Private Sector Jobs

Veteran Employment in the Private Sector

The training you receive in the military may be of more value than you are aware.  The military instills some of the most important values, practices and skills necessary to go far in the outside job market.  The following is a list of the top ten reasons employers prefer to hire a veteran over other individuals:

Leadership – Military members are trained to lead by example, inspire and motivate those under your command and elicit desires results.  They are adept to handle all types of personalities and manage differences in behavior.

Respect for procedures – Veterans are aware of the benefits of following procedure and policy and how they create a well oiled machine.  They have a high regard for personal accountability for not only themselves but those they are in charge of leading. 

1. Accelerated learning curve – Veterans are capable of learning new skills with quickness and efficiency.  They come into the workforce possessing a vast number of skills that have been used in real world situations that would be an asset to any organization. 
2. Efficient performance under pressure – Veterans have been trained to work within given time constraints under less than optimal conditions and still produce successful results.  They show diligence in completing tasks and deliver the best possible outcome.
3. Teamwork – Even though veterans can work responsibly on an independent level, they have vast experience working as a team.  They understand the importance of group contribution and using individual assets to accomplish a common goal.  The great sense of responsibility shown to colleagues increases productivity when working in group situations.  
4. Integrity – Veterans are known for their honor and strong moral principles.  This translates into trustworthy, honest and sincere employees. 
5. Triumph over adversity – Veterans possess a high level of determination and endurance even in stressful and difficult situations.  They can overcome obstacles through flexibility and focusing on the end result as opposed to being caught up in setbacks and pitfalls that may arise.
6. Diversity and inclusion in action – Veterans have been put in situations where they must rely on their fellow members for safety and success regardless of race, ethnic background, religious affiliation, geographic origin or mental and physical capabilities.  They are aware of everyone’s ability to contribute no matter what their differences and use individuals strengths to the advancement of the whole. 
7. Technology and globalization – Due to the jobs they work in, veterans are kept up to date on technical and global trends in business and industry.  They also have a global outlook that many other individuals do not possess.  These qualities can be a great asset to any organization.
8. Conscious of health and safety standards – Veterans have a high standard of personal health and fitness.  They are trained to be aware of health and safety protocols which translates into protection of those member of your workforce and a safe working environment. 

The Servicemember Education Reform and Vocational Enhancement (SERVE) Act of 2013

It’s a documented fact that as a group, veterans tend to have a lower unemployment rate than nonveterans. However, this is not the case when it comes to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. As published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the October 2013 (most recent available) rate of unemployment for this population was a whopping 10%, compared to the national rate of only 7.3%. That 10% is equal to 246,000 individuals seeking employment! Considering the sacrifice these men and women made for this country, this is unacceptable.

Why are so many young vets unable to find work? Many factors have been identified, including service-related disabilities, difficulty applying military training and skills to civilian job requirements, lack of civilian work experience and the educational level of most Iraq/Afghanistan war vets.

Many of these young men and women enlisted right out of (or shortly after) high school and according to the BLS, in the general population, the unemployment rate is higher for those who only have a high school diploma.  On the other hand, some of these vets have college credits but for various reasons, have been unable to complete a degree program.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is supposed to help veterans and active duty members gain access to higher education and training, but it has not had the intended impact.

To address the continued high unemployment and low college graduation rates particularly among this group of veterans, Senators Tim Kaine and Saxby Chambliss introduced the SERVE bill. The overall goal of SERVE is to improve the quality of education programs for active duty and veteran servicemembers, as well as assist them with the transition to civilian employment.

SERVE hopes to accomplish this goal in several ways:

1. Ensure that servicemembers receive a quality education by raising the minimum standards for educational institutions and programs that accept VA or DOD educational benefits to be consistent with other federal tuition assistance programs.
2. Require these institutions to fully disclose graduation rates, withdrawal policies, program costs, etc. Reliable data about veteran graduation rates has been difficult to find as no one tracked the retention and graduation rate of veterans attending school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. (NOTE: The VA, DOD and Department of Education are now under executive order by the Obama Administration to collect this data).
3. Require the provision of or access to academic and/or career counseling designed to improve retention and graduation success as well as preparation for civilian careers. Some institutions, such as the University of Arizona, have courses specifically designed to help veterans make the transition from military life to college life as well as how to apply their military skills to the civilian world.
4. Create pilot programs for states to develop “best practices” to ensure that employment training programs are included in the offerings under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.

