Job hunting can prove to be time-consuming and daunting following the return to civilian life after deployment. However, veterans have multiple resources available to them that were designed to guide them throughout the process.
Retired servicemembers should keep in mind that they have a number of the qualities that employers are looking for, including self-motivation and experience working under pressure in a team environment. The key is advertising these abilities through an effective resume and good communication skills. Here are five tips for veterans on the hunt for a job during life after service.
1. Be aware of available benefits
It is common for veterans to have to earn some extra money before they can begin looking for a job. To find out what their unemployment benefits are, veterans should refer to the American Job Center and ask for assistance from an employment representative.
Depending on the state that they are living in, their unemployment insurance program will offer different benefits. However, all states follow the same basic guidelines under federal law. Retired military members should familiarize themselves with these.
2. Put in the time for a good resume
The resume is the first thing that employers are going to see when veterans apply to jobs. A retired servicemember may be a great interviewer, but if the resume does not reflect all of his or her abilities and experience, he or she will never be invited for an interview.
"The key thing is making sure you tailor your resume to match 100 percent of [a particular job's] qualifications. If you don't have that, you're not moving forward," suggested David Wallace of Lockheed Martin, an American global aerospace, defense, security and advanced technology company. Wallace spoke at The American Legion's Employment & Empowerment Summit, noting that more than 27 percent of his company's employees are veterans.
Veterans should attend resume workshops that teach retired servicemembers how to translate their military experience to attract civilian employers. Local American Job Centers, online sites for military veterans and community colleges often have resources for people who are job hunting. Veterans should take advantage of these to ensure that they are not selling themselves short.
3. Network
As most people have a challenging time getting a job, knowing the right people has turned into one of the most essential aspects of the job hunting process. There is a significant number of veterans who have been hired by major companies. For example, officials from The American Legion noted that 52,000 workers at Time Warner Cable are retired military members.
Veterans should talk to fellow servicemembers who live nearby or who have been hired into a job that appeals to them. They should mention that they are actively looking for employment, as one never knows who has the ability to lend a helping hand.
4. Take advantage of resources
There are resources available specifically for veterans looking for a job after military service. For example, VETSUCCESS is an online tool that connects employers and veterans, while My Next Move helps retired servicemembers find employment that interests them based on their past jobs. These and many additional resources can be found on the American Job Center's website.
5. Practice for interviews
Most military members are experienced at maintaining a professional demeanor when necessary. However, terms like "sir" and "ma'am" are not used in the civilian workforce and may even come across as off-putting to employers.
To become comfortable using civilian terminology and communicating their skills to interviewers, it is crucial that veterans take the time to do practice interviews with civilian family members or friends. This will help them speak more naturally and confidently when the time comes.