Hiring Preference Didn't Work for Me

Prior to being retired as a result of service-connected disability TDRL in 1987, I must have submitted 60 resumes to various federal employers and agencies. Although significantly qualified, I was not selected, believed to be because I was a disabled veteran. 

I have proof of the timeline of the announcements, closing dates and certification lists that I followed when applying for various positions in federal service. 

If I did get on top of a list, the agency always cancelled or closed the announcement before selection. Apparently, they had someone within they wanted to place. 

Afterward, I changed my strategy and stopped using my 10-point preference eligibility, just applied as an outsider. I found better success and actually was selected for a police officer position. 

I lost faith in the supposed OPM hiring system after my bad experience and moved on without preference hiring and became more successful in my transition. These hiring authorities may be better controlled by law now in 2009 as I understand it.

(Submitted by Ken Hudgens)

Comments

[Oguthrie]

Hire yourself ! Click on URL to see what I mean.

I served in the military. As a matter of fact, I retired honorably from the U.S. Air Force in 1997 after serving 24 years. During that service, I learned some very important lessons. I'd like to share two of these lessons with you now that applied during my military career and that I've successfully applied since then.

No preferences required....except your own !

[larry the b]

Most vets don't know that whenever they have problems with federal(or state agencies) concerning veterans preference in hiring - the vet should contact the person serving as the the US Dept of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DVET) in their state - one of the DVET's functions is to intervene with the federal agencies involved - The vet can find the DVET by contacting any vet representative working at one of their state Employment Office (Job Center or whatever they call them now) -

[Gregg]

Normal resumes/applications can't even begin to compete with one of the specially written resumes you can pay thousands for from various sources. Scanned applications for GSA positions are submitted to context-sensitive keyword analysis comparing the KSAs of the position to the application.

this yields a raw score. That score is adjusted by +10 points (disabled vet) or +5 points (vet). That's not nearly enough to get an interview, much less the position against one of the computer-generated and tuned applications some consultants churn out.

[Larry]

I retired from the AF with 20 years of service and an honorable discharge. I have applied for over 300 federal jobs over the past five years, some of these were the same job I did while on active duty. How many interviews have I had -- not even one. How can I not be qualified to do a job I did for 20 years on active duty.

[MAJ Branch]

It is important that we inspire faith in the government hiring system for our fellow soldiers who are currently seeking employment. I see from your blog that you had a negative experience with the hiring process. The objective of the 10-point preference is to provide an advantage for veterans. Sixty resumes submitted is almost unthinkable not to have landed an interview. However, there may have been reasons unrelated to your disability that created this situation for you. I am currently on active duty, and I have over 10-years of experience in the government human resource community. There are numerous reasons why applicants do not certify for positions (too many to cover in this forum). Unfortunately, veteran’s preference alone will not get a person hired. Experience in the particular career field is also necessary. I would like to believe the government personnel system did not and does not discriminate against our veterans.

The system appears to be working quite well today and many veterans (including those severely injured) are successfully competing for and acquiring government positions. It is my experience that agencies seek out veterans because of their wealth of experience, discipline, and “can do” attitude. I hope that knowing our veterans are currently afforded the opportunity to compete for government positions will provide you some comfort and help to renew your faith in the system. Thank you for your service and for sharing your experience.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.