Many employers are unaware of the strong skills military veterans offer civilian organizations, according to Right Management, the talent and career division within ManpowerGroup.
"Employers sometimes think military experience is narrow or not easily transferred to a business setting," says Ron Sims, talent management practice leader of Right Management. "But veterans have a remarkable range of competencies and abilities of great potential value to today's organization. The challenge has become one of changing some perceptions, or communicating with civilian recruiters and hiring managers the facts about veterans' transferable skills."
Sims, who is a veteran, says veterans typically have the natural and learned ability to adjust to any new work setting.
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"They tend to possess exceptional communication and leadership skills, a strong work ethic and the positive expectation they will function efficiently and effectively," Sims says.
According to Sims, employers should consider hiring veterans because of their work ethic, which stems from their service-oriented attitude. Veterans also have an accelerated learning curve and have identifiable and transferable skills that can improve an organization's productivity.
Respect for procedures is another reason to hire veterans, Sims says. With veterans' military experience, they have developed a unique outlook on the value of accountability and can easily understand their place within an organization. Veterans also perform well under pressure and have strong leadership skills.
For veterans looking for civilian careers, Sims recommends identifying and communicating transferable skills and abilities that can be equally applied to all jobs.
"As the corporate world continues to struggle with a looming leadership shortfall, shifting demographics and a growing gap between needed and available skills it makes sense to take a close look at returning veterans," Sims says.
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