Watch VA leaders share tips for military spouses applying to VA jobs

Are you a military spouse interested in working for VA or another government partner? Recently, we partnered with the DoD’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program. The career program connects military spouses with more than 390 affiliated employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in jobs everywhere.

In an effort to help address your questions on this new partnership, we asked three VA leaders to share information and advice for military spouses. The result was an informative round table that we aired on March 3 via LinkedIn Live. You can check out the broadcast here.

“Military spouses are incredibly talented. The underemployment and unemployment rates are in double digits,” said panelist Tracey Therit, VA’s chief human capital officer in the Office of Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness. “We at VA have to support our military families.”

Tips for military spouses

In the video, you’ll get answers to questions about the MSEP program and tips on job hunting from Therit; Cheryl L. Mason, chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at VA; and Maurice Sloan, assistant director of HR policy and programs in the Office of Talent Management at the Veterans Benefits Administration.

Some of their advice includes:

• Searching for specially designated positions on USAJobs. These are often near military installations, remote positions or portable jobs that can travel with you if your spouse is reassigned.
• Keeping your USAJobs profile and resume up to date. Keeping your skills and experience current will ensure that you are considered for all potential jobs.
• Working with recruiters. They are your best resource for successfully navigating the job application process and can make sure you are identified as a military spouse so that you receive priority consideration. Email a recruiter at VAcareers@va.gov.
• Not selling yourself short. Mason advised military spouses not to worry about frequent moves and gaps in resumes. “We see them as a strength. [Military spouses] are resilient. They think globally. They know how to address something very quickly because they lived that life,” said Mason, who is herself a military spouse.
• Being patient. The federal hiring process moves more slowly than the private sector. You should receive email notifications as your application moves through the process.

Consider a VA career

We partner with MSEP to tap into the rich talent pool of more than 600,000 military spouses and help them kick start meaningful careers at VA. We offer competitive pay, premium-support group health insurance and remote work options.

Is your experience not quite where you want it to be? You can even earn up to $4,000 in tuition to pursue licensing in targeted fields through the My Career Advancement Account scholarship.

We make sure VA jobs ideal for military spouses are tagged on USAJobs and that key information — such as remote work opportunities, flexible work schedules, child care and health benefits — are highlighted in all job announcements.

For positions covered under Title 5 hiring authority, we use noncompetitive procedures approved by the Office of Personnel Management. That means when you apply for one of these jobs — such as a VA accountant, police officer or human resource specialist — and meet the minimum qualifications, you’re hired.

We’re always looking for military spouses with health care experience or training as a physicians, nurses, social workers or occupational therapists.

Choose VA today

A career with VA is meaningful and supports the military community. And our total rewards benefits package outpaces the private sector.

• SEARCH for open positions on USAJobs.
• WATCH our LinkedIn live video on the MSEP program.
• EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career.
• REACH a recruiter at VAcareers@va.gov

Panelists give advice to military spouses looking for jobs through the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program.