How do you know if a company is truly “Veteran Friendly”?

MAJ George Hamilton — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:43:03 -0500

I hear it all the time, and have spent a fair amount of time complaining about it myself.

How do you know that a company advertising itself as “Veteran Friendly” truly is? What indicators can help you make an informed decision when looking for an organization that will truly value what you have done, and what your potential is?

As it turns out, there are a few things that will help you differentiate between the companies paying lip service, and those that spend a great deal of time and effort to acquire Veteran Talent.

1. Government Contracting - Are they government contractors? Do they have a legal obligation to adhere to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations and laws? If they are, then chances are they take the hiring of Veterans and other diversity groups quite seriously and have a program that focuses solely on bringing that particular talent into the organization.

2. Advertising vs. Programs - How big is their advertising push for hiring Veterans? The bigger and flashier, usually the less substance there is to the program, or the positions they are hiring for are not ones that would provide you with a career – but more with just an hourly job. There is a big difference between those two things, and it’s very important you find the companies that want to invest in you and your potential over the long haul.

3. Online Tools for the Veteran - What kind of online presence do they have for Veteran hiring? Do they have a careers page for Veterans? If they do, how much substance is there to it? Do they have a valid skills translator? Do they target specific job functions that they know Veterans are historically successful in (i.e. Supply Chain, Operations, Auto Repair, Human Resources, Loss Prevention)? Or is it just their basic careers page regurgitated with some Veteran themed backgrounds?

4. Their Partners? - What kind of Veteran organizations are they involved with? What kind of conferences do they attend? Do they work with local Veteran organizations, or just big name national ones? The companies that are best at acquiring Veteran Talent are ones that have tiered programs that address the Veteran population holistically when it comes to career fairs, Veteran non-profits, etc.

5. Hiring History and Culture - With all the advertising campaigns and news releases – which companies have quietly spent their budgets hiring large numbers of Veterans in the previous year? Have they set hiring goals for the coming year? What other benefits do they offer to get young Veterans working on making the transition from service successfully?

These are some of the things you should consider when trying to discern what is valuable in all the static and noise. The sad truth is only about 25% of the Veteran organizations and Veteran friendly companies I have come into contact with actually have groups dedicated to specific hiring goals, or provide a service that actually gets Veterans hired. This particular market suffers from a gross over-saturation at the moment, and it most likely won’t get any less saturated in the coming few years.

While flash and advertising is great – take a minute or two to find out who is really dedicated to making the needle move on Veteran unemployment. It can be difficult to figure out - but as with military culture itself - it is rarely the flashiest or loudest group that is knocking out the most important work effectively.

Response by Kevin Owens made Nov 3 at 2014 1:54 PM

Kevin Owens — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:54:57 -0500

Good points. I would just a couple. In your research for a company look for the Vets online. You can look here on RallyPoint or Linkedin is another good source. Search for the company and then Veteran, Military or branch of service. Then ask them. Glassdoor.com is another good place to find more unbiased company information.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Nov 3 at 2014 2:04 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:04:41 -0500

One of the biggest problems is the HR's. We know what management wants to hire. But today it seems that HR's know what is best for the companies vs the upper management. For if they see military vet, or retiree, they think that we can not conform or adapt. And even some think that we all have PTSD. Also, the think we are to rigid. And all those things are complete BS. Today's HR's are the ones that are really hiring people and not the mangagers. Sure the managers have a say, but it seems the what the HR's say is bigger than the mangers.

Recently I had an interview with a comapany in my town. And it went well. The HR person called me back not once but three times. The first time was for the first interview, the second time was for a second interview with another person from HR, and the third time was to meet the manager of the dept that I was applying for. They all really wanted to hire me for my my military experience. The only reason why I was not hired and the HR rep called me up and told me was that I did not have enough inspection qualifications. But know where did I hear I was not needed because of being in the military. I did turn down an offer with an insurance company. I felt I was not cut our for insurance anyways.

Right now I have applied to two overseas contracting jobs that I was offered. Waiting to hear back from them.

Response by Sgt Junyer Knight made Nov 3 at 2014 2:06 PM

Sgt Junyer Knight — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:06:57 -0500

One particular I look for when researching a company is what rank of person they mention hiring and for what. If you look at Amazon you will see their military hiring is geared towards low-end warehousing/package moving jobs. At USAA they promote hard that they have an amazing leadership development program, if you're a JMO. Activision started the Call of Duty Endowment to help with military hiring, but outside of the one veteran they promote on that website I have not found any hard data or reports about what kind of impact it makes.

