36 U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
for the
RECRUITER
I
t would be an understatement to say that the process of separating from the military is daunting, a fact that every veteran who has gone through it can probably attest to. After spending years of my life as an active-duty member in the U.S. Coast Guard, within a regimented system with a strict set of guidelines, the concept of working as a civilian was difficult to wrap my head around. I believe every veteran is responsible for finding their own way through the separation process, because the Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program (SFL- TAP) course isn't sufficient without individual effort. But many veterans struggle when it comes time to find a job, and it would be valuable for employers to understand more about where we are coming from as well as how to appeal to - and accommodate for - veterans during the hiring process. In many ways, the recruitment and hiring process for veterans is no different than it would be for anyone else. But there are some differences and sensitivities that employers should keep in mind. Here are my top three tips for employers looking to hire veterans and how to integrate this valuable talent pool into their workforce:
3 TIPS for Companies to Successfully Attract & Hire Veterans
By Nicole Paquette
1
BE MILITARY FRIENDLY AND PROMOTE ACCORDINGLY
For employers interested in hiring veterans, the first step is to build your brand towards being an organization that is military and veteran- friendly, such as by including a line in each job posting highlighting that fact. It may also be useful to include the names of the branches to attract veteran applicants in the listings themselve,s as well as any social media accounts. A great tool to include would be common hashtags that service members and veterans follow and use themselves. To really align this intention with action, research the most common certifications soldiers acquire and the duties they perform during their career or, even better, consult with a service member or veteran to overcome a massive hurdle in veteran job searches: translating a veteran's resume. Communicating the value of their skills and qualifications in a way that matches up with a job posting is more difficult for veterans - especially since the vast majority of hiring managers are civilians. The military relies heavily on acronyms, so the resumes of most veterans are full of them and to the average civilian, many of these acronyms are foreign; this is one of the biggest barriers to veteran hiring. Having someone in the know'' can help clarify how these certifications and duties translate into a particular position or industry is invaluable. Making this extra effort will not only ensure highly qualified candidates are not being filtered out based on a misunderstanding, it will also show a company's commitment to being military-friendly is more than just marketing.
2
HIGHLIGHT BENEFITS THAT APPEAL TO VETERANS
When veterans separate from the military, they take with them a slew of lifetime benefits: health insurance, education assistance, disability compensation, eligibility for a VA mortgage loan and many, many more. That being said, veterans will be looking for more than just a good health plan and vacation time to make a benefits package appealing. A few of the benefits I've found particularly valuable following my transition are health insurance for family members/ dependents, dental and vision insurance, and a 401K plan to save for retirement. Despite free and excellent healthcare for veterans, our benefits don't include health insurance for family members/dependents, dental or vision care. Another benefit veterans may look for from a future employer is the opportunity to use allocated time off to volunteer. After serving in the military and spending the majority of their career helping others, veterans are more likely to work at companies that allow them to continue to give back to the community. Advertising these benefits, as well as any coordination with nonprofits, charities or other donation-matching programs, is likely to pique the interest of veterans and encourage them to apply.
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