Veena Muralidhara began work at VA in 2023 as a participant in our Human Resources Specialist Training and Accelerated Readiness (HR-STAR) program. Though application season for HR-STAR is now closed, the program was designed to provide rigorous training that prepared participants for a career as HR specialists within VA.
Now, as she focuses on employee labor relations and performance management as her specialty, Muralidhara offered insights on the differences between working at VA and in a corporate environment.
A path to human resources
Prior to joining VA, Muralidhara earned a master’s degree in economics. However, instead of immediately entering the workforce, she prioritized raising her daughter and worked part-time as a tutor in an accelerated math program.
After her daughter left for college, she sought a new direction that would also add structure to her day.
“My husband also works from home, so I needed something to get me out of the house,” she joked.
Seeking work experience, Muralidhara joined Amazon as a tier-one associate, recognizing that an entry-level position could provide growth opportunities within a large organization. After 2 years in this role, she transitioned into human resources as a staffing ambassador, a 3-month temporary role that became permanent due to her strong performance.
She later advanced to a regional HR coordinator position, where another temporary position was made permanent. However, after 6 years with Amazon, her division was relocated, and Muralidhara accepted an on-site position over layoff while exploring other career options.
During her job search, Muralidhara applied to several roles, but found our HR-STAR program particularly compelling. She submitted her application with confidence, eager to transition into a role focused on meaningful HR work and ready to move beyond the high-intensity demands of Amazon’s holiday staffing season.
Following a successful interview, she was accepted into the program.
Exciting benefits, engaged coworkers
Reflecting on her time with VA, Muralidhara shares that her training has broadened her knowledge and skill set, particularly in labor laws and labor relations.
“It’s almost like going to law school,” she commented. “It’s intense, and you really have to know your stuff, but I’m enjoying it.”
Though the work is challenging, she finds VA’s environment far less stressful than the corporate sector. Muralidhara describes her previous job as highly metric-driven, with rigorous evaluations. In contrast, she values the life/work balance at VA.
“The work/life balance here has been something I found that I don’t think I would find anywhere else,” she shared.
Muralidhara said she’s also found the work environment to be helpful, open, and collaborative. Her supervisors and coworkers are always working together to share information and new perspectives.
“People have been great here,” she said. “Everyone is so cool.”
Advice for applicants
Given that she’s relatively fresh from her application experience, Muralidhara also shared some application advice for anyone who may be looking to come work at VA. First, she noted, you should build your resume according to the job requirements.
“When you look at the job announcement, ask yourself, ‘Have I done this?’” she explained. “That’s what I did. I looked at the job requirements and built my resume around them.”
She also advises against embellishing experience, as interviews often reveal genuine expertise. Having been very practiced with the Problem, Action, Result (PAR) method of interviewing from her time at Amazon, she felt very comfortable in her VA interview.
“Think of it like telling a story,” she said. “Have a story ready for any questions they might ask, and you’ll do very well.”
Work at VA
Veena Muralidhara’s journey to VA exemplifies how diverse experiences, adaptability, and continuous learning can lead to a fulfilling career. It’s a path you can follow, too.
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- DISCOVER the benefits of working at VA.
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