We talk a lot about empowering veterans as they leave the military and join the workforce. But maybe we are messing up in the way we are working to do this. The truth is as veterans, we have unique skills and experience that give us power when it comes to finding a job. But we may not realize that we have this power if we are so focused on figuring out how to be empowered.
5 Key Things Veterans Bring to the Workforce
What power do we have as veterans? And how can we use it when we are entering the workforce? Here are 5 key things you may be overlooking.
1. Unique opportunities for leadership
Whether you are enlisted or an officer, you have the opportunity to lead people. It can start right away from being put in charge of people at your first training or it can be something that happens gradually as you increase in rank. The military relies on people to lead. And because of the way the military is set up with its members continually mentoring, you will almost always find an opportunity to lead others.
Don’t limit yourself to thinking of leadership as the role of supervisor or division lead. Think of how you had to help lead your team through a particular challenge in training or in your job. In what ways have you had to take on leadership roles? The military isn’t a typical job and you might have to think outside the box. But you will likely find your leadership story in your experience.
2. Unique life experiences
Even if you haven’t deployed overseas or traveled outside of the country, you still have the opportunity to see the country and meet people from all over. There’s often travel to multiple locations either through trainings or being stationed in different locations.
One thing I have realized is that many people travel, but not a lot of people have had to live in more than one location. The more locations you live opens your eyes to a wider world. Not only in the different seasons but the culture and experiences you can have while living in a new place. And if you deployed or had an aspect of your job not found in the typical civilian workalike, it can add even more depth to your life experience. You can use that knowledge and experience even after you leave the military.
3. Ability to work with different people
One quality that a military member must have to complete the mission is to work with others who are different. This might not be something you even realize. If you joined the military after high school, you might think all organizations are diverse and that differences of opinions don’t stop the work from being completed. Being able to work with others and being able to move past differences is a sought-after skill.
But also know that some companies might be looking for a particular fit. And just because you do not get offered a job, it could be that the company doesn’t think you will be the right fit. It is important to understand the work environment you are looking at to make sure it is a good fit for you as well.
4. Hands-on training in a specific career field
Even if you are not continuing in the same career field that you worked in the military, there are ways to pull out those experiences and use them in your next career. During my time in the military, I worked as a Civil Engineer, fast forward to today where I am a writer, podcaster, and author. Those two career fields are very different, but there are a lot of things I use from my time as an Engineering Officer in my job today. All experiences can help build to the next one. Don’t discount the work you did in the military even if it isn’t the same as the career you are moving into after service.
And if it is the same career field, that is great. It will help you as you transition into your new role or find a new career. You can use what you learned, but also be prepared for challenges as things in the military are not always the same as in the civilian sector. Be flexible and ready to learn.
5. The power of a network
As a military veteran, you have a network available to you. Before I left the military, I didn’t realize how unique my experience was. Because of my service, when I connected with other veterans, there was a quick connection. Veterans love helping other veterans. That is why there are so many veteran-run organizations working to help veterans after they leave the military. If you are not connected with veteran organizations, you should be.
You can also connect with veterans on different social media platforms like Clearance Jobs. Also, work to stay connected with the people you work with or have worked with in the past. The friendships and connections you made while serving could open a door to an opportunity in the future.
Veterans have a lot of things that employers are looking for, but sometimes the words we use don’t always translate well to civilian life. But we also have a powerful tool. A network. A place to get help and support if you only just ask.
