Veterans Preference and Direct Appointment Authority for Federal Employment

Applying for a job with the federal government is different than applying for a private sector position.

As a veteran, you may have an advantage applying for work with the federal government. Not only do certain veterans get extra points for veteran status in the selection process, but they also receive credit for their time in the military toward federal years of service for seniority and retirement. Keep in mind that there may be an application/employment waiting period for some veterans. Retirees have different rules which apply to them. Check the Transition website for the most current information.

By law, qualified veterans with a service-connected disability or who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns may be entitled to preference over non-veterans both in federal civil service hiring and/or in retention during reductions in force.

Federal Application Procedure

In the past, the United States Federal Government required job applicants to submit a standardized application form known as the SF-171. Today you can apply for most federal jobs with a resume or an optional application (OF-612). The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which is the government’s hiring authority, now accepts resumes. Check the job posting/announcement to see which format and method of delivery they prefer.

Even if you submit a general application form, you may also be required to submit additional information targeted for each position—for example: OF-612, computer scan forms, etc. However, the resume will be considered the primary application.

If an applicant simply submits a regular resume they will never be referred and never qualify for any federal position. Resumes must be targeted and be completely tailored to the position. Federal resumes could be several pages in length as opposed to the preferred one page by private sector employers. Be sure to read the job announcement carefully to see all of the requirements for submitting an application.

There is computer software available at most Transition Offices which will enable you to use electronic versions of Federal Employment forms and/or help you with your resume or application.

What A Resume For Federal Employment Must Contain

Read the job announcement carefully. You may lose consideration for a job if your resume or application does not provide all the following information and any additional information requested in the job announcement.


Job Information

• Announcement number, title and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying

Personal Information

• Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)
• Social Security Number
• Country of citizenship. Most Federal jobs require United States citizenship
• Veterans’ preference
• Reinstatement eligibility (if requested, attach SF 50 proof of your career or career-conditional status)
• Highest Federal civilian grade held. Also give job series and dates held

Education

• High school (name, city, state, zip code)
• Date of diploma or GED
• Colleges and universities (name, city, state, zip code)
• Major subjects studied
• Type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours)
• Send a copy of your college transcript only if the job vacancy announcement requests it

Work Experience

• Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
• Duties and accomplishments
• Employer’s name and address
• Supervisor’s name and phone number
• Starting and ending dates (month and year)
• Hours per week
• Salary
• Give the following information for your paid and nonpaid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions)
• Indicate whether they may contact your current supervisor

Other Qualifications

• Job-related training courses (title and year)
• Job-related skills, for example: other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed
• Job-related certificates and licenses (current only)
• Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, for example: publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested)