You may have heard that veterans can be valuable assets to the workplace, but what does that mean, and what are recruiters actually looking for when hiring veterans? U.S. Veterans Magazine had a conversation with a veteran-specific recruiter, Brian Wieters, with Neighborly to discuss the value of veteran employees, what they bring to the table and how other companies can be veteran-friendly.
You work extensively in hiring veterans. Why is this important to you?
Hiring veterans is important to me because I deeply respect the skills, dedication and resilience they bring from their military service. Veterans have made significant sacrifices for our country, and I believe it is our duty to support their transition to civilian life. By providing them with meaningful employment and ownership opportunities, we not only honor their service but also benefit from their unique experiences and perspectives.
In your experience, what valuable assets do veterans bring to the workplace?
Veterans bring a wealth of valuable assets to the workplace, including:
Leadership Skills: Veterans are trained to lead and manage teams, often in high-pressure environments. Their ability to inspire and guide others is unparalleled.
Discipline and Work Ethic: Military training instills a strong sense of discipline and a commitment to excellence, ensuring that veterans are reliable and dedicated employees.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Veterans are accustomed to working in diverse teams and understand the importance of cooperation and mutual support to achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving Abilities: The military environment requires quick thinking and effective problem-solving skills that are directly transferable to the business world.
Adaptability and Resilience: Veterans are trained to adapt and overcome. This a unique skill set among potential employees that is not easily trained, and veterans already have it from their time on active duty.
Why should businesses of all sizes hire veterans?
Businesses of all sizes should hire veterans because they bring unique strengths that can enhance any organization. Veterans are:
Highly Trained and Skilled: They possess a wide range of technical and soft skills that are applicable across various industries.
Reliable and Punctual: Veterans have a strong sense of responsibility and are known for their punctuality and reliability.
Diverse Thinkers: With experiences from diverse and often global environments, veterans can offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
Natural Leaders: Their leadership training ensures they can take on management roles and mentor other employees, fostering a positive and productive workplace culture.
Committed and Loyal: Veterans often exhibit strong loyalty to their employers, leading to lower turnover rates and a more stable workforce.
Hiring veterans also demonstrates a company’s commitment to social responsibility and community support, enhancing its reputation and potentially attracting customers who value corporate citizenship.
What can recruiters/hiring managers do to attract veteran talent?
To attract veteran franchise owners at Neighborly, we focus on the following:
Understanding Military Skills: Familiarize yourself with military roles and the skills they entail and translate these into civilian job requirements.
A Veteran-Friendly Recruitment Process: Developing a recruitment process that recognizes and values military experience, including using veteran-specific job boards and networking groups, is essential.
Training and Development Programs: Provide training programs that help veterans transition their military skills to civilian roles, like franchise business ownership, and offer continuous professional development opportunities.
Highlight Veteran Success Stories: Showcase success stories of veterans within the company and community to illustrate the potential career paths and growth opportunities.
A Supportive Environment: Create a welcoming and supportive workplace culture with mentorship programs and veteran resource groups to help veterans integrate and thrive.
Partner with Veteran Organizations: Collaborate with veteran service organizations, like VetFran, to connect with potential candidates and gain insights on best practices for hiring veterans.
By implementing these strategies, recruiters and hiring managers can effectively attract and retain talented veterans, enriching their workforce and contributing to a more diverse and capable team.
Read more articles for the veteran community here.
