Veterans returning to the United States after active duty may face a different kind of battle: finding a job.
According to a CareerBuilder.com survey conducted in August and September, about one-sixth (17%) of veterans looking for a job said it took more than six months to secure one after leaving active duty; nearly a tenth said it took one year or more.
About 20% of veterans said the biggest challenge to getting hired for a civilian position is employers’ inability to understand how military skills can fulfill civilian qualifications. Veterans also pointed to a lack of a college degree, a low number of jobs in their area, and inexperience with civilian job interviewing as other reasons they had trouble finding a job.
However, nearly 20% of employers said that they will be actively recruiting veterans over the next 12 months. When asked what important qualities a veteran can bring to their organization, employers said:
- The ability to be part of a team (74%)
- Disciplined approach to work (73%)
- Leadership skills (66%)
- Respect and integrity (64%)
- Ability to perform under pressure (62%)
Source: CareerBuilder.com.
