Why is it that whenever employers hear military, they look the other way when it comes to hiring?

SPC Corie Davis — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:25:57 -0400

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Aug 5 at 2016 10:33 AM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:33:13 -0400

SPC Corie Davis ,
Great question. Wish I had a definitive answer. Partial intimidation.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 5 at 2016 10:43 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:43:18 -0400

Why do you believe that? Employers look for the best person/s to make their business successful. That wasn't my experience during my job search post military retirement and for sure when I was doing the hiring. But, I wasn't near military facilities where the population had preconceived notions about military personnel.

Response by SGT Christopher Bake made Aug 5 at 2016 11:13 AM

SGT Christopher Bake — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:13:41 -0400

As a guy who hires regularly, I would rather hire a vet than almost anyone else. Maybe I'm biased.
It also may be what is emphasised on your resume. Highlight planning, logistical, leadership, and team work. Stay away from "delivering freedom one 5.56 round at a time" kind of statements

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 5 at 2016 11:16 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:16:03 -0400

When I was a senior Fed attending Small Business fairs, Vets tended to have some hurdles. These small outfits with say 5-15 employees don't have time to deal with reprogramming culture, etc. Yes MILs have much to offer, but they didn't want the risk of bringing them aboard. Larger firms have the mass to absorb what the small firms fear. I also saw some ego fear in that MILs can be really good, hence a threat. Regardless, with the SBs, it appears to be more of a mixed bag.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Aug 5 at 2016 11:18 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:18:58 -0400

It comes down to their desire for "specific industry experience". There is not much on the job professional development and training in the civilian world. They fill positions based on pre-determined qualifications. They want to hire someone who can immediately fill the position with very little indoctrination and integration into the duties of the job. They may value the attributes of new veterans, but may not see the military experience on the resume as relevant to their needs. Makes it hard for newly separated SM's to compete with civilian applicants who have recognizable "specific industry experience". There are also those who have perceptions of veterans that they feel make us a "risky hire". They are always going to play it safe, and the "specific industry experience" justification is their fall back to pass on the veteran applicant.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Aug 5 at 2016 11:19 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:19:55 -0400

A few thoughts/comments:
- I disagree with the general statement that employers look the other way when it comes to hiring and they hear military. In some cases this is absolutely wrong but in same cases it is true. In some cases it may have more to do with the individual than with their military present/past status and using the military is a ready excuse for the individual to cover some other weakness or reason for not being hired.
- In cases where this statement is wrong, the employer is actively seeking former military members for a variety of reasons (work ethic, discipline, veteran's preference, cheaper to employ (health care)).
- In cases where this statement is true, it can be because the person is in the National Guard/Reserve (employer does not want to deal with weekend drills, ATs, and activations), can not fire a NG/R employee because of their service so easier to just not hire in the first place.
- I recommend a critical self analysis or an objective macro analysis before coming to the conclusion that employers do not want former military personnel.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Aug 5 at 2016 11:43 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:43:27 -0400

I know in the State Department it is just the reverse of that --we want military experience and value it. The same is true for contract companies as well

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Aug 5 at 2016 11:58 AM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:58:17 -0400

I think it depends on the job being applied for. I have been involved in Corrections, Law Enforcement and Security all of which value a military background because most that have that experience are usually indoctrinated into rank structure, chain of command, personal accountability, attention to detail and a dedication to mission accomplishment. I have also worked in retail sales and higher learning both of which placed no value on my military experience but did not hold it against me. The only reason that I can see any employer holding military against anyone would be that they are looking for a person that is a total conformist without the desire to seek upward mobility and is inhibited in exercising self initiative. These type of people are perfect for the service industry and are best for a task oriented job performance.

Response by SSG Manuel A. Gonzalez made Aug 5 at 2016 3:10 PM

SSG Manuel A. Gonzalez — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:10:57 -0400

Yup

Response by SSG Manuel A. Gonzalez made Aug 5 at 2016 3:13 PM

SSG Manuel A. Gonzalez — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:13:03 -0400

I believe some cant afford us or are anti military!!!

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Aug 5 at 2016 3:14 PM

CPL Anthony Slaughter — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:14:48 -0400

I guess it all depends on who is doing the hiring, but a lot of places are specifically looking for Veterans. For example, the college I now work at offered Veteran's Preference on the application, which guarantees you an interview.

Response by PFC Al Sethre made Aug 5 at 2016 3:28 PM

PFC Al Sethre — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:28:36 -0400

In some cases, it is often jealousy of our entitlements. We don't have the same monthly student loan debt that they have, many of us get free healthcare, many of us get VA disability checks, some get pensions, etc. Even though we sacrificed our time and our bodies to get those entitlements, the average civilian still doesn't care. I don't know how many times I've overheard "Well, that's not fair!" when a coworker finds out that I get a monthly VA disability check.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 5:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 17:31:06 -0400

in my experience went to job interview when i mentioned reserves the interview went south, went next door to another company and got hired been with them 10 years, no reason from the other company other than we'll call you, with the company i worked with over the last 10 yrs been on one deployment, great support, even while still active reserves

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Aug 5 at 2016 10:36 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 22:36:56 -0400

I haven't had that issue. My husband (11 years in service) never had that issue either. Most of his interviewers were ex-military. I suppose it depends on what industry and what company.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2016 2:58 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 02:58:44 -0400

Personally, honorable military service would be a hiring plus for me.

Response by PO1 Mike Edgecomb made Aug 11 at 2016 3:43 PM

PO1 Mike Edgecomb — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:43:31 -0400

Most companies that I am aware of actively seek military. It must depend on the field of employment or geography.
Many employers know that veterans can take direction, show up on time, and have a good work ethic. Veterans who are seeking employment related to their military field, especially in the trades have an advantage as well. I am not aware of any company that shuns veterans, although I have no doubt that it happens.