Those who serve in the military deal with challenges, risks, dangers, and a level of commitment that most of us can never fully understand. They are on the front-line of defense risking their lives, possible future post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and much more in an effort to give us the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy each and every day. Unfortunately for many former military personnel, returning to civilian life offers an entirely new set of obstacles. While healthcare for former military personnel remains a major topic in Washington DC, and across the country, the fact that many who have served are struggling to find jobs once they leave the military has remained a woefully overlooked issue.
The Job Market has Been an Issue for Many Americans.
But those leaving the military are, in many cases, finding it harder and harder to land a job. In some cases, it is due to the fact that the skills that one develops in the military are not seen as directly applicable by a range of employers. This makes it difficult to even get in the door for some former military personnel.
Other former military find that they simply don’t have the experience or job-search skills to track down the right types of work:
“Most service members, particularly enlisted personnel, lack adequate civilian job-hunting skills and are ill prepared for the current rabid competition for decent jobs.”(Military.com)
What can those leaving the military do to make their transition into the workplace an easier one?
One of the most common tips simply has to do with time commitment. Those leaving the armed forces need to prepare themselves to treat the job search process as one that requires daily work and that can stretch out over an extended period. Many experts in the field suggest that a serious job search requires 30-40 hours per week at the very least. They also say that you should be ready to commit between 3 and 9 months looking for a job, especially in this economic climate.
This can be daunting to anyone, and the pressure can be compounded for someone who is completely changing their career. Luckily, there are some organizations dedicated to helping former servicemen and servicewomen find work. Sites like Military Hire do a good job of highlighting jobs and companies that are considered to be “military friendly.” This can give those leaving the Armed Forces a leg up at the very beginning of the job search.
Best Places to Find Work for Former Military:
As with many things in the business world, sometimes finding the right job boils down to location. Certain cities across the country lend themselves more to work that can prove to be the perfect fit for those with military experience.
Forbes published a list of the Best Places to Work after a Military Career put together by Military.com. This report took into account factors such as the types of industries and companies that make their homes in particular cities, the number of veteran-run businesses, distance from military bases, and much more.
Here were their Top 5 spots for former military to find work:
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Norfolk, VA
- Richmond, VA
- Austin, TX
- San Antonio, TX
Those are the top spots, but there are jobs to be found elsewhere. Just take the time to seek out those who can help you put together the best plan for your job search.
And stay positive, because a lot of employers are proud Americans who would absolutely love to hire a service member.
*****BIO****
Andrew Miller is an experienced Social Media expert and Author. He has worked in marketing for over a decade and finds his passion in bringing concepts to life for the world to enjoy. He is also an avid blogger and currently working on a book with his wife about social entrepreneurship. He is a true Socialpreneur and finds that his goal in life is to be an agent for positive social change through both his writing and business endeavors.