VETERAN HIRING: If a company states they are "Veteran Friendly," what is your initial reaction?

THANK YOU!!!!! I have noticed this locally. The VA has some jobs that would be AWESOME for veterans, but all of them are for current employees.

Yea, a lot of companies post this but not many are serious about this. if you look at their careers page, many (especially the big ones) will have job requirements that read like "must have 5 years experience drilling on a rig," or "making a specific widget" etc. Most of us coming out of the service (especially combat arms) don't fit most of the listings. Also, many of the positions companies offer are initial entry (like high school grad/college grad) and don't pay enough to support a family.

Lastly, while many companies do say "they want to hire the best" keep in mind that this is something the CEO likes to say. However, corporate gate keepers are trying to get the best they can and pay as little as possible for it.

Agreed Edward, there are organizations like UP who hire veterans. But why do you believe many other veterans have not experienced a company like UP? Why are their experiences so jaded against the "Veteran Friendly" moniker... For the record I have worked with UP in the past and they have decades of veteran hiring history, which is embedded in their hiring DNA.

Chad I believe into two theories of why companies only say they are Vet friendly. One is that it's great publicity and the only people who know this is the Vets applying to those companies and the companies themselves. With all of the free publicity that comes with them saying we will hire Vets you be crazy to turn it down.

The second reason is fear of the unknown or being afraid of what y I u don't know. The companies that want to hire Vets didn't know anything about the military, so they don't understand or dint know how to act around a Vets. You we have a different language. Even though at UP 20% of our force are Veterans or Reserve and Guard there is still a communication barrier.

Thanks for the feedback Joel.

I wouldn't go as far to say "stunts", rather I believe many (not all) of the these companies are truly lost and have not way of knowing what to do. So instead of crying "HELP" and getting an expert and veteran team on-board to fix the situation they hang a "Veteran Friendly" sign on everything and believe that will fix their problem. And it obviously does not...

Truth. It also lets allows them to get a whole lot of radio time. I hear commercials on every station. Though its always the same companies. Never any real results I'm assuming.

Hey Charles, do you mean marketing for company products and services? A facade to make people feel good about their brand and then sell?

I would say a facade, to be seen as a company that is inclusive. Brand or company Humanization without the effort. Most civilian companies that advertise Veteran friendly...are using it just like they would the catch phrase "We are Green" and probably don't even pay it any more attention than the Green statement. Neither one mean anything in reality.

I really appreciate your thoughts and experience on this Charles.

I'm in Central Valley CA. I've looked for work and seen companies state they are Veteran Friendly, when it came down to it, not so much. I've been with the Same organization since I retired in 2002, but it never hurts to keep feelers out for something bigger and better. I am also pragmatic enough to know the grass is always greener, anywhere else than where you are. When Searching I have found most companies either ask for or about my veteran information but don't use any of it. I would also say that the DOD and Government Jobs are even worse. I am 60% disabled and know what they state are the requirements to hire disabled Veterans and yet, it's never really worked out for a new position. Not that I am complaining I'm just stating my personal experience. Also, The few Government Jobs I applied for was called and made it to the 3rd and 4th rounds of interviews and the job mysteriously disappeared or went unfilled.

Some do take the incentives Scott. Do you see the incentive as a negative?

You would be surprised how many companies do not take advantage of the tax incentives.

You may be right. I have been unsuccessfully looking for employment since my retirement in 2010