Preparing for an interview is an important step in the job application process. It’s a chance for you to showcase who you are beyond your resume and to go into detail about how you will manage work-related situations. Interviews at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are designed to give candidates the opportunity to share their experience, skills and passion for serving Veterans.
Here, we outline VA interview tips to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to put your best foot forward as you pursue a meaningful career at VA.
Understand performance-based interviewing
VA uses a structured method known as performance-based interviewing (PBI) to help find the best candidates for open roles. PBI is a standardized interview format that focuses on competencies essential for job success—like teamwork, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills. It is based on the idea that past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior, so PBI questions focus on your past experiences (behavioral questions) or your proposed approach to a hypothetical situation (situational questions).
Example questions:
“Tell us about a time when you had to manage multiple competing priorities. How did you organize your work?”
“What would you do if a patient expressed concerns about their care?”
For more example questions, check out VA’s interview process guide.
Answer like a STAR
It is easy to get off track when responding to interview questions, especially if you’re feeling nervous. VA recommends the STAR method to help structure your answers in a concise and engaging way.
- Situation: Set the scene with relevant context.
- Task: Explain the challenge or goal.
- Action: Describe the specific steps you took.
- Result: Share the outcome and what you learned.
As with most things, practice makes perfect. Be sure to practice your STAR responses before the interview, so you’re feeling confident. It’s also helpful to prepare STAR responses that can be used to address multiple competencies, rather than just one. This way you can answer different interview questions with the same or similar response.
Leave a lasting impression
You’ve practiced your STAR responses and are feeling confident, so how else can you leave a lasting impression with your VA interviewers?
- Look the part: Dress professionally and be sure to maintain eye contact, or if the interview is virtual, maintain camera focus.
- Ask questions: Come prepared with a few questions for your interviewers. This shows your level of interest and commitment to finding the right match.
- Send a thank-you note: Send an email to your interviewers within 2 days to express your appreciation for their time and interest in the position.
Work at VA
If you’re All About Veterans like we are, the time is right to explore a rewarding career serving those who served. Learn more at VA Careers.
Topics in this story
More Stories
Also called medical technologists, clinical laboratory scientists at VA play a crucial role in ensuring Veterans receive accurate, timely, and life-saving diagnoses through their work in labs across the country.
Veterans bring unmatched experience, leadership, and dedication to the workforce. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proud to be one of the largest employers of Veterans in the nation, offering meaningful careers that allow former service members to continue their mission in a new way, as well as support in getting started on a civilian job search.
VA is leading the nation in transforming mental health care for America’s Veterans and we’re looking for passionate providers to join us.
ah please understand the VA is part of the Office of Personnel Management Agency. I have retired from DOD and have worked Temp for VA, And 2020 census. before any applicant gets contacted. There is a Background Check. Period. This typically takes 3 months.. Also by definition, The VA answers to its master, the president of the USA. Trump is from private sector, they fire people First with any hic up in $$. They then try to replace the fired with a lower cost new employee. Seen this many times. Understand your players.
A good thing is to answer & question fewer questions toward your interviewer to show their level of interest and,commitment for right part between your boss or your company your gonna work for.
It’s so very hard to get hired as a pharmacist for VA. He was an intern at VA during the pharmacy school.
After multiple applications, interviews, it is hard to connect with HR. The process is very difficult.
It is so disheartening. I’m writing on friend’s behalf who is going through this process.
I am an 80-year-old professional Architect registered in PA and with a National reciprocal degree. I was forced retired by the Covis bout and an adema which kept me from prolong standing or climbings. My experiences have been housing, interior office space convetion and review of legal documents like blue prints, I have also valuated spaces, property and costs. i ran an A/E firm from 1984 to 2018 when I was infected with COVID and lost my practice and 7 members. I am now active on my CAD system and seek to become employed in my industry. At my age no firm wants to hire me. I am helthy 6′-0″ tall and bi-lingual. I know the VA uses interior spaces and have a need for a facility manager department, I like to know if you can employ in Philadelphia such a person to support your work for us Veterans.
I have no complaints I love my VA Medical Hospital and staff. If I ever had the chance I would love to be a part of helping to make a difference. Comment Complaining does not help make a difference at all. Try getting the job and helping to make some real change.
You have to be kidding. First you fired numerous employees and gorced many more into retirement. Why anyone would want to work for the VA or NY other Federal agency is beyond me.
A disabled Vietnam veteran
How about the resume since the resume is only supposed to be no more than two pages?
Sir
After being out of work for over a year and 400 plus applications. I got a few interviews and no offers.
The very real problem is age discrimination! Yes it does exist and very widespread and making it illegal does help. AI has jumped into the fray and after a few minutes can detect that you have more history than revealed on the resume.
The “why don’t want to keep working and retire!”
Because I don’t want to be hungry and homeless!
Never had any complaints, concerns with my job.
What can we do?