5 ways to recruit and hire veterans
Former military personnel make excellent team members, bringing strong interpersonal and collaborative skills along with easily transferable technical skills. These employees are often dedicated, loyal, and team oriented. Another compelling reason to hire veterans is that securing employment is one of the biggest challenges they face when they transition from military service to civilian life. Welcoming veterans to your team can help alleviate this burden while infusing your company with top-notch talent.
Benefits of hiring veterans
Hiring veterans can significantly strengthen your workforce by bringing in individuals with extensive training and practical experience. Military service instills core values such as loyalty, discipline, and a strong work ethic — qualities that are invaluable in any workplace. Veterans have completed intensive basic training, enabling them to work effectively in teams and adapt under pressure. Their commitment to mission completion ensures they take responsibility for their performance, making them reliable and accountable employees.
Moreover, veterans often emerge from their service with a diverse skill set and increased maturity. They have access to educational resources that complement their hands-on training, making them technically proficient in various fields. This education, paired with their leadership development, equips veterans to excel in supervisory and management roles. Their experience fosters resilience and strong interpersonal skills, enabling them to cultivate a positive team environment. By hiring veterans, you gain dedicated employees and invest in a workforce enriched with diverse capabilities that can propel your organization forward.
Ways to attract and hire veterans
Consider these tips and methods that can help your organization attract and hire veterans more easily:
Prioritize skills-based hiring
A study from The Veterans Metric Initiative revealed that 61% of veterans are underemployed or unemployed. By tapping into military veterans, you can immediately expand your talent pool and increase your chances of finding the right candidate. Emphasizing the skills developed in the military and adopting a skills-based approach to hiring promotes diversity by opening up career opportunities for millions who have served their country. Military members transitioning from service are highly trained in both soft and technical skills, making them valuable assets across industries and at every level of corporate life.
From soft skills such as loyalty, teamwork, and discipline to more technical skills in logistics and processes, veterans enter the civilian workforce with a variety of strong, transferable skills. By prioritizing the skills section of a candidate's resume or profile, you can hire individuals whose training aligns with specific tasks and responsibilities, rather than having to teach fundamental problem-solving or strategic thinking.
"Incorporating veterans into your workforce is not only a strategic move to enhance team dynamics but also a meaningful way to support those who have served our country."
Promote a culture of teamwork
Service members belong to a tight-knit community that has spent years collaborating on important missions. If you value that perspective within your teams, demonstrate it. Highlight your company culture and commitment to teamwork through social media, host hiring events for veterans to learn more about your organization, and use your company blog to feature impressive projects that resulted from cross-functional effort.
Offer growth opportunities
Skills are a strong indicator of a candidate's career stage and abilities, and every company should offer employees access to training and professional development, regardless of their background. This benefit can be particularly appealing to veterans. While some may hold college degrees, others may not, and their interest in formal education can vary. However, this doesn't diminish their qualifications or their enthusiasm for certifications, courses, and other opportunities. Use your career site to list what you offer and explain how your company invests in its employees.
Use digital tools to reach veterans
Utilize talent acquisition platforms to connect with former service members. Virtual hiring fairs are an excellent way to attract new applicants and begin building a candidate pipeline. Military members who are transitioning to civilian life may be seeking roles across the country, and virtual fairs facilitate connections even from hundreds of miles away. Search by skills to find qualified candidates, and use your talent network to reach out. Also, enable easy-apply options to remove barriers for interested individuals looking to join your team.
Partner with veteran organizations
As companies seek to expand their talent pools, partnering with veteran organizations can provide access to a rich pipeline of skilled candidates. With around 200,000 service members transitioning out of the military each year, you have a unique opportunity to recruit individuals who bring adaptability, teamwork, and diverse perspectives to the workplace. Collaborating with veteran-focused organizations can help you connect with these candidates effectively, ensuring successful integration into your teams.
Organizations such as VetsinTech and Breakline provide tailored resources and networking opportunities to enhance your hiring process. Groups such as Hire Heroes USA and HirePurpose offer job search assistance, talent sourcing, virtual career fairs, and workforce training. By leveraging these partnerships, your company can find qualified veteran candidates while building a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
Incorporating veterans into your workforce is not only a strategic move to enhance team dynamics but also a meaningful way to support those who have served our country. With their unique blend of skills, dedication, and experience, veterans can significantly contribute to your organization's success while promoting a culture of teamwork and resilience. By actively seeking out veteran talent and leveraging partnerships with veteran organizations, you can tap into this valuable resource, ensuring a diverse and capable workforce that drives innovation and performance.
More tips for onboarding and retaining veterans
Understanding how veterans integrate their military and civilian experiences can help employers maximize their team's potential, ultimately enhancing job satisfaction.
Veterans often gravitate toward certain industries; recognizing their preferences can help you tailor your strategies for attracting and retaining this valuable talent.