This Veteran’s Day we want to thank all those who have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. We know that the greatest thanks is to be able to find a great job after your years of service. It’s shouldn’t be as difficult as it is. If you’re a military veteran and a job seeker, here are some tips that can help:
- Don’t discount the services offered to you. Take advantage of every career resource you’re given as you exit military service. If you live in Texas, become familiar with the many veteran resources available through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), including priority access to job listings through WorkInTexas.com, training services through TWC’s Skills for Transition Program, a list of private employers with policies that promote hiring veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission, and more.
- But don’t rely on them only. While most employers gladly consider veterans for their positions, many don’t participate in programs or job fairs geared specifically for you. So, in addition to the veteran job services offered to you, you should also take your job search into your own hands. Getting on the radar of employment agencies like The HT Group is a great start. We can help you match your skills to civilian jobs and explore opportunities like temporary or contract work to help you transition into a civilian career.
- Look for clues that you’re a match. Most job descriptions aren’t designed to attract military veterans, so obvious connections between your skills and the skills they’re looking for may not exist. Instead, look for clues like the employer seeking someone with problem-solving skills, leadership experience, change-management skills, communication skills, diversity management, or specific technical or language skills. If you haven’t already, search for transferable skill matches and career choice ideas through O*NET’s Military Crosswalk Search.
- Get out there and spread your story. Self-promotion is tough for most people. It can be an excruciating exercise for military veterans. But simply letting friends and family know you’re on the hunt for a civilian career is a great first step. Create a LinkedIn profile and use it as your place to list transferable skills and accomplishments (this article offers some great tips for veterans). Ask professionals who know you well and can speak to your character to submit recommendations to your LinkedIn profile (here’s why and how). You’ll be surprised how many will enthusiastically follow through, offering testimonies about your leadership, tenacity, integrity, and other critical soft skills. You may even want to share information to potential employers about the benefits of hiring veterans, like tax incentives. Many employers want to hire veterans but have no idea the actual business value of doing so.
It’s a difficult time to be a job seeker, much less a military veteran job seeker. But don’t be discouraged. Seek out resources and ask for help. Your next career is out there—it might be just around the corner, in fact. But as you needed to rely on others during your service, your civilian job search may require a little push from others to reach your new career destination.
FIND YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY WITH HT GROUP
Ready to move your career forward? Connect with The HT Group today!
And be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date news and tips and let us know what’s on your mind.