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In addition, many of the staff at Warrior Lodge have had great success in the past working with a company called Orion International. We're not getting any compensation from them to say this...  This is a genuine endorsement.  If you're a veteran looking for a job, we've included some information from Orion below as well as their contact information.  Good Hunting!

Orion is the nation’s largest military career placement firm. They find civilian careers for Junior Military Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Enlisted Technicians leaving the service, as well as veterans who have already transitioned but are seeking a career change. Orion will help you make the transition into the civilian workforce by matching your skills and career goals with opportunities within America’s finest companies.

Orion will work with you to build your resume, provide you with transition advice and assistance, prepare you for interviews, and arrange interviews for positions that are a match with your background, qualifications, and desires.

All of Orion’s job seeker services are completely FREE of charge, as they are paid by the companies who hire them to recruit and prepare qualified candidates. As a military professional, you have many traits that are sought out in the civilian workforce and experience unmatched by your civilian peers. Orion works with the most dominant list of corporate clients in the industry, and they are the leaders in providing our candidates superior corporate exposure and the most thorough resume and preparation assistance.

Once you have registered with Orion, a Recruiter will contact you to provide guidance, answers to your questions, and consult with you on the best interviewing plan based on your individual needs. Once you’ve accepted a position, they will work with you throughout your transition and beyond to ensure your success in Corporate America.   You have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a firm to represent you in your career search. Why choose Orion?

From the professionals at Orion International:  

Don’t just take our word for it though – 98% of our candidates say they would recommend us to their friends and colleagues, and 90% say that Orion’s services are better than our competitors!   Ready to get started? No matter how far out you are from your transition, it is never too early to start planning for your civilian career. Orion has resources for you for every step of the process.   

Register with Orion Registering on our site will give you access to Orion’s Recruiting Team so that we can begin to plan to help you through your transition. Registration takes just a few minutes and is the first step to finding your next career with Orion.   

Subscribe to The Hunter The Hunter is our monthly newsletter for job seekers – you’ll learn about industries and positions available in corporate America, Orion’s upcoming base visits and Hiring Conferences, and read about the experiences of your peers.   

Read our Blog for former military job seekers From the Battlefield to the Boardroom® is dedicated to supporting military job seekers throughout their transition process by providing everything from topical veteran news, Orion news and services, job search advice, Recruiter Spotlights, Veteran Spotlights, etc. Whether you are currently in the process of transitioning out of the military or have been in the civilian workforce for a while, this blog is for you.   

Join our Military Network on LinkedIn Join us on LinkedIn to network with fellow military professionals and stay in touch with Orion.   

Become an Orion Fan on Facebook Write on our wall, check out our photos and items of interest, and keep up to date on Orion events in your area.   

Visit Transition Corner Read about the transition experiences of Orion Alumni, see our advice for every step of the hiring process, and download our e-book, Career Transition Guide for Military Job Seekers.   

Active Duty Officers: Check Out our Transition Timeline Whether you have two years or two weeks before you leave active military service, there are many steps you can take prior to your separation date that will position you for success as you transition into the civilian workforce. Orion’s Military Officer Transition Timeline is designed to put your preparation “to do” list in a logical sequence for you to follow in the months leading up to your separation from Active Duty.   

Make Plans to Meet with a Recruiter in your Area There is no better way to get your career search started then to meet with an Orion Recruiter in-person. We visit several bases each month and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you.   

Still not convinced Orion’s services are for you? Visit our Success Stories page to see what your peers have to say about Orion. - See more at: http://www.orioninternational.com/jobseekers.aspx#sthash.HC2p7oje.dpuf