Veterans have powerful advantages in federal hiring — from 5 & 10-point preference to non-competitive hiring authorities that let you bypass the competition entirely. This guide explains everything.
Veterans' preference gives eligible veterans an advantage in the federal hiring process by adding points to your examination score and providing procedural protections. It doesn't guarantee a job, but it significantly improves your competitive position — and some authorities allow non-competitive appointments.
Awarded to honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty during a war, campaign, or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized, or during specific qualifying periods.
Awarded to Purple Heart recipients or veterans with any service-connected disability (even 0%). This is the most common 10-point preference category.
The highest priority preference category. For veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or higher. "CPS" applies to 30%+ ratings. These veterans must be placed at the top of the certificate above all other preference eligibles.
When a veteran cannot use their own preference (due to disability preventing employment), eligible family members may receive preference in their place:
Beyond preference points, these special hiring authorities allow agencies to appoint eligible veterans non-competitively — meaning you can be hired directly without going through the standard competitive application process.
The VRA allows agencies to hire eligible veterans for positions up to GS-11 without competition. After 2 years of satisfactory service, the appointment converts to a permanent career appointment.
VEOA allows preference eligible veterans and veterans with 3+ years of active duty service to apply to merit promotion announcements that would otherwise be limited to current or former federal employees. You compete with current federal employees.
Schedule A is a non-competitive hiring authority for people with disabilities, including veterans with service-connected disability ratings. Agencies can hire directly to any federal position without a competitive process.
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more can be appointed to any position in the competitive service without going through the competitive examination process. There's no grade level restriction.
USAJOBS (usajobs.gov) is the official federal job portal. Federal hiring is a process — follow these steps to maximize your veteran advantage.
Go to usajobs.gov and create a complete profile. Upload your DD-214 (Member 4 copy — the one listing your character of discharge). Upload your VA rating letter if you have one. These documents are required to claim preference.
Every job announcement lists who can apply. Key categories:
When applying, select the correct veterans' preference:
Federal resumes are completely different from civilian resumes. They're 5–7 pages and must include every detail hiring managers need. See our Federal Resume Tips section below for what to include.
Most jobs include a self-assessment questionnaire (1–10 scale on your experience). Be honest but don't undersell yourself — federal HR compares your answers to your resume. If you claim "expert" but your resume doesn't back it up, you'll be flagged.
USAJOBS notifies you at each stage. "Reviewed" → "Referred" → "Interviewed" → "Selected." If referred but not selected, you can request feedback from the hiring agency. Also explore USAJobs direct links to agency HR contacts.
A federal resume is NOT your civilian resume. It's a detailed document — often 5–7 pages — that must include specific information hiring managers and HR specialists require by law to evaluate your qualifications.
List start and end dates in month/year format for EVERY position. "2018–2022" is not sufficient — write "June 2018 – March 2022."
List the number of hours per week for every position. Federal HR uses this to determine if you meet time-in-grade requirements. Military: 40+ hrs/week.
Include supervisor name and phone number for every position and indicate whether they may be contacted. This is standard — not optional.
Include your salary or civilian GS equivalent for military roles. Use military pay tables to find your equivalent — an E-7 is roughly GS-7/8.
Don't summarize. Federal hiring managers need specifics: "Managed inventory tracking for 240 personnel across 4 units" is better than "managed inventory."
Civilian HR may not know what an NCO, NCOIC, or S4 is. Translate: "Senior Non-Commissioned Officer responsible for logistics operations for a 500-person battalion."
Federal jobs list specific KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) and duties. Use the exact language from the announcement in your resume — HR systems search for keyword matches.
Upload DD-214 (Member 4), VA rating letter (if claiming preference), transcripts, and SF-50 (if prior federal employee). Missing docs = auto-disqualification.
These agencies employ the most veterans and actively recruit through veteran hiring authorities. Click any agency to search current openings.
Largest veteran employer. Healthcare, benefits, IT, admin — nation's biggest system.
DoD civilians support military operations worldwide. Thousands of positions in every field.
DHS, FEMA, Secret Service, ICE, USCIS — broad range of law enforcement and admin roles.
CBP Officer and Border Patrol Agent are both veteran-friendly with premium pay.
Transportation Security Administration actively hires veterans. Many entry-level openings.
Strong veteran hiring tradition. City Carrier, Mail Handler, and supervisory roles.
Aviation careers for veterans: Air Traffic Control, Safety Inspector, aviation systems.
FBI, ATF, BOP, DEA — law enforcement and investigative careers for veterans.
Answer 5 quick questions to learn exactly which preference category you qualify for and which hiring authorities apply to you.
Use our DD-214 MOS Translator to find civilian job equivalents for your military occupational specialty — then search federal openings.
DD-214 MOS Translator →