Essential Soft Skills Veterans Bring to the Civilian Workforce

There are certain soft skills that employers look for when hiring new employees. However, finding individuals with these soft skills is rare. That is where veterans have an advantage over those new to the workforce – their military experience and training developed these hard-to-find, yet in high-demand, soft skills making them valuable for employment.

Essential Soft Skills Veterans Bring to the Civilian Workforce

Let’s look at what employers are looking for and drill down into each skill to see why the skill is important to a company.

1. Strong Work Ethic

This is the number one soft skill employers report as being the rarest to find in today’s applicants. However, when they do, the workers tend to excel at these nine attributes of this skill:

1. Reliability: Employees with a strong work ethic are dependable and trustworthy. They show up on time, meet deadlines, and fulfill their responsibilities consistently, which is crucial for maintaining smooth operations and meeting business goals.
2. Productivity: Workers with this soft skill tend to be more productive. They stay focused on their tasks, avoid distractions, and put in the effort needed to achieve the desired results efficiently.
3. Quality of Work: A strong work ethic often translates to a commitment to delivering high-quality work. Employees who take pride in their work and strive for excellence contribute to the overall success and reputation of the company.
4. Professionalism: Employers value workers who conduct themselves professionally and ethically. This includes following company policies, respecting colleagues, maintaining confidentiality, and adhering to ethical standards in all aspects of their work.
5. Initiative: Employees with a strong work ethic are proactive and take initiative. They don’t wait to be told what to do but instead, identify opportunities for improvement, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute positively to the organization’s growth.
6. Teamwork: Strong work ethics often align with good teamwork. Employees who are committed to their work are also likely to collaborate effectively with colleagues, share knowledge and skills, and contribute to a positive team environment.
7. Adaptability: Having a strong work ethic makes employees more adaptable to change. They approach challenges with a positive attitude, seek solutions, and remain resilient in the face of setbacks, which is valuable in today’s dynamic business environment.
8. Customer Satisfaction: Ethical behavior and a strong work ethic contribute to positive customer experiences. Employees who prioritize integrity, honesty, and professionalism in their interactions with customers help build trust and loyalty.
9. Company Culture: These employees contribute to a positive company culture. Their dedication, integrity, and commitment to excellence all set a good example for others to follow and foster a productive and positive work environment.

2. Time Management

The second rarest skill that employers seek to find is employees who can manage their time well. Those who can, who are able to exhibit these seven attributes of time management:

1. Productivity: Effective time management enables employees to complete tasks efficiently, meet deadlines, and achieve goals. This productivity is crucial for a company’s success and profitability.
2. Quality of Work: When employees manage their time well, they have more focus and energy to dedicate to each task. This often results in higher quality work, as they can give proper attention to detail and avoid rushed or sloppy outcomes.
3. Meeting Deadlines: Timely completion of tasks and projects is essential for good business operations. Employees who can manage their time efficiently are more likely to meet deadlines consistently, which is critical for maintaining client satisfaction and overall workflow.
4. Reduced Stress: Effective time management reduces stress levels for employees. When they can prioritize tasks, allocate sufficient time for each one, and avoid last-minute rushes, they experience less stress and anxiety about workloads and in the end, produce a better product or deliver a better service.
5. Resource Optimization: Time management helps in optimizing resources such as personnel, equipment, and finances. By using time efficiently, companies can minimize wasted resources and improve overall productivity and profitability.
6. Flexibility: Good time managers can adapt to changing priorities and unexpected challenges more effectively. They can rearrange their schedules, prioritize urgent tasks, and maintain a balance between different responsibilities.
7. Professionalism: Employers see strong time management skills as a sign of professionalism. It demonstrates that an employee is organized, responsible, and committed to their work, which reflects positively on the individual and the company.

3. Communication

This third soft skill is at the heart of all businesses. Whether it is written or verbal, nothing happens without proper communication. Those who excel at communicating exhibit these seven attributes:

1. Effective Collaboration: Clear communication is essential for collaborating with colleagues, teams, and departments. It ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding goals, tasks, and expectations, leading to smoother workflow and better outcomes.
2. Client and Customer Relationships: Good communication skills are crucial for building and maintaining positive relationships with clients and customers. Effective communication helps in understanding their needs, addressing concerns, and providing excellent service, which ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Conflict Resolution: In any workplace, conflicts may arise. Employees with strong communication skills can navigate these situations more effectively by expressing their thoughts and concerns clearly, actively listening to others, and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
4. Leadership and Management: Strong communicators often make effective leaders and managers. They can convey vision and goals to their teams, provide feedback and guidance, delegate tasks clearly, and inspire others to perform at their best.
5. Clarity and Understanding: Clear communication ensures that instructions, policies, and procedures are understood correctly. This reduces errors, misunderstandings, and potential rework, leading to improved efficiency and productivity.
6. Innovation and Creativity: Open and effective communication fosters an environment where ideas can be freely shared and discussed. This promotes innovation, creativity, and problem-solving as team members can brainstorm together, exchange perspectives, and explore new possibilities.
7. Professionalism and Reputation: Strong communication skills reflect professionalism and competence. Employers value employees who can represent the company well in interactions with clients, stakeholders, and the public, enhancing the company’s reputation and credibility.

4. Problem-solving

A manager may not always be immediately available to solve problems. However, employees with this soft skill can find a solution or workaround to a problem that crops up and keep moving the project forward. Here are eight attributes problem-solvers tend to exhibit:

1. Efficiency: Employees who excel in problem-solving can identify issues quickly and find efficient solutions. This leads to streamlined processes, reduced downtime, and improved productivity.
2. Innovation: Strong problem solvers often think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges. This ability to think outside the box can lead to new ideas, improvements, and competitive advantages for the company.
3. Adaptability: In today’s dynamic business environment, unforeseen problems and changes are common. Workers with strong problem-solving skills are more adaptable and can navigate unexpected situations effectively, ensuring continuity and progress.
4. Decision Making: Problem solvers are adept at gathering information, analyzing data, and making informed decisions. Their ability to weigh options, consider consequences, and choose the best course of action is valuable in various roles and situations.
5. Team Collaboration: Problem-solving often involves collaboration with colleagues, teams, and stakeholders. Employees who excel in this area can communicate ideas clearly, listen actively, and work collaboratively to solve complex problems, fostering a positive team environment.
6. Customer Satisfaction: Resolving customer issues and concerns promptly and effectively is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. Employees with strong problem-solving skills can address customer needs efficiently, leading to positive experiences and long-term relationships.
7. Continuous Improvement: Problem solvers are proactive in identifying areas for improvement. They seek feedback, evaluate processes, and implement changes to enhance efficiency, quality, and overall performance.
8. Risk Management: Strong problem-solving skills contribute to effective risk management. Employees can anticipate potential problems, develop contingency plans, and mitigate risks, safeguarding the company’s interests and reputation.

Veterans, when interviewing for a job, tell a story or two on how you used these soft skills during your military service. Doing these two things will put you leaps ahead of the non-military applicants.