Your military service gave you leadership, discipline, and real-world skills that employers value. Now it's time to put them to work. From federal hiring to private-sector fellowships, here's your roadmap.
The federal government is one of the largest employers of veterans in the country. With built-in preference systems, your military service counts for real competitive advantage.
USAJOBS is the government's central job board, listing thousands of federal positions across all agencies—from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Department of Defense and beyond.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 10% or more receive 10 extra points on federal entrance exams. This can be the difference between getting an interview or being passed over.
Most competitive preference. Appointed non-competitively under Special Hiring Authorities.
10-point preference on all qualifying examinations.
5-point preference for veterans who served during war or certain campaigns.
0-point preference still available with DD-214.
Pro Tip: Download and complete SF-15 BEFORE applying. Attach your disability rating letter to speed up verification.
If you're rated 30% or more service-connected disabled, federal law provides special hiring authorities that let agencies skip the competitive examination process entirely.
Instead of competing against hundreds of applicants, agencies can directly appoint veterans with 30%+ service-connected disabilities. No written exam. No ranking list. Just direct hiring.
This applies to positions in most federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and more.
Ensure your VA disability rating is 30% or higher. Download your rating letter from VA.gov.
Visit VA Careers and filter for positions that accept Schedule A hiring authority.
Submit your application with Schedule A letter from VA confirming eligibility.
Hiring events connect you directly with recruiters who understand veteran skills. Many events are held virtually, making it easy to attend from anywhere.
The Department of Veterans Affairs hosts nationwide hiring events specifically for veterans. These events often feature on-the-spot interviews and job offers for qualified candidates.
VA for Vets provides resources specifically designed for service members transitioning to civilian careers. Their hiring initiatives connect you directly with VA positions that match your military occupational specialty.
Bring extra copies of your DD-214, SF-15, and VA rating letter to hiring events. Having documents ready shows professionalism and speeds up the process.
Beyond federal employment, veteran-focused fellowship programs connect you with private-sector employers who value your leadership experience and translate military skills into business impact.
FourBlock provides a free 12-week career readiness program that helps post-9/11 veterans translate their military skills into meaningful careers. The program connects veterans with corporate partners actively seeking to hire them.
Hiring Our Heroes helps veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities through a nationwide network of corporate partners and local hiring events.
Transitioning from military to civilian life isn't easy—and job hunting can feel overwhelming. But you don't have a skills gap. You have a translation gap. The leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills you developed in service are exactly what top employers are looking for.
Your next career isn't waiting for you to "catch up." It's waiting for someone with your experience. Go get it.
The skills that made you an outstanding service member will make you an outstanding employee. Take the first step today.
Additional Resources
Need career counseling? Contact your local Veterans Employment Center or call 1-800-827-1000
