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Combating Myths About
Post-Service Employment for Veterans
Finding
a civilian job once you've left the military might seem daunting. After all,
you've just spent the last four or more years engaged in active duty with a
wide variety of job functions, and you might be unsure about what will
translate to civilian careers. Fortunately, many companies hire veterans
specifically for their diverse skill set that sets them apart from other applicants.
The following offers some common myths about transitioning back to the civilian
workforce and ways you can combat them.
Myth #1: Employers
don't care about me as an applicant.
Truth: In an age with advancing
technology and globalization, companies turn to dedicated employees to solve
technological issues and reach a broad clientele base. Your service as a
veteran puts you at the top of a lot of lists because your experience working
around the world, either physically or virtually, makes you attractive to
certain employers. Despite popular belief, many businesses do care about their
employees because they recognize that investing in the right people means
better service and profits for them. Likewise, they're looking for applicants
with diverse backgrounds to help their business grow. Many of the tech-savvy
Fortune 500 companies are using a platform provided by JIBE, a mobile recruiting company,
that allows for people to upload their documents and apply from anywhere in the world, right from their smart phone
or tablet.
Myth #2: My
service-related disability will prevent me from getting a job.
Truth: Just as civilians with
disabilities are federally protected from discrimination, you as a service
member should never let your service-connected injury or disability hold you
back. Organizations exist across the country to get you rehabilitated and back
to work, such as the resources offered by the U.S. Department of
Veterans.
You'll be able to find job counseling, training and other resources to help you
get a job no matter the disability.
Myth #3: It's not
really that important to ask questions during an interview.
Truth: As silly as it might sound,
think of the interview as a blind first date. You don't know each other, so how
are you going to see if the relationship will work out? When an employer offers
you the chance to ask them questions, they're not being polite. They want to know if you care enough about the
company to see
how you fit within the overall organization. From a personal standpoint, you
should want to ask questions because, just as you would on a blind date, you
want to know if this company is the right match for you.
Myth #4: My time
as an active-duty service member will deter employers from hiring me because
they prefer those who steadily work.
Truth: Employers do want to hire people who will work consistently, but your time as
an active-duty service member differs completely from someone who just doesn't
show up to work. In fact, it's illegal to discriminate against active-duty
service members, and companies will face legal action if they fail to uphold
the law. Whether hiring or retaining employees, federal guidelines are in place
to protect your right to work, even if you must
return to active duty during the course of your civilian employment.
