“Ineffective strategies, ineffective systems and an ineffective culture are the biggest barriers to success in any organization,” US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sec Robert McDonald. Takeaway 1 - Help VA hire for best possible outcomes, reduce the cost of hiring, and reduce the time to fill open positions Takeaway 2 - Offer VA an effective alternative to non-standard resumes to hire career Millennials that can improve veteran outcomes Takeaway 3 - Help career Millennials secure the best possible career within the VA to improve veteran outcomes Takeaway 4 - Provide career Millennials the tools to create mini projects targeted specific to the VA Takeaway 5 - Offer career Millennials an effective alternative to submitting countless resumes to non-standard job descriptions within the VA

1. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 1
Robert McDonalds’ Transformation of
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Hiring Career Millennials to Improve Veteran Outcomes
Mark Rome

2. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 2
Takeaway 1
– Help VA hire for best possible outcomes, reduce the cost of hiring,
and reduce the time to fill open positions
Takeaway 2
– Offer VA an effective alternative to non-standard resumes to hire
career Millennials that can improve veteran outcomes
Takeaway 3
– Help career Millennials secure the best possible career within the VA
to improve veteran outcomes
Takeaway 4
– Provide career Millennials the tools to create mini projects targeted
specific to the VA
Takeaway 5
– Offer career Millennials an effective alternative to submitting
countless resumes to non-standard job descriptions within the VA
Key Takeaways

3. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 3
Challenge
3
“Ineffective strategies, ineffective systems and an ineffective culture are the biggest
barriers to success in any organization.”
VA Sec Robert McDonald (DAV, 9 Aug 2014)

4. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 4
Mini-Project Job Targeting
• Help VA
– Attract & retain career millennials that can improve veteran outcomes
– Hire for best possible outcomes, rather than hire the best that apply
– Reduce the cost per hire
– Reduce the time to fill open positions
– Offer effective alternative to non-standard resumes
• Help career Millennials
– Secure longer term, meaningful employment focused on improving
veteran outcomes
– Secure career opportunities within the VA best suited to achieve life
goals
– Offer effective alternative to non-standard job descriptions
– Lower the barriers to entry into VA
Unique Value Proposition

5. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 5
Best that Apply
Job Postings
• Skills (Hard)
• Responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Certifications
• Years of Experience
• References
Disadvantage
• VA risks hiring individuals that can’t
deliver desired outcomes and/or fit
within their culture.
Best Possible Outcomes
Mini-Project Profiles
• Capabilities (Proven)
• Performance Level
• Accomplishments
• Skills (Hard & Soft)
• Responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Certifications
• Career Plan
Advantage
• VA can attract & retain individuals
that fit within their culture and can
improve veteran outcomes.
VA Hiring Alternatives

6. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 6
Stakeholders
Career Millennials
• Seeking meaningful careers
• Unemployed & underemployed
• Seeking career advancement, better pay & benefits,
more responsibility, longer term employment
VA
• Attract qualified candidates that can improve veteran
outcomes
• Reduce the time to fill job openings
• Seek insight & intelligence into pool of qualified
candidates

7. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 7
Job Boards - Expanded Offering
New Tools & Techniques for career Millennials
• Mini Project Development
– Templates & samples to help career Millennials create mini projects that
demonstrate their capabilities to VA hiring managers
• Targeted Audience
– VA Location/Facility
– VA Leaders/Managers
– Job Title
– Functional area(s), etc.
• Go Behind Closed Doors
– Solicit feedback from current employees or individuals that have
previously worked for VA, and have worked for select leaders &
managers with a track record of success

8. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 8
Mini Project Template
Process Flow Process Steps Data Elements
Job Scenario Process A
Process B
Process C
Process D
Process E
Process F
Report X
Report Y
Data A
Data B
Step 1
Description -----------------------------
Step 2
Description -----------------------------
Step 3
Description -----------------------------
Step 4
Description -----------------------------
Career Millennials use process steps and data elements to
complete project outlined in the Job Scenario

9. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 9
Mini Project Results
Assess candidates’ core
competencies and abilities to
achieve desired outcomes
Best Possible Outcomes
• Competencies & Capabilities
• Performance Level
• Accomplishments
• Skills (Hard & Soft)
• Responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Certifications
• References from former
supervisors/leaders/mentors
• Career Plan
VA Hiring Managers – Informed Decisions
Process A
Process B
Report B
Data A
Step 1
Description
Step 2
Description
Step 3
Description
Step 4
Description
Score: 96% match

10. Mark Rome / mark_rome@hotmail.com 10
Contact
Mark Rome
• 25(+) years finance, accounting & operational leadership
• 2 startups with successful exits (IPO / acquisition by PE)
(602) 358-9586
mark_rome@hotmail.com