The Top 5 Scariest Veteran/Spouse Job Search Myths, Debunked.

“I did explosive ordnance disposal. You can’t do that as a civilian.”
“I was a key spouse for years, but can’t use that on a resume can I?” 
“You should not get out, you’ll end up working at McDonalds.”
“Employers think all Veterans are stuck in their ways and have PTSD.”
“They won’t understand how much experience you have.”

There are a lot of uncertainties swirling around the job search no matter who you are. But particularly for  job hunting Veterans and military spouses, it can feel like you’re walking down a dark and mysterious road with people waiting around every corner to pop out and tell you one more thing that causes doubt. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to dispel some of the scariest myths. These myths were gathered from conversations with Veterans, Spouses, and Advisors. 

1. No one wants to hire Veterans.

Wait…what? There are a number of publically military-friendly employers that actively recruit veterans. There may be some individuals or even organizations that have bought into the idea that all Veterans have PTSD and are unstable and unreliable. But far more recognize the value in an educated, experienced employee who has learned commitment, leadership, and relevant skills on a global stage. More are beginning to recognize that military spouses are adaptable, resilient, and innovative. See the 2014 Forbes list of 100 military friendly employers.

1. Gaps in employment are impossible to overcome.

Military spouses in particular may have gaps in employment as they move with their husband or wife, take time off to care for family members, or spend time focusing on education. Veterans too may take time off after leaving the military or decide to go back to school. Fill the gap if you can. Input school or volunteer work. If not, the cover letter is a great place to briefly address the gap. Don’t let a gap in employment stop you from applying for your dream job. Accept that it’s part of your career history and be prepared to answer questions about why but don’t spend too much time dwelling on it.

1. There is no good way to translate military experience.

Working with the military can help you gain a lot of skills that may seem communicable only in acronyms (Seriously, there’s a special dictionary). But translatable skills can be found throughout military experience. Key words and skills can be pulled from summary documents like evaluations and the VMET and each branch has a list of civilian careers that match the skills learned in each military specialty.

But what about spouses? Your affiliation with the military has helped you learn a number of things. Outside of career positions held, you may have served as a key spouse or as a volunteer. You can absolutely use this on a resume! Hire Heroes USA can also help highlight those skills.

1. You will never be able to change career fields.

So you worked in intelligence but you want to be an accountant? Okay! One of the great things about the military is that you are often asked to lead tasks that are outside of your specialty field. You may also have the opportunity to cross train. Spouses may hold more temporary positions if they anticipated moving often but can often pull from those experiences to create a unique list of skills applicable to long-term careers. Career changes in particular reveal the importance of tailoring your resume and cover letter to key skills.

1. Recruiters and Hiring Managers are clueless as to what military experience means.

The Veteran and Veteran Spouse population in the United States is always growing and a number of these individuals work in human resources. Many companies now have Veteran hiring specialists. Even for recruiters with no military experience, the good reputations of hard-working Veterans and adaptable Spouses are spreading. Basic skills and years of experience can give even recruiters with little knowledge of military terms an idea of your abilities.

Having a well put-together resume can still speak volumes about you as a candidate to your recruiter or hiring manager and can make their job much easier. There are a number of resources that can help to translate military and related skills. Organizations such as Hire Heroes USA will provide professional civilian resumes and advise you on translating your skills during interviews.

What did you hear about job searching as a Veteran/Spouse that turned out to be a myth? Are you transitioning now? Learn more about job search myths and join the conversation in our discussion group.

If you are interested in learning more about Hire Heroes USA visit www.hireheroesusa.org, connect with us on LinkedIn, Email atvets@hireheroesusa.org, or call 844.634.1520. 

Post shared with permission by Johnathan Severs, Veterans Program Manager - Raleigh. You can reach Johnathan Severs at jsevers@hireheroesusa.org. Original post written by Ashley Dougherty, Hire Heroes USA, Raleigh.