The current state of Veteran employment: Part one

The current state of Veteran employment part one

The DOL has reported that the veteran unemployment rate (as of November 2017) is 4 percent, bringing the veteran demographic directly in line with our civilian/non-veteran counterparts (slightly better actually). For many of us, we can easily recall just a few years ago, where we faced veteran unemployment in the double digits, and over 20 percent in some cities.

Granted, this is not perfect science. Yes, there is a generation discrepancy to consider. In the graph below, I have provided the 10-year comparison of “all” veteran, relative to post 9/11/2001 veteran. I also understand that this perspective does not consider individuals who have stopped looking for work, or never looked in the first place. The incongruity between part-time/full-time/seasonal employment, etc. The good news is that veteran employment is on the rise, generally speaking. 

Yet here you find yourself, unemployed. Wondering why this statistic does not favor you or match your current status. The answer is multi-layered, but not hyper-complex. It boils down to one’s knowledge of modern recruiting practices, and the application of this knowledge to navigating the job search and hiring process.

Consider your job or career search as an obstacle course that needs to be navigated. There are always numerous methods for negotiating the problem in front of you. While there is no single all-encompassing solution, there are best practices to consider.

Working directly in the veteran recruiting and employment space, I encounter countless frustrations voiced by our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. Some are unique, but most overlap. My hope here, is to provide you with enough “best practices” intelligence that you will be as well armed for this new fight.    

• First and foremost: Advocate for yourself. Do not ask or expect someone to find you your dream job for you. Your industry of interest, job category preferences, professional aspirations, salary requirements/qualifications, and so on are unique to you. If you put your professional fate in the hands of another, be prepared to be served something that is not in line with your goals or true potential. This is not the time to be a pacifist, nor is it the time to outsource this part of your life. Somebody else can’t want you in your dream job, more than you do. Lucky for you, businesses love hiring veterans (yes, they really do).
• For those that have not had luck yet finding a civilian career or have been discouraged, don’t listen to those that they may say there are no good jobs out there. It is not the case. I have been on the ground and worked with thousands of companies and witnessed first-hand the extent of their recruitment efforts. Don’t lean on previous unemployment statistics to discourage your job search because they are no longer accurate. Instead get out there and jump start your search and self-evaluate.
• Are you doing something different than your peer who just left the career fair with an interview or job offer? There are plenty of resources to help you but you only get out what you put in to any effort.

More to come in my post next week. Until then, good luck in your search!