What does it take to work at VA? Our “Talk About It Tuesday” guests know!

On our weekly “Talk About It Tuesday” (TAIT) LinkedIn Live broadcast, we explore a lot of ways you can find your way to a job at VA, but what qualities do we look for when hiring for our team?

We asked a few of our most recent guests that very question! Here’s what they had to say.

Hillary Garcia, National Healthcare Recruitment consultant, National Recruitment Service

“Customer service” seems so generic when you say it, but really embodying what it means to be someone who is customer service focused. Whether you have a Veteran in front of you, whether you have a coworker in front of you, [we’re looking for people who are] engaging that person with integrity and care.

[They should be] Able to take on a problem, able to try to come out with the best solution you possibly can. You have that tenacity about you, as a VA employee. You have a smile on your face. You’re willing to work through problems and come up with the best outcome possible for our Veteran patients.

Nathan Tierney, chief people officer, Office of Information Technology

Passion. If you unite people with passion around a purpose that’s greater than yourself, you can be successful.

We are trying to hire the best qualified candidates across government, so take the time to articulate your knowledge, skills and abilities. Make it measurable. Articulate what you can bring to the table to support Veterans and their caregivers.

Dr. Andreé-Monique Sutton, director of Operations, Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP)

Anyone who has been part of a military culture… we have all had to abide by core values. Those are some of the key traits that, when you’re hiring a Veteran, they’re all abiding by those core values. That also kind of bleeds over to your family members. When you hold yourself at a certain level, then your family typically does the same.

Managers can rest assured knowing that they have a qualified individual, but they also have invaluable character traits. You know you’re going to get a person who is going to get the job done and get the job done correctly. They’re going to work in a team, they’re going to be great at collaborating. They’re going to be self-starters. They’re going to do their due diligence and make sure that the mission is moving forward.

Those are all solid characteristics I would like as a teammate or as a manager of someone coming on board to my particular team.

Work at VA

Do you have what it takes to work at VA? We have numerous opportunities awaiting individuals just like you, so bring your unique qualities to VA and make a difference in the lives of Veterans.

• WATCH TAIT each week at noon EST on LinkedIn.
• LEARN how to navigate the hiring process.
• JOIN our communities on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor.
• SEARCH for your next opportunity at VAcareers.VA.gov.