Good News for Vets: 20% of Employers Actively Recruiting Vets

Although they are battling a higher than average unemployment rate, those returning from military duty and re-entering the workforce may find better employment prospects over the next year. One-in-five (20 percent) employers reported they are actively recruiting U.S. veterans to work for their organizations over the next 12 months; 14 percent are actively recruiting members of the National Guard. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder from August 16, 2011 to September 8, 2011 and included more than 2,800 hiring managers in the public and private sectors nationwide.

Where Are They Hiring?

Employers are planning to tap into the technical and communications skills and leadership abilities of U.S. service men and women. More than one-third of employers plan to hire for information technology positions, which topped the list of hot areas for hiring U.S. veterans:

• Information Technology – 36 percent
• Customer Service – 28 percent
• Engineering – 25 percent
• Sales – 22 percent

“The unemployment rate for veterans who left military service over the last decade continues to outpace that of the civilian workforce,” said Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. “After fighting for their country, they come home fighting for jobs. The survey shows that employers recognize the unique value military experience can bring, but that they don’t always understand how military skills fit into corporate America. Veterans will need to clearly make that connection in their resume, cover letter and job interviews as they enter this new chapter of their careers.”

Must Knows for Job Seekers Coming Off of Active Duty

1. Speak their language. Two-in-five employers (41 percent) reported it can be difficult to decipher how military experience fits into civilian positions. It’s important to highlight specific military skills and spell out how they are relevant to the responsibilities listed in the employer’s job ad. For example, if you served in the infantry, there are a lot of relatable skills for police or security guard positions or for training roles within organizations.
2. Advertise your experience. More than one-in-four employers (27 percent) said one of the biggest challenges in recruiting U.S. veterans for open positions is that veterans don’t always market their military experience. Include your military experience with a bulleted list of accomplishments that shows how you put your knowledge into action.
3. Emphasize unique qualities. From your resume to the interview to the thank you letter, highlight attributes employers look for in members of the Armed Forces. Survey respondents said they consider the following to be among the most important attributes:
   • Disciplined approach to work – 66 percent
   • Ability to work as a team – 65 percent
   • Respect and integrity – 58 percent
   • Leadership skills – 56 percent
   • Problem-solving skills – 54 percent
   • Ability to perform under pressure – 53 percent
   • Communication skills – 45 percent