5 Ways to Find Military-Friendly Employers When Entering the Civilian Workforce
(U.S.
Air Force/Justin Connaher)
Posted: April 26, 2024 --- Military.com | By Lida
Citroën
Published April
25, 2024
As
you exit the military, it makes sense to seek an employer who understands
military culture, workstyle, and protocols. This could make your entry into the
private sector smoother as you'll be less likely to face misconceptions around
military service. But how can you know which employers are military friendly?
If they have a military focused employee resource group (ERG), is that
sufficient? Here are some tips for identifying which employers may present a
smoother landing spot after military duty:
1.
Refer to Their
Website
Look
for a military-focused page that highlights their commitment, services and
understanding of the military and military duty. Do they offer reintegration
programs? Are they simply acknowledging veterans on Veterans
Day or doing more throughout the year? Do they have
military-specific mentoring programs (to simulate Battle Buddy-style
arrangements, for example)?
If they don't have much depth in their military focus but appear motivated to
understand and embrace prior military members, that's also a good sign. Some
companies are only now learning about the value of hiring prior military
members, and their motivation to do so is sincere and deep.
2.
Review the Published
Lists
Annual
lists are published by credible organizations to highlight which employers meet
certain standards to be deemed "military-friendly" or even
"military-ready." These lists can be a helpful start to find
employers who align with your interests, skills and values. Military.com keeps
a running list of recommended employers that can be found here. Additionally,
Military.com publishes annual lists highlighting employers who stand out for
their commitment to veteran employment. Read more about the 2024
list here.
Veteran
Jobs Mission (formerly the 100,000 Jobs Mission) also highlights employers to
make a public commitment to offer opportunities for veterans and their civilian
counterparts who want to learn more. Its list is published here. VETS Indexes annually awards employers
that meet criteria for best-in-class recruitment, hiring and development of
veteran employees. Its list can be found here.
Even
business publications such as Forbes lists employers that veterans say excel at
hiring prior military talent in lists such as this. There are many
lists out there -- organized by company, location, industry, etc. Look for the
common company names mentioned. This is a good indication that an employer
stands out for their commitment and services to prior military talent.
3.
Talk to Your Veteran
Colleagues
Ask
people who've exited the military before you what they think. If their employer
is listed as a military-friendly employer, how do they experience the support?
Where is their employer going above and beyond, and where could they do better?
What is your colleague's experience growing their career and building their
skills at this company?
4.
Assess Their ERG
Activities
If
the company has an ERG (sometimes called a veteran’s resource group or the
like), look at who's part of it. Do they include allies -- employees who
haven't served but are passionate about serving those who have and learning
more about the military experience -- and employees at all levels in the
organization? What programs, events and learnings are available through the
ERG? A good ERG can help a new veteran hire quickly integrate to the company
culture, pair up with a mentor, offer guidance for military
spouses and much more.
5.
Trust Your Gut
After
all this, what does your intuition tell you? Is this an employer you
could enjoy working for? Do you see yourself starting or growing your civilian
career in their company and industry? Not all companies are the same; even in
the same industry, they are different. For example, Raytheon, Lockheed
Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics Corporation and BAE Systems are all very large
defense contractors, but their company cultures are unique to their mission.
Which company feels best suited to what you're looking to accomplish in this next chapter of your career? The research required to understand an employer's military-friendly readiness is worth the time. With this understanding and information, you can then focus on employers that meet all your goals and needs and customize your resume, cover letter and outreach to highlight the areas of their retention, veteran development, spouse support and programs that appeal to you the most.
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