Ultimate Veterans Guide to Getting Hired

​

"If you want someone who will get the job done and done right, hire a veteran." These words belong to Barack Obama. It is hard to say something more significant. The military personnel who came back from active duty represents one of the most respectful, skilled, and responsible individuals. This guide is aimed at the veterans whose purpose is to find a job with all the peculiarities and start a professional career. Of course, there are certain challenges. The workplace is always competitive. Yet, being a veteran, one has certain benefits starting from vocational rehabilitation to specific scholarships that can become a financial help to receive much better employment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates for both male and female veterans have increased in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the 581,000 unemployed veterans in 2020, 54% of them were aged between 25 and 54, 41% were aged 55 and over, and 5% were aged between 18 and 24. It must be noted that the unemployment rate among veterans with a service-connected disability still remained at 6.2% in August 2020, which does not mark an increase. However, the rate for veterans with no disability has increased to 7.2%.

It must be noted that we have 18.5 million men and women vets in 2020, which stands for about 7% of the civilian non-institutional population aged 18 and over where 1 in 10 veterans being female.

Challenges and Opportunities for Vets in The Job Search

An important aspect related to getting employed is veterans’ facing both mental and physical barriers that often make it impossible to maintain a precise schedule and healthy mental state. Some of the challenges of veterans looking for work include:

• Social adaptation from the line of duty and civil life. It may include a special schedule and trial employment.
• Numerous physical states. It can be a physical disability that will require special conditions.
• Sexual trauma is common for both women and men. It represents both mental and physical aspects.
• Harassment and assaults while serving in the military. It can lead to PTSD and flashbacks that can make it impossible to work for days or even weeks.
• Substance abuse. The recovery process may require additional assistance.
• Depression and suicidal thoughts. Almost every veteran will deal with depression and traumatic thoughts, which makes it necessary to receive therapy even during employment.
• Lack of concentration and short distraction of cognitive functions. It must be noted that these conditions are usually temporary, which is basically a traumatic state, which has to be considered by the HR manager.

While any employment makes it even more challenging for the veterans, it is vital to ensure that your HR manager or company’s CEO understands the situation. Quite often, these problems are only upon the surface as these difficulties and woes are often left beyond the competitive job market. Nevertheless, the vets can provide unique skills that must be supported.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Returning to Work

PTSD stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a serious mental health condition that does not have a precise pattern. As a rule, PTSD is caused by severe trauma or a life-threatening experience. It is mostly met among the veterans from combat or events that also took place domestically. Even though it does not show itself right away after the event, it may display itself much later, which makes it challenging to go back to work.

It must be said that not every person will be affected the same way. Even if two or three people may undergo the same combat event, it will not mean that all three veterans will have the same symptoms or perception of the scene. Now the third person may have a hard time because of some childhood experience or an inner mental composition. In most cases, one will have to approach a professional to heal and recover the condition.

The common PTSD symptoms will include recurring memories, anger, nightmares, night sweats, lack of sleep, loss of interest, depression, feeling numb, and being in increased irritability. Of course, these symptoms will affect the person's ability to work or communicate with colleagues. Thankfully, you can check various resources to identify PTSD and get timely help.

Here are some resources to consider:

• Make the Connection. A great PTSD issues resource that has been put together by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can connect with the veterans and families to share information and receive help.
• My Health eVet. It is a great online personal health record that can help you manage your healthcare. It keeps all your information in one place.
• National Center for PTSD. It a resource sponsored by the VA for veterans, family, friends, and everyone who is interested in this subject. It explains the mechanism of PTSD and explains the possible treatments.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The mental health professionals can be accessed 24/7/365. You can either chat online or talk via the phone.
• Self-Assessments. It has four self-assessment tests that can help you see if you need assistance in terms of depression, PTSD, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse.
• VA Medical Center Locator. An important interactive website where any veteran can enter his or her zip code to find the nearest center to receive help.
• Veterans Crisis Line Website. You can receive additional information from a qualified specialist on a confidential hotline.

Remember that asking for help for the "shell shock" state is only natural. There is help and you can finally recover and stop suffering!

Benefits of Hiring a Veteran as an Employee

Without a doubt, turning to civilian life is not easy for the majority of vets. The schedule is different and there are certain communicational aspects as the work results are handed differently. Nevertheless, let us remember that U.S. Armed Forces are not only bringing out the warriors. Being in combat requires respect, responsibility, great skills, analysis, strategic thinking, and amazing cognitive functions. An experienced veteran can do almost any job. Some people even pay someone to do my math homework, and they choose our veterans for it, as there is no one more reliable. Still, creating a civilian resume is one of the greatest challenges to find a job in the usual employment market. However, here are some benefits to consider:

• Experience.
• Leadership.
• Teamwork.
• Diversity.
• Great performance under pressure.
• Responsibility.
• Great physical form and staying fit.
• Policy standards.
• Integrity.
• Another perspective of the world.

As the companies are looking for these soft skills that are truly present, it is much better to have a genuine human asset. The military procedures create people that have been thoroughly tested.