Companies are going to hire based on assumed risk. Hiring a low influence veteran at Amazon is an easy way for them to fill a simple role and punch that "Hired a Veteran" punchcard. At USAA they do not have as many of those types of roles and so they keep their risks small by hiring only JMOs for their LD program. I think they miss out on some great student veteran graduates but that is a different discussion.

One honorable mention I want to point out is JPMorgan Chase. I think the concept of their military internship program is great. I will not rate them yet because I want to hear how the program is going, what their success rate has been, which ranks they have selected, etc. You can find more info about their program here: http://careers.jpmorgan.com/student/jpmorgan/careers/military/us

My advice to jobseekers: Stop looking at military job sites, all of them. Get on Facebook, Rallypoint, and the phone and start calling your friends and your friends' friends. Ask for introductions at companies you want to work for regardless of how red,white, and blue their website might be. I just accepted an offer last week at a company with no veteran hiring page. I got the job through an old colleague of one of my good friends who just happened to also be a USMC grunt. Talk to people, get on Linkedin, and stop being afraid to reach out and ask for help!

Response by SGT James Elphick made Nov 3 at 2014 2:44 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:44:14 -0500

Most of the "Veteran Friendly" companies that I have come across are just using it for the publicity and are not actually hiring veterans.

My advice is similar to Sgt Junyer Knight, stop trying to go through veteran and military channels to find employment. Veterans are going to have to accept that there is no "veteran-hiring" policy and jump in with everyone else. Use the civilian resources, like LinkedIn, and call/talk to people you know. Talk to other vets who have gone through the process, make sure your resume is squared away so civilians know what is going on and get in the game. And as aggravating and sad as it is, if you have enough other experience, drop your military experience from your resume.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 2:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:58:33 -0500

The last time I tried to use my Vet status as a benefit to being hired, I was offered "training" for an unclear position that I MIGHT be hired for. My situation at the time didn't allow for this much uncertainty so I respectfully declined.

Looking back I see that this unpaid training was really just like going to college. You spend 4 years "training" and learning to one day enter the work force for jobs that may or may not be there. And if there are jobs available, you have to have at least 6 years of experience, know someone working there, or settle for an annual income that makes you wonder why you went to college in the first place.

Are vets seen as undesirables in the civilian job market?

Response by Cpl Gregory Hajder made Nov 3 at 2014 2:58 PM

Cpl Gregory Hajder — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:58:54 -0500

I am a stay at home dad so, I am pretty sure my 'employer' loves and respects her verteran.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 3:14 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:14:26 -0500

I always ask what there polices are as far as military members and their careers.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 3 at 2014 3:33 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:33:56 -0500

I would know by them being friendly, or supportive, of Veterans. The company I currently work for goes out of it way to hire veterans...just wish their were more wanting to enter the field.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 5:03 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:03:18 -0500

If it wasn't already written, a good source (for larger companies) is the GI Jobs top 100 Military Friendly list. This list comes out every December and is solely based on initiatives and hiring numbers, versus "paying" to get on a list (not sure if any of those exist).

The only advice outside of that list that I would give someone is to understand the duties or expectations of the job which they take. Some companies have better structured career paths, longevity and more favorable opportunities than others.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 5:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:26:55 -0500

We don't sir, but we are trying to bridge that gap by creating an RP bad boy list that will address that sort of stigma.

Response by TSgt Phillip L. made Nov 4 at 2014 3:54 AM

TSgt Phillip L. — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 03:54:35 -0500

I don't trust them unless a veteran is running the company and at least half of its board members are veterans. I'm even stacking the deck in my nonprofit. If you plan on serving veterans, you need to be comprised of veterans.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 4 at 2014 12:17 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:17:15 -0500

This is an easy question to answer. You see, I can tell if a company is Veteran friendly by whether they hire me or not!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 3:36 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:36:06 -0500

In my case, I was told I would be retiring - due the 'budget cuts' - only 5 months before the retirement date. So, I looked at every viable option with no luck while I was still in - I did not find a 'Military Friendly' company till 7 months after retirement. None of the job fairs, multitude of interviews, or applications panned out until I happened upon Amtrak - who is truly military friendly.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 6:05 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 18:05:02 -0500

As a self-employed business owner, I am veteran friendly. I list it as one of several speciality patients that I not only enjoy treating, but because of my military background, have a niche treating.

You see, treating a military veteran, whether they be active, reserve, retired, disabled, or medically retired has rewards and challenges. We all have layers, I like to call these layers experience, but it can be trauma, obstacles, fears, as well positive attributes as well. The first limiting factor of treating someone's pain is getting past the gatekeeper. This gatekeeper literally means secretary, but I am speaking metaphorically, the nervous system. Learning to talk their language. A spine whisperer of sort.

