Do you self-identify as a Veteran when you apply for a job?

MAJ George Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:39:14 -0400

As a follow up survey to the one that asked for Veterans insights into how they feel self-identifying impacts their career search, I want to know - how many Veterans make sure to self-identify during the application process? If so, why? If you do not identify, why not?

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 3 at 2015 11:41 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:41:33 -0400

It might hurt more than help in ome cases but i imagine I owuld.

Response by Cpl Andrew Tucker made Jun 3 at 2015 11:41 AM

Cpl Andrew Tucker — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:41:48 -0400

Depends on the job and company. If I know they are A) staffed with vets or B) looking for vets, yes. If I don't know, I'll check the box and if they can't read my resume, well I don't particularly want to work there.

Response by Sgt Luigi Croce made Jun 3 at 2015 11:42 AM

Sgt Luigi Croce — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:42:55 -0400

Hell yea I do. I love taking on clients or point of contacts that are veterans themselves. We seem to "click" better and often share stories. =)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:47:39 -0400

Absolutely! When coming into another employment opportunity alot of companies are tracking this and encourage hiring Military Veterans. My case is a bit different as I am still serving, so I will need some time off here in the there to conduct drills.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 3 at 2015 12:02 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:02:58 -0400

You forgot "other", because there always need to be an other!

"Depends" would be my best answer. It really would be driven by if being a veteran (or a specific type of veteran) is actually beneficial to the the job I will be applying for. They already "know" I am a vet based on my resume, If I want to highlight that during the interview, it best be for a reason that is gonna get me hired.

Examples
-Scope of responsibility
-Oversight of X personnel
-Job directly deals with the DoD/Gov
-Overall leadership skill

If the company is not well known for it's veteran/government work, it might be a null or even a negative with commercials about PTSD are consistently painting vets as unstable.

Response by MCPO Brian Legg made Jun 3 at 2015 12:24 PM

MCPO Brian Legg — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:24:47 -0400

Absolutely! I personally would not work for a business or corporation that did not respect our veterans. I also live in Texas.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 3 at 2015 12:30 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:30:24 -0400

I always identified as a veteran and more so while I was still in the ARMY Reserves and deploying because it was important for employers to know that I might be deployed. Once retired I continued to identify as a veteran for the simple fact most employers prefer the work ethics of veterans. Only draw back is in teaching, because school district like to place teachers with military experience in poor performing school and are reluctant to permit such a good asset to move to a better school, this leads to veteran burnt out.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 3 at 2015 12:30 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:30:24 -0400

To come out and say it, no it's already in my resume.

Response by SGT(P) Bruce Van Havermaet made Jun 3 at 2015 12:35 PM

SGT(P) Bruce Van Havermaet — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:35:35 -0400

Yes I make sure they know. Why because we all deserve the best. I know a lot of people who say they never could do what we do.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 3 at 2015 12:36 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:36:49 -0400

Most people respect veterans and a lot of employment opportunities give veterans a priority if they are qualified.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 3 at 2015 12:46 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:46:27 -0400

I want to let the potential employer know up front what they are getting. Someone who is dedicated to getting the job done whether as an individual or as a part of a team.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 1:03 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:03:57 -0400

Absolutely. Especially when the employer establishes they have veteran's preference hiring.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 2:07 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:07:00 -0400

I would but I usually can't. I'm am not technically considered a veteran to employers, since I haven't been deployed or spent enough time on Active Duty.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 3 at 2015 2:39 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:39:23 -0400

I almost HAVE to self identify as a veteran. While I have "civilianized" my resume, the work locations are still military installations. Makes it pretty obvious!!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jun 3 at 2015 2:45 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:45:05 -0400

Interesting, since I will be starting my all out job search soon. My resume will scream "I'm a Veteran" since I have spent so long in the military and have no recent civilian job experience. I am extremely proud of my service and I would definitely NOT hide that. If a perspective company is turned off by me being a Veteran, then I wouldn't want to work for them anyway!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 3 at 2015 4:39 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:39:10 -0400

Of course I do, I am rather Proud of most of what I did.

Response by MAJ Michael Dake made Jun 3 at 2015 5:30 PM

MAJ Michael Dake — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:30:01 -0400

When a company has a data collection tool for veteran status, I self-identify. I provide the information because I (suspect I) know why they are asking. When veteran status has an upside for them, as under the VOW Act, they are motivated to select veterans; the check box is the official way for them to know that you are a Veteran. I am an HR practitioner, if not a specialist in affirmative action plans, but I do not believe that a prospective employer is permitted to look at your resume and "determine" that you are a veteran for AAP reporting purposes. They have to ask directly. So I tell them when they do. I hope that it is not hurting me when I do. I am in a military-friendly town, though.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jun 3 at 2015 5:36 PM

SPC Candace Leach — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:36:58 -0400

It's on my resume and I'm proud to say that I serve.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 10:51 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 22:51:09 -0400

Yes, because the majority of my work history has been in the military, so my resume often lists my employer as "US Navy."