Job Search Resources for Veterans

Remember that you should take time regarding the job search information. We have included the list of different links that will lead you to even more resources that you can find for your husband or wife as well. Even if you are in the Selected Reserve, you can research various websites to see how you can start a successful career.

1. America's Veteran. You can take a look at the list of Veteran Employment offices. It has a great resource that will help you to see whether any vacancies are currently open.
2. American Job Center. It has a listing of various directories and criteria that will help you find a job position.
3. G.I Jobs. It has another interesting resource where you can choose a company, country, or state. It has good positions suitable for U.S. vets.
4. Hire Veterans. It is a specific website where both employer and veterans can post their resumes and communicate before any deal is being made.
5. Military Hire. Take your time to research this resource where veterans can post their resumes and find some jobs based on what one can already do.
6. Military.com Job Fairs. It has the yellow pages job search where a veteran can look for various job fairs where one can visit various representatives of the companies.
7. MyNextMove. It is a unique website where you can search your career choices by keywords and determine what you can do after discharge.
8. National Veterans Foundation. It also has a listing of military-based jobs and specific physical disabilities jobs.
9. O'Net Online. It is a listing of the Department of Labor where you can filter the military branch (MOS code).
10. SilentProfessionals.org It is a resource for vets looking for security sector careers, both as a military contractor or as civilian private.
11. Veteran Career Fairs. Another interesting website has information about the online and physical job fair events for the vets.
12. USA Jobs. One of the largest databases where you can find interesting employment positions both from the federal government or listing with the grants.
13. Veteran Job Search Tool. It is a specific search instrument that can help you see the listing and save time by entering your location.
14. Veterans Employment Center. You can enter your military job title or specific keyword to see the listing.
15. VetJobs. If you belong to the active military, National Guard, and Reserve, you can seek civilian employment. The spouses can also receive employment.

These websites above can help you save time and look for the company or a job position that you have in mind!

Resume Writing Resources for Veterans

One of the worst challenges for veterans is writing a resume. Luckily, our guide will help you by listing these useful resources:

1. Veterans and Spouses. It has numerous information leaflets, including civilian resume writing tips.
2. Writing a Civilian Resume for the First Time. A Military OneSource resource.
3. Resume Writing Tips for Veterans. AARP's guide to demilitarize the language and the skills.
4. Resume Basics for Veteran Job Seekers. A resource by RecruitMIlitary that helps you to get noticed.
5. Best Practices in Resume Writing for Veterans. It is a great resource that helps to add some civil parts to your resume.
6. Build a Profile and Resume. It is a helpful tool that can assist you as you fill in your LinkedIn profile. It is a self-guiding process.
7. Learn How to Become. It has tips and expert advice regarding how to write a resume for the modern job market based on your objectives. It has interesting discussions, resume templates, digital vs paper resumes, and recommendations on social media profiles.
8. Resume Writing Tips for Veterans. It is written by the resume expert that worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It has great tips that will make you feel confident.
9. Skills Translator. It is a unique resource that helps you to bring up a list of civilian jobs that you can enter into your resume as you discuss your branch of service, pay grade, and, finally, your military job title.
10. Top 10 Veteran Resume Mistakes. This interesting Military.com website resource is teaching you about the most common mistakes that usually happen in veteran resumes.
11. Translating Military Experience to Civilian Employment Resource. It is funded by the Department of Defense's Real Warrior campaign. It is a great psychological help.
12. Career Resume Guide. It is a great resource that can help you have a discussion to create a resume.
13. Military to Civilian Resume Writing Service. It is a company that helps veterans since 1986 in resume writing services.​
14. Veteran Resume eBook. A great guide with templates that will help you learn by examples.
15. Veteran’s Resume and Cover Letter. An example of the veterans’ resume template.

The most important is to feel confident and know your skills well. If you feel good about your resume, it is the crucial part that leads to success!

Other Important Resources for Veterans

Finally, take a look at these general career resources:

1. Employment Resource Directory. One of the best databases that helps our veterans find a job and the companies looking for vets.
2. Information for Veterans and Transitioning Service Members. It has information regarding how to get hired by the federal government.
3. How to Pass Your Job Interview. It has all the necessary for the applicants.
4. The Reality of Military to Civilian Transition. An interesting read that will make you feel better.
5. Top 10 Career Tips for Veterans. It explains how to create a transition plan with no hassle.
6. Veterans Employment Toolkit. A list of resources offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
7. American Heroes at Work. A resource for those who want to hire a veteran (if you are a company’s owner or HR manager).
8. Hire Heroes USA. A job board that will help you look for a military specialist.
9. The Veterans Economic Communities Initiative. The list of governmental programs and NGOs for the veterans.
10. Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO). You can look for the unfilled jobs listed in the federal government.
11. Operation Pave (Paving Access for Veterans Employment). A resource for paralyzed vets.
12. Feds Hire Vets.
13. MedTechVets. A company that hires veterans.
14. Healthcare Veterans Solutions.
15. Google Careers Veterans.

We are sincerely hoping that our veterans' guide to getting hired will help you feel more confident and find information! Take your time, contact local resources, and seek as much help as you can. Stay bold and thank you for your service!