Job transitions for returning veterans

In anticipation of Veterans Day tomorrow, CareerBuilder.com is releasing a survey today that talks about the transition that our active duty military forces make when they look for work in the private sector.

Some veterans have experience challenges or lengthy time delays when they’ve left active duty and started pounding the pavement in the civilian world.

• 17 percent of veterans surveyed said it took 6 months or more for them to find a job.
• One in five veterans said that the biggest challenge was making potential employers understand how their military skills would be applicable in the workforce.
• Other potential roadblocks veterans faced were a lack of jobs in the area, a lack of experience with interviewing and searching for work, and the lack of a college degree.

Employers are eager to hire veterans, especially in the fields of sales, engineering, management and information technology. Companies indicated that they wanted to hire veterans because they brought important skills to the table:

• The ability to be part of a team (74 percent)
• Disciplined approach to work (73 percent)
• Leadership skills (66 percent)
• Respect and integrity (64 percent)
• Ability to perform under pressure (62 percent)

Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com, has these suggestions for veterans looking to maximize their job search efforts:

Make your skills transferrable: When crafting your resume, focus on framing your military skills in a civilian light to clearly communicate your strengths to employers.

There are several online translators available to veterans that can help you match your military experience and training with corresponding civilian jobs.

Quantify your experience: Be specific when describing your experience on your resume and in your cover letter to better relate to hiring managers.

For example, instead of stating that you worked in “defense,” present a detailed explanation such as, “managed strategic planning and day-to-day operation of defense unit of 1,500 military personnel.”

Don’t limit your options: While you may have carried a weapon or navigated a submarine, these actions don’t have to define your civilian career choices.

Some people may expect you to pursue a career in industries like law enforcement or military contracting, but keep your mind open to a position outside of what may be expected from your military experiences. Focus on the value of your skills rather than your military job title.