Five highly valued skills Veterans bring to VA careers

Veterans Month is a great time for newly transitioning service members or longtime Veterans to be reminded that VA hires former service members not only because it’s the right idea but because it’s the smart idea. Here are five skills to highlight when applying for healthcare careers at VA.

1.Teamwork.

Great leaders know how to step back and be team players. Remind an interviewer or recruiter that Veterans understand the level of communication, trust and responsibility needed to work effectively as a team. Veterans bring a sense of camaraderie to VA careers and the mission to serve and care for fellow Veterans.

2. Innovation.

The U.S. military develops some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. Veterans may be the first to adopt many of these innovations, well before they make it to the civilian market. Let interviewers know that Veterans bring a high degree of technical skill and education to increasingly complex systems, a valuable asset when navigating cutting-edge healthcare technologies, building information systems that deliver benefits to Veterans and creating novel solutions to address challenges in the largest healthcare system in the country.

3. Resilience.

Military members operate under some of the most stressful conditions imaginable. The military trains people to handle and cope with stress, a skill that translates to VA’s busy healthcare environment. VA’s crew of former basic medical technicians, combat medic specialists, basic hospital corpsmen or basic health services technicians use skills learned in service to care for fellow Veterans as Intermediate Care Technicians, for instance. Former military personnel are ideal colleagues for busy days when things don’t go as planned.

4. Problem solving.

Work in the military is often dynamic and unpredictable. Highlight for job interviewers the military-tested ability to think quickly in changing circumstances, create solutions to surmount obstacles and safely complete the mission.

5. Diversity

During service, military members formed working relationships and friendships with fellow U.S. service members from many different backgrounds. In fact, the Veteran population is even more diverse than the U.S. population as a whole. Veterans should highlight ability to speak another language or anything that helps connect with Veteran patients in a special way that might set them apart from other candidates.

Choose a VA career today

During Veterans Month and all year long, look ahead to a career based on giving back as a VA healthcare provider. Choose VA today.

• LEARN about post-military VA careers in the transitioning military flyer (pdf).
• SEARCH by keyword for an open position near you or view careers by location.
• EXPLORE how to transition to a VA career.
• REACH out to a recruiter.