April is a peak month for Veteran employment opportunities. Many companies seek to hire former service members during this time. Veterans bring many skills to the table from their military experience, including:
- Leadership
- Teamwork, and
- Problem-solving abilities
Understanding Veteran Hiring Initiatives
The U.S. government has special programs to help veterans find jobs. One such program is the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). This allows agencies to hire eligible veterans without competition. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) also provides veterans with opportunities to compete for certain federal positions.
Resources for Veteran Employment Opportunities
Several organizations offer resources to assist veterans in their job search:
- VA for Vets: Tools and support for veterans transitioning to civilian careers
- When working at the VA, Veterans can match their military skills and experience with Federal jobs. VA for Vets lists career fairs all around the country designed for Veterans. The site also includes internship programs and featured VA jobs. The VA has job resources for Veterans with disabilities as well. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program supports Veterans with disabilities from their services with:
- Vocational counseling
- Evaluation and rehabilitation services
- Independent living opportunities
- Job training
- When working at the VA, Veterans can match their military skills and experience with Federal jobs. VA for Vets lists career fairs all around the country designed for Veterans. The site also includes internship programs and featured VA jobs. The VA has job resources for Veterans with disabilities as well. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program supports Veterans with disabilities from their services with:
- Vet Jobs: Job postings and career assistance tailored for veterans
- Since their founding, Vet Jobs has placed over one-hundred thousand Veterans with jobs. They support current and former service members with career resources. Vet Jobs also supports military spouses with entering the workforce.
- Veterans Employment Toolkit: Employment resources and advice for veterans and families
- The VA’s employment toolkit supports Veterans with finding and keeping jobs. Veterans can learn how to write documents like resumes and cover letters as well as complete job applications. The employment toolkit includes a resources handout to download.
Tips for Veterans Entering the Civilian Workforce
- Translate Military Experience:
- Use civilian terms to describe your military experience
- Helps employers understand your skills with their language
- Highlight Transferable Skills:
- Emphasize experiences where you showed leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving
- Network Actively:
- Attend job fairs
- Connect with veteran-friendly organizations
- Network with Veterans who share a similar career path you want to take
- Utilize Available Resources:
- Review veteran employment programs and services
- Begin with the resources listed above
Act fast and remain vigilant. April is a prime time for companies to hire Veterans, who offer valuable skills in the workforce. The programs listed above can support you in building your career. Remember to leverage resources like VA for Vets, Vet Jobs, and the Veterans Employment Toolkit to aid in your job search.