The unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans was lower in October — at 4.6% — than the national average of 5%, according to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. While the numbers look better than they have in the past, there's still a great need for resources for military veterans looking for jobs in the civilian sector.
In honor of Veterans Day 2015, we have a roundup of resources for veterans currently searching for jobs in the civilian or government jobs sectors, those considering continuing education or entrepreneurship, and those in need of resources for their job search.
- The 100K Jobs Mission coalition, which has grown from 11 companies to more than 200 over the last four years, is rebranding itself as the "Veteran Jobs Mission," a move designed to reflect an enduring goal of connecting veterans with employers rather than just reaching big benchmarks. See job listings and participating companies here.
- JOFDAV - Job Opportunities For Disabled Veterans: JOFDAV is a non-profit job board geared towards helping our disabled veterans find job opportunities and resources to help them not just survive, but to THRIVE.
- The Veteran Staffing Network is an Easter Seals organization that predominantly employs veterans to help other veterans (and their spouses) find work in the civilian sector. Its services range from job placement in temp-to-perm, contract and direct hire positions to resume writing and job interview skills assistance, to counseling and peer mentoring.
- The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) provides critical resources, expertise, and training to assist veterans in locating and obtaining meaningful careers at over 2,500 American Job Centers nationwide.
- Another resource from the DOL: Career One Stop Pathways to Career Success features a veteran employment section focused on transition, benefits, education, training, skills, and unemployment benefits.
- Transitioning military personnel can use their military code or title to discover related civilian occupations/careers within O*NET Online's Military Crosswalk Search or My Next Move for Veterans' Military Transition Search. The Military Occupational Classification (MOC) crosswalk was updated by the Department of Defense in July 2013 and was incorporated into O*NET OnLine and My Next Move for Veterans.
- FedsHireVets has federal jobs information for veterans (and transitioning vets and family members) at FedsHireVets.gov.
- RecruitMilitary is a veteran-owned firm that helps veterans find civilian careers, new business opportunities, franchise ownership, and training. Take a look at their hot jobs and career fairs.
- Continuing education and entrepreneurship programs are available for veterans. Start with the Transition Field Guide for Veterans: Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship after Service (Veteran Jobs Mission).
- The EBV National Program is an initiative designed to leverage the skills, resources and infrastructure of higher education to offer cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with service-connected disabilities and a passion for entrepreneurship (as well as military family members who serve in a caregiver role to a veteran with a service-connected disability). The program's mission is to open the door to economic opportunity for veterans and their families by developing their competencies in creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture.
- In need of transportation? Ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft recently announced that they will donate tens of thousands of free trips to veterans for transportation to work, job interviews and other critical needs.
- More resources: Jobs requiring security clearance, Global Elite Group jobs, Military Sealift Command, and Top Secret SCI jobs.
We thank you for your service and wish you the best of luck in your job search! If you have resources to add, please leave them in the comments.
