The job market is tough. It’s likely, you’ve looked around at jobs and found a long list of requirements that feel like unrealistic expectations. This is something that service leavers from the armed forces and civilians both feel. But employers do understand that it can be difficult to find the right candidate. In fact, there are plenty of industries struggling right now to fill positions thanks to the skills gap created. Employer’s love hiring veterans, whether the employer is within trades such as mechanics or engineering, or in some other industry.
Ex-military personnel have a wide range of aptitude, hard and soft skills and plenty of relevant experience that makes them the perfect candidate. Plus many ex-military personnel have a security clearance and this is something that civilians cannot get unless they’re sponsored by the prospective employer. Employers save a lot of time and money by hiring veterans. The transferable skills add more than enough real value to the organisation.
How much does military experience matter in the civilian world?
Military experience is not just a skill set, it is also a mindset. It teaches you how to think and react in high-pressure situations. While resettlement into civilian life can be tough, it’s worth knowing that employers find the skills and experience from veterans advantageous in certain roles compared to non-military counterparts.
Military experience can help them understand what their co-workers are going through and give them insight into different cultures and countries. Military veterans also possess key skill sets such as leadership, discipline and teamwork making them desirable to companies.
How can military experience impact a prospective employer’s decision?
The military experience can be a big part of a prospective employer’s decision-making process, though it may depend on the industry itself. Military experience has a lot of benefits, but it also comes with some challenges as it can make it difficult for ex-services to know how to approach certain situations. Military service is not for everyone, but there are many benefits for those who have served and want to work in the field of defence contracting, shipbuilding and various trades positions.
How can military experience give a competitive advantage?
While this may be overlooked, having military experience can be a huge competitive advantage for many employers. The military provides skills and training that are applicable to many industries, including:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Decision making
- Adaptability
- Self-control and discipline
While these may be considered soft skills, there are plenty of employers who are looking for reliable employees that fit all these requirements. The armed forces also provide more than enough hard skills for veterans as well.
Employers are increasingly willing to hire veterans because of their experience, skills, and work ethic. Many veterans have a strong work ethic that has been honed through years of training and discipline. They also have a diverse skill set that can be applied in many ways. While job searching can be very difficult, just make sure you reach out to the right marine recruiter and submit your CV.
