Guest Blogger: Finding Work for Veterans

 I am extreamly excited to announce that I was able to get a Guest Blogger for this post!! Its PCS season everyone!! We know what that means, time for spouses to find another job. Something that every spouse dreads. Emma has written a great post about the Myths and Truths of the Job hunt for Spouses, as well as military members who are getting out of the military.

 I want to thank Emma For taking her time to write about something that is so important to military members and their families.

Finding Work for Veterans

There’s no doubt that many veterans are struggling to overcome some of the barriers to finding employment after completing military service. Fortunately, with the right approach, veterans can debunk some of the discouraging myths out there, and can find opportunities for employment in the recovering economy. It’s important for veterans to remain consistent and persistent in their job search.

Myth #1: There are no services out there that help veterans find civilian jobs.

Truth: There are several programs at the national level and located in local communities that are geared towards helping veterans and their families with making a living and finding work after the military. Many of these groups, like Hire Heroes USA, are actually made up of veterans that help other former servicemen and servicewomen get back on their feet and find rewarding jobs. These groups help with resumes and equip veterans with tools necessary to succeed in the workplace.

Myth #2: Asking for referrals is a waste of time.

Truth: Many people think that asking for referrals is too time consuming and may be viewed as an annoyance. However, most people are eager to reward hard work or exemplary character with a glowing referral. Many companies have made it even easier to get referrals or references by partnering with mobile recruiting companies like JIBE. These services allow you to ask for referrals by connecting directly to social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.

Myth #3: Veterans are best suited for jobs where they will be taking orders from a direct supervisor.

Truth: While most veterans have a history of answering orders from their superior officers, that doesn’t mean that they have to continue answering to someone else after leaving the military. Many choose to strike out on their own by opening up a small business. There are several programs available that will educate veterans on how to turn an idea into a start up venture and eventually a successful business.

Myth #4: It’s impossible to change your career path.

Truth: As technology and businesses continue to evolve, it is becoming more commonplace for people to change their occupation multiple times during their lifetime. Technology is creating more ways to do different jobs, while making others obsolete at the same time. Building transferable skills is helpful to veterans that may face a career change in the near future. Committing to plan of action is one of the most important things any veteran can do to ensure that they can build a successful long term career after their military service comes to an end.

You already know that the transition back into civilian life can be difficult alongside the burden of finding work to support your family. You’ll be far more successful if you stay positive and focus on achieving your own personal career goals. Put your efforts into finding jobs that are the best fit for you. Avoid wasting time listening to negative hearsay, and you are bound to succeed.

About the Author

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/!