When soldiers leave their military careers, they often seek employment in the civilian world. Some employers are reluctant to hire retired service members, so veterans may find it difficult to find a job in the regular workforce. Organizations that do hire veterans enjoy a number of advantages. Check out these benefits of hiring veterans to find out what your company can gain by hiring a former soldier.
Technical Knowledge
During their time in the military, soldiers are trained for various occupations, and these learned skills typically transfer to civilian jobs. Members of the armed forces receive on-the-job training to perform job duties in such areas as aircraft and vehicle maintenance and repair, human resources, health care, electronic communications or construction. Job candidates with a military background may already have the technical knowledge and work experience necessary to fulfill job roles in the hiring industry, saving private organizations the expense of providing training.
Communication Skills
Veterans understand the importance of excellent communication in the workplace. Military personnel are taught to express themselves clearly to subordinates, team members and commanding officers, and they receive training in effective writing. Members of the armed forces understand workplace diversity and appreciate the need to be flexible, allowing veterans to adapt well to a variety of work environments. Companies that expand to the global marketplace benefit greatly by employing soldiers who understand international communication or who are bilingual.
Leadership Qualities
Much of the military training soldiers receive teaches them to be leaders, whether they are specifically tasked with being a military officer or not. Many soldiers enter the military at a young age and take on a great deal of responsibility and decision making early on in their careers. Since the military focuses on achieving missions, veterans are shaped to value independence and cooperation, making them excellent leaders in civilian industries.
Increased Motivation
Soldiers know the importance of self-discipline and are taught to face the consequences of their actions, so there is often little problem with them adhering to work rules and organizational policies. The military focuses on working efficiently and with a sense of urgency and stresses the importance of asking for guidance when it is necessary, so hiring veterans is a great decision for organizations looking to increase productivity in the workplace.
Team Loyalty
Soldiers learn the importance of being a team player during their time in service. The military focuses on achieving group goals, teaching members to put their personal differences aside to benefit the team. This helps veterans to be good leaders and good co-workers in civilian careers. Veterans often carry this sense of loyalty and dedication into the private sector, making them an excellent long-term investment for organizations hoping to sustain hardworking employees.
Strong Work Ethic
When soldiers are deployed, they work seven days a week with no time off for vacation or holidays, so veterans typically embody hard work and a strong work ethic. Soldiers are taught to be disciplined and adhere to schedules during their military careers, so they are able to demonstrate this professional maturity when transitioning to a career in the civilian world. For this reason, veterans make excellent candidates for organizations hoping to hire reliable, punctual and focused employees.
Tax Breaks and Government Incentives
In addition to the skills and values veterans bring to the table, they also present some financial benefits for employers. Organizations often qualify for tax credits for every unemployed veteran hired by the company. The amount of the tax credit is based on the amount of the veteran’s wages and the length of his unemployment. The tax credit may be even greater if the veteran is wounded. The government also provides financial assistance for veterans to receive higher education, allowing your company to benefit from any continuing education initiatives accepted by its employees.
In addition to technical know-how, military members possess a number of critical skills and values that transfer perfectly into the civilian workplace. The decision to hire a veteran can be extremely advantageous to organizations, as these businesses are bestowed with quality employees trained for success.
Photo Courtesy of Lauren at Flickr.com
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!