1) Don’t Get Lost in Translation – The No. 1 challenge for veterans, and the employers who want to hire them, is how to align military experience with the civilian workplace. It’s important to draw parallels between the employer’s job ad and the skills you acquired on active duty, but that can be easier said than done. Fortunately, sites like www.gijoejobs.com house tools that can help veterans translate their skills and look for relevant job openings.
2) Emphasize the Intangibles – Employers like hiring veterans not only because of the functional skills they bring to the table, but also for the intangible qualities. Throughout your communications with an employer – from resume to interview to thank you letter – underscore some of the following attributes companies say they look for in veterans:
- Ability to work as a team
- Disciplined approach to work
- Respect and integrity
- Ability to perform under pressure
- Leadership skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt quickly
- Attitude of perseverance
- Communication skills
- Strong technical skills
3) Tap Into Your Military Network – One of the advantages of serving in the military is the large network of contacts you develop. Make sure to leverage those contacts to help you find new job opportunities and serve as referrals. Chances are someone knows someone who’s hiring.
4) Consider Going Back to the Classroom – Many Veterans leaving service reported that they took advantage of the college tuition credit after returning from activity duty. Continuing your education will only help to increase your marketability to employers and open up doors to career paths you may have never considered before.
5) Advertise Your Service – Another challenge companies face in recruiting U.S. veterans is that veterans don’t always highlight their military service in applications. This is a great selling point for your resume – and something that will help you stand out from other candidates – so make sure to include your military experience with a bulleted list of accomplishments, quantifying results whenever possible.