How Veterans are Overcoming Barriers to Employment {guest post}

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How Veterans are Overcoming Barriers to Employment

Serving your country can seem like a thankless job if you've been out of the military for months and are having a hard time finding good employment. Take heart, that's not the case. Many people working with wonderful organizations are here to help. I want to see you successfully transition to your dream career and not feel overwhelmed by the process. I want to dispel myths and reinforce truths to help ensure you are prepared and enthusiastic for your job search.

Myth #1: There aren't any civilian jobs that will allow me to do similar work to what I was doing in the military.

Truth: That myth should never enter your thinking. While it's true some jobs require specific training that you might have received in the military, some of your best skills are less tangible. The Veteran Skills Translator function on the VA job website allows you to compare your training directly to civilian skills. Not to mention, employers are looking for workers who are responsible and demonstrate attention to detail. I don't need to tell you that those are skills the military instills!

Myth #2: Asking someone for a referral is time-consuming and annoys them.

Truth: More than likely, people familiar with your great work history will be quite happy to give you a positive reference. If possible, asking in person reinforces the relationship and refreshes the memory. If that's not an option, a personable email or phone call suffices. Services like JIBE, a mobile recruiting company, utilize platforms that allow job candidates to request referrals through sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. The most important part of a referral contact is being professional and engaging.

Myth #3: Because I now have a service-connected disability, no one will want to hire me.

Truth: Multiple programs are out there to assist veterans with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans has specific services geared toward that end and so do most of the states. Supportive rehab programs team with on-the-job training and counseling to optimize veteran's talents and highlight them to potential employers. Companies can receive incentives for hiring disabled vets and often are more than willing to consider them.

Myth #4: Changing careers is basically impossible.

Truth: The modern workplace is evolving so rapidly that multiple career changes are becoming the norm. Jobs that existed 10 years ago may have disappeared while emerging career paths were just ideas. Having transferable skills is a personal trait that will help identify alternative careers you may wish to pursue. If you don't have the particular skills your dream career demands, don't let that deter you. Put together a plan and stay with it until your skill level matches what is being sought.

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/!