The Top 20 Veterans Evaluation Services Interview Questions To Prepare For

Getting a job at Veterans Evaluation Services (VES) can be a life-changing opportunity, especially for those passionate about serving our nation’s veterans. As one of the leading providers of medical assessments for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VES plays a crucial role in determining veterans’ benefits.

Working at VES means you get to directly impact veterans’ lives for the better. However, first you have to ace the VES job interview.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the top 20 most common Veterans Evaluation Services interview questions. I’ve researched tips directly from VES employees and recruiters on how to best prepare for the VES interview process

Whether you’re applying for a VES customer service, quality assurance analyst, or other role, these questions will help you stand out Let’s get started!

Overview of the VES Interview Process

The VES interview process typically involves multiple steps:

• Online application – You’ll need to submit an application and resume through the VES website.

• Assessments – VES applicants complete tests for English, math, computer skills, typing speed, and reviewing medical documents.

• Phone/video interview – If you pass the assessments, you’ll have one or more interviews by phone or video chat. Some are with HR, others with department managers.

• In-person interview – For some roles, VES brings candidates in for face-to-face interviews at local offices.

So what kinds of questions can you expect during the VES interview? Here are the top 20 most frequently asked:

1. Why do you want to work for Veterans Evaluation Services?

VES looks for people truly passionate about their mission of serving veterans. When answering:

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and how it serves veterans.

• Share any personal connections or experiences you have with the military community.

• Talk about how your background and skills make you a great fit to help VES support veterans.

• Convey excitement about the opportunity to make a difference in veterans’ lives.

2. What do you know about Veterans Evaluation Services?

Interviewers want to see you’ve done your research on the company. In your response:

• Give an overview of VES’s history, mission, and role serving veterans and the VA.

• Mention details like number of employees, leadership team, office locations, services provided, etc.

• Share what most impresses you or interests you about the company.

• Demonstrate you truly understand what VES does and how they operate.

3. How does your experience relate to this role?

VES wants to know you have the right background and expertise for the specific position. When answering:

• Connect your work history, education, and skills directly to the role requirements.

• Give specific examples of times you performed similar tasks or used relevant skills.

• Emphasize transferable skills from other experiences that apply.

• Explain why you’re a great fit and how you’ll excel in the role.

4. How would you handle an angry customer or client?

VES serves many vulnerable veterans who may at times become upset. Interviewers look for empathy and conflict resolution skills.

• Give an example of de-escalating an angry customer from a past job. Focus on listening and finding a resolution.

• Discuss remaining calm under pressure and treating the person with patience and respect.

• Explain steps you’d take like moving discussions to a private area, involving a supervisor if needed, following up after emotions cool down.

• Share how you would show sincere empathy when a veteran client is distressed.

5. Tell me about a time you provided excellent customer service.

Stellar customer service is a must for VES. When responding:

• Share a specific example that highlights your customer service skills like communication, active listening, patience, problem-solving, etc.

• Keep the focus on how you met the customer’s needs and delivered an amazing experience.

• Discuss positive feedback you received or other indicators of success like repeat business.

• Outline the practices and values that guide your commitment to customer service.

6. How do you handle a high-pressure situation?

Working in a fast-paced environment serving veterans can be stressful. Interviewers look for flexibility and composure under pressure.

• Give an example of successfully handling a high-pressure situation, both the situation itself and your response.

• Discuss strategies like staying focused, managing your emotions, asking for help when needed.

• Share how you prioritize urgent tasks when faced with tight deadlines or heavy workloads.

• Emphasize that while feeling pressure is normal, you don’t let it negatively impact your work.

7. How do you stay organized while handling multiple tasks or projects?

Multitasking and organizational abilities are key in this role. When answering:

• Give specific systems or tools you use to stay on top of multiple assignments like to-do lists, calendars, project management software, etc.

• Discuss strategies like compartmentalizing tasks, creating checklists, and tackling priorities first.

• Share examples of times your organization helped you efficiently handle competing demands.

• Emphasize being extremely attentive to detail to avoid mistakes when juggling tasks.

8. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you handle it?

VES wants team players who can resolve interpersonal issues professionally. When responding:

• Briefly summarize the conflict but don’t point fingers or cast blame.

• Discuss how you worked to understand the coworker’s perspective.

• Share how you worked collaboratively to find a solution you both felt good about.

• Emphasize maintaining composure and a positive, constructive attitude throughout the process.

• Share lessons you learned about communicating effectively with coworkers.

9. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question tests how well you can sell yourself. When answering:

• Succinctly run through your most relevant qualifications and accomplishments.

• Share one or two great qualities or traits that make you stand out.

• Discuss the unique perspective and passion you bring for serving veterans.

• Convey genuine enthusiasm and confidence about excelling in the role.

• Avoid disparaging other candidates – keep the focus on you.

10. How do you ensure accuracy and productivity when entering large amounts of data?

Data entry roles at VES require meticulous precision and efficiency. When responding:

• Discuss utilizing tools like data validation software to catch errors.

• Explain methods like double-checking entries or having co-workers review samples.

• Share how you set attainable quality and quantity goals and timeline milestones.

• Give examples of past accuracy and productivity rates you’ve maintained.

• Emphasize taking responsibility for the quality of your work.

11. What qualities make a successful customer service representative?

VES seeks reps who deeply understand great customer service. When answering:

• Discuss critical qualities like patience, empathy, active listening, communication skills, problem-solving, technical knowledge, etc.

• Share how you exemplify these qualities in your approach to customer service.

• Give examples of how you turn unhappy customers into loyal ones.

• Convey your passion for customer satisfaction.

12. How do you respond when customers or coworkers make unreasonable requests?

VES needs team players who can set healthy boundaries. When responding:

• Discuss remaining calm and listening objectively to understand their viewpoint.

• Explain firmly but politely clarifying what you can and cannot do and any constraints.

• Share how you might suggest constructive alternatives that satisfy their needs yet remain in line with policies and your responsibilities.

• Emphasize a collaborative approach focused on finding solutions.

13. This job can be stressful at times. How do you manage stress?

It’s crucial for VES staff to handle pressure in healthy ways. When answering:

• Share positive coping strategies you use like exercising, listening to music, talking to loved ones, etc.

• Discuss proactive ways you reduce stress like managing your time well, taking breaks, not overcommitting yourself.

• Share examples of when you faced job stress and actively managed it in positive ways.

• Emphasize you know how to ask for help when needed.

14. How do you determine which tasks should be top priorities when scheduling your day?

Time management abilities are key in this fast-paced role. When responding:

• Discuss utilizing Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important Principle to prioritize urgent and important tasks first.

• Share how you make flexible daily task lists and adjust as needs change.

• Give examples of times your time management and prioritization skills enabled you to achieve key objectives.

• Emphasize balancing working on urgent logistical tasks and carving out time for important big-picture work.

15. Tell me about a time you failed at work and what you learned from it.

VES wants candidates who take responsibility and grow from setbacks. When answering: