR 3.1(b); 5 CFR 213.3102(u); 5 CFR 315.709
Federal Forms
Depending on the job you are applying for, you may need to submit the following forms. Read the instructions carefully to determine which ones you will need.
- DD214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- OF-306 - Declaration for Federal Employment
- SF-15 - Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference
After You Apply
What happens after submitting an application and supporting documents?
- If you applied to a position through USAJOBS, you can check the status of your applications to make sure they have been received.
- Seven to 10 days after the job’s closing date, an HR professional will send the best-qualified candidate applications to a hiring manager, who will determine which applicants to interview.
- The interview and final selection process can take several weeks to complete. To check the status of an application, contact the office listed on the job announcement.
- All applicants are notified when a final selection is made.
- If you are not selected for a position, visit the Veterans Employment Center to continue to build your resume and search for new opportunities.
For assistance, please call 1-202-461-7759.
+ Required plugins [ Get Viewer Software ]
