To serve in the military is a great honor. Vets are one of the most respected groups in the U.S. It is also a big job. But, while people think well of them, this doesn’t always help when they go back to normal life. Vets often have more trouble finding work than those who didn’t serve.
The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. Many groups in the public and private world want to hire vets or help them find work. Here are some tips on how to find good jobs for veterans.
Build a Great Resume
If you’re a vet, you most likely have some rare and valuable work skills. You have years of experience using those skills in the military. When looking for work, it’s important to show them off. This is why you need a great resume.
Did you know there are companies that specialize in helping vets build resume? These same companies can also help you improve your LinkedIn page. Plus, there are tons of free online resources.
Top Transferable Job Skills for Vets
When you build your resume, you want to highlight your transferable skills. Even a job that seems unrelated to your military service may require some of the same important skills.
1. Leadership
The military is known to make great leaders. Vets spend a lot of time working under stress, which makes leadership particularly important. Many bosses admire the way the military trains leaders. If you highlight your time spent as a leader, it can give you a big leg up on others who want the same job.
2. Communication
Communication is key in most jobs. Did you send a lot of emails or build a lot of slide decks during your time in the military? Did you give your squad a pep talk before an important mission? Don’t take those skills for granted!
3. Teamwork
Bosses want people who are good at teamwork. In the military, you had to be able to work well with others—even during hard times. A lot of people haven’t had to do that. Your resume should highlight these important team skills
Use Your Benefits
Make the most of all the benefits you have from serving. Medical benefits may come to mind, but there are also other programs that can help you. The GI Bill is a great way to help vets get good jobs. The GI Bill does more than pay for school. Vets can also use their GI Bill to pay for certifications needed for technical jobs. It can even help pay for apprenticeship programs.
Serve in a Different Way
After your time in the military, there are many ways you can keep serving the public in a new job. There are programs that help vets become teachers. Also, many state and local groups give vets a leg up for key jobs like cops and firemen. If you want to keep serving the public in a new job, being a vet is a big help.
Check Military Job Boards
In recent years, there have been moves to make job boards for bosses who want to hire vets. This is a way for some of these bosses to thank you for your service and get a good worker. While there are many military and vet job boards, here are some of the biggest ones:
Don’t Go It Alone
If you are having trouble to find a job as a vet, you do not have to do it on your own. Many groups can help you in your job search. Groups like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) are good resources. The Department of Veterans Affairs has many school and job aid programs that can help vets transition to civilian life. So, reach out to some of these groups and see if you can get the help you need to find a great new job.
Final Thoughts
Finding a job as a veteran might feel hard at first, but there are many resources and tools to make it easier. You have valuable skills from your military service that employers want, and there are groups ready to help you.
Build a strong resume, use your benefits, and check out job boards made just for vets. If you need extra support, reach out to organizations that specialize in helping veterans like you. Remember, you don’t have to figure this out alone. With the right help and effort, you can find a job that fits your skills and makes you proud.
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