DEAR READERS: In honor of Veterans Day, this column is devoted to our country’s brave veterans. What free resources are available to help them transition from combat zones to civilian careers?
Lisa Fleury, senior vice president, talent acquisition and HR operations at Voya Financial, said, “Veterans are an integral part of the workforce, and companies are eager to hire them in recognition of the unique expertise and perspective they can bring to an organization — such as their leadership, adaptability, decision-making and teamwork. Also of note, diversity and inclusion are essential for the success of businesses across industries. There are few talent populations that are as diverse as America’s military, where mid- to senior-level professionals bring different backgrounds and perspectives.”
Veterans, however, may encounter challenges when embarking on a new civilian job search. “Voya’s research uncovered that top employment barriers for veterans include employers’ inability to translate and match military terminology in job descriptions to civilian job opportunities; companies don’t know how to assess a veteran’s work experience in the military; and hiring managers sometimes can’t align military responsibilities to civilian work,” said Fleury. “As a result, veterans and employers both may need to work harder to translate the scope of veterans’ skills and achievements, in addition to their certifications.”
Veterans may want to leverage online skills translators like the one on Military.com that can help them rebuild their resume and talk about transferable skills in layman’s terms during job interviews.
Another resource for veterans’ job searches is the Warriors to Work program, which provides career services to warriors and their family support members. This prepares them both for employment and to boost their financial wellness. (Last year, Warriors to Work helped more than 1,500 warriors and their family members land new job placements for free.)
Greg Martin, careers and financial readiness director at Wounded Warrior Project, said, “Warriors to Work career coaches provide training, coaching, interview preparation, and other career services, as well as encourage and educate employers on the benefits of hiring wounded warriors.”
A valuable resource for veterans whose path involves entrepreneurial pursuits is the Small Business Administration’s Veterans Business Outreach Center program. More than 30 centers throughout the country provide resources for military-affiliated individuals looking to start or grow their own businesses.
Jennie Murphy, executive director, Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England, said, “It is a privilege to support veterans and provide resources, mentorship and community connections. The programs provided by the VBOC empower veteran entrepreneurs to thrive in their next chapters, which is incredibly important as they’ve sacrificed so much for our country. Helping them transition to civilian life and pursue their goals — whether in business, education, or personal development has a profound impact on our communities and economy.”
Tribune News Service