I also treat a certain amount of my veterans pro-bono, that means no charge. Some of them have responded really well. This has flooded my office with new referrals, because veterans talk.

I list on my website that I am veteran and support several veterans groups. Against my wifes advice. I have even been told that I was a killer turned healer...I laughed.

And of course, hiring veterans is a very obvious clue. Havent hired one yet, its just been the right thing yet, as I am working with my wife, and that is working well.

I am also a VFW member, 1stMarineDivision Assoc, 1st Reconnaissance Bn Assoc, and Returning Veterans Project. I think a huge step would be a percentage of your profits donated to a veterans cause. Like Wounded Warrior Project we well. What have you guys seen out there?

Last but not least, a Military Discount! I have saved thousands by asking...

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jan 6 at 2015 10:52 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 22:52:36 -0500

My husband always found out on interview day. Do they guys interviewing him know what his military training means? Most of the time, he found that his interviewer was ex-military and and then ended up comparing notes, deployments and schools.

When they give you a blank look when you mention your A or C school, you know the interview is not going to go well.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 6:37 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 18:37:09 -0500

In my experience, some of these companies that claim they hire veterans hire them as contractors from different contracting companies. (This is not considered to be a legitimate direct hire.) However, that hire is still added to their statistics. The statistics that most of these companies parrot out are as mythological as the Easter bunny.

Response by SPC Sherrie Chapman made Mar 2 at 2015 7:16 PM

SPC Sherrie Chapman — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:16:57 -0500

I'm the token veteran, sad to say. Not from lack of recruiting, though. It's just been very hard to find the right, skilled, educated employees - civilian or otherwise.

Response by CW4 Theodore Samter made Mar 18 at 2015 11:47 AM

CW4 Theodore Samter — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:47:10 -0400

It is hard to tell. I believe most do not understand Veterans and are scared of PTSD. I have almost came to the point of removing all combat experience and combat awards from my resume. I saw where a certain amount of employers will not consider Combat Veterans, because they are scared of PTSD. Every interview I have had, that the recruiter asked about combat, I did not get the job. A lot of Civilians think Combat experience=going postal. I had a real good job, with the largest truck leasing company, and I believe they treated me totally different from the rest of their employees. I talked to multiple Vets, with that company, and ALL of them said the same thing. I would look for Veterans in higher positions, so maybe they would have someone that understands veterans better. Some understand our work ethics, honesty and loyalties but most think it is unusual.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 19 at 2015 3:10 PM

SrA David Steyer — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 15:10:51 -0500

I'll believe it when a significant number of employees from said employer are veterans, and if you are looking to hire veterans who just got out...give them a chance and train them in something gainful. Realize they may not have a specific license, certification that you are looking for but have great value and worth in other areas that are beneficial.

I've seen many employers who claim they are veteran friendly and just about every position they are hiring for require certifications and years of experience that someone who just got out of the military that may not have. I've seen a lot of insurance, real estate, legal jobs advertised on sites and job fairs intended for veterans, many of which who are getting out very soon or just got out. Doubtful that a significant number of service members are going to get a real estate license or insurance certification while they are in but then they check job sites/fairs this many of the jobs they see. Generally the people at these events are people transitioning, not veterans who been out of the military and had employment for a minute.

Now, the employer may find a veteran with those skills and certifications, so I don't want to be a negative. However if they have the certifications and skills needed and are a perfect fit for the position, there is probably a good chance that they have been out of the military for a while and are well established in their life after the military and the fact they are a veteran is just a nice side effect

Response by CA Delete D. made Jan 29 at 2018 4:27 PM

CA Delete D. — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:27:20 -0500

Only employers I've seen thus far that make their vet hiring paths clear and negotiable across the board are the federal govt (usajobs.gov) and JP Morgan (particularly for training); however, I believe Microsoft is training veterans for virtually nothing in IT and guaranteeing interviews with themselves and their associates. Oh, TMC transport (flatbed co. Based in Des Moines) was big on hiring military vets as truck drivers.

Your chances of getting interviewed and hired seem greatly increased if you separated as an Officer under 45 with an ivy-league degree, or as an Officer with > 15 years experience in IT/Cryptology/Nuclear-field.

Response by SP5 Laurie Mixter made May 28 at 2023 11:39 AM

SP5 Laurie Mixter — Sun, 28 May 2023 11:39:39 -0400

Talk to the other people who have been hired or not hired by them! Check out Glass Door, see who runs the Company, and what others say about the work environment, ask other Veterans on here! (We will tell you the truth)!