Veterans’ Preference gives eligible Veterans priority in appointment over many other applicants in federal civilian employment. Veterans' Preference does not guarantee Veterans a job, and it does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements. The goal of Veteran's Preference is to provide a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans seeking federal employment, not to place a Veteran in every vacant federal job. It is a provision of preference in initial hiring and protection in reductions in force.

Veterans' Preference can be confusing (the law followed in federal civilian employment can be found in title 5, United States Code, Section 2108 (5 USC 2108). Not all Veterans are considered Veterans for the purpose of federal civilian employment - and not all active duty service qualifies for Veterans' Preference.

Only Veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for Veterans' Preference. This means you must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge. If you are a "retired member of the armed forces" then you are not included in the definition of preference eligible unless you are a disabled Veteran OR you retired below the rank of Major or its equivalent.

• For more information on the two types of preference eligibility (10-point and 5-point), please visit the Veterans Preference section of FedHireVets.
• If you are not sure of your preference eligibility, visit the Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor.

State and local government employment may also offer a form of Veterans’ Preference or priority consideration. It is recommended that you check with your state or local government careers page for specific information.

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