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I received a call today, i will be going ona Job interview with VA here in Fort Bliss, tomorrow, 01/22/2015. Can you give me some advice on what i should say or do at the interview. It is for a Administrative Assistance position.
Posted in these groups: 
Employment
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Employment Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 1
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As someone who's worked a couple civilian hires in the past for GS employees, be sure to have an example of how you can perform tasks associated with each of the KSA's (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) described in the position description. Better yet, provide an example of work experience in the past where you have done something that is listed as a KSA.
I'm pretty sure that the VA works just like the DoD in that questions in an interview are only supposed to be associated with the KSAs form the position description, must have been vetted and approved by the civilian personnel section and are the only questions that the interviewer is allowed to ask you during the interview.
Also, advice from my current boss - get there early (like 30-45 minutes early) and try to ask the secretary or another admin person for the hiring autority to see the questions prior to going into the interview room. Keep pestering them (politely) if they don't want to give them to you the first time. He's told me that it's worked for almost every interview he's had and will give you more time to formulate answers to the questions.
I'm pretty sure that the VA works just like the DoD in that questions in an interview are only supposed to be associated with the KSAs form the position description, must have been vetted and approved by the civilian personnel section and are the only questions that the interviewer is allowed to ask you during the interview.
Also, advice from my current boss - get there early (like 30-45 minutes early) and try to ask the secretary or another admin person for the hiring autority to see the questions prior to going into the interview room. Keep pestering them (politely) if they don't want to give them to you the first time. He's told me that it's worked for almost every interview he's had and will give you more time to formulate answers to the questions.
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SPC Robin Garcia
Thank you Sir. I will definitely do more research on the position. I guess Im just nervous due to its a goverment position and I would love to work there and be the face of patients that come in and greet them. Unlike the ones i saw when i went to VA the other day with my husband. Its sad the terrible attitudes most of the administrative personnel have. If you don't like your job, let someone who would be the smiling face in front of them. But anywho, thank you for all that great advice from you and your current boss. I am normally 45 minutes early to any place i have a job interview just to see exactly where i need to go and on top of that sit there and think about what i need to say. I relaly appreciate all your help.
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CW5 (Join to see)
Wow, sir, "pestering" politely? That could backfire. I have limited experience with interviews for civilian positions, even though I am a DA civilian. I would never "pester" anybody at the place where I'm seeking employment. As for asking for the questions ahead of time ... again. I'm not doubting your boss and that this technique has worked for him, but I would not do that. I guess my experience (admittedly limited) has been much different from his. If I had asked for the questions prior to the interview, I'm pretty sure that would have eliminated me from consideration.
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Maj Matt Hylton
Not to be a pessimist, but the VA was ranked worst (right behing the Dept of Homeland Security) in overall job satisfaction of government employees across all the different Dept's and organizations. Having said that, I also know several guys I went to college with that work for the VA now that they have left the military and love it.
It's all about your attitude and what you make of it.
It's all about your attitude and what you make of it.
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