Why You Should Consider Hiring A Veteran

Going through the hiring process can be extremely tedious and time-consuming. Trying to find the right candidate for the role you’re advertising likely requires a particular set of skills and attributes that you’re looking for. One gap in the job market that you may be missing out on, are candidates who have a military background. These individuals acquire unique qualities and skills that the vast majority of employees may not have – and there are many veterans looking to join the civilian workforce. So, why not consider a veteran hiring initiative? Here are some reasons you may benefit from hiring a veteran.

Leadership Qualities 

One of the primary and most beneficial attributes you’re likely to gain from hiring a veteran is the leadership capabilities that they possess. Their years of training would have developed skills in providing direction, assertiveness and motivation. They would have learned how to deal with different behaviors in very high-pressure situations.

Teamwork

Teamwork is a quality that is highly required to support and help teammates in the field. Teamwork is a transferable skill that can apply to everyday duties within a civilian job. Furthermore, veterans can quickly adapt to different personalities to ensure that the group can work together to meet team objectives.

Work Well Under Pressure 

With the immense pressure that is applied to military personnel during their time serving, they need to be able to think on their feet and make decisions at the right time to ensure tasks are still achieved – all skills that are highly coveted in the business world. It requires a sense of composure and persistence to achieve objectives in these type of environments.

Health & Safety Conscious

With the focus on vitality and workplace wellness, veterans are a great resource to help drive organizational initiatives surrounding these objectives, due to the extensive training and focus on health they would have been exposed to while on active duty. The welfare of others would be just as important, which creates an environment that’s ideal for everyone.

Diversity & Inclusion

When thinking about adopting a robust diversity and inclusion strategy, veteran hiring may not immediately come to mind. However, it can be a very tangible way to further augment an organization’s commitment to diverse hiring. For all of the unique skills and experiences they bring to civilian roles, another aspect to consider is the global point-of-view many veterans possess. Further, many will have experience working in diverse teams, which directly corresponds to enhanced engagement and leadership amongst civilian teams. In fact, diverse teams outperform non-diverse teams by 35% according to a recent McKinsey study.