Skills Veterans Have That Make Them Top Job Candidates
Hiring veterans is perhaps the best investment an organization can move to make. Veterans offer an extremely unique perspective and application of a skill set that is extremely valuable. Only 1% of American serve in the military, making this population valuable and rare.
A study released by the Pew Research Center on the American Veteran Experience claims, 52% of veterans believe the military prepares them for transition from military to civilian life.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment amongst veterans during the recent recession was 6.8% rate, compared with the overall 7.8% rate.
Veterans become the top priority for hiring managers because of a distinguished set of skills that come together in great harmony that pushes any organization forward and upward.
Peter Mahoney who served in the Airforce for 5 years as a Combat Controller under the Special Operations Division stationed in Hurlburt FL, outlines the unique set of skills he’s learned through his experiences.
“Some of the greatest skills I’ve learned from my time in the military is perseverance, professionalism, and attention to detail. All the tough training I made it through made me confident and believe I can do anything I put my mind to. We were taught to be quiet professionals and as a result I’m able to convey ideas in a concise and clear manner. Great attention to detail has aided in performing tasks correctly and ensures that nothing is missed when a lot of variables are to be accounted for. Finally the discipline instilled in me has been advantageous in maintaining a healthy life style, and studying for college classes”
With the support from the Department of Labor (DOL) making a business case for hiring veterans, HR managers are determined to effectively recruit and manage the careers of veterans post-military.
According to the DOL, the unique SkillCount in veteran’s tool box overcomes many organizational issues companies may identify as challenges, specifically during a post-COVID-19 transition.
Top unique skills veterans display in an organization:
- Mission-focused approach to work
- Adaptable and immediate contribution
- Technical skills
- Creative problem solving
- Experience working in diverse teams and organization
Bavan Singh who served 4 years in the Airforce as a part of the 27th Civil engineering Squadron as an HVAC specialist/Shop Supervisor outlines an important SkillCount toolbox of managing time and stress, which we’ve identified as key soft skills hiring managers are looking for in today’s job market!
“Veterans learn, in both training and on the field, time management, dealing with stressful and difficult situations in difficult environments, and handling multiple tasks and projects at once.”
While some of these skills can be acquired over time and experience by civilians, the application process of these skills is a unique experience shared by only 1% of all Americans who serve in the military. This makes them an extremely valuable part of the job candidate pool.
While there are many things we appreciate about our veterans, the value they add into an organization is truly progressive and adds to innovation.
We want to thank Veterans for their self-less contributions to our society and for the countless sacrifices that we would never be able to count even if we tried.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
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