Employment Opportunities for Veterans
Find a Job or Create Your Own
Sky-rocketing unemployment rates pose a special difficulty for veterans trying to obtain jobs. Several resources are available to help military personnel, veterans and their families navigate job hunting in the current economic climate.
Online Resources for Military Veterans
Online resources allow you to access to several potential job opportunities at once. Several are geared specifically toward military veterans.
VetFran was created with cooperation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Corporation and the US Small Business Administration. As of 2009, over 200 companies working with the program. The site includes several franchise options, from advertising, business management consulting, temporary staffing services, wildlife control or event planning. Start here to become your own boss.
VetJobs not only helps military members find civilian jobs, but assists their families as well. Resources are available for enlisted, retired members, spouses, dependents, widows and “eligible former spouses.” There is also a section on the site for posting resumes.
Veteran Employment Information is a site for job seeking veterans and veterans employed in federal civil service. VEI is divided into five sections:
- VetsInfo Guide, which provides information on veteran hiring policies
- VetGuide, a comprehensive listing of federal laws and regulations on veteran employment and benefits
- Information on federal the Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP)
- News and Transmittals link, which takes veterans to media coverage on veteran employment issues
- Information for Job Seekers functions as a FAQ for veterans who have questions on federal employment hiring procedures
USAJOBS is a federal jobs site has over 45,000 searchable positions. The site also devotes a section to commonly needed forms, including those from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of the Interior , the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the US Department of Labor, veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces are given priority for federal positions.
Military Hire bills itself as the “leading job and resume site for veterans.” Use it to search for jobs and post resumes. The JobScout option helps you find jobs matching your criteria.
Print Resources for Vets Seeking Jobs
There are several print resources that can help you in your job search. A few comprehensive options are below.
Entrepreneur Magazine, both the print and online versions of this magazine offer business advice, which includes franchise opportunities.
The Franchise Handbook: A Guide to Buying, Selling or Investing in a Franchise by Robert Hayes [Atlantic Publishing Company, 2006] covers everything from selecting the right franchise to running your business.
Veteran Preference Employment Statutes: A State-By-State and Federal Government Handbook by V.I. Brown [McFarland & Company, 2001] lists state employment preferences for veterans. Brown also includes information on the extent that federal hiring preferences cover veterans’ families.
There is a network of both print and online resources to help both active duty and military veterans find employment. The key to a successful job search is to branch beyond traditional job channels and employment opportunities. Utilize networking sites, such as LinkedIn and MilitaryHire to find a group that can aid you in your search. Opening a franchise or starting a business are also viable options.
Employment Resources for Those Who Have Served
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