Veterans Day, recognized every November 11 in the United States, is a time to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans of all of our armed forces deserve our recognition for their dedication, sacrifice, and resilience.  

They also deserve equal consideration in the job market when they separate from the military. 

As a talent recruiter, I’ve had the privilege of working with and mentoring many veterans as they transition into civilian careers. Their unique strengths are invaluable qualities in the workforce. 

But for many veterans, returning to civilian life and launching a job search can be a challenging journey. While skills and experience gained during military training and service are often unparalleled, translating those abilities into the civilian workforce can be daunting at first for veterans.

It’s our responsibility as talent recruiters, and that of hiring organizations, to bridge the gap. And in doing so, we reap big rewards. When we help veteran talent find jobs, we discover some of the finest, most qualified job seekers to enter the American workforce.  

Traits that every organization needs within their ranks 

Understanding military culture and veterans’ diverse skillsets and work experience helps us better advocate for them in the job market. Having been trained by the U.S. Military, the largest employer in the world, veterans possess a wealth of skills that are highly transferable to a wide range of management and leadership roles in corporate America.  

Here are some of those distinguished traits and key roles in which veterans often outshine their civilian counterparts.  

Veterans excel in leadership and teamwork  

Military training instills strong leadership qualities and the ability to work effectively in teams – as team members and especially as team leaders. Veterans know how to motivate others and collaborate toward a common goal, and these skills are invaluable in any workplace.  

Their discipline, team-building skills, and technical expertise make them ideal candidates for roles such as plant managers, production managers, process engineers, technical experts, project managers, maintenance managers, consultants, business managers, sales executives, and many other roles requiring strong leadership traits. Officers separating from the military, who have led hundreds and thousands of troop members during their service, are great candidates for executive-level roles.  

Veterans are trained to solve problems   

The military equips service members with the ability to think on their feet and tackle complex problems under pressure. This adaptability is a significant asset in today’s fast-paced, constantly evolving working environments. 

Their work ethic is second to none  

Veterans have a strong sense of duty and commitment to excellence. Their discipline translates into reliability and a strong work ethic, qualities that every employer needs and values. 

They bring diverse perspectives to the table  

The U.S. military is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. Hailing from every walk of life, veterans bring their finely honed training, demonstrated experience, and diverse perspectives into corporate America, resulting in enhanced creativity and innovation among teams and company performance.  

Ways we can embrace and support veterans in the workforce  

As talent recruiters and hiring managers, we have the opportunity – and again, responsibility – to create inclusive hiring practices that support veteran job seekers. Veterans are just as eager to serve mission-driven companies as they were to support and defend our country.  

There are many ways we can help veterans transition from the military into corporate America. We can emphasize their skills when we create job descriptions, use a variety of job boards that include a focus on veteran job seekers, and ask the right questions about their background and experience during the interview and hiring process. And instead of focusing solely on industry-specific jargon, we can highlight transferrable skills and the impact that veteran candidates can make by leveraging their military training and experience in civilian jobs.  

Fostering connections within military communities and veteran organizations, and taking the initiative to participate in veteran job fairs or career fairs, also helps us tap into pools of talented candidates and introduce them to rewarding civilian career opportunities. And I applaud military-friendly organizations that focus on veteran recruiting or maintain veteran hiring programs!   

Consider America’s finest on this day of recognition – and year-round    

On this Veterans Day, let’s not only honor our heroes but also commit to supporting them as they navigate their next chapter in life. Whether you’re a talent recruiter, an employer, or a colleague, consider how you can advocate for and uplift veterans in your community, workplace, or industry. They represent the best of us and bring valuable assets into our lives and workplaces. 

Reach out to me if you’re looking for talented veterans who can step into and excel in key roles. And if you’re a military vet transitioning into the civilian workforce or you already have corporate experience and want to explore new opportunities, I encourage you to contact me as well. I am a DEI-certified senior recruiting partner with Goodwin Recruiting and look forward to supporting your search for top-tier talent and top jobs.