Like any affinity group, veterans can fall into the trap of thinking that job searching is harder for them than anyone else. These days, nearly all elements of American society seem to be competing in a pity race to declare how many more challenges each of them face in the talent marketplace. Nonprofit advocacy groups and government programs unwittingly support this notion by focusing attention on the “veteran unemployment problem.” It is no wonder that some veterans begin the post-transition career process with trepidation and negativity.
[See: The 25 Best Social Services Jobs of 2017.]
In truth, however, veterans as a group are a highly prized component of our nation’s talent pool. The veteran job seeker starts the process with certain brand attributes that will give him or her an advantage in communicating value to a potential employer. Each veteran should consider these brand benefits and be ready to communicate facts and personal stories that support these presupposed notions on behalf of hiring managers and recruiters. Those who learn to communicate their value as employees in concordance with these attributes will find great success in their career search. Employers are already inclined to think this way about veterans, you just need to connect the dots for them.
Teamwork. Everyone knows that military operations necessitate teamwork on every level. Whether a veteran served in the combat arms, naval operations or in a supply depot, team above self is taught and reinforced every day. Sadly, this is not so in the civilian world, and yet demand for people who can work effectively with others is skyrocketing.
Leadership. From the first day of recruit or officer training, military personnel learn that leadership is about mission accomplishment and care for one’s people. These same principles apply in the civilian world and employers are grateful to land the talents of veterans who can practice small and large team leadership.
[See: The 8 Stages of a Winning Job Search.]
Personal Responsibility and Discipline. One of the primary challenges for employers, believe it or not, is employee reliability. Getting personnel to show up ready for work and on time without influence of drugs or alcohol is shockingly rarer than one might think. Military veterans take for granted that to be on time means to be early and that personal responsibility and discipline are everyday requirements.
Toughness. Our media are replete with stories of “millennial snowflakes” who were raised on participation trophies by self-esteem obsessed helicopter parents. Few who have military experience conform to that generation stereotype. The veteran job seeker need only gently remind an employer that after living on a submarine, sleeping on the ground or surviving boot camp, whatever challenges presented by the civilian workplace will pale by comparison.
[See: Famous CEOs and Executives Share Their Best Career Advice.]
Trainability. Considering the military can so routinely take an 18-year-old recruit and transform him into a jet mechanic, technician or foreign linguist, many veterans do not understand just how extraordinary such accomplishments are. Military-experienced personnel are used to being thrown into unfamiliar situations and adapting to the organization’s needs. In the fast-paced economy of today, this ability to “train up” quickly and effectively is highly valued.
Mission Orientation. Most veterans were attracted to military service because they believed in something larger than themselves. This spirit of service is sorely needed in civilian organizations where poor morale can sap organizational effectiveness. Veterans will do what it takes to ethically and efficiently accomplish the task at hand. All civilian organizations need employees like that.
Civilian employers need quality employees and high-quality veterans generally make great employees. It is one of the reasons why veteran unemployment is lower than national unemployment. It is up to the individual job seeker, though, to remind employers of the strengths they offer. Learn your story and tell it in a way that resonates with these veteran brand attributes and you can expect success with your search.
More from U.S. News
The 6 Best Jobs for Work-Life Balance
25 Best Business Jobs for 2017
The Power of the Veteran Brand When Job Searching originally appeared on usnews.com
