For Veterans and transitioning military personnel, Veterans’ preference is a chance to be recognized for your military service in the application process. It’s a tool that you can use to support your application and earn your place serving alongside your fellow Veterans at VA.

When an agency uses a category rating system, as VA does, preference candidates who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list, unless that position is specifically scientific or professional at the GS-9 level or higher.

Keep in mind that the use of Veterans’ preference does not guarantee a job, and the use of the preference program is not to place a Veteran in every vacant federal job. There are always numerous applicants for VA and other federal jobs, and many ways an agency can fill a vacancy other than by hiring from a list of eligible applicants.

It’s not a cut-and-dry process though, so you’ll have to make sure you’re eligible for Veterans’ preference and that the job you want accepts your preference, too. Luckily, we’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs and make sure your application is ready for our recruiters.

Work at VA

If you’re a Veteran looking to work at VA, or a current military member looking to make the transition to a civilian career, head over to VA Careers and learn more about how you can boost your application with Veterans’ preference.

Topics in this story

applicationtransitioning military personnelVA CareersVeterans’ PreferenceWorkAtVA

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

12 Comments

  1. Michael F Kach November 18, 2023 at 20:08

    That’s not true the VBA is bias against Veterans who are over 50 and are white male in Phoenix Arizona. even if they are disabled.

  2. B Wolak November 18, 2023 at 05:39

    You better check the facts because I think your sniffing the pixie dust. There is no way this is even in play with the VA HR system. And now with Direct Hire being used there is no accountability. In theory this would be nice, but groups like HR MAC just find ways around it and demoralize applicants in the process. Suggest OIG investigate this as it is a total pipe dream for the reality is this in never in use, especially in the upper level jobs.
    Good for advertising, but in reality not even remotely in use in the VA system!

  3. Sue B November 17, 2023 at 09:16

    Very much a load of crap, many many years ago I carried the 10% preference, was already working at the VA in the same job series and watched a non-vet from the OUTSIDE get the job….also always thought that once you had preference you shouldn’t lose it but gave that up since it never worked anyway.

  4. Sean Cornelison November 16, 2023 at 20:43

    I’m a disabled combat vet, and I can’t even get a kitchen job at va.

    Not the right color apparently!

  5. Marlon November 16, 2023 at 14:03

    Looks like I’m not alone in thinking this is a load of crap – Disabled veteran with a bachelor’s yet never seem to be qualified for anything with the VA – the GS levels are bullshit.

  6. DONNA PARTAIN November 16, 2023 at 10:45

    OH, AND I’M A DISABLED VETERAN TOO, IT STILL DID NOT MATTER!

  7. DONNA PARTAIN November 16, 2023 at 10:44

    THIS WAS NOT MY DISCOVERY AND APPEARS TO BE FALSE INFORMATION! I WAS US ARMY WAR VETERAN WITH PREFERENCE, HONORABLE, A 4 YEAR DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AN IRS PTIN ID HOLDER SINCE 2012, LIFETIME MEMBER OF VFW, AND I REPEATEDLY APPLIED FOR 2 YEARS AND GOT NOTHING. THEN I WENT TO THE NEW ORLEANS VA AND WHILE THERE A SOLDIER NAMED EUNIKA MADE IT CLEAR THAT I WON’T BE HIRED BECAUSE I’M WHITE. I STOPPED TRYING AND YOU PEOPLE NEED TO BE SUED!

  8. Senior Airman November 16, 2023 at 01:20

    That’s a load of crap!
    I was the only qualified applicant (GS god told me so. He worked with my dad for nearly 30 years) at Kelly AFB in 84’ but I wasn’t hispanic ! So no job.
    Got screwed over at Murphy hospital in 1984. Not hispanic! Then again in 2010 despite every EMS manager and such told hr I was what they wanted!

  9. Michael D November 15, 2023 at 22:19

    I am fed up with this veteran preference joke! Since retiring in 2007. I applied for more than 500 VA jobs across the country.

    I didn’t receive 1 interview or job offer. Thank you for nothing VA.

  10. John A Shuey November 15, 2023 at 18:14

    Well meaning perhaps but a load nonetheless. I have a 98qch aas as a medical assistant, FLEMT and CPR/AED certified and have applied for nursing assistant positions and been refused several times. I have the education and experience and education but james hayley refuses to hire me. i have found that less than 25% of their workforce is veteran. Further they refuse to give me any reason as to why they refuse veterans employment. I have offered to come in and audition for a position but was refused this as well. Perhaps it is the facility itself but hayley practices veteran discrimination.

  11. Dominick J Citera November 11, 2023 at 17:15

    what about getting a VA loan for a new roof at my house?

    [Editor: Please see the VA Cash-Out Refinance Loan: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-types/cash-out-loan/ ]

    • LT November 15, 2023 at 22:40

      I’m a CPA with a lot of relevant experience to the VA. I applied to several jobs within the VA and couldn’t even come close to getting an interview. You might get veterans preference, but it won’t mean a whole lot if the hiring manager throws your resume out/doesn’t bring you in for an interview. Keep applying though, perseverance is key.

Comments are closed.

More Stories