I am trying to get a job at the VA. Does it help to know someone there (as in many non-government positions)?

2016-09-06T12:48:31-04:00

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Sep 6 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-09-06T12:58:59-04:00

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee ,
USAJobs may be a good place to start so that you can identify if there are any available positions.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 6 at 2016 1:04 PM

2016-09-06T13:04:47-04:00

Might helped if you inquires about the job with the hiring supervisor. Never hurts to open a line of communication.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 1:40 PM

2016-09-06T13:40:55-04:00

Anything you can do to shine a good light on yourself is a good thing. What's been questionable is the hiring practices of the VA and their union.

Best of luck on your job hunt.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 1:59 PM

2016-09-06T13:59:26-04:00

Yes. There are more than enough studies I've read that support networking and who you know being the top way anyone gets a job. I suggest looking on LinkedIn and trying to find someone with a similar background and sending some messages to VA employees here on Rallypoint. SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM has a good point with USAJobs, but knowing someone will get you in the door faster than simply submitting your resume.

If you provide more info, maybe I can help with networking. I'm doing an internship with the VA right now.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 6 at 2016 2:12 PM

2016-09-06T14:12:53-04:00

Great question SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee. I know networking (in any industry) will help you land a role you're looking to get into.
LTC Jason Strickland Should have a few additional VA related pointers for you as well.

We have around 1,400 members linked to the VA's RallyPoint page. Many work directly for the VA and it's a great place to start networking.
Really wishing you the best on this application!

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Sep 6 at 2016 3:44 PM

2016-09-06T15:44:21-04:00

If you know someone that can speak on behalf of you it always helps. Think about it, who would you rather hire? Someone you know personally or someone you only know from a piece of paper and interview?

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Sep 6 at 2016 3:50 PM

2016-09-06T15:50:51-04:00

Update: I have reached out to several people on RP that work at the VA Medical Center in question, including 2 people in HR. Hopefully I will hear back from someone.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 6 at 2016 3:58 PM

2016-09-06T15:58:08-04:00

The folks I know that work for the VA say it Helps with an Inside contact...

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Sep 6 at 2016 6:43 PM

2016-09-06T18:43:55-04:00

Yes

Response by SSG Martin Vasquez made Sep 8 at 2016 2:09 PM

2016-09-08T14:09:25-04:00

You can walk into the VA your interested in and see HR and drop your resume off. HR has a program with transitioning vets that helps them obtain employment in the facility. Another option is USAJOBS as some have mentioned on here, have you thought of Social Security Administration they have a good track record in hiring veterans and accomadating disabled veterans.

Response by SPC Brad Houston made Sep 13 at 2016 8:26 PM

2016-09-13T20:26:37-04:00

Yes - it does. I work at the VA now and whenever we have a vacancy I encourage my team to go out and recruit the people they WANT to work with - high speed, energetic, skilled - and if they have the right skill set and attitude we can sometimes do a direct appointment using a program called Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) which makes things MUCH faster. In addition, when you do a job vacancy, sometimes a buddy can clue you in on how to focus your application on exactly what they are looking for on the job. Sometimes we get more than 100 applications for one job, and you want to stand out!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2016 3:28 PM

2016-10-07T15:28:32-04:00

It absolutely does help to know at the VA if you are looking for a position especially if it isn't a high demand position.

Response by 1SG(P) Richard Warren made Oct 8 at 2016 5:05 PM

2016-10-08T17:05:53-04:00

It could, but what it really takes is knowing the job details you're applying for and making a good impression during the interview.

The hardest part is getting the interview.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2016 4:23 PM

2016-10-13T16:23:06-04:00

Don't forget, that you are in a special hiring group for the 1st 6 mos. after ETS (provided that hasen't changed since I left active duty).

Response by CPL John Baldwin made Oct 14 at 2016 8:26 AM

2016-10-14T08:26:10-04:00

It always helps to have connections. When I interviewed for my job with USCIS a friend of mine knew all 3 of my interviewers. He called and put in a good word for me. I was hired.