Veterans bring a unique, extensive set of skills to the workforce, yet they often face challenges in finding employment that values these skills. Too often, companies prioritize degrees over real-world experience and the practical, adaptable abilities veterans have honed. This disconnect has contributed to a concerning trend: according to a McKinsey & Co. study, nearly 90,000 out of 150,000 enlisted military personnel earn less in their first civilian year than they did while serving. This underscores the importance of knowing where to find employers who recognize and value military experience. Many companies are actively committed to hiring veterans for their skills, resilience, and dedication—you just need to know how to find them.

What Makes An Employer Veteran-Friendly?

A veteran-friendly employer actively prioritizes hiring veterans and supporting their transition to civilian work. Many employers go out of their way to hire veterans or those coming out of service and demonstrate this commitment through Veteran Resource Groups (VRGs), which are employee-led groups focused on fostering community among veterans within the organization. These veteran resource groups (VRGs) can help new hires settle in and current employees build a sense of community. 

Military Times highlights a company with a robust VRG, where military-background applicants often enter their roles with connections already established through the VRG. This sense of community helps veterans feel at home and valued, while also showcasing the company’s appreciation for qualities and attributes like perseverance, dependability, and problem-solving–the very traits that veterans bring to the workforce.

Resources To Find Veteran-Supportive Employers

While applying for jobs is always daunting at the outset, veterans have access to several valuable resources that can help them find supportive employers.

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is a valuable resource for veterans and their families. MSEP connects military spouses with employers who are committed to hiring and retaining military-affiliated employees. Through MSEP’s job portal, spouses of active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members can explore thousands of career opportunities with over 500 partner organizations that understand and value the unique challenges and strengths of military life. This partnership fosters long-term career development and creates a community of support for military families, helping both veterans and their spouses achieve fulfilling employment.

USA Jobs

USA Jobs, the federal government’s hiring platform, is a great option for veterans looking for employment. Something unique about USA jobs and job boards like it is a veteran designation. USA jobs will put a tag on certain job postings, like a maintenance worker at a national park, which designates those jobs as veteran-preferenced. Any veterans applying to a job with that tag will receive special attention, and as long as their experience matches the job qualifications, they’ll receive preference for that job as well.

Employer Rating Platforms

Platforms like Glassdoor or Indeed can also be invaluable. These websites provide job applicants with insights into company culture, allowing veterans to assess how supportive a company might be towards veteran hires. Veterans can use these job boards as a way to assess if workplaces support veteran applicants and offer a supportive environment for transitioning into civilian careers.

Discerning Employer Commitment

An important part of the application process for any veteran is evaluating your employer. Some companies go the extra mile when it comes to supporting and employing veterans, so it’s important to do your research and check to see if a potential employer is right for you. One way you might perform this check is through consulting lists of veteran-friendly companies, like this recent one posted by Forbes. These lists show which companies are exceptional workplaces for veterans. They highlight companies based on a list of criteria that shows which companies hire veterans, how many veterans they employ, and sometimes even the satisfaction rates of those employed veterans. These lists are your friend.

The Interview Process

Interviewing for a job can be stressful at times, but it’s often overlooked as a great tool for applicants. Interviews are typically the first time you’re face to face with a company, so it’s usually the first chance you get to ask questions. During your interview, consider asking questions like:

• What support do you offer for veterans transitioning into civilian roles?
• Can you tell me about your company’s veteran resource groups or similar networks within the company?
• Are there opportunities for veterans to take on leadership roles within the organization? How do you help veterans leverage their military experience in these roles?

Questions like these will give you a better understanding of a company's commitment to veterans, as well as the different options for support that they offer. Doing this kind of legwork before you even get to the job helps you make a decision and helps your employer see that you’re the type of person who’s committed to performing well in the workplace.

Get Hired Today

Another great way to find your next job is to work with Premier. At Premier, our team of dedicated recruiters values diverse backgrounds and life experiences, including those of veterans. If you’re ready to invest in your future, contact us for a career journey built around respect, support, and shared goals. Invest in tomorrow by partnering with Premier today!